light lexus LS400 1996 Audio System / 1996 LS400: SEAT BELTS, SRS AND CHILD RESTRAINTS

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
64
INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
Pushing the switch changes the mode between
ªAUTOº and ªDAYº.
The indicator comes on when the ªAUTOº mode is selected.
ªDAYº mode: The mirror surface is normal.
ªAUTOº 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 ªAUTOº mode.
Adjust it before driving so that the rear view is the best.
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.
SEAT BELTS
Seat belt precautions
Lexus recommends that the driver and passengers in the
vehicle be properly restrained at all times with the seat belts
provided. Failure to do so could increase the chance of injury
and/or the severity of injury in accidents.
Baby or small child. Use a child restraint system which fits
your vehicle. See ªChild restraintº for details.
Child. 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 belts. According to accident statistics, the
child is safer when properly restrained in the rear seat than
in the front seat. Do not allow the child to stand up or kneel
on either rear or front seats. If the shoulder belt falls across
the child's neck or face, have the child sit slightly closer to the
buckle so that the belt lays across the shoulder.
Pregnant woman. Lexus recommends the use of a seat
belt. Ask your doctor for specific recommendations. The lap
belt should be worn securely and as low as possible over the
hips and not on the waist.
Injured person. Lexus recommends the use of a seat belt.
Depending on the injury, first check with your doctor for
specific recommendations.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
65
CAUTION!
Persons should ride in their seats properly wearing
their seat belts whenever the vehicle is moving.
Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer
serious bodily injury in the event of sudden braking
or a collision.
When using the seat belts, observe the following:
Use the belt for only one person at a time. Do not
use a single belt for two or more people ± even
children.
Avoid reclining the seatbacks too much. The seat
belts provide maximum protection when the
seatbacks are in the upright position. (See
ªAdjusting seatback angleº.)
Be careful not to damage the belt webbing or
hardware. Take care that they do not get caught or
pinched in the seat or doors.
Inspect the belt system periodically. Check for cuts,
fraying, and loose parts. Damaged parts should be
replaced. Do not disassemble or modify the
system.
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.
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.
Front seat belt buckle illumination
Opening the driver's door lights up the driver's seat belt
buckle for easy use. The same applies for the front
passenger 's door and seat belt buckle.
The light remains on for 15 seconds after the door is closed,
but goes off immediately when all doors are locked.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
66
Fastening front and rear seat belts
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 ªChild
restraintº on page 78.) 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.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
72
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position. It goes off after about 6
seconds. This means the SRS airbags are operating
properly.
The SRS airbag warning light system monitors the airbag
sensor assemblies, inflators, warning lights, interconnecting
wiring and power sources.The SRS airbag system is designed to activate in
response to a severe frontal impact within the shaded
area between the arrows in the illustration.
The SRS airbags will deploy if the severity of the impact is
above the designed threshold level, comparable to an
approximate 20 km/h (14 mph) collision when impacting
straight into a fixed barrier that does not move or deform.
If the severity of the impact is below the above threshold
level, the SRS airbags may not deploy.
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 it is
involved in an underride collision (e.g. a collision in which the
nose of the vehicle ªunderridesº, or goes under, the bed of
a truck).
It is possible with collision severity at the marginal level of
airbag sensor detection and activation that only one of your
vehicle's two airbags will deploy.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
73 For the safety of all occupants, be sure to always wear seat
belts.

Collision from the side
Collision from the rear
Vehicle roll±over
The SRS airbags are not designed to inflate if the
vehicle is subjected to a side or rear impact, if it rolls
over, or if it is involved in a low±speed frontal collision.

Airbag sensor assembly
Steering wheel pad assembly (airbag and
inflator)
Passenger airbag module (airbag and inflator)
SRS airbag warning light
The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and
airbag sensor.
In a severe frontal impact, sensors detect deceleration and
the system triggers the airbag inflators. Then a chemical
reaction in the inflators momentarily fills the airbags with
non±toxic nitrogen gas to help restrain the forward motion of
the occupants.
When the airbags inflate, they produce a fairly loud noise and
release some smoke along with the nitrogen gas. This is not
harmful and does not indicate a fire. Be sure to wash off any
residue as soon as possible to prevent minor skin irritation.

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT
77
This SRS airbag system has a service reminder 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.
The light does not come on when the ignition key is turned
to the ªACCº or ªONº position, or remains on.
The light comes on while driving.
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer as soon as
possible:
The SRS airbags have been inflated.