SRS airbags

The SRS airbags inflate when the vehicle is subjected to certain types of severe impacts that may cause significant injury to the occupants.

They work together with the seat belts to help reduce the risk of death or serious injury.

►Front airbags

Front airbags
1 Driver airbag/front passenger airbag
Can help protect the head and chest of the driver and front passenger from impact with interior components.

2 Knee airbags
Can help provide driver and front passenger protection.

Side and curtain shield airbags
3 Side airbags
Can help protect the torso of the front seat occupants.

4 Side airbags
Can help protect the torso of the second outboard seat occupants.

5 Curtain shield airbags
l Can help protect primarily the head of front seat occupants.
l Can help protect primarily the head of second outboard seat occupants.

Airbag system components

1 Front passenger occupant

1 Front passenger occupant classification system (ECU & sensors)
2 Knee airbags
3 Curtain shield airbags
4 Front passenger airbag
5 AIR BAG ON and AIR BAG OFF indicator lights  door)
6 Side impact sensors (front door)
7  Side airbags (front seats)
8  SRS warning light and “RSCA OFF” indicator light
9 Side impact sensors (rear)
10 Side airbags (second outboard seats)
11 Driver airbag
12 Driver’s seat position sensor
13 Driver’s seat belt buckle switch
14 Safing sensor (rear)
15 Roll sensing of curtain shield airbags off switch
16 Airbag sensor assembly
17 Front impact sensors
18 Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch
19 Seat belt pretensioners

Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed based on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The airbag sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on information obtained from the sensors etc. shown in the system components diagram above. This information includes crash severity and occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemi- cal reaction in the inflators quickly fills the airbags with nontoxic gas to help restrain the motion of the occupants.

- If the SRS airbags deploy (inflate)
l Bruising and slight abrasions may result from contact with a deploying (inflating) SRS airbag.
l A loud noise and white powder will be emitted.
l Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, airbag cover and infla- tor) as well as the front seats, second seats, and parts of the front, center and rear pillars, and roof side rail, may be hot for several minutes. The airbag itself may also be hot.
l The windshield may crack.
l For Safety Connect subscribers, if the SRS airbags deploy or in the event of a severe rear-end collision, the system is designed to send an emer- gency call to the response center, notifying them of the vehicle’s location (without needing to push the “SOS” button) and an agent will attempt to speak with the occupants to ascertain the level of emergency and assis- tance required. If the occupants are unable to communicate, the agent automatically treats the call as an emergency and helps to dispatch the necessary emergency services.

-  SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS front airbags)
l The SRS front airbag will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to an approximately 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30 km/h] frontal collision with a fixed wall 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 and 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 “underrides”, or goes under, the bed of a truck, etc.).

l 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.
l The SRS front airbags for the front passenger will not activate if there is not a passenger sitting in the front passenger seat. However, the front air- bags for the front passenger may deploy if luggage is put in the seat, even if the seat is unoccupied.

- SRS airbag deployment conditions (SRS side airbags and SRS curtain shield airbags)
l The SRS side airbags and SRS curtain shield airbags will deploy in the event of an impact that exceeds the set threshold level (the level of force corresponding to the impact force produced by an approximately 3300 lb. [1500 kg] vehicle colliding with the vehicle cabin from a direction perpendicular to the vehicle orientation at an approximate speed of 12 - 18 mph [20 - 30 km/h]).
l The SRS curtain shield airbags will deploy in the event of vehicle roll- over.

- Conditions under which the SRS airbags may deploy (inflate), other than a collision
The SRS front may also deploy if a serious impact occurs to the underside of your vehicle. Some examples are shown in the illustration.

l Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or

l Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard surface
l Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
l Landing hard or falling

The SRS curtain shield airbags may also deploy under the situations shown in the illustration.

l The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal.

l The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal.
l The vehicle skids and hits curb stone.

- Types of collisions that may not deploy the SRS airbag (front airbags)
The SRS front airbags do not generally 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.

l Collision from the side

l Collision from the side
l Collision from the rear
l Vehicle rollover

- Types of collisions that may not deploy the SRS airbag (side airbags and curtain shield airbags)
The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag may not activate if the vehicle is subjected to a collision from the side at certain angles, or a collision to the side of the vehicle body other than the passenger compartment.

l Collision from the side to the vehicle

l Collision from the side to the vehicle body other than the passenger compartment
l Collision from the side at an angle

The SRS side airbags do not generally inflate if the vehicle is involved in a frontal or rear collision, if it rolls over, or if it is involved in a low-speed side collision.

l Collision from the front

l Collision from the front
l Collision from the rear
l Vehicle rollover

The SRS curtain shield airbags do not generally inflate if the vehicle is involved in a frontal or rear collision, if it pitches end over end, or if it is involved in a low-speed side collision.

l Collision from the front

l Collision from the front
l Collision from the rear>? l Pitching end over end

- When to contact your Lexus dealer
In the following cases, contact your Lexus dealer, as soon as possible.

l Any of the SRS airbags have been inflated.

l The front of the vehicle is damaged or

l The front of the vehicle is damaged or deformed, or was involved in an acci- dent that was not severe enough to cause the SRS front airbags to inflate.

l A portion of a door is damaged or

l A portion of a door is damaged or deformed, or the vehicle was involved in an accident that was not severe enough to cause the SRS side and cur- tain shield airbags to inflate.

l The pad section of the steering wheel,

l The pad section of the steering wheel, dashboard near the front passenger air- bag or lower portion of the instrument panel is scratched, cracked, or other- wise damaged.

l The surface of the seats with the side

l The surface of the seats with the side airbag is scratched, cracked or other- wise damaged.
l The portion of the front, side and rear pillars or roof side rail garnishes (pad- ding) containing the curtain shield air- bags is inside scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.

CAUTION

- SRS airbag precautions
Observe the following precautions regarding the SRS airbags.

Failure to do so may cause death or serious injury.

l The driver and all passengers in the vehicle must wear their seat belts properly.
The SRS airbags are supplemental devices to be used with the seat belts.

l The SRS driver airbag deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or serious injury especially if the driver is very close to the airbag.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (“NHTSA”) advises: Since the risk zone for the driver’s airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75 mm) of inflation, placing yourself 10 in. (250 mm) from your driver airbag pro- vides you with a clear margin of safety. This distance is measured from the center of the steering wheel to your breastbone. If you sit less than 10 in. (250 mm) away now, you can change your driving position in several ways: • Move your seat to the rear as far as you can while still reaching the pedals comfortably.
• Slightly recline the back of the seat.

Although vehicle designs vary, many drivers can achieve the 10 in.

(250 mm) distance, even with the driver seat all the way forward, sim- ply by reclining the back of the seat somewhat. If reclining the back of your seat makes it hard to see the road, raise yourself by using a firm, non-slippery cushion, or raise the seat if your vehicle has that feature.
• If your steering wheel is adjustable, tilt it downward. This points the airbag toward your chest instead of your head and neck.

The seat should be adjusted as recommended by NHTSA above, while still maintaining control of the foot pedals, steering wheel, and your view of the instrument panel controls.

CAUTION

- SRS airbag precautions

l If the seat belt extender has been con-

l If the seat belt extender has been con- nected to the front seat belt buckles but the seat belt extender has not also been fastened to the latch plate of the seat belt, the SRS front airbags will judge that the driver and front passenger are wearing the seat belt even though the seat belt has not been connected. In this case, the SRS front airbags may not activate correctly in a collision, result- ing in death or serious injury in the event of collision. Be sure to wear the seat belt with the seat belt extender.
l The SRS front passenger airbag also deploys with considerable force, and can cause death or serious injury especially if the front passenger is very close to the airbag. The front passenger seat should be as far from the air- bag as possible with the seatback adjusted, so the front passenger sits upright.
l Improperly seated and/or restrained infants and children can be killed or seriously injured by a deploying airbag. 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 safer for infants and children than the front passenger seat.

CAUTION

- SRS airbag precautions

l Do not sit on the edge of the seat or

l Do not sit on the edge of the seat or lean against the dashboard.

l Do not allow a child to stand in front of

l Do not allow a child to stand in front of the SRS front passenger airbag unit or sit on the knees of a front passenger.
l Do not allow the front seat occupants to hold items on their knees.

l Do not lean against the door, the roof

l Do not lean against the door, the roof side rail or the front, center and rear pillars.

l Do not allow anyone to kneel on the

l Do not allow anyone to kneel on the passenger seat toward the door or put their head or hands outside the vehicle.

CAUTION

- SRS airbag precautions

Do not attach anything to or lean any-

Do not attach anything to or lean any- thing against areas such as the dash- board, steering wheel pad or lower portion of the instrument panel.

These items can become projectiles when SRS driver, front passenger and knee airbags deploy.
l Do not attach anything to areas such as a door, windshield glass, side door glass, front, center and rear pillars, roof side rail or assist grip.
l Do not hang coat hangers or other hard objects on the coat hooks. All of these items could become projectiles and may cause death or serious injury, should the SRS curtain shield airbag deploy.

l If a vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS knee airbag will deploy,

l If a vinyl cover is put on the area where the SRS knee airbag will deploy, be sure to remove it.

l Do not use seat accessories which cover the parts where the SRS side air- bags inflate as they may interfere with inflation of the airbags.

l Do not strike or apply significant levels of force to the area of the SRS air- bag components.

Doing so can cause the SRS airbags to malfunction.

l Do not touch any of the component parts immediately after the SRS air- bags have deployed (inflated) as they may be hot.

l If breathing becomes difficult after the SRS airbag have deployed, open a door or window to allow fresh air in, or leave the vehicle if it is safe to do so. Wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent skin irritation.

CAUTION

- SRS airbag precautions
l If the areas where the SRS airbags are stored, such as the steering wheel pad and front and rear pillar garnishes, are damaged or cracked, have them replaced by your Lexus dealer.

- Modification and disposal of SRS airbag system components
Do not dispose of your vehicle or perform any of the following modifica- tions without consulting your Lexus dealer.

The SRS airbags may malfunction or deploy (inflate) accidentally, causing death or serious injury.

l Installation, removal, disassembly and repair of the SRS airbags.
l Repairs, modifications, removal or replacement of the steering wheel, instrument panel, dashboard, seats or seat upholstery, front, side and rear pillars or roof side rail.
l Repairs or modifications of the front fender, front bumper, or side of the occupant compartment.
l Installation of snow plows, winches, etc. to the front grille (bull bars, kan- garoo bar etc.).
l Modifications to the vehicle’s suspension system.
l Installation of electronic devices such as mobile two-way radios or CD players.
l Modifications to your vehicle for a person with a physical disability.

Deactivating the curtain shield airbags in a vehicle rollover

ON/OFF (hold for a few sec-

ON/OFF (hold for a few sec- onds)
The RSCA OFF indicator turns on (only when the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is in IGNITION ON mode.) The roll sensing function for the curtain shield airbags and seat belt pretensioners will turn back on automatically each time the “ENGINE START STOP” switch is turned to IGNITION ON mode.

- This switch only should be used
In a situation where the inflation is not desired (such as during extreme off road driving).

- Operating conditions when the RSCA OFF indicator is on
l The curtain shield airbag and seat belt pretensioner will not activate in a vehicle rollover.
l The curtain shield airbag will activate in a severe side impact.
l The pretensioner will activate in a severe frontal collision.

CAUTION

- While normal driving
Make sure the RSCA OFF indicator is not turned on. If it is left on, the cur- tain shield airbag will not activate in the event of an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.

    See also:

    Setting a cellular phone
    Registering a cellular phone in the hands-free phone system allows the system to function. The following functions can be used for registered cellular phones:  - Functions and operation proced ...

    Cool box
    While the engine is running, the cool box, which is cooled by the air conditioning, can be used. Lift the lid while pulling up the lower lever to release the lock. On/off When on, the indica ...

    Turning the Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) on/off
    Turning the “TUNE/SEL” knob clockwise turns on the ASL, and turning the “TUNE/SEL” knob counterclockwise turns off the ASL. ASL automatically adjusts the volume and tone quality according t ...