Lexus IS300 2003 Basic Functions / LEXUS 2003 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
138
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes withoutconsulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes caninterfere with proper operation of the SRS airbagsystem in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobiletwo±way radio, cassette tape player or compact disc
player.
Modification of the suspension system.
Modification of the front end structure and side structure of the passenger compartment.
Attachment of a grille guard (bull bar, kangaroo bar,etc.), snowplow, winches or any other equipment tothe front end.
Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front endstructure, console, steering column, steering wheel,dashboard near the front passenger airbag or frontseats.
SV16061
This SRS front airbag system has an indicator to inform the
driver of operating problems. If either of the following
conditions occurs, this indicates a malfunction of the airbags.
Contact your Lexus dealer as soon as possible to service the
vehicle.
 When the ignition key is turned to the ºACCº or ºONº
position, the light does not come on, stays on or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the driver and front
passenger airbags fail. If the light flashes, the side airbags fail.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
139
SV16097
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.
 The front of the vehicle and portion of the doors (shaded in
the illustration) were involved in an accident that was not
severe enough to cause the SRS airbags to inflate. 
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 pillar 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
140
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. and Canada 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 ºSeat beltsº on page 113 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 system 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.
 Never put a rear±facing 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 rear±facing child restraint system
is put on the front seat.
 Unless it is unavoidable, do not put a forward±facing
child restraint system on the front seat.
 A forward±facing child restraint system should be
allowed to be put 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.
 Make sure you have complied with all installation
instructions provided by the child restraint
manufacturer and that the system is properly
secured. On vehicles with side airbags and curtain
shield airbags, do not allow the child to lean over 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 and curtain shield airbags inflate, and the
impact could cause death or serious injury to the
child.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
141
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 restraint system.
Install the child restraint system correctly following the
instructions provided by its manufacturer of the system.
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 put a rear±facing 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 rear±facing child restraint system
is put on the front seat.
 Unless it is unavoidable, do not put a forward±facing
child restraint system on the front seat.
 A forward±facing child restraint system should be
allowed to be put 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.
 On vehicles with side airbags and curtain shield
airbags, do not allow the child to lean over 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 and curtain shield airbags inflate, and 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
142When
not using the child restraint system, keep it secured with
the seat belt or place it in the trunk or somewhere other than
in the passenger compartment. This will prevent it from
injuring passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident.
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
ºUsing a top strapº on page 153, 159 or 164.
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.
(A) Infant seat
SV16029
(B) Convertible seat
SV16030
(C) Booster seat
SV16031
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
143
INSTALLATION WITH 3±POINT TYPE SEAT BELT
(A) Infant seat installation
SV16029
An infant seat is used in rear±facing position only.
SV16023
CAUTION
Never put a rear±facing 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
144
SV16074
Do not put a child restraint system on the rear seat if
it interferes with the lock mechanism of the front
seats. This may cause death or serious injury to the
child and front passenger in case of sudden braking
or a collision.
 If the driver's seat position does not allow sufficient
space for safe installation, install the child restraint
system on the rear right seat.
SV16032
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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
145
SV16033
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.
SV16034
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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
146
SV16035
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.
SV16070
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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
147
(B) Convertible seat installation
SV16030
A convertible seat is used in forward±facing or rear±facing
position depending on the age and size of the child. When
installing, follow the manufacturer's instructions about the
appropriate age and size of the child as well as directions for
installing the child restraint system.
SV16037
CAUTION

Never put a rear±facing 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.
2003 IS300 from Aug. '02 Prod. (OM53439U)