Lexus IS300 2005 Electrical Components / LEXUS 2005 IS300 OWNER'S MANUAL (OM53489U)

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
124
SRS DRIVER AIRBAG AND FRONTPASSENGER AIRBAG
SV16152
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) front airbags
are designed to provide further protection for the driver
and front passenger in addition to the primary safety
protection provided by the seat belts.
In response to a severe frontal impact, the SRS front airbags
work together with the seat belts to help reduce injury by
inflating. The SRS front airbags help reduce injuries mainly to
the driver's or front passenger's head or chest caused by
hitting the vehicle interior.
The SRS front passenger airbag is activated even with no
passenger in the front seat.
Always wear your seat belt properly.
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 bef ore 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 ªSeat beltsº on page 110.
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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 ªChild restraintº on page 141.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 ªunderridesº, or goes under, the bed of a
truck, etc.).
It is possible that in some collisions where the forward
deceleration of the vehicle is very close to the designed
threshold level, the SRS front airbags and the seat belt
pretensioners may not activate together.
Always wear your seat belts properly.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
126
SV16019a

1Collision from the side
2Collision from the rear
3Vehicle rollover
The SRS front airbags are generally not designed to inflate
if the vehicle is involved in a side or rear collision, if it rolls
over, or if it is involved in a low±speed frontal collision.
But, whenever a collision of any type causes sufficient
forward deceleration of the vehicle, deployment of the
SRS front airbags may occur.
SV16021

1Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard surface
2Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3Landing hard or vehicle falling
The SRS front airbags may also deploy if a serious impact
occurs to the underside of your vehicle. Some examples
are shown in the illustration.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
127
SV16180

1Airbag module for front passenger (airbag and inflator)
2Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
3SRS warning light
4Airbag sensor assembly
5Front airbag sensors
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 sensors.
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 can 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 is 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 bet ween 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.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
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CAUTION
The driver or front passenger who is too close to the
steering wheel or dashboard during airbag deployment
can be killed or seriously injured. Lexus strongly
recommends that:
The driver sit as far back as possible from the
steering wheel while still maintaining control of the
vehicle.
 The front passenger sit as far back as possible from
the dashboard.
 All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using
the available seat belts.
For instructions and precautions concerning the
seating position, see ªFront seat precautionsº on page
94 or 99.
SV16172
 Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean against the
dashboard when the vehicle is in use, since the front
passenger airbag could inflate with considerable
speed and force. Anyone who is up against, or very
close to, an airbag when it inflates, can be killed or
seriously injured. Sit up straight and well back in the
seat, and always use your seat belt properly.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
129
SV16173
Lexus strongly recommends that all infants and
children be placed in the rear seat of the vehicle and
be properly restrained.
 Do not allow a child to stand up or kneel on the front
passenger seat, since the front passenger airbag
could inflate with considerable speed and force.
Otherwise, the child may be killed or seriously
injured.
 Do not hold a child on your lap or in your arms. Use
a child restraint system in the rear seat. For
instructions concerning the installation of a child
restraint system, see ªChild restraintº on page 141.
SV16174
Do not put anything or any part of your body on or in
front of the dashboard or steering wheel pad that
houses the front airbag system. They might restrict
inflation or cause death or serious injury as they are
projected rearward by the force of the deploying
airbags. Likewise, the driver and front passenger
should not hold objects in their arms or on their
knees.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
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Do not modify or remove any wiring. Do not modify,
remove, strike or open any components, such as the
steering wheel pad, steering wheel, column cover,
dashboard near the front passenger airbag, front
passenger airbag cover, front passenger airbag or
airbag sensor assembly. Doing so may prevent the
front airbag system from activating correctly, cause
sudden activation of the system 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 caninterfere with proper operation of the SRS front 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.
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 wheelor dashboard near the front passenger airbag.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
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SV16061
The indicator comes on when the ignition switch is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS front airbags are operating
properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensors, seat belt pretensioner assemblies, inflators, warning
light, interconnecting wiring and power sources. (For details,
see ªService reminder indicators and warning buzzersº on
page 48.)If any of the following conditions occurs, this indicates a
malfunction of the airbags or seat belt pretensioners. Contact
your Lexus dealer as soon as possible.

The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position or remains on for more than 6 seconds or flashes.
 The light comes on or flashes while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the front airbags have a
problem. If the light flashes, the side and curtain shield airbags
have a problem.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
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SV16183
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
The SRS front airbags have been inflated.
 The front of the vehicle (shaded in the illustration) was
involved in an accident that was not severe enough to cause the SRS front airbags to inflate. 
The pad section of the steering wheel or front passenger
airbag cover (shaded in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contactingyour Lexus dealer.
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OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
133
SRS SIDE AIRBAGS AND CURTAINSHIELD AIRBAGS
SV16177
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) side airbags
and curtain shield airbags are designed to provide further
protection for the driver and front passenger in addition
to the primary safety protection provided by the seat belts.
In response to a severe side impact, the SRS side airbags and
curtain shield airbags work with the seat belts to help reduce
injury by inflating. The SRS side airbags help reduce injuries
mainly to the driver's or front passenger's chest and the SRS
curtain shield airbags help reduce injuries mainly to the driver's
or front passenger's head.
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag on the
passenger side are activated even with no passenger in the
front seat.
Always wear your seat belt properly.
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 seat belt
systems. To ensure maximum protection in an
accident, the driver and all passengers in the veh icle
must wear their seat belts properly. Wearing a seat
belt pro perly 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 ªSeat beltsº on
page 110.
 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, side 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.
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