sensor LEXUS RX330 2006 Owners Manual

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MANUAL
iv
Event data recorder
Your vehicle has computers that monitor and control certain
aspects of your vehicle. These computers assist in driving and
maintaining optimal vehicle performance. Besides storing
data useful for troubleshooting, there is a system to record data
in a crash or a near car crash event. This is called an Event
Data Recorder (EDR).
The SRS airbag sensor assembly contains the EDR. In a
crash or a near car crash event, this device may record some
or all of the following information:
 Engine speed
 Whether the brake pedal was applied or not
 Vehicle speed
 To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
 Position of the transmission selector lever
 Whether the driver and front passenger wore the seat belts
or not
 Driver’s seat position
 Front passenger’s occupant classification
 SRS airbag deployment data
 SRS airbag system diagnostic data If your vehicle is equipped with a vehicle stability control (VSC)
system,
its Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may contain another
EDR. There are a variety of driving situations which include
activating the VSC under wh ich the VSC EDR will record
certain information. The VSC EDR may record some or all of
the following information:
 Behavior of the vehicle
 Steering wheel angle
 Vehicle speed
 To what extent the accelerator pedal was depressed
 To what extent the brake pedal was applied
 To what extent the ECU controlled the condition of the 4
wheels
 Vehicle stability control system diagnostic data
The information above is intended to be used for the purpose
of improving vehicle safety performance. Unlike general data
recorders, the EDR does not record sound data such as
conversation between passengers.

SWITCHES
49
The automatic light control sensor is on the top of the driver’s
side instrument panel.
Do not place anything on the instrument panel, and/or do not
affix anything on the windshield to block this sensor.
When the headlights come on: The lights automatically turn off
about 30 seconds after any of the side doors and back door is
opened and closed with the ignition key turned to the “ACC” or
“LOCK” position. Additionally, the lights can be turned off
immediately by pushing the “LOCK” button on the wireless
remote control key with all the side doors and back door locked. When
only the tail lights come on: The lights automatically turn
off with the driver’s door opened and the ignition key turned to
the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. To turn them on again, turn the
ignition key to the “ON” position, or turn the headlight switch off
and then twist the knob until the first or second clickstop.
If you are going to park for over one week, make sure the
headlight switch is off.
Daytime Running Light System
The headlights turn on at reduced intensity when the parking
brake is released with the engine started, even with the light
switch in the “OFF” position. They will not go off until the
ignition switch is turned off.
To turn on the other exterior lights and instrument panel lights,
twist the knob to the first clickstop.

SWITCHES
55
Rainsensing windshield wipers
1Automatic control adjuster
2Washer on
To turn the wipers on, move the lever down until you reach
the desired speed setting.
The ignition key must be in the “ON” position.
There are 3 settings:
“AUTO” position — Automatic operation
“LO” position — Low speed operation
“HI” position — High speed operation Automatic operation
The wiper speed is determined by the amount of raindrops
and sunlight detected by the automatic wiper control
sensor.
You may adjust the automatic wiper control sensitivity by
twisting the automatic control adjuster in the “”
direction, which requires more raindrop volume to start
the wiper, or in the “+” direction, which requires less
raindrop volume to start the wiper.
The sensor is on the inside of the windshield as shown above.

SWITCHES
56Even if the wiper lever is in the
“AUTO” position, the system will
switch to variable intermittent operations in the following
conditions:
 When the windshield gets extremely cold (at less than
–10 C [14 F])
 When the system malfunctions
However, when the windshield gets extremely hot (at more
than 90 C [194F]), the wipers do not operate even if the wiper
lever is in the “AUTO” position.
When the ignition switch is turned off with the wiper lever in the
“AUTO” position, and then the ignition switch is turned on
again, the automatic operation may not work even if raindrops
are on the windshield.
In this case, move the lever to another position and return it to
the “AUTO” position again.
If you stop the vehicle with the wiper switch in the “LO” position,
the wiper speed automatically changes from low speed to
intermittent operation speed.* This function does not work
when the automatic control adjuster is in the “+” position.
NOTE:
* This feature can be deactivated.
Ask your Lexus dealer for details.
CAUTION
Be careful not to get your fingers caught between the
wipers and windshield.
When the wiper lever is in the “AUTO” position with the
ignition switch on, the wipers could operate
automatically in the following cases:
 If you touch the upper center of the windshield
adjacent to the sensor.
 If you wipe the upper center of the windshield
(adjacent to which the sensor is located) with a towel.
 If the windshield vibrates.
 If you touch the sensor.
NOTICE
Do not apply detergent to or wet the automatic wiper
control sensor when cleaning the inside of the
windshield.

GAUGES, METERS AND SERVICE REMINDER INDICATORS
77
(b) Driver’s Seat Belt Reminder Light and Buzzer
The light and buzzer act as a reminder to buckle up the driver’s
seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to the “ON” or “START” position,
the reminder light flashes and buzzer sounds if the driver’s seat
belt is not fastened. Unless the driver fastens the belt, the light
continues flashing and the buzzer stops after about 4 to 8
seconds.
(c) Front Passenger’s Seat Belt Reminder Light
The light acts as a reminder to have the front passenger buckle
up the seat belt.
Once the ignition key is turned to the “ON” or “START” position,
the reminder light flashes if a passenger sits in the front
passenger seat and does not fasten the seat belt.
If luggage or other load is placed on the front passenger seat,
depending on its weight, the reminder light may flash.
(d) SRS Warning Light
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 and seat belt pretensioners 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 pas senger occupant classification system, “AIRBAG ON”
indicator light, “AIRBAG OFF” indicator light, front passenger’s
seat belt buckle switch, seat belt pretensioner assemblies,
inflators, warning light, interconnecting wiring and power
sources.
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 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 side
and curtain shield airbags and/or seat belt pretensioners have
a problem.

INTERIOR EQUIPMENT
103
Main switch
To use the power outlet, push the main switch on the
instrument panel.
An indicator light will illuminate to indicate that the power outlet
is ready for use.
Push the main switch once again to turn the power outlet off.
When the power outlet is not in use, make sure that the main
switch is turned off.
NOTICE
 To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not
use the power outlet longer than necessary when the
engine is not running.
Close the power outlet lid when the power outlet is
not in use. Inserting a foreign object other than the
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.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
165
CAUTION
After inserting the tab, make sure the tab and buckle
are locked and that the lap and shoulder portions of
the belt and the seat belt extender 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 seat until the seat belt is fixed, because it cannot
protect an adult occupant or your child from injury.
Seat belt pretensioners
The driver and front passenger’s seat belt pretensioners
are designed to be activated in response to a severe
frontal impact or a vehicle rollover.
When the sensor detects a severe frontal impact or a vehicle
rollover, the front seat belts are quickly drawn back by the
retractors so that the belts snugly restrain the occupants.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
166The front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner will not activate
if no passenger is detected in the front passenger seat by the
front passenger occupant classification system. However, the
front passenger’s seat belt pretensioner may activate if
luggage is put on the seat, or the seat belt is buckled up
regardless of the presence of an occupant in the seat. (As for
the front passenger occupant classification system, see page
193.)
The seat belt pretensioners and SRS airbags may not operate
together in case of collisions at a certain speeds and angles.
1Front airbag sensors
2Front seat belt pretensioner assemblies
3SRS warning light
4Airbag sensor assembly
5Front passenger occupant classification system
(ECU and sensors)
6Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
167
The front seat belt pretensioner system mainly consists of the
above components, and their locations are shown in the
illustration.
The front seat belt pretensioners are controlled by the airbag
sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a
safing sensor and airbag sensor.
When the front seat belt pretensioners are activated, an
operating
noise may be heard and a small amount of non −toxic
gas may be released. This does not indicate that a fire is
occurring. This gas is normally harmless.
Once the front seat belt pretensioners have been activated, the
seat belt retractors remain locked.
CAUTION
 Do not modify, remove, strike or open the seat belt
pretensioner assemblies, airbag sensor or
surrounding area or wiring. Failure to follow these
instruction may prevent the seat belt pretensioners
from activating correctly, cause sudden operation of
the system or disable the system, which could result
in death or serious injury. Consult your Lexus dealer
about any repair and modification.
 Do not modify or change the suspension system.
Such changes may cause the curtain shield airbags
to inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury . Consult your Lexus dealer about any
repair and modification.
 Do not use tires or wheels other than the
manufacture’s recommended size. Such a use may
cause the curtain shield airbags and seat belt
pretensioners to inflate accidentally, which could
result in death or serious injury. For details, see
“Checking and replacing tires” on page 585.
 Do not place luggage heavier than specified on the
roof luggage carrier. Such luggage may cause the
curtain shield airbags and seat belt pretensioners to
inflate accidentally, which could result in death or
serious injury. For details, see “Roof luggage
carrier” on page 136.

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS
168
NOTICE
Do not perform any of the following changes without
consulting your Lexus dealer. Such changes can
interfere with proper operation of the front seat belt
pretensioners in some cases.
Installation of electronic devices such as a mobile
twoway radio, cassette tape player or CD player
 Repairs on or near the front seat belt retractor
assemblies
 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 or console
This indicator comes on when the ignition key is turned to
the “ON” position. It goes off after about 6 seconds. This
means the front seat belt pretensioners 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.)