light Lexus GS300 2003 Comfort Adjustment

SEATS
While the vehicle is being driven, all vehicle occupants should
have the seatback upright, sit well back in the seat and properly
wear the seat belts provided.
CAUTION
Do not drive the vehicle unless the occupants are
properly seated. Do not allow passengers to sit in the
luggage compartment or cargo area. Persons not
properly seated and/or properly restrained by seat
belts can be severely injured in the event of
emergency braking or a collision.
During driving, do not allow passengers to stand up
or move around between seats. Otherwise, severe
injuries can occur in the event of emergency braking
or a collision.
Front seat precautions
Driver seat
CAUTION
The driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and
can cause death or serious injury especially if the driver
is very close to the airbag. The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (ºNHTSAº) advises:
Since the risk zone for driver airbag is the first 50±75
mm (2±3 in.) of inflation, placing yourself 250 mm (10 in.)
from your driver airbag provides you with a clear margin
of safety. This distance is measured from the center of
the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less
than 250 mm (10 in.) away now, you can change your
driving position in several ways:
Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still
reaching the pedals comfortably.
Slightly recline the back of the seat. Although vehicle
designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 250 mm
(10 in.) distance, even with the driver seat all the way
forward, simply by reclining the back of the seat
somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes
it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm,
non±slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle
has that feature.

OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS
16G013
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the side of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Be careful when judging the size or distance of any object seen
in the outside rear view mirror on the passenger's side. It is a
convex mirror with a curved surface. Any object seen in a
convex mirror will look smaller and farther away than if seen in
a normal flat mirror.
When the inside rear view mirror darkens in ºAUTOº mode, the
outside rear view mirrors also darken to reduce the reflection
of the headlights of the following vehicle. For details, see
ºInside rear view mirrorº on page 83.
When you push the rear window defogger switch, the heater
panels in the outside rear view mirrors will quickly clear the
mirror surface. (See ªRear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switchº on page 31.)
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the
vehicle and an accident may occur resulting in death
or serious injuries.
Since the mirror surfaces can get hot, do not touch
them when the rear window and outside rear view
mirror defogger switch is on.
Power rear view mirror control
16L017-1

1Master switch 2Control switch
To adjust the power rear view mirror, first place the master
switch at ºLº (left) or ºRº (right), and push the control
switch on the desired side.
The power rear view mirrors can be adjusted when the key is
in the ºACCº or ºONº position.

NOTICE
If ice should jam the mirror, do not operate the control
or scrape the mirror face. Use a spray de±icer to free the
mirror.
Folding rear view mirrors
16G014
To fold the rear view mirror, push backward.
The rear view mirrors can be folded backward for parking in
compact areas.
CAUTION
Do not drive with the mirrors folded backward. Both the
driver and passenger side rear view mirrors must be
extended and properly adjusted before driving.
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
16G015a
Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the rear of your
vehicle in the mirror.
Pushing the switch changes the mode between ºAUTOº
and ºDAYº.
The indicator comes on when the ºAUTOº mode is selected.
ºDAYº mode: The mirror surface is normal.
ºAUTOº mode: If the mirror detects light from the
headlights of the vehicle behind you, the mirror surface
darkens slightly to reduce the reflected light.
When the inside rear view mirror surface changes, the outside
rear view mirror surfaces will also become darker.
When the ignition key is inserted and turned on, the inside rear
view mirror always turns on in the ºAUTOº mode.

When the outside air temperature is low, it may take a little
longer for the mirror to darken in response to the detection of
headlights.
CAUTION
Do not adjust the mirror while the vehicle is moving.
Doing so may cause the driver to mishandle the vehicle
and an accident may occur resulting in death or serious
injuries.
16g313
To ensure correct functioning of an anti±glare mirror
sensor located on the back side of the mirror, do not touch
or cover the sensor with your finger or a piece of cloth, etc.
Compass (Vehicles without Navigation
System sold in U.S. mainland and Canada)
16g220
The compass indicates the direction in which the vehicle
is heading. The illustration shown above indicates the
vehicle is heading north.
Displays
Directions
N
NE
E
SE
S
SW
W
NWNorth
Northeast
East
Southeast
South
Southwest
West
Northwest

Keep the belts clean and dry. If they need cleaning,
use a mild soap solution or lukewarm water. Never
use bleach, dye, or abrasive cleaners ± they may
severely weaken the belts. (See ºCleaning the
interiorº on page 318 for instructions.)
Replace the belt assembly (including bolts) if it has
been used in a severe impact. The entire assembly
should be replaced even if damage is not obvious.
Fastening front and rear seat belts
16G016
Adjust the seat as needed and sit up straight and well back
in the seat. To fasten your belt, pull it out of the retractor
and insert the tab into the buckle.
You will hear a click when the tab locks into the buckle.
The seat belt length automatically adjusts to your size and the
seat position.The retractor will lock the belt during a sudden stop or on
impact. It also may lock if you lean forward too quickly. A slow,
easy motion will allow the belt to extend, and you can move
around freely.
When a passenger's shoulder belt is completely extended and
is then retracted even slightly, the belt is locked in that position
and cannot be extended. This feature is used to hold the child
restraint system securely. (For details, see ºChild restraintº on
page 111.) To free the belt again, fully retract the belt and then
pull the belt out once more.
If the seat belt cannot be pulled out of the retractor, firmly pull
the belt and release it. You will then be able to smoothly pull
the belt out of the retractor.
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the belt is not twisted.
Do not insert coins, clips, etc. in the buckle as this
may prevent you from properly latching the tab and
buckle.
If the seat belt does not function normally,
immediately contact your Lexus dealer. Do not use
the seat until the seat belt is fixed. It cannot protect
an adult occupant or your child from injury.

Front seat belt pretensioners
16G132b
The driver and front passenger's seat belt pretensioners
are designed to be activated in response to a severe
frontal impact.
When the airbag sensor detects the shock of a severe frontal
impact, the front seat belts are quickly drawn back by the
retractor so that the belts snugly restrain the front seat
occupants.
The front passenger seat belt pretensioner will not activate if
there is no passenger sitting in the front passenger seat.
However, the front passenger seat belt pretensioner may
activate if luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is buckled
up regardless of the presence of the occupant in the seat.
Collisions occurring at certain speeds and angles may cause
the seat belt pretensioners and SRS airbags not to operate all
together.
16G022
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ªONº position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the front seat belt pretensioners are operating
properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensors, occupant detection sensor, seat belt buckle switch,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. (For details, see
ºService reminder indicators and warning buzzersº on page
40.)

16G134a

1Front airbag sensor
2Front seat belt pretensioner assembly
3SRS warning light
4Airbag sensor assembly
5Occupant detection sensor
6Seat belt buckle switch
The front seat belt pretensioner system consists mainly of the
above components, and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
The front seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the airbag
sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When the front seat belt pretensioners are activated, an
operating noise may be heard and a small amount of
smoke±like gas may be released. This gas is harmless and
does not indicate that a fire is occurring.
Once the front seat belt pretensioners have been activated, the
seat belt retractors remain locked.
CAUTION
Do not modify, remove, strike or open the front seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, airbag sensor or surrounding
area or wiring. Doing any of these may cause sudden
operation of the front seat belt pretensioners or disable
the system, which could result in death or serious
injury.
Failure to follow these instructions can result in death
or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repairs and modifications.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the front seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
two±way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.
Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,
etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment to
the front end.

Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure or console.
16G022
This front seat belt pretensioner system has a service
reminder indicator to inform the driver of operating problems.
If any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the pretensioners. Contact your Lexus dealer
as soon as possible to service the vehicle.
When the ignition key is turned to the ªONº position, the light
does not come on or flashes.
The light flashes while driving.
If either front seat belt does not retract or cannot be pulled
out due to a malfunction or activation of the relevant front
pretensioner.
16G136
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible.
The front of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration) were
involved in an accident that did not cause the front seat belt
pretensioners to operate.
Either front seat belt pretensioner assembly or surrounding
area is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.

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 when the curtain shield airbags are
inflated.
CAUTION
The curtain shield airbags inflate with considerable
force. To avoid potential death or serious injury when
they inflate, the driver and front passenger must:
Wear their seat belts properly.
Remain properly seated with their back upright and
against the seat at all times.
16G022
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the ºONº position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS airbags are operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensors, occupant detection sensor, seat belt buckle switch,
front seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning light,
interconnecting wiring and power sources. (For details, see
ºService reminder indicators and warning buzzersº on page
40.)
The 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 front airbags will work if the severity of the impact is above
the designed threshold level, comparable to an approximate
25 km/h (15 mph) collision in the U.S.A. and 30 km (18 mph)
collision in Canada when the vehicle has the impact straight
into a fixed barrier that does not move or deform.

16G108

1Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard material
2Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS airbags may also deploy if a serious impact
occurs to the underside of your vehicle. Some examples
are shown in the illustration.
16G144c

1Side airbag module (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
3Side and curtain shield airbag sensor assembly
4Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
5SRS warning light
6Airbag sensor assembly
7Front airbag sensor
8Curtain shield airbag module (airbag and inflator)
9Occupant detection sensor
10Seat belt buckle switch
The SRS airbag system mainly consists of the above
components, and their locations are shown in the illustration.
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensors.