2006 Lexus GS 300 Owners Manual - Page 821

OCCUPANT RESTRAINT SYSTEMS In a severe side impact, the side and curtain shield airbag sensor and/or the curtain shield airbag sensor trigger(s) the side airbag inflators and/or the curtain shield airbag inflators. At this time a chemical reaction in the inflators quickly fills the airbags with non−toxic gas to help restrain the lateral motion of the occupants. When the airbags inflate, they produce a fairly 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 safely exit from the vehicle, you should do so immediately. 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. Front (and outboard rear) seats as well as the parts of the front and rear pillars, and roof side rail may be hot for several minutes, but the airbags themselves will be hot. The airbags are designed to inflate only once. G16031 " 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Curtain shield airbag modules (airbag and inflator) Front side airbag modules (airbag and inflator) Curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies Side and curtain shield airbag sensor assemblies Occupant detection sensor Front passenger's seat belt buckle switch SRS warning light Airbag sensor assembly Vehicles with rear side airbag only: Rear side airbag modules (airbag and inflator) The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system consists mainly of the above components, and their locations are shown in the illustration. The SRS side airbag and curtain shield airbag system is controlled by the airbag sensor assembly. The airbag sensor assembly consists of a safing sensor and airbag sensor. 175