ECU Lexus ES330 2004 Destination Input and Route Guidance / LEXUS 2004 ES330 (OM33633U) Owner's Guide

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
120
Seat belt pretensioners
The driver and front passenger's seat belt pretensioners
are designed to be activated in response to a severe
frontal impact.
When the sensor detects a severe frontal impact, the front seat
belts are quickly drawn back by the retractors so that the belts
snugly restrain the front seat occupants.
The front passengers's seat belt pretensioner will not activate
if no passenger is detected in the front passenger seat by the
front passenger occupant classification system. However, the
front passenger's seat belt pretensioner may activate if
luggage is put on the seat, or the seat belt is buckled up
regardless of the presence of an occupant in the seat. (As for
the front passenger occupant classification system, see page
152.)
The seat belt pretensioners and SRS airbags may not operate
together in case of collisions at a certain speeds and angles.
16E544

1Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
2Front seat belt pretensioner assemblies
3SRS warning light
4Front passenger's seat belt buckle switch
5Front airbag sensors
6Airbag sensor assembly

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
125 Always wear your seat belt properly.
Your vehicle is equipped with a crash sensing and diagnostic
module, which will record the use of the seat belt restraint
system by the driver and front passenger when the SRS front
airbags are inflated.
CAUTION
The SRS front airbag system is designed only as a
supplement to the primary protection of the driver
and front passenger seat belt systems. The driver
and front passenger can be killed or seriously injured
by the inflating airbags if they do not wear the
available seat belts properly. During sudden braking
just before a collision, an unrestrained driver or front
passenger can move forward into direct contact with
or close proximity to the airbag which may then
deploy during the collision. To ensure maximum
protection in an accident, the driver and all
passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly. Wearing a seat belt properly during an
accident reduces the chances of death or serious
injury or being thrown out of the vehicle. For
instructions and precautions concerning the seat
belt system, see Seat beltsº on page 112.
Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously injured by the
deploying airbags. An infant or child who is too small
to use a seat belt should be properly secured using
a child restraint system. Lexus strongly
recommends that all infants and children be placed
in the rear seat of the vehicle and properly restrained.
The rear seat is the safest for infants and children.
For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see Child restraintº on page 156.
The SRS front airbags are designed to deploy in severe
(usually frontal) collisions where the magnitude and
duration of the forward deceleration of the vehicle
exceeds the designed threshold level.
The SRS front airbags will deploy if the severity of the impact
is above the designed threshold level, comparable to an
approximate 25 km/h (15 mph) collision when the vehicle has
the impact straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or
deform.
However, this threshold velocity will be considerably higher if
the vehicle strikes an object, such as a parked vehicle or sign
pole, which can move or deform on impact, or if the vehicle is
involved in an underride collision (e.g. a collision in which the
front of the vehicle underridesº, or goes under, the bed of a
truck, etc.).

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
128

1Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
2Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
3SRS warning light
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5Driver's seat position sensor
6Driver's seat belt buckle switch
7Front passenger's seat belt buckle switch
8AIRBAG OFFº and AIRBAG ONº indicator lights
9Front airbag sensors
10Airbag sensor assembly
The SRS front airbag system consists mainly of the above
components, and their locations are shown in the illustration.
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensor.The front airbag sensors constantly monitor the forward
deceleration of the vehicle. If an impact results in a forward
deceleration beyond the designed threshold level, the system
triggers the airbag inflators. At this time a chemical reaction in
the inflators very quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to
help restrain the forward motion of the occupants. The front
airbags then quickly deflate, so that there is no obstruction of
the driver's vision should it be necessary to continue driving.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a loud noise and
release some smoke and residue along with non-toxic gas.
This does not indicate a fire. This smoke may remain inside the
vehicle for some time, and may cause some minor irritation to
the eyes, skin or breathing. Be sure to wash off any residue as
soon as possible to prevent any potential skin irritation with
soap and water. If you safely exit from the vehicle, you should
do so immediately.
Deployment of the airbags happens in a fraction of a second,
so the airbags must inflate with considerable force. While the
system is designed to reduce serious injuries, primarily to the
head and chest, it may also cause other, less severe injuries
to the face, chest, arms and hands. These are usually in the
nature of minor burns or abrasions and swelling, but the force
of a deploying airbag can cause more serious injuries,
especially if an occupant's hands, arms, chest or head are in
close proximity to the airbag module at the time of deployment.
This is why it is important for the occupant to: avoid placing any
object or part of the body between the occupant and the airbag
module; sit straight and well back into the seat; wear the
available seat belt properly; and sit as far as possible from the
airbag module, while still maintaining control of the vehicle.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
138
CAUTION
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system
is designed only as a supplement to the primary
protection of the driver and front passenger and rear
outside passenger seat belt systems. To ensure
maximum protection in an accident, the driver and all
passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts
properly. Wearing a seat belt properly during an
accident reduces the chances of death or serious
injury or being thrown out of the vehicle. For
instructions and precautions concerning the seat
belt system, see Seat beltsº on page 112.
Do not allow anyone to lean his/her head or any part
of his/her body against the door or the area of the
seat, front pillar, rear pillar or roof side rail from which
the SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag deploy
even if he/she is a child seated in the child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the SRS side airbag and
curtain shield airbag inflate, and the impact of the
deploying airbags could cause death or serious
injury to the occupant.
Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and
children can be killed or seriously injured by the
deploying airbags. An infant or child who is too small
to use a seat belt should be properly secured using
a child restraint system. Lexus strongly
recommends that all infants and children be placed
in the rear seats of the vehicle and properly
restrained. The rear seats are the safest for infants
and children. For instructions concerning the
installation of a child restraint system, see Child
restraintº on page 156.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
140
16E557

1Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
2Side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
3Side airbag modules (airbag and inflator)
4Curtain shield airbag modules (airbag and inflater)
5Curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
6SRS warning light
7Front passenger's seat belt buckle switch
8AIRBAG OFFº and AIRBAG ONº indicator lights
9Airbag sensor assembly
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system consists
mainly of the above components, and their locations are shown
in the illustration.
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system is
controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sensor
assembly consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensor.
In a severe side impact, the side and curtain shield airbag
sensor and/or the curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the
side airbag inflators and/or the curtain shield airbag inflators.
At this time a chemical reaction in the inflators quickly fills the
airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the lateral motion
of the occupants.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
157
Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on
the front passenger seat even if the AIRBAG OFFº
indicator light is illuminated. In the event of an
accident, the force of the rapid inflation of the front
passenger airbag can cause death or serious injury
to the child if the rear-facing child restraint system is
installed on the front passenger seat.
A forward-facing child restraint system should be
allowed to be installed on the front passenger seat
only when it is unavoidable. Always move the seat as
far back as possible even if the AIRBAG OFFº
indicator light is illuminated, because the front
passenger airbag could inflate with considerable
speed and force. Otherwise, the child may be killed
or seriously injured.
On vehicles with side airbags and curtain shield
airbags, do not allow the child to lean his/her head or
any part of his/her body against the door or the area
of the seat, front or rear pillar or roof side rail from
which the side airbags or curtain shield airbags
deploy even if the child is seated in the child restraint
system. It is dangerous if the side airbags and curtain
shield airbags inflate, and the impact could cause
death or serious injury to the child.Do not use the seat belt extender when installing a
child restraint system on the front or rear passenger
seat. If installing a child restraint system with the
seat belt extender connected to the seat belt, the seat
belt will not securely hold the child restraint system,
which could cause death or serious injury to the child
or other passengers in the event of collision.
Make sure you have complied with all installation
instructions provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and that the system is properly
secured. If it is not secured properly, it may cause
death or serious injury to the child in the event of a
sudden stop or accident.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
158
Child restraint system
A child restraint system for a small child or baby must
itself be properly restrained on the seat with the lap
portion of the lap/shoulder belt. You must carefully
consult the manufacturer's instructions which
accompany the child restraint system.
To provide proper restraint, use a child restraint system
following the manufacturer's instructions about the appropriate
age and size of the child for the child restraint system.
Install the child restraint system correctly following the
instructions provided by its manufacturer. General directions
are also provided under the following illustrations.
The child restraint system should be installed on the rear seat.
According to accident statistics, the child is safer when
properly restrained in the rear seat than in the front seat.
When not using the child restraint system, keep it secured with
the seat belt or place it in the trunk or somewhere other than
the passenger compartment. This will prevent it from injuring
passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.Types of child restraint system
Child restraint systems are classified into the following 3 types
depending on the child's age and size.
(A) Infant seat
(B) Convertible seat
(C) Booster seat
Install the child restraint system following the instructions
provided by its manufacturer.
Your vehicle has anchor brackets for securing the top strap of
a child restraint system.
For instructions about how to use the anchor bracket, see
Using a top strapº on page 173.
The child restraint lower anchorages approved for your vehicle
may also be used. See Installation with child restraint lower
anchoragesº on page 175.
(A) Infant seat

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
161
1. Run the lap and shoulder belt through or around the infant
seat following the instructions provided by its manufacturer
and insert the tab into the buckle taking care not to twist the
belt. Keep the lap portion of the belt tight.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the lap and shoulder portions of
the belt are not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this
may prevent your child from properly latching the tab
and buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally, it cannot
protect your child from death or serious injury.
Contact your Lexus dealer immediately. Do not
install the child restraint system on the seat until the
seat belt is fixed.
2. Fully extend the shoulder belt to put it in the lock mode.
When the belt is then retracted even slightly, it cannot be
extended.
To hold the infant seat securely, make sure the belt is in the lock
mode before letting the belt retract.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
162
3. While pressing the infant seat firmly against the seat
cushion and seatback, let the shoulder belt retract as far as it
will go to hold the infant seat securely.
CAUTION
Push and pull the child restraint system in different
directions to be sure it is secure. Follow all the
installation instructions provided by its manufacturer.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEM
1645. Fully extend the shoulder belt to put it in the lock mode.
When the belt is then retracted even slightly, it cannot be
extended. To hold the seat securely, make sure the belt is in
the lock mode before letting the belt retract.
6. While pressing the convertible seat firmly against the seat
cushion and seatback, let the shoulder belt retract as far as it
will go to hold the convertible seat securely.
CAUTION
Push and pull the child restraint system in different
directions to be sure it is secure. Follow all the
installation instructions provided by its manufacturer.
7. Put a child on the child restraint system and secure the child,
complying with the instructions provided by the child restraint
system manufacturer.
The AIRBAG OFFº indicator light should be illuminated when
the ignition key is ONº and the child is in the child restraint
system after following these procedures. The AIRBAG OFFº
indicator light indicates the SRS front passenger airbag and
side airbag on the passenger side will not deploy. If the
AIRBAG ONº indicator light is illuminated, remove the child
restraint system and reinstall it with the ignition key in the
ACCº or LOCKº position. If the AIRBAG OFFº indicator light
still remains illuminated when the ignition key is turned to the
ONº position, then the SRS front passenger airbag and side
airbag on the passenger side may deploy in an accident. Do
not drive the vehicle in this condition. Remove the child
restraint system and contact your Lexus dealer.
CAUTION
When it is unavoidable to install the forward-facing
child restraint system on the front passenger seat,
install the child restraint system on the front
passenger seat in the proper order. Otherwise, the
front passenger occupant classification system can
not detect the presence of the child restraint system
and the front passenger airbag and side airbag on the
front passenger seat could deploy.