2005 Lexus RX 330 Owners Manual - Page 206

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS 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: D The driver sit as far back as possible from the steering wheel while still maintaining control of the vehicle. D The front passenger sit as far back as possible from the dashboard. D All vehicle occupants be properly restrained using the available seat belts. D 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. 175