airbag LEXUS RX330 2006 Owner's Manual

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
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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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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.

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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 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, lower portion
of instrument panel, 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 driver or front passenger who is too close to the
steering wheel, lower portion of instrument panel 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 must be properly restrained
using the available seat belts.
 If the seat belt extender has been connected to the
driver’s seat belt buckle without wearing the seat belt
when using the extender in the driver’s seat, the SRS
driver’s airbag system will judge that the driver wears
the seat belt even if not wearing it. In this case, the
driver’s airbag may not activate correctly, causing
death or serious injury in the event of collision. Be
sure to wear the seat belt with the seat belt extender.
For instructions and precautions concerning the
seating position, see “Front seat precautions” on page
140.

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Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean over 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. Lexus strongly recommends that all infants and
children be placed in the rear seat of the vehicle and
be properly restrained.
 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 “Child restraint” on page 198.

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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.

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Do not attach any heavy, sharp or hard objects such
as keys or accessories to the ignition key. The
objects may restrict the SRS knee airbag inflation or
be thrust into the driver’s seat area by the force of the
deploying airbag, thus causing a danger.
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the SRS front airbag
system in some cases.
 Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or CD 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 to
the front end
 Repairs made on or near the front fenders, front end
structure, console, steering column, steering wheel,
lower portion of instrument panel or dashboard near
the front passenger airbag

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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.

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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, dashboard, lower
portion of instrument or front passenger airbag cover
(shaded in the illustration) is scratched, cracked, or
otherwise damaged.
NOTICE
Do not disconnect the battery cables before contacting
your Lexus dealer.

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SRS SIDE AIRBAGS AND CURTAINSHIELD AIRBAGS
1Curtain shield airbag2Side airbag
The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) side airbags
and curtain shield airbags are designed to provide further
protection for the driver, front passenger and rear
outboard passengers 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 torso and the SRS
curtain shield airbags help reduce injuries mainly to the
driver’s,
front passenger’s or rear outboard passenger’s head.
The SRS side airbag on the passenger seat will not activate if
there is no passenger sitting in the front passenger seat.
However, the side airbag on the passenger seat may deploy if
luggage is put in the seat, or the seat belt is buckled up
regardless of the presence of the occupant in the seat. (As for
the front passenger occupa nt classification system, see “Front
passenger occupant classification system” on page 193.)
Roll sensing function:
In response to a vehicle rollover, the curtain shield airbags on
both sides work with the seat belts to help reduce injury by
inflating. The curtain sh ield airbags help reduce injuries mainly
to the driver’s, front passenger’s or rear passenger’s head and
help prevent them from being thrown out of the vehicle.
The SRS curtain shield airbag on the passenger side is
activated even with no passenger in the front seat or rear
outboard seat.
The SRS curtain shield airbags may activate even when the
side airbags are not activated.
Always wear your seat belt properly.

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CAUTION
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag
systems are designed only as a supplement to the
primary protection of the driver, front passenger and
rear outboard passenger seat belt systems. 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 154.
 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, rear pillar or roof side rail from which
the SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag deploy
eve 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 airbag could cause death or serious injury
to the occupant.
 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 seats of the vehicle and properly
restrained. The rear seats are the safest for infants
and children. For instructions concerning the
installation of a child restraint system, see “Child
restraint” on page 198.