Lexus RX300 (MCU15). Manual — part 59

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BODY — BODY STRUCTURE

109

3. Wax and Sealer

Wax and sealer are applied to the hemmed portions of the hood , door panels and back door to improve
rust protection.

4. Under Coat

Formed PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) coating is applied to the under side of the body. A thick coating to
improve rust resistant performance is applied to the front and rear wheel houses, the fender apron and other
parts which are subject to damage by stone chipping.

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: Formed PVC Coating Area
(Thick Coating)
: Formed PVC Coating Area

: Edge Seal

5. Anti-Chipping Application

Anti-chipping paint and PVC chipping primer are applied to the lower door panel area, front wheel arch
and the rocker panel area to protect them from being damaged by stone chipping. In addition, soft-chip
primer is applied to the hood.

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: Soft-Chip Primer

: Anti-Chipping Paint

: PVC Chipping Primer

BODY — BODY STRUCTURE

110

JLOW VIBRATION AND LOW NOISE BODY

1. General

Effective application of vibration damping and noise suppresant materials reduces engine and road noise.

2. Noise Absorbing and Vibration Damping Materials

D Sandwich panels are used in the dash panel and rear wheel housings, and in the front floor tunnel to

reduce engine and road noise.

D Asphalt sheets are optimally placed to reduce engine and road noise for quieter vehicle operation.

D Foamed urethane sponge and foamed seal material are applied onto the roof panel and pillars to reduce

wind and road noise.

D The joining rigidity of the parts in the periphery of the suspension has been increased to reduce road

noise.

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Sandwich Panel

Foamed Seal Material

Foamed Urethane Sponge

Sponge

Foamed Urethane Sponge

Foamed Seal Material

Sandwich Panel

Asphalt Sheet

Asphalt Sheet with
Plastic Restraint Layer

Asphalt Sheet

Foamed
Seal
Material

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BODY — BODY STRUCTURE

To remove or install the engine/transaxle, do so from underneath the vehicle, together with the front
sub–frame.

Service Tip

111

3. Sub-Frame

The highly rigid front sub-frame helps reduce noise and vibration.
The engine and the transaxle are installed onto the front sub-frame fitted to the vehicle’s body.
The front lower arms and the steering link are also fitted to the sub-frame. Vibration is suppressed in two
stages by means of a rubber bushing between the body and the sub-frame, and also by rubber bushings
between the sub-frame, the engine and transaxle.

" Location of Sub-Frame A

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Front
Sub-Frame

" Front Sub-Frame Installation Points A

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Transaxle

: Installation Point of Sub-Frame to Body

: Installation Point of Engine and Transaxle to Sub-Frame

Suspension Lower Arm

Steering Gear Housing

Front Sub-Frame

Front

Engine

BODY — ENHANCEMENT OF PRODUCT APPEAL

112

ENHANCEMENT OF PRODUCT APPEAL

JSEAT BELT

D The front seats are provided with a 3-point ELR (Emergency Locking Retractor) seat belt.

D The rear seats are provided with a 3-point ELR and ALR (Automatic Locking Retractor) seat belt.

D The front seats are provided with an electrical sensing type seat belt pretensioner and a seat belt force

limiter. In the beginning of a collision, the seat belt pretensioner instantly pulls up the seat belt thus
providing the excellent belt’s effectiveness in restraining the occupant.
When the impact of a collision causes the tension of the seat belt applied to the occupant to reach a
predetermined level, the force limiter restrains the tension, thus controlling the force applied to the occu-
pant’s chest area.

D In accordance with the ignition signal from the airbag sensor assembly, the seat belt pretensioner activates

simultaneously with the deployment of the SRS airbags for the driver and front passenger.

" System Diagram A

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Airbag Sensor Assembly

Collision

Impact

Power
Source

Safing
Sensor

Airbag Sensor

Front Airbag
Sensor

Seat Belt Pretensioner
and a Seat Belt
Force Limiter
(For Driver)

Airbag (For Driver)

Airbag
(For Front Passenger)

Seat Belt Pretensioner
and a Seat Belt
Force Limiter
(For Front Passenger)