2002 Lexus ES 300 Owners Manual - Page 137

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT In a severe frontal impact, the front airbag sensors detect deceleration and the system triggers the front airbag inflators. In a severe side impact, the side and curtain shield airbag sensor and/or the curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the side and curtain shield airbag inflators and/or 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 forward or lateral motion of the occupants. When the SRS airbag operates, it produces a fairly loud noise and release some smoke and residue along with non−toxic gas. This does not indicate a fire. This gas is normally harmless; however, for those who have delicate skin, it may cause a minor skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent any potential skin irritation. 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, it may also cause minor burns or abrasions and swelling. Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, dashboard, front seats, parts of the front and rear pillars and roof side) may be hot for several minutes, but the airbags themselves will not be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate only once. A crash severe enough to inflate the driver and front passenger airbags may break the windshield as the vehicle buckles. In vehicles with a front passenger airbag, the windshield may also be damaged by absorbing some of the force of the inflating airbag. CAUTION D The SRS airbag system is designed only as a supplement to the primary protection of the driver side and front and rear outside passenger side seat belt systems. The front and rear outside seat occupants can be killed or seriously injured by the inflating airbags if they do not wear the available seat belts properly. During sudden braking just before a collision, an unrestrained driver, front passenger or rear outside passenger can move forward or sideways into direct contact with or close proximity to the airbag which may then deploy during the collision. 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 106. D 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 seat of the vehicle and properly restrained. The rear seat is the safest for infants and children. For instructions concerning the installation of a child restraint system, see "Child restraint" on page 131 . 123