Get Safety precautions when driving Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

J Safety symbol

HS0008

You will find a circle with a slash through it in this manual. This symbol

means “Do not”, “Do not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”, depending

upon the context.

Safety precautions when driving

SEATBELT AND SRS AIRBAG

WARNING

D All persons in the vehicle should fasten their seatbelts BE-

FORE the vehicle starts to move. Otherwise, the possibility of se-

rious injury becomes greater in the event of a sudden stop or ac-

cident.

D To obtain maximum protection in the event of an accident, the

driver and all passengers in the vehicle should always wear seat-

belts when the vehicle is moving. The SRS (Supplemental

Restraint System) airbag does not do away with the need to fas-

ten seatbelts. In combination with the seatbelts, it offers the best

combined protection in case of a serious accident.

Not wearing a seatbelt increases the chance of severe injury or

death in a crash even when the car has the SRS airbag.

D The SRS airbags deploy with considerable speed and force.

Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag

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deploys could suffer very serious injuries. Because the SRS air-

bag needs enough space for deployment, the driver should al-

ways sit upright and well back in the seat as far from the steering

wheel as practical while still maintaining full vehicle control and

the front passenger should move the seat as far back as possible

and sit upright and well back in the seat.

Carefully read the sections “Seat, seatbelts and SRS airbag” in chapter 1

of this owner’s manual for instructions and precautions concerning the

seatbelt system and SRS airbag system.

CHILD SAFETY

WARNING

D Never hold a child on your lap or in your arms while the ve-

hicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from in-

jury in a collision, because the child will be caught between the

passenger and objects inside the vehicle.

D While riding in the vehicle, infants and small children should

always be placed in the REAR seat in an infant or child restraint

system which is appropriate for the child’s age, height and

weight. If a child is too big for a child restraint system, the child

should sit in the REAR seat and be restrained using the seatbelts.

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly

restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating

positions. Never allow a child to stand up or kneel on the seat.

D Put children aged 12 and under in the REAR seat properly re-

strained at all times in a child restraint device or in a seatbelt. The

SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed and force and can

injure or even kill children, especially if they are 12 years of age

and under and are not restrained or improperly restrained. Be-

cause children are lighter and weaker than adults, their risk being

injured from deployment is greater.

D NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD SAFETY SEAT

IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR

DEATH TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S HEAD TOO

CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG.

D Always use the child safety locks whenever a child rides in the

rear seat. Serious injury could result if a child accidentally

opened the door and fell out. Refer to the “Door locks” section in

chapter 2.

D Always lock the passenger’s windows using the lock switch

when children are riding in the vehicle. Failure to follow this pro-

cedure could result in injury to a child operating the power win-

dow. Refer to the “Power windows” section in chapter 2.

D Never leave unattended children in the vehicle. They could ac-

cidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent opera-

tion of the vehicle. Also, on hot or sunny days, temperature in a

closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause se-

vere or possibly fatal injuries to them.

D Help prevent young children from locking themselves in the

trunk. When leaving the vehicle, either close all windows and lock

all doors or cancel the inside trunk lid release. Also make certain

that the trunk is closed. On hot or sunny days, the temperature in

a trunk could quickly become high enough to cause death or seri-

ous heat-related injuries including brain damage, particularly for

small children.

Carefully read the sections “Child restraint systems”, “SRS airbag”, and

“Seatbelts” in chapter 1 of this owner’s manual for instructions and pre-

cautions concerning the child restraint system, seatbelt system and SRS

airbag system.

ENGINE EXHAUST GAS (CARBON MONOXIDE)

WARNING

D Never inhale engine exhaust gas. Engine exhaust gas contains

carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is danger-

ous, or even lethal, if inhaled.

D Always properly maintain the engine exhaust system to pre-

vent engine exhaust gas from entering the vehicle.

vii

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D Never run the engine in a closed space, such as a garage, ex-

cept for the brief time needed to drive the vehicle in or out of it.

D Avoid remaining in a parked vehicle for a lengthy time while

the engine is running. If that is unavoidable, then use the ventila-

tion fan to force fresh air into the vehicle.

D Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille free from snow,

leaves or other obstructions to ensure that the ventilation system

always works properly.

D If at any time you suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the

vehicle, have the problem checked and corrected as soon as pos-

sible. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with all

windows fully open.

D Keep the trunk lid or rear gate closed while driving to prevent

exhaust gas from entering the vehicle.

DRINKING AND DRIVING

WARNING

Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Alcohol in the

bloodstream delays your reaction and impairs your perception,

judgment and attentiveness. If you drive after drinking – even if

you drink just a little – it will increase the risk of being involved in

a serious or fatal accident, injuring or killing yourself, your pas-

sengers and others. In addition, if you are injured in the accident,

alcohol may increase the severity of that injury.

Please don’t drink and drive.

Drunken driving is one of the most frequent causes of accidents. Since

alcohol affects all people differently, you may have consumed too much

alcohol to drive safely even if the level of alcohol in your blood is below

the legal limit. The safest thing you can do is never drink and drive. How-

ever if you have no choice but to drive, stop drinking and sober up com-

pletely before getting behind the wheel.

viii

DRUGS AND DRIVING

WARNING

There are some drugs (over the counter and prescription) that

can delay your reaction time and impair your perception, judg-

ment and attentiveness. If you drive after taking them, it may in-

crease your, your passengers’ and other persons’ risk of being

involved in a serious or fatal accident.

If you are taking any drugs, check with your doctor or pharmacist or read

the literature that accompanies the medication to determine if the drug

you are taking can impair your driving ability. Do not drive after taking

any medications that can make you drowsy or otherwise affect your abil-

ity to safely operate a motor vehicle. If you have a medical condition that

requires you to take drugs, please consult with your doctor.

Never drive if you are under the influence of any illicit mind-altering

drugs. For your own health and well-being, we urge you not to take ille-

gal drugs in the first place and to seek treatment if you are addicted to

those drugs.

DRIVING WHEN TIRED OR SLEEPY

WARNING

When you are tired or sleepy, your reaction will be delayed and

your perception, judgment and attentiveness will be impaired. If

you drive when tired or sleepy, your, your passengers’ and other

persons’ chances of being involved in a serious accident may in-

crease.

Please do not continue to drive but instead find a safe place to rest if you

are tired or sleepy. On long trips, you should make periodic rest stops to

refresh yourself before continuing on your journey. When possible, you

should share the driving with others.

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CAR/MOBILE PHONES AND DRIVING

CAUTION

Do not use a hand-held phone while driving; it may distract your

attention from driving and can lead to an accident. If you use a

hand-held phone, pull off the road and park in the safe place be-

fore using your phone. In some States/Provinces, only hands-free

phones may legally be used while driving.

MODIFICATION OF YOUR VEHICLE

CAUTION

Your vehicle should not be modified. Modification could affect its

performance, safety or durability, and may even violate govern-

mental regulations. In addition, damage or performance problems

resulting from modification may not be covered under warranties.

DRIVING WITH PETS

Unrestrained pets can interfere with your driving and distract your atten-

tion from driving. In a collision or sudden stop, unrestrained pets or

cages can be thrown around inside the vehicle and hurt you or your pas-

sengers. Besides, the pets can be hurt under these situations. It is also

for their own safety that pets should be properly restrained in your

vehicle. Restrain a pet with a special traveling harness which can be se-

cured to the rear seat with a seatbelt or use a pet carrier which can be

secured to the rear seat by routing a seatbelt through the carrier’s han-

dle. Never restrain pets or pet carriers in the front passenger’s seat. For

further information, consult your veterinarian, local animal protection so-

ciety or pet shop.

TIRE PRESSURES

WARNING

Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire pressures can

cause the tires to deform severely and to rapidly become hot. A

sharp increase in temperature could cause tread separation, and

destruction of the tires. The resulting loss of vehicle control

could lead to an accident.

Check and, if necessary, adjust the pressure of each tire (including the

spare) at least once a month and before any long journey.

Check the tire pressure when the tires are cold.

Use a pressure gauge to adjust the tire pressures to the values shown on

the tire placard.

Refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in chapter 11 for detailed

information.

CALIFORNIA PROPOSITION 65 WARNING

WARNING

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle

components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of

California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive

harm.

Safety precautions when driving for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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