1999 Lexus RX 300 Owners Manual - Page 180

COMFORT ADJUSTMENT In a severe frontal impact, the driver and front passenger airbag sensor detects deceleration and the system triggers the front airbag inflators and seat belt pretensioners. In a severe side impact, the side airbag sensor triggers the side airbag inflator. Then a chemical reaction in the inflators momentarily fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to help restrain the forward or lateral motion of the occupants. Then the inflators fill the airbags and the seat belts are quickly drawn back in by the retractors to help restrain forward motion of the occupants. When the SRS 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 minor skin irritation. Be sure to wash off any residue as soon as possible to prevent minor 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 swellings. Parts of the airbag module (steering wheel hub, dashboard, front seats) 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. 163