Get Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags -> SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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ton. Store the headrest in the cargo area. Avoid placing the headrest

in the passenger compartment to prevent it from being thrown around

in the passenger compartment in a sudden stop or a sharp turn.

HB1081BD

2. Fasten the top tether hook of the child restraint system to the ap-

propriate upper anchorage.

3. Tighten the top tether securely.

*SRS airbag

(Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

*SRS: This stands for supplemental restraint system. This name is used

because the airbag system supplements the vehicle’s seatbelts.

J Vehicle with driver’s and front passenger’s SRS air-

bags and lap/shoulder restraints

WARNING

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 airbag is designed

only as a supplement to the primary protection provided by the

seatbelt. It does not do away with the need to fasten seatbelts. In

combination with the seatbelts, it offers the best combined

protection in case of a serious accident.

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Not wearing a seatbelt increases the chance of severe injury or

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

For instructions and precautions concerning the seatbelt system,

see the “Seatbelts” sections in this chapter.

D Do not sit or lean unnecessarily close to the SRS airbag. Be-

cause the SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed – faster

than the blink of an eye – and force to protect in high speed colli-

sions, the force of an airbag can injure an occupant whose body

is too close to SRS airbag.

It is also important to wear your seatbelt to help avoid injuries

that can result when the SRS airbag contacts an occupant not in

proper position such as one thrown forward during pre-accident

braking.

Even when properly positioned, there remains a possibility that

an occupant may suffer minor injury such as abrasions and

bruises to the face or arms because of the SRS airbag deploy-

ment force.

D The SRS airbags deploy with considerable speed and force.

Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag

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.

D Do not place any objects over or near the SRS airbag cover or

between you and the SRS airbag. If the SRS airbag deploys,

those objects could interfere with its proper operation and could

be propelled inside the car and cause injury.

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

strained at all times. 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 im-

properly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than

adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater.

For that reason, we strongly recommend that ALL children

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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(including those in child seats and those that have outgrown

child restraint devices) sit in the REAR seat properly restrained at

all times in a child restraint device or in a seatbelt, whichever is

appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight.

Secure ALL types of child restraint devices (including forward

facing child seats) in the REAR seats at all times.

According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly

restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seating

positions.

For instructions and precautions concerning the child restraint

system, see the “Child restraint systems” section in this chapter.

D NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD 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 Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the front pas-

senger’s seat, or never hold a child on your lap or in your arms.

The SRS airbag deploys with considerable force and can injure or

even kill the child.

HB0291

Put children in the REAR seat prop-

erly restrained at all times.

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CAUTION

D When the SRS airbag deploys, some smoke will be released.

This smoke could cause breathing problems for people with a

history of asthma or other breathing trouble. If you or your pas-

sengers have breathing problems after SRS airbag deploys, get

fresh air promptly.

D A deploying SRS airbag releases hot gas. Occupants could get

burnt if they come into direct contact with the hot gas.

Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental restraint system in addition

to a lap/shoulder belt at each front seating position.

The supplemental restraint system (SRS) consists of two airbags (driver’s

and front passenger’s frontal airbags) or four airbags (driver’s and front

passenger’s frontal airbags and driver’s and front passenger’s side air-

bags).

These SRS airbags are designed only as a supplement to the prima-

ry protection provided by the seatbelt.

The system also controls front seatbelt pretensioners. For operation,

instructions are precautions concerning the seatbelt pretensioner, see

the “Front seatbelt pretensioner” section in this chapter.

NOTE

When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to explain to the buyer that

it is equipped with SRS airbags by alerting him to the applicable

section in this owner’s manual.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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B Components

HB1079DB

1 Airbag control module

(including impact sensors)

2 Airbag module (driver’s side)

3 Airbag module

(passenger’s side)

4 Front sub sensor

(left hand side)

5 Front sub sensor

(right hand side)

6 Seatbelt pretensioner

(driver’s side)

7 Seatbelt pretensioner

(passenger’s side)

8 Side airbag module

(driver’s side — if equipped)

9 Side airbag module

(passenger’s side — if

equipped)

Q Side airbag sensor

(driver’s side)

W Side airbag sensor

(passenger’s side)

E Airbag wiring (yellow)

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J SRS frontal airbag

WARNING

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 Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the front pas-

senger’s seat, or never hold a child on your lap or in your arms.

The SRS airbag deploys with considerable force and can injure or

even kill the child.

D The SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed and force.

Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag

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.

It is also important to wear your seatbelt to help avoid injuries

that can result when the SRS airbag contacts an occupant not in

proper position such as one thrown toward the front of the car

during pre-accident braking.

HB0306

HB0307

Never install rearward facing child

restraint system in the front passen-

ger’s seat.

Never allow a child to stand up, or

to kneel on the front passenger’s

seat

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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HB0308

Never hold a child on your lap or in

your arms.

HS0233

Adjust the seatback to

upright position. Sit well

back and upright.

Move the seat as far from the

steering wheel as practical.

HB0290

Adjust the seatback to

upright position. Sit

well back and upright.

Move the seat

as far back as

possible.

WARNING

D Do not put any objects over the steering wheel pad and dash-

board. If the SRS frontal airbag deploys, those objects could in-

terfere with its proper operation and could be propelled inside the

vehicle and cause injury.

D Do not attach accessories to the windshield, or fit an extra-

wide mirror over the rear view mirror. If the SRS airbag deploys,

those objects could become projectiles that could seriously in-

jure vehicle occupants.

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HB1047BB

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed in the center portion of the

steering wheel. The passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed near the

top of the dashboard under an “SRS AIRBAG” mark.

In a moderate to severe frontal collision, the driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbags deploy and supplement the seatbelts by reduc-

ing the impact on the driver’s and front passenger’s head and chest.

B Operation

CAUTION

Do not touch the SRS airbag system components around the

steering wheel and dashboard with bare hands right after deploy-

ment. Doing so can cause burns because the components can be

very hot as a result of deployment.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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SRS airbags deploy

as soon as a collision

occurs.

After deployment,

SRS airbags start to

deflate immediately

so that the driver’s

vision is not

obstructed.

OM-H0384

Driver’s side Passenger’s side

The SRS airbag can function only when the ignition switch is in the

“ON” position.

If the front sub sensors inside the both front fenders and the impact

sensors in the airbag control module detect a certain predetermined

amount of force during a frontal collision, the control module sends

signals to the frontal airbag modules instructing them to inflate the

SRS frontal airbags. Then both airbag modules produce gas, which

instantly inflates driver’s and passenger’s SRS frontal airbags. After

the deployment, the SRS airbags immediately start to deflate so that

the driver’s vision is not obstructed. The time required from detecting

impact to the deflation of the SRS airbag after deployment is shorter

than the blink of an eye.

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag deploys together with driv-

er’s SRS frontal airbag even when no one occupies the front passen-

ger’s seat.

When the SRS frontal airbags deploy, the driver’s and front passen-

ger’s seatbelt pretensioners operate at the same time.

Although it is highly unlikely that the SRS airbag would activate in a

non-accident situation, should it occur, the SRS airbag will deflate

quickly, not obscuring vision and will not interfere with the driver’s

ability to maintain control of the vehicle.

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When the SRS airbag deploys, a sudden, fairly loud inflation noise will

be heard and some smoke will be released. These occurrences are

normal result of the deployment. This smoke does not indicate a fire in

the vehicle.

The SRS frontal airbag is designed to deploy in the event of an acci-

dent involving a moderate to severe frontal collision. It is basically not

designed to deploy in lesser frontal impacts because the necessary

protection can be achieved by the seatbelt alone. Also, it is basically

not designed to deploy in side or rear impacts or in roll-over acci-

dents because deployment of the SRS frontal airbag would not help

the occupant in those situations. The SRS airbag is designed to func-

tion on a one-time-only basis.

SRS airbag deployment depends on the level of force experienced in

the passenger compartment during a collision. That level differs from

one type of collision to another, and it may have no bearing on the

visible damage done to the vehicle itself.

n Examples of accident in which the SRS frontal airbag will most

likely deploy.

A head-on collision against a thick concrete wall at a vehicle speed of

12 to 19 mph (20 to 30 km/h) or higher activates the SRS frontal air-

bag. The SRS frontal airbag will also be activated when the vehicle is

exposed to a frontal impact similar in fashion and magnitude to the

above-mentioned collision.

HB1055BA

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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n Examples of the types of accidents in which it is possible that

the SRS frontal airbag will deploy.

The SRS frontal airbag may be activated when the vehicle sustains a

hard impact in the undercarriage area from the road surface (such as

when the vehicle plunges into a deep ditch, is severely bumped or

knocked hard against an obstacle on the road such as a curb).

HB1057BAHB1056BA

n Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS frontal

airbag is unlikely to deploy.

There are many types of collisions which might not necessarily require

SRS frontal airbag deployment. If the vehicle strikes an object, such

as a telephone pole or sign pole, or if it slides under a truck’s load

bed, or if it sustains an oblique offset frontal impact, the SRS frontal

airbag may not deploy depending on the level of accident forces in-

volved.

HB0311HB1042BB

HB1041AB

The vehicle sustains an

oblique offset frontal

impact.

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n Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS frontal

airbag will basically not deploy.

The SRS frontal airbag is basically not designed to deploy if the

vehicle is struck from side or from behind, or if it rolls onto its side or

roof, or if it is involved in a low-speed frontal collision.

HB1044AB

The vehicle is struck from

the side.

HB0313HB1043BB

In an accident where the vehicle is impacted more than once, the

SRS frontal airbag deploys only once.

Example: In the case of a double collision, first with another vehicle,

then against a concrete wall in immediate succession, once the SRS

frontal airbag is activated on the first impact, it will not be activated on

the second.

HB1070BB

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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J SRS side airbag (if equipped)

WARNING

D The SRS side airbag is designed as only a supplement to the

primary protection provided by the seatbelt. It does not do away

with the need to fasten seatbelts. It is also important to wear your

seatbelt to help avoid injuries that can result when an occupant is

not seated in a proper upright position.

D Do not sit or lean unnecessarily close to either front door. The

SRS side airbag is stored in both front seat seatbacks next to the

door, and it provides protection by deploying rapidly (faster than

the blink of an eye) in the event of a side impact collision. Howev-

er, the force of SRS side airbag deployment may cause injuries if

your head or other body parts are too close to the SRS side air-

bag.

D Do not rest your arm on either front door or its internal trim. It

could be injured in the event of SRS side airbag deployment.

D Never allow a child to kneel on the front passenger’s seat fac-

ing the side window or to wrap his/her arms around the front seat

seatback. In the event of an accident, the force of SRS side airbag

deployment could seriously injure or even kill the child because

his/her head or arms or other body parts are close to the side air-

bag. Since your vehicle is also equipped with a passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag, children aged 12 and under should be placed in

the rear seat anyway and should be properly restrained at all

times.

1-56

HB0353HB0352

Do not sit or lean unnecessary close

to the front door.

Do not rest your arm on either front

door or its internal trim.

HB0354

Never allow a child to kneel on the

front passenger’s seat facing the side

window.

HB0355

Never allow a child to wrap his/her

arms around the front seatback.

WARNING

D Do not attach accessories to the door trim or near either SRS

side airbags and do not place objects near the SRS side airbags.

In the event of the SRS side airbag deployment, they could be

propelled dangerously toward the vehicle’s occupants and cause

injuries.

D Do not put any kind of cover or clothes or other objects over

either front seatback and do not attach labels or stickers to the

front seat surface on or near the SRS side airbag. They could pre-

vent proper deployment of the SRS side airbag, reducing protec-

tion available to the front seat’s occupant.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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HS0353

Do not put any kind of cover over

either seatback.

Do not attach accessories to the door

trim or near either side airbag and do

not place objects near either side air-

bag.

HB0366

The SRS side airbag is stored in the door side of each front seatback,

which bears an “SRS AIRBAG” label.

In a moderate to severe side impact collision, the SRS side airbag on the

impacted side of the vehicle deploys between the occupant and the

door panel and supplements the seatbelt by reducing the impact on the

occupant’s chest.

B Operation

CAUTION

Do not touch the SRS side airbag system components around the

front seatback with bare hands right after deployment. Doing so

can cause burns because the components can be very hot as a

result of deployment.

1-58

SRS side airbag deploys as

soon as a collision occurs.

After deployment, SRS side

airbag starts to deflate immedi-

ately.

HB0359

The SRS side airbag can function only when the ignition switch is in

the “ON” position.

The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS side airbags deploy indepen-

dently of each other since each has its own impact sensor. Also, the

SRS side airbag deploys independently of the frontal airbags in the

steering wheel and instrument panel.

An impact sensor is incorporated into each of the vehicle’s center pil-

lars. If either sensor detects a certain predetermined amount of force

during a side impact collision, the control module sends a signal to

the side airbag module on the impacted side of the vehicle, instruct-

ing it to inflate the SRS side airbag. Then the side airbag module pro-

duces gas, which instantly inflates the SRS side airbag. After the de-

ployment, the SRS side airbag immediately starts to deflate. The time

required from detecting impact to the deflation of the SRS side airbag

after deployment is shorter than the blink of an eye.

The SRS side airbag deploys even when no one occupies the seat on

the side of which an impact is applied.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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When the SRS side airbag deploys, a sudden, fairly loud inflation

noise will be heard and some smoke will be released. These occur-

rences are normal result of the deployment. This smoke does not indi-

cate a fire in the vehicle.

The SRS side airbag is designed to deploy in the event of an accident

involving a moderate to severe side impact collision. It is basically not

designed to deploy in lesser side impact. Also, it is basically not de-

signed to deploy in frontal or rear impacts because SRS side airbag

deployment would not help the occupant in those situations.

Each SRS side airbag is designed to function on a one-time-only ba-

sis.

SRS side airbag deployment depends on the level of force experi-

enced in the passenger compartment during a side impact collision.

That level differs from one type of collision to another, and it may have

no bearing on the visible damage done to the vehicle itself.

n Example of the type of accident in which the SRS side airbag

will most likely deploy.

A severe side impact near the front seat activates the SRS side air-

bag.

HB0313

1-60

n Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side air-

bag is unlikely to deploy.

There are many types of collisions which might not necessarily require

SRS side airbag deployment. In the event of accidents like those illus-

trated below, the SRS side airbag may not deploy depending on the

level of accident forces involved.

HB0363HB0362HB0361

The vehicle strikes a

telephone pole or similar

object.

The vehicle is involved in

a side impact in an area

outside the vicinity of the

passenger compartment.

The vehicle is involved in

an oblique side impact.

HB1044ABHB1045AB

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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n Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side air-

bag will basically not deploy.

The SRS side airbag is basically not designed to deploy if the vehicle

is involved in a frontal collision or is struck from behind. Examples of

such accidents are illustrated below.

HB1043BBHB1046AB

In an accident where the vehicle is struck from the side more than

once, the SRS side airbag deploys only once.

Example: In the case of a double side impact collision, first with one

vehicle and immediately followed by another from the same direction,

once the SRS side airbag is activated on the first impact, it will not be

activated on the second.

HB1071BB

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J SRS airbag system monitors

HB4010EC

A diagnostic system continually monitors the readiness of the SRS air-

bag system (including front seatbelt pretensioners) while the vehicle is

being driven. The SRS airbag system warning light “AIRBAG” will show

normal system operation by lighting for about 6 seconds when the igni-

tion key is turned to the “ON” position.

The following components are monitored by the indicator:

D Front sub sensor (Right hand side)

D Front sub sensor (Left hand side)

D Airbag control module (including impact sensors)

D Frontal airbag module (Driver’s side)

D Frontal airbag module (Passenger’s side)

D Side airbag sensor (Driver’s side — if equipped)

D Side airbag sensor (Passenger’s side — if equipped)

D Side airbag module (Driver’s side — if equipped)

D Side airbag module (Passenger’s side — if equipped)

D Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)

D Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger’s side)

D All related wiring

In the event of a malfunction indicated by any of following, the vehicle

should be taken promptly to your nearest SUBARU dealer to have the

system checked. Unless checked and repaired, the SRS airbags will not

function reliably:

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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D Flashing or flickering of the indicator light.

D No illumination of the warning light when the ignition switch is first

turned to the “ON” position.

D Continuous illumination of the warning light.

D Illumination of the warning light while driving.

J SRS airbag system servicing

WARNING

D When discarding an airbag module or scrapping the entire car

damaged by a collision, consult your SUBARU dealer.

D The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable parts. Do not use

electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRS airbag

system. For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see your near-

est SUBARU dealer. Tampering with or disconnecting the sys-

tem’s wiring could result in accidental inflation of the SRS airbag

or could make the system inoperative, which may result in seri-

ous injury. The wiring harnesses of the SRS airbag system are

covered with yellow insulation and system connectors are yellow

for easy identification.

CAUTION

If you need service or repair in areas listed below, we recommend

that you have an authorized SUBARU dealer perform the work. The

SRS airbag control module, impact sensors and airbag modules

are stored in these areas.

D Under the center console

D Inside each front fender

D Steering wheel and column and nearby areas

D Top of the dashboard on front passenger’s side and nearby

areas

D Each front seat and nearby area (only for vehicles with SRS

side airbags)

D Inside each center pillar

1-64

In the event that the SRS airbag is deployed, replacement of the sys-

tem should be performed only by an authorized SUBARU dealer.

When the components of the SRS airbag system are replaced, use

only genuine SUBARU parts.

To ensure their long-term reliability, the SRS airbags must be inspected

by a SUBARU dealer ten years after the date of manufacture, which is

shown on the certification label attached to the driver’s door.

NOTE

In the following cases, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as pos-

sible.

D The front part of the vehicle was involved in an accident in

which the SRS frontal airbags did not deploy.

D The pad section of the steering wheel or front passenger’s

frontal airbag cover is scratched, cracked, or otherwise damaged.

In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with SRS side airbags, con-

tact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible in the following

cases.

D Either center pillar or a nearby area of the vehicle was involved

in an accident in which the SRS side airbag did not deploy.

D The fabric or leather of either front seatback is cut, frayed, or

otherwise damaged.

J Precautions against vehicle modification

WARNING

D To avoid accidental activation of the system or rendering the

system inoperative, which may result in serious injury, no modifi-

cations should be made to any components or wiring of the SRS

airbag system.

This includes following modifications:

D Installation of custom steering wheels

D Attachment of additional trim materials to the dashboard

D Installation of custom seats (only for vehicles with SRS side

airbags)

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

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D Replacement of seat fabric or leather (only for vehicles with

SRS side airbags)

D Installation of additional fabric or leather on the front seat

(only for vehicles with SRS side airbags)

D Installation of additional electrical/electronic equipment such

as a mobile two-way radio on or near the SRS airbag system

components and/or wiring is not advisable. This could interfere

with proper operation of the SRS airbag system.

CAUTION

Do not perform any of the following modifications. Such modifi-

cations can interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag sys-

tem.

D Attachment of any equipment (brush bar, winches, snow plow,

skid plate, etc.) other than SUBARU genuine accessory parts to

the front end.

D Modification of the suspension system or front end structure.

D Installation of a tire of different size and construction from the

tires specified on the tire placard attached to the driver’s door

jamb.

D Attachment of any equipment (side steps or side sill protec-

tors, etc.) other than SUBARU genuine accessory parts to the

side body (only for vehicles with side airbags).

Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you want to install any accessory

parts to your vehicle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags -> SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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