belt Lexus GX470 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 GX470 (OM60A45U) Service Manual

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
142Deployment 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.
Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover
and inflator) may be hot for several minutes after deployment,
so do not touch! The airbags inflate only once. The windshield
may be damaged by absorbing some of the force of the
inflating airbag.
CAUTION
 The SRS airbag system is designed only as a
supplement to the primary protection of the driver
side and front and second outside passenger side
seat belt systems. The front and second outside seat
occupants 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, front passenger or
second outside passenger can move forward or
sideways 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 belts” on
page 123.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
143
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 second or third seat of the vehicle and properly
restrained. The second or third seat is the safest for
infants and children. For instructions concerning the
installation of a child restraint system, see “Child
restraint” on page 150.
 Never install a rearfacing child restraint system on
the front passenger seat because the force of the
rapid inflation of the front passenger airbag can
cause death or serious injury to the child.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
144
 Move seat fully back
 A forwardfacing 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, because the force of the
deploying front passenger airbag could cause death
or serious injury to the child.
 Do not allow the child to lean against the front door
or around the front door even if the child is seated in
a child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side
airbag and curtain shield airbag inflate, because the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the
child.
 For instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see “Child restraint” on page 150.
Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use, since the front
airbags inflate with considerable speed and force.
Otherwise, you may be killed or seriously injured. Sit
up straight and well back in the seat, and always use
your seat belt properly.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
150
The surface of the seats with the side airbags or the pad
section of the steering wheel or front passenger airbag
cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.
 The portion of the front pillars and roof side rail garnish
(padding) containing the curtain shield airbags inside
(shaded in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contacting
your Lexus dealer.
CHILD RESTRAINT
Child restraint precautions
Lexus strongly urges the use of child restraint systems for
children small enough to use them.
The laws of all 50 states in the U.S.A. now require the use of
a child restraint system.
Your vehicle conforms to SAE J1819.
If a child is too large for a child restraint system, the child should
sit in the rear seat and must be restrained using the vehicle’s
seat belt. See “Seat belts” on page 123 for details.
CAUTION
 For effective protection in automobile accidents and
sudden stops, a child must be properly restrained,
using a seat belt or child restraint depending on age
and size. Holding a child in your arms is not a
substitute for a child restraint system. In an accident,
the child can be crushed against the windshield, or
between you and the vehicle’s interior if you are
unrestrained.
 Lexus strongly urges use of a proper child restraint
system which conforms to the size of the child
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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
151
Never install a rearfacing child restraint system on
the front seat. In the event of an accident, the force
of the rapid inflation of the airbag can cause death or
serious injury if a rearfacing child restraint system
is put on the front seat.
 A forwardfacing 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, because the force of a
deploying front passenger airbag could cause death
or serious injury to the child.
 Do not allow the child to lean against the front door
or around the front door even if the child is seated in
a child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side
airbag and curtain shield airbag inflate, because the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the
child.
 Make sure you have complied with all installation
instructions provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and that the system is properly
secured.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.
CAUTION
 Never install a rearfacing child restraint system on
the front seat. In the event of an accident, the force
of the rapid inflation of the airbag can cause death or
serious injury if a rearfacing child restraint system
is put on the front seat.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
152
A forwardfacing 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, because the force of a
deploying front passenger airbag could cause death
or serious injury to the child.
 Do not allow the child to lean against the front door
or around the front door even if the child is seated in
a child restraint system. It is dangerous if the side
airbag and curtain shield airbag inflate, because the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the
child.
 After installing the child restraint system, make sure
it is secured in place according to the manufacturer’s
instructions. If it is not restrained securely, it may
cause death or serious injury to the child in the event
of a sudden stop or accident.
When not using the child restraint system, keep it secured with
the seat belt or place it somewhere other than in 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 anchors for securing the top strap of a child
restraint system.
For instructions about how to use the anchor bracket, see
“Using a top strap” on page 166.
Child restraint lower anchorages approved for your vehicle
may also be used. See “Installation with child restraint lower
anchorages” on page 168.
(A) Infant seat

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
153
(B) Convertible seat
(C) Booster seat
INSTALLATION WITH 3POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
(A) Infant seat installation
An infant seat is used in rear−
facing position only.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
155
 Align both third seatbacks at the same angle
 When installing a child restraint system in the third
center position, align both seatbacks at the same
angle. Otherwise, the child restraint system cannot
be securely restrained and this may cause death or
serious injuries in a collision.
1. Run the lap and shoulder belt through or around the infant
seat following the instructions provided by its manufacturer
and inserting 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 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 child restraint system until the seat belt is fixed.
It cannot protect your child from injury.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
156
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.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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
157
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.
4. To remove the infant seat, press the buckle−release button
and allow the belt to retract completely. The belt will move
freely again and be ready to work for an adult or older child
passenger.