sensor LEXUS RX330 2006 User Guide

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
170
SRS DRIVER AIRBAGS AND FRONTPASSENGER AIRBAG
1Driver airbag
2Front passenger airbag
3Driver knee airbag
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.
Your vehicle is equipped with “ADVANCED AIRBAGS”
designed based on US motor vehicle safety standards
(FMVSS208). The airbag system controls airbag deployment
power for the driver and front passenger. The driver airbag
system consists of the driver seat’s position sensor etc. The
front passenger’s airbag system consists of the front
passenger occupant classification sensor etc. In response to a severe frontal impact, the SRS front airbags
work with the
seat belts to help reduce injury by inflating. The
SRS front airbags deploy when receiving the severe frontal
impact that may cause serious injuries to the driver and front
passenger. And together with the feature of the seat belts to
restrain their bodies, the SRS front airbags help reduce injuries
mainly to the driver’s and front passenger’s heads and chests
caused by hitting the vehicle interior.
The SRS front passenger airbag will not activate if there is no
passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the
front passenger airbag may deploy if luggage is put in the seat,
or the seat belt is buckled up, regardless of the presence of an
occupant in the seat.
Always wear your seat belt properly.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
174
1Airbag module for front passenger
(airbag and inflator)
2Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
3“AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
4SRS warning light
5Airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
6Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
7Driver’s seat position sensor
8Knee airbag module for driver (airbag and inflator)
9Airbag sensor assembly
10Front airbag sensors
11Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
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 sensor. The 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 safety exit from the vehicle, you
should do so immediately.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
177
Do not put anything or any part of your body or install
anything such as accessories or turbo timers on or in
front of the dashboard, lower portion of instrument
panel or steering wheel pad that houses the front
airbag system or in the areas where the SRS knee
airbag will inflate. 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.
 If the vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS
knee airbag will deploy, be sure to remove it.
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,
front passenger airbag cover, front passenger
airbag, driver knee 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
repair and modification.
If you wish to modify your vehicle for a person with a
physical disability, consult your Lexus dealer. It may
dangerously interfere with the SRS front airbags
operation.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
179
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” 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
sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies,
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front passenger occupant classification system, “AIRBAG ON”
indicator light, “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s
seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 74.)
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 “ON” position or remains on for more than 6 seconds
or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the SRS driver and front
passenger airbags and/or front passenger occupant
classification system, “AIRBAG ON” indicator light and
“AIRBAG OFF” indicator light fail. If the light flashes, the SRS
side and curtain shield airbags have a problem.
The SRS warning light and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light will
be illuminated if there is a malfunction in the front passenger
occupant classification system.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
186
1Curtain shield airbag modules (airbag and inflater)
2Side airbag modules (airbag and inflator)
3Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
4“AIRBAG ON” and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator lights
5SRS warning light
6Curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
7Side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies
8Airbag sensor assembly
9Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system consists
mainly of the above components, and their locations are shown
in the illustration.
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system is
controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sensor
assembly consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensor.
In a severe side impact, the side and curtain shield airbag
sensor and/or the curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the
side airbag inflators and/or the curtain shield airbag inflators.
At this time a chemical reaction in the inflators quickly fills the
airbags with non −toxic gas to help restrain the lateral motion
of the occupants.
In a vehicle rollover, the airbag sensor assembly triggers the
curtain shield airbag inflator. At this time, a chemical reaction
in the inflators quickly fills the airbags with non −toxic gas to
help restrain the lateral motion of the occupants. When the airbags inflate, they produce a fairly 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 se rious injuries, it may also
cause minor burns or abrasions and swelling.
Front seats as well as parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof
side rail may be hot for several minutes, but the airbags
themselves will not be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate
only once.
CAUTION
SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags inflate with
considerable force. To reduce the possibility of death
or serious injury when they inflate, the driver, front
passenger and rear outboard passengers must:
 Wear their seat belts properly.
 Remain properly seated with their backs upright and
against the seats at all times.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
191
The indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the SRS side airbags and curtain shield airbags are
operating properly.
This warning light system monitors the airbag sensor
assembly, front airbag sensors, side and curtain shield airbag
sensor assemblies, curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies,
driver’s seat position sensor, driver’s seat belt buckle switch,
front passenger occupant classification system, “AIRBAG ON”
indicator light, “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s
seat belt buckle switch, front seat belt pretensioner
assemblies, inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and
power sources. (For details, see “Service reminder indicators
and warning buzzers” on page 74 for instructions.)
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 “ON” position or remains on for more than 6 seconds
or flashes.
 The light comes on or starts flashing while driving.
If the light stays on, it indicates that the SRS driver and front
passenger airbag and/or front passenger occupant
classification system, ”AIRBAG ON” indicator light and
“AIRBAG OFF” indicator light have a problem. If the light
flashes, the SRS side and curtain shield airbags have a
problem.
The SRS warning light and “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light will
be illuminated if there is a malfunction in the front passenger
occupant classification system.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
234
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.
To ensure correct functioning of antiglare mirror sensors
located on both sides of the mirror, do not touch or cover
the sensors with your finger or a piece of cloth, etc.

STEERING WHEEL AND MIRRORS
236
The vehicle is in a place where the earth’s magnetic field is
subject to interference by artificial magnetic fields
(underground parking, under a steel tower, between
buildings, roof parking, near a crossing, near a large vehicle,
etc.).
 The vehicle is magnetized. (There is a magnet or a metal
object on or near the inside rear view mirror.)
 The battery has been disconnected.
If your vehicle is out of the set zone, refer to “Calibrating the
compass” in this Section to set the zone number.
If the deviation is small, the compass works to calibrate the
direction automatically while the vehicle is in motion.
For obtaining additional precision or for complete calibrating,
see “Calibrating the compass” below.
If the direction is not indicated or the system does not operate
properly, contact your Lexus dealer.
 Compass sensor
NOTICE
Do not put magnets or a metal object on or near the
inside rear view mirror of the vehicle. Doing this may
cause malfunction of the compass sensor in the mirror.

AUDIO
371

Close the power outlet lid when the power outlet is
not in use. Inserting anything other than an
appropriate plug that fits the outlet may cause
electrical failure or short circuit.
The power outlet is not designed for the following electric
appliances even though their power consumption is
under 115 VAC/100W. These appliances may not operate
properly.
Appliances with high initial peak wattage: Cathode −ray
tube type televisions, compressor −driven refrigerators,
electric pumps, electric tools, etc.
 Measuring devices which process precise data: Medical
equipment, measuring instruments, etc.
 Other appliances requiring an extremely stable power
supply: Microcomputer −controlled electric blankets, touch
sensor lamps, etc.
Certain electrical appliances may cause radio noise.
Headphone jacks
You can enjoy the rear seat entertainment system with
commercial headphones.
To use the headphones, connect them to the jack.
The key must be in the “ACC” or “ON” position.

STARTING AND DRIVING
418
Vehicletovehicle distance control mode
The system’s laser radar sensor detects the reflectors of
vehicles and measures the vehicletovehicle distance.
The detection range of the sensor is about 120 m (400 ft.)
ahead.
CAUTION
Dynamic laser cruise control is not a
collisionavoidance system and will not prevent
accidents. Dynamic laser cruise control is a vehicle
speed control device that is intended for use only on
freeways or roads where the traffic is light or moderate.
To avoid serious injury, you must use caution and be
attentive to road and traffic conditions while using
dynamic laser cruise control.
(a) Dynamic laser cruise control operations