Get Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Fourth Generation (2010-2014)

Front seats............ ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... .. 1-2

Manual seat (if equipped) ....................................... 1-3

Power seat (if equipped)......................................... 1-4

Head restraint adjustment....................................... 1-8

Seat heater (if equipped) ........... ....... ....... ....... ....... . 1-8

Rear seats...................................................... ....... ... 1-9

Reclining the seatback (Outback)........................... 1-10

Folding down the rear seatback............................. 1-11

Head restraint adjustment...................................... 1-12

Armrest ................................................................ 1-14

Seatbelts .................... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... ....... .. 1-14

Seatbelt safety tips................................................ 1-14

Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ...................... 1-15

Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor

(A/ELR) ............................................................... 1-15

Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................... 1-16

Fastening the seatbelt ........................................... 1-16

Seatbelt maintenance ............................................ 1-22

Front seatbelt pretensioners ......................... ....... 1-23

System monitors ................................................... 1-24

System servicing................................................... 1-24

Precautions against vehicle modification ............... 1-25

Child restraint systems........ ....... ....... ....... ....... ..... 1-25

Where to place a child restraint system ................. 1-26

Choosing a child restraint system.......................... 1-28

Installing child restraint systems with A/ELR

seatbelt .............................................................. 1-28

Installing a booster seat........................................ 1-31

Installation of child restraint systems by use of

lower and tether anchorages (LATCH) ................. 1-33

Top tether anchorages .......................................... 1-35

*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint

System airbag) (Type A)..................... ....... ....... ..1-38

General precautions regarding SRS airbag

system ............................................................... 1-39

Components......................................................... 1-46

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system, SRS

side airbag and SRS curtain airbag ..................... 1-49

System operation.................................................. 1-54

SRS airbag system monitors. ................................ 1-66

SRS airbag system servicing ................................ 1-68

Precautions against vehicle modification............... 1-69

*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint

System airbag) (Type B)..................... ....... ....... ..1-70

General precautions regarding SRS airbag

system ............................................................... 1-70

Components......................................................... 1-77

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system, SRS

side airbag and SRS curtain airbag ..................... 1-80

System operation.................................................. 1-85

SRS airbag system monitors. ................................ 1-97

SRS airbag system servicing ................................ 1-99

Precautions against vehicle modification............. 1-100

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

1-2 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Front seats

WARNING

. Never adjust the seat while driv-

ing to avoid loss of vehicle con-

trol and personal injury.

. Before adjusting the seat, make

sure the hands and feet of rear

seat passengers or cargo are

clear of the adjusting mechan-

ism.

. After adjusting the seat, push it

slightly to make sure it is se-

curely locked. If the seat is not

securely locked, it may move or

the seatb elt may not operate

properly.

. Do not put objects under the front

seats. They may interfere with

front seat locking and cause an

accident.

. Seatbelts provide maximum re-

straint when the occupant sits

well back and upright in the seat.

To reduce the risk of sliding

under the seatbelt in a collision,

the front seatbacks should be

always used in the upright posi-

tion while the vehicle is running.

If the front seatbacks are not

used in the upright position in a

collision, the risk of sliding under

the lap belt and of the lap belt

sliding up over the abdomen will

increase, and both can result in

serious internal injury or death.

. The SRS airbags deploy with

considerable speed and force.

Occupants who are not in the

proper position when the SRS

airbag deploys could suffer very

serious inj uries. Because th e

SRS airbag needs enough space

for deployment, the driver should

always sit upright and well back

in the seat as far from the steer-

ing 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.

WARNING

Put children in the rear seat properly

restrained at all times. The SRS

airbag deploys with considerable

speed and force and can injure or

even kill children, especially if they

are not restrained or improper ly

restrained. Because children are

lighter and weaker than adults, their

risk of being injured from deploy-

ment is greater. Consequently, we

strongly recommend that ALL chil-

dren (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 (inclu ding forward facing

child seats) in the REAR seats at

all times.

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-

CING 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.

According to acciden t statistics,

children are safer when properly

restrained in the rear seating posi-

tions than in the front seating posi-

tions. For instructions and precau-

tions concerning child restraint sys-

tems, refer to “Child restraint sys-

tems” F1-25.

WARNING

To prevent the passenger from slid-

ing under the seatbelt in the event of

a collision, always put the seatback

in the upright position whil e the

vehicle is in motion. Also, do not

place objects such as cushions

between the passenger and the

seatback. If you do so, the risk of

sliding under the lap belt and of the

lap belt sliding up over the abdomen

will increase, and both can result in

serious internal injury or death.

& Manual seat (if equipped)

! Forward and backward adjustment

Pull the lever upward and slide the seat to

the desired position. Then release the

lever and try to move the seat back and

forth to make sure that it is securely locked

into place.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-3

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1-4 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Reclining the seatback

Pull the reclining lever up and adjust the

seatback to the desired position. Then

release the lever and make sure the

seatback is securely locked into place.

The seatback placed in a reclined position

can spring back upward with force when

the lever is pulled. When operating the

reclining lever to return the seatback, hold

the seatback lightly so that it may be

raised back gradually.

! Seat height adjustment (driver’s

seat)

1) When the lever is pushed down, the seat

is lowered.

2) When the lever is pulled up, the seat

rises.

The height of the seat can be adjusted by

moving the seat cushion adjustment lever

up or down.

& Power seat (if equipped)

! Driver’s seat

1) Seat position forward/backward con-

trol switch

To adjust the seat forward or backward,

move the control switch forward or

backward. During forward/backward ad-

justment of the seat, you cannot adjust

the seat cushion angle or seat cushion

height.

2) Seat cushion angle control switch

To adjust the seat cushion angle, pull up

or push down the front end of the control

switch.

3) Seatback angle (rec linin g) control

switch

To adjust the angle of the seatback,

move the control switch.

4) Seat height control switch

To adjust the seat height, pull up or push

down the rear end of the control switch.

5) Lumbar support control switch

To increase lower back support, push the

front side of the switch. To decrease

lower back support, push the rear side of

the switch.

! Front passenger’s seat (if

equipped)

1) Seat position forward/backward con-

trol switch

To adjust the seat forward or backward,

move the control switch forward or

backward.

2) Seatback angle (reclining) control

switch

To adjust the angle of the seatback,

move the control switch.

! Memory function (driver’s seat — if

equipped)

WARNING

. Never adjust the seat while driv-

ing to avoid loss of vehicle con-

trol and personal injury.

. Before adjusting the seat, make

sure that cargo or the hands and

feet of rear seat passengers are

clear of the adjusting mechan-

ism.

. Never retrieve the seat position

while driving to avoid loss of

vehicle control and personal in-

jury.

. Perform the seat position retrie-

val before driving. Be sure to

confirm that the select lever is

in the “P” position, and the

parking brake is applied, when

adjusting the seat position. Do

not drive until the retrieval of the

seat position is complete.

. When retrieving a registered seat

position, make sure the hands,

feet and possessions of rear seat

passengers are clear of the seat

adjusting mechanism.

. When any unusual conditions or

malfunctions occur during the

retrieval of the seat position, stop

the retrieval of the seat position

by performing any of the follow-

ing procedures.

– Operate any of the power seat

switches

– Press the “SET” button

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-5

– CONTINUED –

1-6 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

– Press button “1” or “2”

Some of your desired seat positions can

be registered. Register the seat position

with button “1” or “2” or each of the access

keys and retrieve the seat position.

Th e following seat positions can be

registered.

. Forward/backward position of the seat

. Angle of seatback

. Angle of seat cushion

. Height of seat

! Registration of seat position with

button “1” or “2”

1. Ad just the seat position under the

following conditions.

. The parking brake is applied.

. The ignition switch is in the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

. The select lever is in the “P” posi-

tion.

2. While pressing the “SET” button, press

and hold the desired button “1” or “2”.

3. The chirp sound sounds once, and the

seat position is registered.

! Registration of seat position with

each access key

1. Adjust the seat position under the

following conditions.

. The parking brake is applied.

. The ignition switch is in the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

. The select lever is in the “P” posi-

tion.

2. While holding the access key and

pressing the “SET” button, press the “

”

button of the access key.

3. The chirp sound sounds once, and the

seat position is registered.

! Retrieval of seat position registered

with button “1” or “2”

WARNING

Be sure to press the correct button

to retrieve y our r egistered seat

position. If the seat position is not

optimum for you, it may adversely

affect your driving and may reduce

the effectiveness of the seatbelt.

That could result in an a ccident

involving serious injury or death.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position.

2. While the select lever is in the “P”

position and the parking brake is applied,

press button “1” or “2”.

3. The chirp sound sounds and the seat

moves to the registered position.

4. When the seat moves to the registered

position, the chirp sound sounds.

NOTE

. If a new position is registered for the

same button, the previously registered

seat position is deleted.

. If the vehicle battery is removed, the

registered seat position is not deleted.

. When the button “1” or “2” is

pressed within 45 seconds after the

driver’s door is opened, the registered

seat position can be retrieved even if

the ignition switch is in the “LOCK” or

“OFF” position.

! Retrieval of the seat position regis-

tered with access key

1. Hold the registered access key.

2. Unlock the driver’s door by pressing

the “

” button o r gripping the door

handle.

3. Open the driver’s door.

4. The chirp sound sounds and the seat

moves to the registered position.

5. When the seat moves to the registered

position, the chirp sound sounds.

NOTE

. If the registered seat position cannot

be retrieved after performing the pre-

vious pr ocedures, try the following

procedures.

(1) Press the “SET” button on the

driver’s door.

(2) Press the “

” button on the

access key or the door lock button

to lock the doors.

(3) Perform the prior procedures

again.

. If the keyless access function is

disabled, the seat position cannot be

retrieved by gripping the driver’s door

handle. However, the seat position can

still be retrieved by pressing the “

”

button on the access key. For informa-

tion about how to enable/disable the

keyless access function, refer to “Dis-

abling keyless access function” F2-17.

. If a new position is registered for the

same access key, the previously regis-

tered seat position is deleted.

! Clearing the registered seat position

with access key

1. Close the driver’s door.

2. While holding the access key and

pressing the “SET” button, press the “

”

button on the access key.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-7

– CONTINUED –

1-8 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

3. The chirp sou nd sounds, and the

registered seat position is cleared.

& Head restraint adjustment

1) Head restraint

2) Release button

Both the driver’s seat and the front

passenger’s seat are equipped with head

restraints.

The head restraint should be adjusted so

that the center of the head restraint is

closest to the top of the occupant’s ears.

To raise:

Pull the head restraint up.

To lower:

Push the head restraint down while

pressing the release button on the top of

the seatback.

To remove:

While pressing the release button, pull out

the head restraint.

To install:

Install the head restraint into the holes that

are located on the top of the seatback until

the head restraint locks.

WARNING

. Never drive the vehicle with the

head restraints removed because

they are designed to reduce the

risk of serious neck injury in the

event that the vehicle is struck

from the rear. Therefore, when

you remove the head restraints,

you must reinstall all head re-

straints to protect vehicle occu-

pants.

. All occupants, including the dri-

ver, should not operate a vehicle

or sit in a vehicle’s seat until the

head restraints are placed in their

proper positions in order to mini-

mize the risk of neck injury in the

event of a crash.

Seat heater (if equipped)

1) HIGH – Rapid heating

2) LOW – Normal heating

3) OFF – Off

A) Left-hand side

B) Right-hand side

The seat heater operates when the igni-

tion switch is either in the “Acc” or “ON”

position.

To turn on the seat heater, press the

“LOW” or “HIGH” position on the switch,

as desired, depending on the tempera-

ture.

Selecting the “HIGH” position will cause

the seat to heat up quicker.

To turn off the seat heater, slightly press

the opposite side of the current position.

The indicator located on the switch illumi-

nates when the seat heater is in operation.

When the vehicle’s interior is warmed

enough or before you leave the vehicle,

be sure to turn the switch off.

CAUTION

. There is a possibility that people

with delicate skin may suffer

slight burns even at low tempera-

tures if they use the seat heater

for a long period of time. When

using the heater, always be sure

to warn the persons concerned.

. Do not put anything on the seat

which insulat es against heat,

such as a blanket, cushion, or

similar items. This may cause the

seat heater to overheat.

NOTE

Use of the seat heater for a long period

of time while the engine is not running

can cause battery discharge.

Rear seats

WARNING

Seatbelts provide maximum re-

straint when the occupant sits well

back and upright in the seat. Do not

put cushions or any other materials

between occupants and seatbacks

or seat cushions. If you do so, the

risk of sliding under the lap belt and

of the lap belt sliding up over the

abdomen will increase, and both can

result in serious internal injury or

death.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-9

– CONTINUED –

1-10 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

WARNING

Never stack luggage or other cargo

higher than the top of the seatback

because it could tumble forward and

injure passengers in the event of a

sudden stop or accident.

& Reclining the seatback (Out-

back)

WARNING

To prevent the passenger from slid-

ing under the seatbelt in the event of

a collision, always put the seatback

in the upright position whil e the

vehicle is in motion.

CAUTION

If the vehicle is equipped with a

cargo area cover, observe the fol-

lowing precautions.

. Be careful not to pinch your hand

between the headrest and the

cargo area cover when you re-

cline the rear seat.

. Move the front cover of the cargo

area cover backward so that the

cover is not damaged by the

reclined seatback. Refer to “Car-

go area cover (Outback – if

equipped)” F6-15.

Pull the lever and adjust the seatback to

the desired position.

Then release the lever and make sure the

seatback is securely locked into place.

& Folding down the rear seat-

back

WARNING

. When you fold down the seat-

back, check that there are no

pa ssengers or o bjects on the

rear seat. Not doing so creates

a risk of injury or property da-

mage if the seatback suddenly

folds down.

. Never allow passengers to ride

on the folded rear seatback or in

the cargo area or trunk. Doing so

may result in serious injury or

death.

. Secure all objects and especially

long items properly to prevent

them from being thrown around

inside the vehicle and causing

serious injury during a sudden

stop, a sudden steering maneu-

ver or a rapid acceleration.

. When you return the seatback to

its original position, shake the

seatback slightly to confirm that

it is securely fixed in place. If the

seatback is not securely fixed in

place, the seatb ack may sud-

denly fold down in the event of

sudden braking, or objects may

move out from the cargo area,

which could cause serious injury

or death.

. After returning the rear seat to its

original position, be certain to

place all of the seatbelts and the

tab attached to the seat cushion

above th e seat cushi on. Also,

make certain that the shoulder

belts are fully visible.

CAUTION

The rear seatback may fold down

quickly due to the internal spring.

Hold the seatback while pulling the

release lever to slow it down.

! Legacy

To fold down the seatback, perform the

following procedure.

1. Open the trunk lid. Refer to “Opening

the trunk lid (Legacy)” F2-20 or “To open

the trunk lid from inside” F2-35.

1) Release lever

2. Pull the release lever on the side that

you want to fold down.

3. Fold the seatback down.

To return the seatbac k to its original

position, raise the seatback until it locks

into place and make sure that it is securely

locked.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-11

– CONTINUED –

1-12 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Outback

Unlock the seatback by pulling the release

lever and then fold the seatback down.

To return t he seatbac k to its original

position, raise the seatback until it locks

into place and make sure that it is securely

locked.

& Head restraint adjustment

Both the rear window side seats and the

rear center seat are equipped with head

restraints.

WARNING

. Never drive the vehicle with the

head restraints removed because

they are designed to reduce the

risk of serious neck injury in the

event that the vehicle is struck

from the rear. Therefore, when

you remove the head restraints,

you must reinstall all head re-

straints to protect vehicle occu-

pants.

. All occupants, including the dri-

ver, should not operate a vehicle

or sit in a vehicle’s seat until the

head restraints are placed in their

proper positions in order to mini-

mize the risk of neck injury in the

event of a crash.

! Rear window side seating position

1) Head restraint

2) Release button

To raise:

Pull the head restraint up.

To lower:

Push the head restraint dow n while

pressing the release button on the top of

the seatback.

To remove:

While pressing the release button, pull out

the head restraint.

To install:

Install the head restraint into the holes that

are located on the top of the seatback until

the head restraint locks.

The head restraint should be adjusted so

that the center of the head restraint is

closest to the top of the occupant’s ears.

When the seats are not occupied, lower

the head restraints to improve rearward

visibility.

NOTE

For Legacy, it is not possible to remove

or install the head restraint without

folding down the rear seatback. Fold

down the rear seatback and then

remove or install the head restraint.

! Rear center seating position

CAUTION

The head restraint is not intended to

be used at the lowest position.

Before sitting on the seat, raise the

head restraint to the extended posi-

tion.

A) When not used (retracted position)

B) When used (extended position)

1) Head restraint

2) Release button

To raise:

Pull the head restraint up.

To lower:

Push the head restraint down while

pressing the release button on the top of

the seatback.

To remove:

While pressing the release button, pull out

the head restraint.

To install:

Install the head restraint into the holes that

are located on the top of the seatback until

the head restraint locks.

When the rear-center seating position is

occupied, raise the head restraint to the

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-13

– CONTINUED –

1-14 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

extended position. When the rear center

seating position is not occupied, lower the

head restraint to improve rearward visibi-

lity.

& Armrest

To lower the armrest, pull on the armrest’s

top edge.

WARNING

To avoid serious injury, passengers

must never be allowed to sit on the

center armrest while the vehicle is in

motion.

Seatbelts

& Seatbelt safety tips

WARNING

. All persons in the vehicle should

fasten their seatbelts BEFORE

the vehicle starts to move. Other-

wise, the possibility of serious

injury b ecomes greater in the

event of a sudden stop or acci-

dent.

. All belts should fit snugly in order

to provide full restraint. Loose

fitting belts are not as effective in

preventing or reducing injury.

. Each seatbelt is designed to

support only one person. Never

use a single belt for two or more

persons – even children. Other-

wise , in a n accident, serious

injury or death could result.

. Replace all seatbelt assemblies

including retractors and attach-

ing hardware worn by occupants

of a vehicle that has been in a

serious accident. The entire as-

sembly should be replaced even

if damage is not obvious.

. Put children in the rear seat

properly restrained at all times.

The SRS airbag deploys with

considerable speed and force

and can injure or even kill chil-

dren, especially if they are not

restrained or improperly re-

strained. Because children are

lighter and weaker than adults,

their risk of being injured from

deployment is greater. Conse-

quently, we strongly recommend

that ALL children (including

those in child seats and those

that have out grown child re-

straint 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 height

and weight.

Secure ALL types of child re-

str aint devices (including for-

ward facing child seats) in the

REAR seats at all times.

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.

According to accident statistics,

children are safer when properly

restrain ed in the rear seating

positions than in the front seat-

ing positions. For instructions

and precautions concerning the

child restraint system, refer to

“Child restraint systems” F1-25.

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash

sensing and diagnostic module, which will

record the use of the seatbelt by the front

passenger when any of the SRS frontal,

side and curtain airbags deploys.

! Infants or small children

Use a child restraint system that is

suitable for your vehicle. Refer to “Child

restraint systems” F1-25.

! Children

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.

If the shoulder portion of the belt crosses

the face or neck, move the child closer to

the belt buckle to help provide a good

shoulder belt fit. Care must be taken to

securely place the lap belt as low as

possible on the hips and not on the child’s

waist. If the shoulder portion of the belt

cannot be properly positioned, a child

restraint system should be used. Never

place the shoulder belt under the child’s

arm or behind the child’s back.

! Expectant mothers

Expectant mothers also need to use the

seatbelts. They should consult their doctor

for specific recommendations. The lap belt

should be worn securely and as low as

possible over the hips, not over the waist.

& Emergency Locking Retrac-

tor (ELR)

The driver’s seatbelt has an Emergency

Locking Retractor (ELR).

The emergency locking retractor allows

normal body movement but the retractor

locks automatically during a sudden stop,

impact or if you pull the belt very quickly

out of the retractor.

& Automatic/Emergency Lock-

ing Retractor (A/ELR)

Each passenger’s seatbelt has an Auto-

matic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/

ELR). The Automatic/Emergency Locking

Retractor normally functions as an Emer-

gency Locking Retractor (ELR). The A/

ELR has an additional locking mode,

“Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

mode”, intended to secure a child restraint

system.

The ALR mode functions as follows.

When the seatbelt is once drawn out

completely and is then retracted even

slightly, the retractor locks the seatbelt in

that position and the seatbelt cannot be

extended. As the belt is rewinding, clicks

will be heard which indicate the retractor

functions as an ALR. When the seatbelt is

retracted fully, the ALR mode is canceled

and the ELR mode is restored.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-15

– CONTINUED –

1-16 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

When securing a child restraint system on

the rear seats by using a seatbelt, the

seatbelt must be changed over to the

Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.

For instructions on how to install the child

restraint system using a seatbelt, refer to

“Installing child restraint systems with A/

ELR seatbelt” F1-28.

When the child restraint system is re-

moved, make sure that the retractor is

restored to the Emergency Locking Re-

tractor (ELR) mode by allowing the seat-

belt to retract fully.

& Seatbelt warning light

and chime

R efer to “S eatbelt warning light and

chime” F3-13.

& Fastening the seatbelt

WARNING

. Never use a belt that is twisted or

reversed. In an accident, this can

increase the risk or severity of

injury.

. Keep the lap belt as low a s

possible on your hips. In a colli-

sion, this spreads the force of the

lap belt over stronger hip bones

instead of across the weaker

abdomen.

. Seatbelts provide maximum re-

straint when the occupant sits

well back and upright in the seat.

To reduce the risk of sliding

under the seatbelt in a collision,

the front seatbacks should be

always used in the upright posi-

tion while the vehicle is running.

If the front seatbacks are not

used in the upright position in a

collision, the risk of sliding under

the lap belt and of the lap belt

sliding up over the abdomen will

increase, and both can result in

serious internal injury or death.

. Do not put cushions or any other

materials between occupants

and seatbacks or seat cushions.

If you do so, the risk of sliding

under the lap belt and of the lap

belt sliding up over the abdomen

will increase, and both can result

in serious internal injury or

death.

WARNING

Never place the shoulder belt under

the arm or behind the back. If an

accident occurs, this can increase

the risk or severity of injury.

CAUTION

Metallic parts of the seatbelt can

become very hot in a vehicle that

has been closed up in sunny weath-

er; they could burn an occupant. Do

not touch such hot parts until they

cool.

! Front seatbelts

1. Adjust the seat position:

Driver’s seat: Adjust the seatback to the

upright position. Move the seat as far from

the steering wheel as practical while still

maintaining full vehicle control.

Front passenger’s seat: Adjust the seat-

back to the upright position. Move the seat

as far back as possible.

2. Sit well back in the seat.

3. Pick up the tongue plate and pull the

belt out slowly. Do not let it get twisted. If

the belt stops before reaching the buckle,

return the belt slightly and pull it out more

slowly. If the belt still cannot be unlocked,

let the belt retract slightly after giving it a

strong pull, then pull it out slowly again.

4. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle

until you hear a click.

5. To make the lap part tight, pull up on

the shoulder belt.

6. Place the lap belt as low as possible

on your hips, not on your waist.

! Adjusting the front seat shoulder

belt anchor height

The shoulder belt anchor height should be

adjusted to the position best suited for the

driver/front passenger. Always adjust the

anchor height so that the shoulder belt

passes over the middle of the shoulder

without touching the neck.

To raise:

Slide the anchor up.

To lower:

Push the release button and slide the

anchor down.

Pull down the anchor to make sure that it

is locked in place.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-17

– CONTINUED –

1-18 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

WARNING

When wearing the seatbelts, make

sure the shoulder por tion of the

webbing does not pass over your

neck. If it does, adjust the seatbelt

anchor to a lower position. Placing

the shoulder belt over the neck may

result in neck injury during sudden

braking or in a collision.

! Unfastening the seatbelt

Push the button on the buckle.

Before closing the door, make sure that

the belts are retracted properly to avoid

catching the belt webbing in the door.

! Rear seatbelts (except rear center

seatbelt on Outback)

1. Sit well back in the seat.

2. Pick up the tongue plate and pull the

belt out slowly. Do not let it get twisted. If

the belt stops before reaching the buckle,

return the belt slightly and pull it out more

slowly. If the belt still cannot be unlocked,

let the belt retract slightly after giving a

strong pull on it, then pull it out slowly

again.

3. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle

until you hear a click.

4. To make the lap part tight, pull up on

the shoulder belt.

5. Place the lap belt as low as possible

on your hips, not on your waist.

! Unfastening the seatbelt

Push the button on the buckle.

Before closing the door, make sure that

the belts are retracted properly to avoid

catching the belt webbing in the door.

! Rear center seatbelt on Outback

1) Center seatbelt tongue plate

2) Connector (tongue)

3) Connector (buckle)

4) Center seatbelt buckle

WARNING

Fastening the seatbelt with the web-

bing twisted can increase the risk or

severity of injury in an accident.

When fastening the belt after it is

pulled out from the retractor, espe-

cially when inserting the connec-

tor’s tongue plate into the mating

buckle (on right-hand side), always

check that the webbing is not

twisted.

WARNING

Be sure to fasten both tongue plates

to the respective buckles. If the

seatbelt is used only as a shoulder

belt (with the connector’s tongue

plate not fastened to the connec-

tor’s buckle on the right-hand side),

it cannot properly restrain the wear-

er in position in an accident, possi-

bly resulting in serious injury or

death.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-19

– CONTINUED –

1-20 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Rear center seatbelt is stowed in the

recess of the ceiling.

1. Retrieve the connector (tongue) plate

from the slot in the recess by pulling the

connector (tongue) plate.

2. Pull out the seatbelt slowly from the

retractor.

3. After confirming that the webbing is not

twisted, insert t he conne ctor (tongue)

attached at the webbing end into the

buckle on the right-hand side until a click

is heard. If the belt stops before reaching

the buckle, return the belt slightly and pull

it out more slowly. If the belt still cannot be

unlocked, let the belt retract slightly after

giving it a strong pull, then pull it out slowly

again.

4. After fastening the seatbelt, make sure

that the “

” mark on the connector

(tongue) and the “

” mark on the buckle

face outwards.

5. Insert the center seatbelt tongue plate

into the center seatbelt buckle marked

“CENTER” on the left-hand side until it

clicks.

6. To make the lap part tight, pull up on

the shoulder belt. And place the lap belt as

low as possible on your hips, not on your

waist.

! Unfastening the seatbelt

Push the release button of the center

seatbelt buckle (on the left-hand side) to

unfasten the seatbelt.

1. Insert a key or other hard pointed

object into the slot in the connector

(buckle) on the right-hand side and push

it in, and the connector (tongue) plate will

disconnect from the buckle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-21

– CONTINUED –

1-22 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

2. Allow the retractor to roll up the belt.

You should hold the webbing end and

guide it back into the retractor while it is

rolling up. Neatly store the tongue plate in

the recess and then insert the connector

(tongue) plate into the slot.

CAUTION

. Do not allow the retractor to roll

up the seatbelt too quickly.

Otherwise, the metal tongue

plates may hit against the trim,

resulting in damaged trim.

. Have the seatbelt fully rolled up

so that the tongue plates are

neatly stored. A hanging tongue

plate can swing and hit against

the trim during driving, causing

damage to the trim.

& Seatbelt maintenance

To clean the seatbelts, use a mild soap

and lukewarm water. Never bleach or dye

the belts because this could seriously

affect their strength.

Inspect the seatbelts and attachments

including the webbing and all hardware

peri odically for cracks, cuts, gashes,

tears, damage, loose bolts or worn areas.

Replace the seatbelts even if only minor

damage is found.

CAUTION

. Keep the belts free of polishes,

oils, chemicals and particularly

battery acid.

. Never attempt to make modifica-

tions or changes that will prevent

the seatbelt from operating prop-

erly.

Front seatbelt pretensioners

1) Seatbelt retractor assembly (shoulder

belt pretensioner)

2) Lap belt pretensioner

The driver’s and front passenger’s seat-

belts have a seatbelt pretensioner. The

seatbelt pretensioners are designed to be

activated in the event of an accident

involving a moderate to severe frontal

collision.

The shoulder belt pretensioner is supple-

mented by a lap belt pretensioner, which is

located at the base of the center pillar.

Like the shoulder belt pretensioner, the lap

belt pretensioner instantaneously pulls in

the belt to eliminate slack if a certain level

of frontal collision force is detected. As a

result, the belt restrains the driver more

effectively.

The pretensioner sensor also serves as a

SRS frontal airbag sensor. If the sensor

detects a certain predetermined amount of

force during a frontal collision, the front

seatbelt is quickly drawn back in by the

retractor to take up the slack so that the

belt more effectively restrains the front

seat occupant.

When a seatbelt pretensioner is activated,

an operating noise will be heard and a

small amount of smoke will be released.

These occurrences are normal and not

harmful. This smoke does not indicate a

fire in the vehicle.

Once the seatbelt pretensioner has been

activated, the seatbelt pretensioner re-

mains locked. Consequently, the seatbelt

cannot be pulled out and retracted and

therefore must be replaced.

NOTE

. Seatbelt pretensioners are not de-

signed t o activate in minor frontal

impacts, in side or rear impacts or in

roll-over accidents.

. The driver ’s and passenger’s seat-

belt pretensioners and frontal airbag

operate simultaneously.

. Pretensioners are designed to func-

tion on a one-time-only basis. In the

event that a pretensioner is activated,

both the driver’s and front passenger’s

seatbelt retractor assemblies must be

replaced and only by an authorized

SUBARU dealer. When replacing seat-

belt retractor assemblies, use only

genuine SUBARU parts.

. If either fr on t seatbelt does not

retract or cannot be pulled out due to

a malfunction or activation of the

pretensioner, contac t your SUBARU

dealer as soon as possible.

. If the front seatbelt assemb ly or

surrounding area has been damaged,

contact your SUBARU dealer as soon

as possible.

. When you sell your vehicle, we urge

you to explain to the buyer that it has

seatbelt pretensioners by alerting the

buyer to the contents of this section.

WARNING

. To obtain maximum protection,

occupants should sit in an up-

right position with their seatbelts

properly fastened. Refer to “Seat-

belts” F1-14.

. Do not modify, remove or strike

the front seatbelt assemblies or

surrounding area. This could

result in accidental activation of

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-23

– CONTINUED –

1-24 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

the seatbelt pretensioners or

could make the system inopera-

tive, possibly resulting in serious

injury. Seatbelt pretensioners

have no user-serviceable parts.

For required servicing of front

seatbelt assembly equipped with

seatbelt pretensioners, see your

nearest SUBARU dealer.

. When discarding front seatbelt

retractor assemblies or scrap-

ping the entire vehicle due to

collision damage or for other

reasons, consult your SUBARU

dealer.

& System monitors

A diagnostic system continually monitors

the readiness of the seatbelt pretensioner

while the vehicle is being driven. The

seatbelt pretensioners share the control

module with the airbag system. Therefore,

if any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt

pretensi oner, the SRS airbag system

warning light will illuminate. For details,

refer to “SRS airbag system monitors” F1-

66.

& System servicing

WARNING

. When discarding a seatbelt re-

tractor a ssembly or scrappin g

the entire vehicle damaged by a

collision, consult your SUBARU

dealer.

. Tampering with or disconnecting

the system’s wiring could result

in accidental activation of the

seatbelt pretensioner and/or air-

bag or could make the system

inoperative, which may result in

serious injury. Do not use elec-

trical test equi pment on any

circuit related to the seatbelt

pret ensioner and airbag sys-

tems. For required servicing of

the seatbelt pretensioner, consult

your nearest SUBARU dealer.

CAUTION

The front sub sensors are located in

both front fenders and the airbag

control module including the impact

sensors is located under the center

console. If you need service or

repair in those areas or near the

front seatbelt retractors, have the

work performed by your authorized

SUBARU dealer.

NOTE

If the front part of the vehicle is

damaged in an accident to the extent

that the seatbelt pretensioner does not

operate, contact your SUBARU dealer

as soon as possible.

& Precautions against vehicle

modification

Always consult your SUBARU dealer if

you want to install any accessory parts to

your vehicle.

CAUTION

Do not perform any of the following

modificati ons. Such modifications

can interfere with proper operation

of the seatbelt pretensioners.

. Attachment of any equipment

(bush bar, winches, snow plow,

skid plate, etc.) other than genu-

ine SUBARU accessory parts to

the front end.

. Modification of the suspension

system or front end structure.

. Installation of a tire of different

size and construction from the

tires specified on the vehicle

placard attached to the door

pillar or specified for individual

vehicle models in this Owner’s

Manual.

Child restraint systems

Infants and small children should always

be placed in an infant or child restraint

system in the rear seat while riding in the

vehicle.

You should use an infant or child restraint

system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle

Safety Standards or Canada Motor Vehi-

cle Safety Standards, is compatible with

your vehicle and is appropriate for the

child’s age and size.

All child restraint systems are designed to

be secured in vehicle seats by lap belts or

the lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt

(except those covered under the section in

this manual, entitled “Installation of child

restraint systems by use of lower and

tether anchorages (LATCH)” F1-33).

Children could be endangered in an

accident if their child restraints are not

properly secured in the vehicle. When

installing the child restraint system, care-

fully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

According to accident statistics, children

are safer when properly restrained in the

rear seating positions than in the front

seating positions.

All U.S. states and Canadian provinces

require that infants and small children be

restrained in an approved child restraint

system at all times while the vehicle is

moving.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-25

– CONTINUED –

1-26 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

WARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child

on his or her lap while the vehicle is

moving. The passenger cannot pro-

tect the child from injury in a colli-

sion, because the chil d will be

caught between the passenger and

objects inside the vehicle. Addition-

ally, holding a child in your lap or

arms in the front seat exposes that

child to anothe r serious danger.

Since the SRS airbag deploys with

considerable speed and force, the

child could be injured or even killed.

WARNING

Children should be pr ope rly re-

strained at all times. Never allow a

child to stand up, or to kneel on any

seat. Unrestrained children will be

thrown forward during sudden stop

or in an accident and can be injured

seriously.

Additionally, children standing up or

kneeling on or in front of the front

seat are exposed another serious

danger. Since the SRS airbag de-

ploys with considerable speed and

force, the child could be injured or

even killed.

& Where to place a child re-

straint system

The following descriptions are SUBARU’s

recommendations on where to place a

child restraint system in your vehicle.

A: Front passenger’s seat

You should not install a child restraint

system (including a booster seat) due to

the hazard to c hildren posed by the

passenger’s airbag.

B: Rear seat, window-side seating

positions

Recommended positions for all types of

child restraint systems.

In these positions, Automatic/Emergency

Locking Retractor (A/ELR) seatbelts and

lower anchorages (bars) are provided for

installing a child restraint system.

Some types of child restraints might not be

able to be secured firmly due to projection

of the seat cushion.

In this seating position, you should use

only a child restraint system that has a

bottom base that fits snugly against the

contours of the seat cushion and can be

securely retained using the seatbelt.

C: Rear seat, center seating position

Installing a child restraint system is not

recommended, although the A/ELR seat-

belt and an uppe r anchorage (tether

anchorage) are provided in this position.

Some types of child restraints might not be

able to be secured firmly due to projection

of the seat cushion.

In this seating position, you should use

only a child restraint system that has a

bottom base that fits snugly against the

contours of the seat cushion and can be

securely retained using the seatbelt.

WARNING

Put children in the rear seat properly

restrained at all times. The SRS

air bag deploys with considerab le

speed and force and can injure or

even kill children, especially if they

are not restrained or improperly

restrained. Because children are

lighter and weaker than adults, their

risk of being injured from deploy-

ment is greater.

For that reason, be sure to secure

ALL types of child restraint devices

(including forward facing child

seats) in the REAR seats at all times.

You should choose a restraint de-

vice which is appropriate for the

child’s age, height and weight. Ac-

cording to accident statistics, chil-

dren are safer when properly re-

strained in the rear seating posi-

tions than in the front seating posi-

tions.

WARNING

S I N C E Y O U R V E H I C L E I S

EQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER’S

SRS AIRBAG, DO NOT INSTALL A

R E A R W A R D FA C I N G C H I L D

SAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT PAS-

SENGER’S SEAT. DOING SO RISKS

SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO

THE CHILD BY PLACING THE

C HILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE T O

THE SRS AIRBAG.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-27

– CONTINUED –

1-28 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

& Choosing a child restraint

system

Choose a child restraint system that is

appropriate for the child’s age and size

(weight and height) in order to provide the

child with proper protection. The child

restraint system should meet all applic-

able requirements of Federal Motor Vehi-

cle Safety Standards for United States or

Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

for Canada. It can be identified by looking

for the label on the child restraint system

or the manufacture’s statement of com-

pliance in the document attached to the

system. Also it is important for you to

make sure that the child restraint system

is compatible with the vehicle in which it

will be used.

& Installing child restraint sys-

tems with A/ELR seatbelt

WARNING

. Child restraint systems and seat-

belts can become hot in a vehicle

that has been closed up in sunny

weather; they could burn a small

child. Check the child restraint

system before you place a child

in it.

. Do not leave an unsecured child

restraint system in your vehicle.

Unsecured child res traint sys-

tems can be thrown around in-

side of the vehicle in a sudden

stop, turn or accident; they can

strike and injure vehicle occu-

pants as well as result in serious

injuries or death to the child.

CAUTION

When you install a child restraint

system, follow the manufacturer’s

instructions supplied with it. After

installing the child restraint system,

check to ensure that it is held

securely in position. If it is not held

tight and secure, the danger of your

child suffering personal injury in the

event of an accident may be in-

creased.

! Installing a rearward facing child

restraint

1. Place the child restraint system in the

rear seating position.

2. Run the lap and shoulder belt through

or around the ch ild restraint system

following the instructions provided by its

manufacturer.

3. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle

until you hear a click.

4. Take up the slack in the lap belt.

5. Pull out the seatbelt fully from the

retractor to change the retractor over from

the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)

to the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

function. Then, allow the belt to rewind

into the retractor. As the belt is rewinding,

clicks will be heard which indicate the

retractor functions as ALR.

6. Push and pull the child restra int

system forward and side to side to check

that it is firmly secured in the center of the

seat.

Sometimes a child restraint can be more

firmly secured by pushing it down into the

seat cushion and then tightening the

seatbelt.

7. Pull at the shoulder portion of the belt

to confirm that it cannot be pulled out (ALR

properly functioning).

8. To remove the child restraint system,

press the release button on the seatbelt

bu ckle and allow the belt to retract

completely. The belt will return to the

ELR mode.

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-

CING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT

PASSENGER’S S EAT. DOING SO

RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE

CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE

SRS AIRBAG.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-29

– CONTINUED –

1-30 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

NOTE

When the child restraint system is no

longer in use, remove it and restore the

ELR func tion of the retractor. That

function is restored by retracting the

seatbelt fully.

! Installing forward facing child re-

straint

1. Place the child restraint system in the

rear seating position.

2. Run the lap and shoulder belt through

or around the ch ild restraint system

following the instructions provided by its

manufacturer.

3. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle

until you hear a click.

4. Take up the slack in the lap belt.

5. Pull out the seatbelt fully from the

retractor to change the retractor over from

the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)

to the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)

function. Then, allow the belt to rewind

into the retractor. As the belt is rewinding,

clicks will be heard which indicate the

retractor functions as ALR.

6. Before seating a child in the child

restraint system, try to move it back and

forth and left and right to verify that it is

firmly secured in the center of the seat.

Sometimes a child restraint can be more

firmly secured by pushing it down into the

seat cushion and then tightening the

seatbelt.

7. Pull at the shoulder portion of the belt

to confirm that it cannot be pulled out (ALR

properly functioning).

Legacy

Outback

8. If the child restraint system requires a

top tether, latch the hook onto the top

tether anchor and tighten the top tether.

For additional instructions, refer to “ Top

tether anchorages” F1-35.

9. To remove the child restraint system,

press the release button on the seatbelt

buckle and allow the belt to retract

completely. The belt will return to the

ELR mode.

NOTE

When the child restraint system is no

longer in use, remove it and restore the

EL R function of the retractor. That

function is restored by allowing the

seatbelt to retract fully.

& Installing a booster seat

WARNING

. Child restraint systems and seat-

belts can become hot in a vehicle

that has been closed up in sunny

weather; they could burn a small

child. Check the child restraint

system before you place a child

in it.

. Do not leave an unsecured child

restraint system in your vehicle.

Unsecured child restraint sys-

tems can be thrown around in-

side of the vehicle in a sudden

stop, turn or accident; they can

strike and injure vehicle occu-

pants as well as result in serious

injuries or death to the child.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-31

– CONTINUED –

1-32 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

CAUTION

When you install a child restraint

system, follow the manufacturer’s

instructions supplied with it. After

installing the child restraint system,

c heck to e nsure that it is held

securely in position. If it is not held

tight and secure, the danger of your

child suffering personal injury in the

event of an accident may be in-

creased.

1. Place the booster seat in the rear

seating position and sit the child on it. The

child should sit well back on the booster

seat.

2. Run the lap and shoulder belt through

or around the booster seat and the child

following the instructions provided by its

manufacturer.

3. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle

until you hear a click. Take care not to

twist the seatbelt.

Make sure the shoulder belt is positioned

across the center of child’s shoulder and

that the lap belt is positioned as low as

possible on the child’s hips.

4. To remove the booster seat, press the

release button on the seatbelt buckle and

allow the belt to retract.

WARNING

. Never use a belt that is twisted or

reversed. In an accident, this can

increase the risk or severity of

injury to the child.

. Never pl ace the shou lder belt

under the child’s arm or behind

the child’s back. If an accident

occurs, this can increase the risk

or severity of injury to the child.

. The seatbelt should fit snugly in

order to provide full restraint.

Loose fitting belts are not as

effective in preventing or redu-

cing injury.

. Place the lap belt as low as

possible on the child’s hips. A

high-positioned lap belt will in-

crease the risk of sliding under

the lap belt and of the lap belt

sliding up over the abdomen, and

both can result in serious inter-

nal injury or death.

. Make sure the shoulder belt is

positioned across the center of

child’s shoulder. Placing the

shoulder belt over the neck may

result in neck injury during sud-

den braking or in a collision.

& Installation of child restraint

systems by use of lower and

tether anchorages (LATCH)

WARNING

. Child restraint systems and seat-

belts can become hot in a vehicle

that has been closed up in sunny

weather; they could burn a small

child. Check the child restraint

system before you place a child

in it.

. Do not leave an unsecured child

restraint system in your vehicle.

Unsecured ch ild restraint sys-

tems can be thrown around in-

side of the vehicle in a sudden

stop, turn or accident; they can

strike and injure vehicle occu-

pants as well as result in serious

injuries or death to the child.

CAUTION

When you install a child restraint

system, follow the manufacturer’s

instructions supplied with it. After

installing the child restraint system,

c heck to e nsure that it is held

securely in position. If it is not held

tight and secure, the danger of your

child suffering personal injury in the

event of an accident may be in-

creased.

Some types of child restraint systems can

be installed on the rear seat of your

vehicle without use of the seatbelts. Such

child restraint systems are secured to the

dedicated anchorages provided on the

vehicle body.

The lower and tether anchorages are

somet imes referred to as the LATCH

system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for

CHildren).

Your vehicle is equipped with four lower

anchorages (bars) and three upper an-

chorages (tether anchorages) for accom-

modating such child restraint systems.

The lower anchorages (bars) are used for

installing a child restraint system only on

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-33

– CONTINUED –

1-34 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

the rear seat window-side seating posi-

tions. For each window-side seating posi-

tion, two lower anchorages are provided.

Each lower anchorage is located behind

the cover of seatback bottom.

Legacy

Outback

The tether anchorages (upper an-

chorages) are provided for all the seating

positions (center and both window-side

ones) of the rear seat.

You will find marks “ ” at the bottom of the

rear seat seatbacks. These marks indicate

the positions of the lower anchorages

(bars).

Each lower anchorage is located behind

the cover of seatback bottom.

CAUTION

When you install a child restraint

system, follow the manufacturer’s

instructions supplied with it. After

installing the child restraint system,

check to ensure that it is held

securely in position. If it is not held

tight and secure, the danger of your

child suffering personal injury in the

event of an accident may be in-

creased.

Peel off the anchorage cover from the

selected side of the rear seatback to

expose the anchorages (bars) to be used

for installation of the child restraint system.

1. While following the instructions sup-

plied by the child restraint system manu-

facturer, connect the lower hooks onto the

lower anchorages located at “

” marks on

the bottom of the rear seatback. When the

hooks are connected, make sure the

adjacent seatbelts are not caught.

2. If your child restraint system is of a

f lexible attachment type (which uses

tether belts to connect the child restraint

system properly to the lower anchorages),

while pushing the child restraint into the

seat cushion, pull both left and right lower

tether belts up to secure the child restraint

system firmly by taking up the slack in the

belt.

3. Connect the top tether hook to the

tether anchorage and firmly tighten the

tether. For information on how to set the

top tether, refer to “Top tether anchorages”

F1-35.

4. Before seating a child in the child

restraint system, try to move it back and

forth and left and right to verify that it is

firmly secured in the center of the seat.

5. To remove the child restraint system,

follow the reverse procedures of installa-

tion.

If you have any question concerning this

type of child restraint system, ask your

SUBARU dealer.

& Top tether anchorages

Your vehicle is equipped with three top

tether anchorages so that a child restraint

system having a top tether can be

installed in the rear seat. When installing

a child restraint system using top tether,

proceed as follows, while observing the

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-35

– CONTINUED –

1-36 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

instructions by the child restraint system

manufacturer.

Since a top tether can provide additional

stability by offering another connection

between a child restraint system and the

vehicle, we recommend that you use a top

tether whenever one is required or avail-

able.

! Tether anchorage location

! Legacy

Three tether anchorages are installed on

the rear shelf behind the rear seat head

restraint. Open the cover flap to use each

anchorage.

! Outback

Three tether anchorages, i.e., ones for the

right, center and left positions, are already

installed on the rear edge of the roof.

Open the cover flap to use each ancho-

rage.

! To hook the top tether

CAUTION

. Always remove the head restraint

when mounting a child restraint

system with a top tether. Failure

to do so may prevent the top

tether from being fastened

tightly.

. Avoid placing the head restraint

that has been removed in the

passenger compartment to pre-

vent it from being thrown around

in the passenger compartment in

a sudden stop or a sharp turn.

! Legacy

1. Fold down the rear seatback for the

window side seating position. Refer to

“Folding down the rear seatback” F1-11.

2. Remove the head restrain t at the

seating position where the child restraint

system has been installed with the seat-

belt or lower anchorages; lift up the head

restraint while pressing the release button.

Store the head restraint in the trunk.

3. Open the cover flaps to use the

anchorages.

4. Fasten the top tether hook of the child

restraint system to the appropriate upper

anchorage.

5. Tighten the top tether securely.

! Outback

1. Remove the hea d restraint at the

seating position where the child restraint

system has been installed with the seat-

belt or lower anchorages; lift up the head

restraint while pressing the release button.

Store the head restraint in the cargo area.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-37

– CONTINUED –

1-38 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

2. Open the cover flaps to use the

anchorages.

3. Fasten the top tether hook of the child

restraint system to the appropriate upper

anchorage.

4. Tighten the top tether securely.

*SRS airbag (Supplemental

Restraint System airbag)

(Type A)

*SRS: This stands for Supplemental Re-

straint System. This name is used be-

cause the airbag system supplements the

vehicle’s seatbelts.

CAUTION

The descriptions in this section vary

depending on the year and month of

vehicle production. Determine

which of the following categories

your vehicle belongs to, and then

refer to the descriptions specified to

that category.

TYPE A: Vehicles manufactured in

August 2012 or before

TYPE B: Vehicles manufactured in

September 2012 and after

The month and year your vehicle

was manufactured can be deter-

mined by checking the certification

label located on the lower side of B

pillar.

Certification label

A) Year and month

Your vehicle is equipped with a supple-

mental restraint system in addition to a

lap/shoulder belt at each front seating

position and each rear window-side seat-

ing position. The supplemental restraint

system (SRS) consists of six airbags.

The configurations are as follows:

. Driver’s and front passenger’s frontal

airbags

. Driver’s and front passenger’s side

airbags

. Curtain airbags (for driver, front pas-

senger, and window-side rear passen-

gers)

These SRS airbags are designed only

as a supplement to the primary protec-

tion provided by the seatbelt.

The system also controls front seatbelt

pretensioners. For operation instructions

and precautions concerning the seatbelt

pretensioner, refer to “Front seatbelt pre-

tensioners” F1-23.

& General precautions regard-

ing SRS airbag system

WARNING

. 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

to be a supplement to the primary

protection provided by the seat-

belt. It does not eliminate the

need to fasten seatbelts. In com-

bination with the seat be lt s, it

offers the best combined protec-

tion in case of a serious accident.

Not wearing a seatbelt increases

the chance of severe injury or

death in a crash even when the

vehicle has the SRS airbag.

For instructions and precautions

concerning the seatbelt system,

refer to “Seatbelts” F1-14.

. The SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag are designed only

to be a supplement to the primary

protection provided by the seat-

belt. They do not eliminate the

need to fasten seatbelts. It is also

important to wear your seatbelt

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-39

– CONTINUED –

1-40 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

to help avoid injuries that can

result when an occupant is not

seated in a proper upright posi-

tion.

WARNING

. The SRS airb ags deploy with

considerable speed and force.

Occupants who are out of proper

position whe n the SRS airbag

deploys could suffer very serious

injuries. Because the SRS airbag

needs enough space for deploy-

ment, the driver should always

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.

WARNING

. Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

close to either front door. The

SRS side airbags are stored in

both front seat seatbacks next to

the door, and they provide pro-

tection by deploying rapidly (fas-

ter than the blink of an eye) in the

event of a side impact collision.

However, the force of SRS side

airbag deployment may cause

inj urie s if your head or o ther

parts of the body are too close

to the SRS side airbag.

. Since your vehicle is equipped

with SRS curtain airbags, do not

sit or lean unnecessarily close to

the front or rear door on either

side. Also, do not put your head,

arms or hands out of the window.

The SRS curtain airbags on both

sides of the cabin are stored in

the roof side (between the front

pillar and a point over the rear

seat), and they provide protec-

tion by deploying rapidly (faster

than the blink of an eye) in the

event of a side impact. For Out-

back models, the SRS curtain

airbags also deploy in the event

of a rollover. However, the force

of its deploy ment may cause

injuries if your head is too close

to it.

. Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

close to the SRS airbag. Because

the SRS airbag deploys with

considerable speed – faster than

the blink of an eye – and force to

protect in high speed collisions,

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 hel p avoid injuries

that can result when the SRS

airbag contacts an occupant not

in proper position such as one

thrown forward during pre-acci-

dent braking.

Even when properly positioned,

there remains a possibility that

an occupant may suffer minor

injury such a s abrasions and

bruises to the face or arms

because of the SRS airbag de-

ployment force.

WARNING

. Do not rest your arm on either

front door or its internal trim. You

could be injured in the event of

SRS side airbag deployment.

. Do not place any objects over or

near the SRS airbag cover or

between you and the SRS airbag.

If the SRS airbag deploys, these

objects could interfere with its

proper operation and could be

propelled inside the vehicle,

causing injury.

WARNING

Do not put any objects over the

steering wheel pad and dashboard.

If the SRS frontal airbag deploys,

these objects could interfere with its

proper operation and could be pro-

pelled inside the vehicle, causing

injury.

WARNING

Do not attach accessories to the

windshield, or fit an extra-wide mir-

ror over the rear view mirror. If the

SRS airbag deploys, those objects

could become projectiles that could

seriously injure vehicle occupants.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-41

– CONTINUED –

1-42 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

WARNING

. 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 SRS side airbag deploy-

ment, they could be propelled

dangerously toward the vehicle’s

occupants and cause injuries.

. Do not attach a hands-free micro-

phone or any other accessory to

a front pillar, a center pillar, a rear

pillar, the windshield, a side win-

dow, an assist grip, or any other

cabin surface that would be near

a deploying SRS curtain airbag.

A hands-free microphone or

other accessory in such a loca-

tion could be propelled through

the cabin with great force by the

curtain airbag, or it could prevent

correct deployment of the curtain

airbag. In either case, the result

could be serious injuries.

WARNING

Do not hang coat hangers or other

hard or pointed objects on the coat

hooks. If such items were hanging

on the coat hooks during deploy-

ment of the SRS curtain airbags,

they could cause serious injuries by

coming off the coat hooks and being

thrown through the cabin or by

preventing deployment of the cur-

tain airbags.

Before hanging clothing on the coat

hooks, make sure there are no sharp

objects in the pockets. Hang cloth-

ing directly on the coat hooks with-

out using hangers.

WARNING

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 prevent proper

deployment of the SRS side airbag,

reducing protection available to the

front seat’s occupant.

WARNING

Put children in the rear seat properly

restrained at all times. The SRS

air bag deploys with considerable

speed and force and can injure or

even kill children, especially if they

are not restrained or improperly

restrained. Be cause childre n are

lighter and weaker than adults, their

risk of being injured from deploy-

ment is greater.

Consequently, we strongly recom-

mend that ALL children (including

those in child seats and those that

have outgrown child restraint de-

vices) sit in the REAR seat properly

restrained at all times in a child

restrain t devi ce or in a seatbe lt,

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 posi-

tions than in the front seating posi-

tions.

For instructions and prec autio ns

concerning the child restraint sys-

tem, refer to “Child restraint sys-

tems” F1-25.

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-

CING 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.

WARNING

Never allow a child to stand up or

kneel on the front passenger’s seat.

The SRS airbag deploys with con-

siderable force and can injure or

even kill the child.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-43

– CONTINUED –

1-44 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

WARNING

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.

WARNING

. Never allow a child to do the

following.

– Kneel on any passenger’s

seat facing the side window

– Wrap his/her arms around the

front seat seatback

– Put his/her head, arms or

other parts of the body out of

the window

In the event of an accident, the

force of SRS side airbag and/or

SRS curtain airbag deployment

could injure the child seriously

because his/her head, arms or

other parts of the body are too

close to the SRS side airbag and/

or SRS curtain airbag.

. Since your vehicle is also

equipped with a front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag, children

aged 12 and under should be

placed in the rear seat anyway

and should be properly re-

strained at all times.

CAUTION

. When the SRS airbag deploys,

some smoke will be released.

This smoke could cause breath-

ing problems for people with a

history of asthma or other

breathing trouble. If you or your

passengers have breathing pro-

blems after SRS airbag deploys,

get fresh air promptly.

. A deploying SRS airbag releases

hot gas. Occupants could get

burned if they come into direct

contact with the hot gas.

NOTE

When you sell your vehicle, we urge

you to explain to the buyer that it is

equipped with SRS airbags by alerting

the buyer to the applicable section in

this Owner’s Manual.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-45

– CONTINUED –

1-46 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

& Components

1) SRS frontal airbag

2) SRS side airbag

3) SRS curtain airbag

The SRS airbags are stowed in t he

following locations.

Driver’s SRS frontal airbag: in the center

portion of the steering wheel

Front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag:

near the top of the dashboard under an

“SRS AIRBAG” mark

SRS side airbag: in the door side of each

front seat seatback which bears an “SRS

AIRBAG” label

SRS curtain airbag: in the roof side

(between the front pillar and a point over

the rear seat)

An “SRS AIRBAG” mark is located at the

top of each center pillar.

1) Front sub sensor (right-hand side)

2) Front sub sensor (left-hand side)

3) SRS airbag system warning light

4) Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)

5) Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and

OFF indicator

6) Frontal airbag module (front passenger’s

side)

7) Airbag control module (including impact

sensor [all models] and rollover sensor

[Outback])

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

1-47

– CONTINUED –

1-48 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

1) Rear wheel house impact sensor (left-

hand side)

2) Curtain airbag module (left-hand side)

3) Front door impact sensor (left-hand side)

4) Curtain airbag module (right-hand side)

5) Front passenger’s occupant detection

control module

6) Center pillar impact sensor (left-hand

side)

7) Seatbelt pretensioner (left-hand side)

8) Lap belt pretensioner (driver’s side)

9) Side airbag module (left-hand side)

10) Seatbelt buckle switch (right-hand side)

11) Rear wheel house impact sensor (right-

hand side)

12) Side airbag module (right-hand side)

13) Seatbelt pretensioner (right-hand side)

14) Center pillar impact sensor (right-hand

side)

15) Lap belt pretensioner (front passenger’s

side)

16) Front passenger’s occupant detection

system weight sensor

17) Front door impact sensor (right-hand

side)

& SUBARU advanced frontal

airbag system, SRS side air-

bag and SRS curtain airbag

Your vehicle is equipped with a SUBARU

advanced frontal airbag system that com-

plies with the new advanced frontal airbag

requirements in the amended Federal

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)

No. 208.

The SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system automatically determines the de-

ployment force of the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag at the time of deployment as well as

whether or not to acti vate the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag and, if

activated, the deployment force of the

SRS frontal airbag at the time of deploy-

ment.

Your vehicle has warning labels on the

driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors

beginning with the phrase “EVEN WITH

ADVANCED AIR BAGS” and a tag

attached to the glove box lid beginning

with the phrase “Even with Advanced Air

Bags”. Make sure that you carefully read

the instructions on the warning labels and

tag.

Always wear your seatbelt. The SUBARU

advanced frontal airbag system is a

supplemental restraint system and must

be used in combination with a seatbelt. All

occupants should wear a seatbelt or be

seated in an appropriate child restraint

system.

For the locations of the driver’s SRS

frontal airbag, front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag, SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag, refer to “Components” F1-

46.

In a moderate to severe frontal collision,

the driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbags deploy and supplement the

seatbelts by reducing the impact on the

driver’s and front passenger’s head and

chest.

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 to the occupant’s chest and

waist.

In a moderate to severe side impact

collision, the SRS curtain airbag on the

impacted side of the vehicle deploys

between the occupant and the side

window and supplements the seatbelt by

reducing the impact to the occupant’s

head.

NOTE

The SRS side airbag, SRS curtain air-

bag and seatbelt pretensioner are not

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-49

– CONTINUED –

1-50 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

controlled by the SUBARU advanced

frontal airbag system.

! Driver’s SRS frontal airbag

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag uses a

dual stage inflator. The inflator operates in

different ways depending on the severity

of impact.

Have the system inspected by your

SUBARU dealer immediately if the SRS

airbag system warning light illuminates.

! Front passenger’s SRS frontal air-

bag

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

uses a dual stage inflator. The inflator

operates in different ways depending on

the severity of impact.

The total load on the seat is monitored by

the passenger’s occupant detection sys-

tem weight sensor under the seat.

Using the total seat load and seatbelt

bu ckle switch, th e oc cupant detection

system determines whether the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag should or

should not be inflated.

The occupant detection system may not

inflate the front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag even when the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag deploys. This is normal.

CAUTION

Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may prevent the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system from functioning correctly

or cause the system to fail.

. Do not apply any strong impact

to the front passenger’s seat

such as by kicking.

. Do not spill liquid on the front

passenger’s seat. If liquid is

spilled, wipe it off immediately.

. Do not remove or disassemble

the front passenger’s seat.

. Do not install any accessory

(such as an audio amplifier) other

than a genuine SUBARU acces-

sory under the front passenger’s

seat.

. Do not place anything (shoes,

umbrella, etc.) under the front

passenger’s seat.

. Do not use the front passenger’s

seat with the head restraint re-

moved.

. Do not leave any articles on the

front passenger’s seat or the

seatbelt tongue and buckle en-

gaged when you leave your ve-

hicle.

. Do not place a magnet near the

seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt

retractor.

. Do not use front seats with their

backward-forward position and

seatback not being locked into

place securely. If any of them are

not locked securely, adjust them

again. For adjusting procedure,

refer to “Manual seat” F 1-3

(models equipped with manual

seats only).

If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or front

passenger’s occupant detection system

have failed, the SRS airbag system

warning light will illuminate. Have the

system inspected by your SUBARU deal-

er immediately if the SRS airbag system

warning light illuminates.

If your vehicle has sustained impact, this

may affect the proper functi on of the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system.

Hav e your vehicle inspected a t you r

SUBARU dealer.

! Passenger’s frontal airbag ON and

OFF indicators

Refer to “Front passenger’s frontal airbag

ON and OFF indicators” F3-15.

! Conditions in which front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag is not

activated

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

will not be activated when any of the

following conditions are met regarding the

front passenger’s seat:

. The seat is empty.

. The seat is equipped with a rearward

facing child restraint system and an infant

is restrained with it. (See WARNING that

follows.)

. The seat is equipped with a forward

facing child restraint system and a small

child is restrained with it. (See WARNING

that follows.)

. The seat is equipped with a booster

seat and a small child is in the booster

seat. (See WARNING that follows.)

. The seat is relieved of the occupant

load for a time exceeding the predeter-

mined monitoring time period.

. The seat is occupied by a child who

has outgrown a child restraint system

(See WARNING that follows.) or by a

small adult.

. The front passenger’s occupant detec-

tion system is malfunctioning.

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-

CING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT

PASSENGER’S SEAT EVEN IF THE

FRONT PASSENGER’S SRS FRON-

TAL AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED. Be

sure to install it in the REAR seat in

a correct manner. Also, it is strongly

recommended that any forward fa-

cing child seat or booster seat be

installed in the REAR seat, and that

even children who have outgrown a

child restraint system be also

seated in the REAR seat. This is

because children sitting in the front

passenger’s seat may be killed or

severely injured should the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag de-

ploy. REAR seats are the safest

place for children.

CAUTION

When the front passenger’s seat is

occupied by a child, observe the

following precautions. Failure to do

so may increase the load on the

front passenger’s seat, activating

the front passenger ’s SRS frontal

airbag even though that seat is

occupied by a child.

. Do not place any article on the

seat other than the child occu-

pant and a child restraint system.

. Do not place more than one child

on the seat.

. Do not install any acces sory

such as a table or TV onto the

seatback.

. Do not store a heavy load in the

seatback pocket.

. Do not allow the rear seat occu-

pant to place his/her hands or

legs on the front pa ssenger’s

seatback, or allow him/her to pull

the seatback.

! If the front passenger’s frontal air-

bag ON indicator illuminates and the

OFF indicator turns off even when

an infant or a small child is in a child

restraint system (including booster

seat)

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Remove th e child restraint system

from the seat.

3. By referring to the child restraint

manufacturer’s recommendations as well

as the child restraint system installation

procedures in “Child restraint systems”

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-51

– CONTINUED –

1-52 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

F1-25, correctly install the child restraint

system.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position and make sure that the front

passenger’s frontal airbag ON indicator

turns off and the OFF indicator illuminates.

If still the ON indicator remains illuminated

while the OFF indicator turns off, take the

following actions.

. Ensure that no article is placed on the

seat other than the child restraint system

and the child occupant.

. Ensure that there is no article left in the

seatback pocket.

. Ensure that the backward-forward po-

sition and seatback of front passenger’s

seat are locked into place securely by

moving the seat back and forth. (Models

equipped with manual seats only)

If the ON indicator still remains illuminated

while the OFF indicator turns off after

taking relevant corrective act ions d e-

scribed above, relocate the child restraint

system to the rear seat and immediately

cont act your SUBARU dealer for an

inspection.

NOTE

When a child who has outgrown a child

restraint system or a small adult is

seated in the front passenger’s seat,

the SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system may or may not activate the

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

depending on the occupant’s seating

posture. If the front passenger’s SRS

fro ntal airbag is activ ated (the ON

indicator remains illuminated whil e

the OFF indicator turns off), take the

following actions.

. Ensure that no article is placed on

the seat other than the occupant.

. Ensure that there is no article left in

the seatback pocket.

If the ON indicator still remains illumi-

nated while the OFF indicator turns off

despite the fact that the actions noted

above have been taken, seat the child/

small adult in the rear seat and im-

mediately contact your SUBARU dealer

for an inspection. Even if the system

has passed the dealer inspection, it is

recommended that on subsequent trips

the child/small adult always take the

rear seat.

Children wh o have outgrown a chi ld

restraint system should always wear the

seatbelt irrespective of whether the airbag

is deactivated or activated.

! Conditions in which front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag is activated

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

will be activated for deployment upon

impact when any of the following condi-

tions is met regarding the front passen-

ger’s seat.

. When the seat is occupied by an adult.

. When a heavy article is placed on the

seat.

CAUTION

When the front passenger’s seat is

occupied by an adult, observe the

following precautions. Failure to do

so may lessen the load on the front

passenger’s seat, deactivating the

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

despite the fact that the seat is

occupied by an adult. This may

result in personal injury.

. Do not allow the rear seat occu-

pant to lift the front passenger’s

seat cushion using his/her feet.

. Do not place any article under the

fr ont passenger ’ s s eat, or

squeeze any article from behind

and under the seat. This may lift

the seat cushion.

. Do not squeeze any article be-

tween the front passenger’s seat

and side trim/pillar, door or cen-

ter console box. This may lift the

seat cushion.

! If the passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator illuminates and the ON

indicator turns off even when the

front passenger’s seat is occupied

by an adult

This can be caused by the adult incor-

rectly sitting in the front passenger’s seat.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Ask the front passenger to set the

seatback to the upright position, sit up

straight in the center of the seat cushion,

correctly fasten the seatbelt, position his/

her legs out forward, and adjust the seat to

the rearmost position.

3. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position.

If the OFF indicator remains illuminated

while the ON indicator remains off, take

the following actions.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Ensure that there is no article, book,

shoe, or other object trapped under the

seat, at the rear of the seat, or on the side

of the seat.

3. Ensure that the backward- forward

position and seatback of front passenger’s

seat are locked into place securely by

moving the seat back and forth. (Models

equipped with manual seats only)

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position and wait 6 seconds to allow the

system to complete self-checking. Follow-

ing the system check, both indicators turn

off for 2 seconds. Now, the ON indicator

should illuminate while the OFF indicator

remains off.

If the OFF indicator still remains illumi-

nated while the ON indicator remains off,

ask the occupant to move to the rear seat

and immediately contact your SUBARU

dealer for an inspection.

! Effect vehicle modifications made

for persons with disabilities may

have on SUBARU advanced frontal

airbag system operation (U.S. only)

Changing or moving any parts of the front

seats, seatbelts, front bumper, front side

frame, instrument panel, combination me-

ter, steering wheel, steering column, tire,

suspension or floor panel can affect the

operation of the SUBARU advanced air-

bag system. If you have any questions,

you may contact the following SUBARU

distributors:

<Continental U.S., Alaska and the District

of Columbia>

Subaru of America, Inc.

Customer Dealer Services Department

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)

Servco Subaru Inc., dba Subaru Hawaii

2850 Pukoloa Street, Suite 202, Honolulu,

HI 96819

808-839-2273

<Guam>

Shen’s Corporation dba Prestige Automo-

bile

491, East Marine Drive, Route 1 Dededo,

Guam

671-633-2698

Trebol Motors

P.O. Box 11204, San Juan, Puerto Rico

00910

787-793-2828

There are currently no SUBARU distribu-

tors in any other U.S. territories. If you are

in su ch an area, please contact the

SUBARU distributor or dealer from which

you bought your vehicle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-53

– CONTINUED –

1-54 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

& System operation

CAUTION

Do not touch the SRS airbag system

components with bare hands right

after deployment. Doing so c an

cause burns because the compo-

nents can be very hot as a result of

deployment.

The SRS airbags can function only when

the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.

When the SRS airbag(s) deploy(s), a

sudden, fairly loud inflation noise will be

heard and some smoke will be released.

These occurrences are a normal result of

the deployment. This smoke does not

indicate a fire in the vehicle.

! SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

operation

1) Driver’s side

2) Passenger’s side

The SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system is designed to determine the

activation or deactivation condition of the

front p assenger’s SRS frontal airbag

depending on the total load on the front

passenger’s seat monitored by the front

passenger’s occupant detection system

weight sensor. For this reason, only the

driver’s SRS frontal airbag may deploy in

the event of a collision, but this does not

mean failure of the system.

If the front sub sensors inside both front

fenders and the impact sensors in the

airbag control module detect a predeter-

mined amount of force during a frontal

collision, the control module sends signals

to the airbag module(s) (only driver’s

module or both driver’s and front passen-

ger’s modules) instructing the module(s)

to inflate the SRS frontal airbag(s). The

driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbags use dual stage inflators. The two

inflators of each airbag are triggered either

sequentially or simultaneously, depending

on the severity of impact in the case of the

driver’s SRS frontal airbag and depending

on the severity of impact and the total load

on the seat in the case of the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag.

After deployment, the SRS airbag imme-

diately starts to deflate so that the driver’s

vision is not obstructed and the driver’s

ability to maintain control of the vehicle is

not impaired. The time required from

detecting impact to the deflation of the

SRS airbag after deployment is shorter

than the blink of an eye.

Both when only the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag deploys and the driver’s and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbags deploy,

the driver’s and front passenger’s seatbelt

pretensioners operate at the same time.

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag are de-

signed to deplo y in t he event of an

accident involving a moderate to severe

frontal collision. They are not designed to

de ploy in most lesser frontal impacts

because the necessary protection can be

achieved by the seatbelt alone. Also, they

are not designed to deploy in most side or

rear impacts or in most rollover accidents

because deployment of only the driver’s

SRS frontal airbag or both driver’s and

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbags

would not help the occupant in those

situations. The driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbags are designed to

function on a one-time-only basis.

SRS airbag deployment depends on the

level of force experienced in the passen-

ger 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.

! Examples of accident in which the

driver’s/driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag(s) will most

likely deploy

A head-on collision against a thick con-

crete wall at a vehicle speed of 12 to 19

mph (20 to 30 km/h) or higher activates

only the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both

driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbags. The airbag(s) will also be acti-

vated when the vehicle is exposed to a

f rontal impact sim ilar in fashion and

magnitude to the collision described

above.

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which it is possible that the

driver’s/driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag(s) will de-

ploy

Only the driver ’s SRS frontal airbag or

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-55

– CONTINUED –

1-56 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

both driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbags 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 impacted or

knocked hard against an obstacle on the

road such as a curb).

! Examples of the types of accidents in which deployment of the driver’s/driver’s

and front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag(s) is unlikely to occur

1) The vehicle strikes an object, such as a

telephone pole or sign pole.

2) The vehicle slides under the load bed of

a truck.

3) The vehicle sustains an oblique offset

frontal impact.

4) The vehicle sustains an offset frontal

collision.

5) The vehicle strikes an object that can

move or deform, such as a parked

vehicle.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require deployment

of driver’s/driver’s and front passenger’s

SRS frontal airbag(s). In the event of

accidents like those illustrated, the dri-

ver’s/driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag(s) may not deploy depend-

ing on the level of accident forces in-

volved.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-57

– CONTINUED –

1-58 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which the driver’s/driver’s and

front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag(s) is not designed to deploy

in most cases

The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbags are designed not to deploy

in most cases if the vehicle is struck from

the side or from behind, or if it rolls onto its

side or roof, or if it is involved in a low-

speed frontal collision.

1) First impact

2) Second impact

I n an accident where the vehicl e is

impacted more than once, the driver’s

and/or front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag(s) will deploy only once on the first

impact.

Example: In the case of a double collision,

first with another vehicle, then against a

concrete wall in immediate succession,

once either or both of the driver’s and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbags is/are

activated on the first impact, it/they will not

be activated on the second impact.

WARNING

If the vehicle is dama ged in an

accident but the SRS frontal airbag

does not deploy, contact your

SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-

ble.

! SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag operation

The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

side airbags and SRS curtain airbags

deploy independently of each other be-

cause each has its own impact sensor.

Therefore, they may not both deploy in the

same accident. Also, the SRS side airbag

and SRS curtain airbag deploys indepen-

dently of the driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbags in the steering

wheel and instrument panel.

An impact sensor, which senses impact

force, is located in each of the following

locations.

. In the left and right front doors

. In the left and right center pillars

. In the left and right rear wheel houses

. In the airbag control module

For Outback models, a rollover sensor is

also locate d inside the airbag control

module.

If the impact sensor that is located in the

airbag control module and one of the

center pillar impact sensors or front door

impact sensors together sense an impact

force above a predetermined level in a

side collision, the control module causes

both the SRS side airbag and curtain

airbag on the impacted side to inflate

regardless of whether the rear wheel

house impact sensor on the same side

senses an impact.

If the impact sensor that is located in the

airbag control module and one of the rear

wheel house impact sensors together

sense an impact force above a predeter-

mined level in a side collision, the control

module causes only the SRS curtain

airbag on the impacted side to inflate.

For Outback models, if the rollover sensor

detects rollover of the vehicle, the control

module inflates the SRS curtain airbags.

At this time, the driver’s and front passen-

ger ’s seatbelt pretensioners also operate

at the same time.

After the deployment, the SRS side airbag

immediately starts to deflate. The time

required from detection of an impact to

deflation of an SRS side airbag after

deployment is shorter than the blink of

an eye.

The SRS curtain airbag remains inflated

for a while following deployment then

slowly deflates.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag deploy even when no one occupies

the seat on the side on which an impact is

applied.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are designed to deploy in the event

of an accident involving a moderate to

severe side impact collision. They are

basically not designed to deploy in a

lesser side impact.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag deployment depend on the level of

force experienced in the passenger com-

partment 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.

For Outback models, the SRS curtain

airbags are also designed to deploy when

the vehicle is in an extremely inclined

state such as during a rollover. They are

not designed to deploy in most lesser

inclined state.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are not designed to deploy in most

rear impacts because the SRS side airbag

and SRS curtain airbag deployment would

not help the occupant in those situations.

Each SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are designed to function on a one-

time-only basis.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-59

– CONTINUED –

1-60 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! 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 airbag.

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which the SRS curtain airbag will

most likely deploy

Legacy models

A severe side impact near the front seat or

the rear seat activates the SRS curtain

airbag.

Outback models

1) The vehicle is involved in a severe side

impact near the front seat or the rear

seat.

2) The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

3) The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal or

the skidding vehicle’s tires hit a curb-

stone laterally.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-61

– CONTINUED –

1-62 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Examples of the types of accidents in which it is possible that the SRS side

airbag and the SRS curtain airbag will deploy (Outback)

1) Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard

surface

2) Falling into or jumping over a deep hole

3) Landing hard or vehicle falling

It is possible that the SRS side and curtain

airbags will deploy if a serious impact

occurs to the underside of your vehicle.

Some examples are shown in the illustra-

tion.

! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side airbag is unlikely to

deploy

1) The vehicle is involved in an oblique

side-on impact.

2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

5) The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS side

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS side

airbag may not deploy depending on the

level of accident forces involved.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-63

– CONTINUED –

1-64 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS curtain airbag is unlikely

to deploy

Legacy models

1) The vehicle is involved in an oblique

side-on impact.

2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

5) The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS curtain

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS

curtain airbag may not deploy depending

on the level of accident forces involved.

Outback models

1) The vehicle is involved in an oblique

side-on impact.

2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS curtain

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS

curtain airbag may not deploy depending

on the level of accident forces involved.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-65

– CONTINUED –

1-66 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which the SRS side airbag and

SRS curtain airbag is not designed

to deploy in most cases

1) The vehicle is involved in frontal collision

with another vehicle (moving or station-

ary).

2) The vehicle is struck from behind.

3) The vehicle pitches end over end.

In the event of accidents like those

illustrated, the SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag are not designed to deploy

in most cases.

1) First impact

2) Second impact

A) SRS curtain airbag

B) SRS side airbag

In an accident where the vehicle is struck

from the side more than once, the SRS

side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deploy

only once on the first impact.

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

and SRS curtain airbag are activated on

the first impact, they will not be activated

on the second.

& SRS airbag system monitors

SRS airbag system warning light (type A)

SRS airbag system warning light (type B)

A diagnostic system continually monitors

the readiness of the SRS airbag system

(including front s eatbelt pretensioners)

while the vehicle is being driven. The

SRS airbag system warning light will show

normal system operation by illuminating

for approximately 6 seconds when the

ignitio n switch is tu rned to the “ON”

position.

The following components are monitored

by the indicator.

. Front sub sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Airbag control module (including im-

pact sensors [all models] and rollover

sensors [Outback])

. Frontal airbag module

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Center pillar impact sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Front door impact sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Side airbag module

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Rear wheel house impact sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Curtain airbag module

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Seatbelt pretensioner

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Lap belt pretensioner

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Seatbelt buckle switch (front passen-

ger’s side)

. Front passenger’s occupant detection

system weight sensor

. Front passenger’s occupant detection

control module

. Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

and OFF indicator

. All related wiring

WARNING

If the warning light exhibits any of

the following conditions, there may

be a malfunction in the seatbelt

pretensioners and /or SRS airbag

system. Immediately take your vehi-

cle to your nearest SUBARU dealer

to have the system checked. Unless

checked and properly repaired, the

seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS

airbags will operate improperly (e.g.

SRS airbags may inflate in a very

minor collision or not inflate in a

severe collisi on), which may in -

crease the risk of injury.

. Flashing or flickering of the warn-

ing light

. No illumination of the warning

light when the ignition switch is

first turned to the “ON” position

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-67

– CONTINUED –

1-68 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

. Continuous illumination of the

warning light

. Illumination of the warning light

while driving

& SRS airbag system servicing

WARNING

. When discarding an airbag mod-

ule or scrapping the entire vehi-

cle damaged by a collision, con-

sult your SUBARU dealer.

. 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 airb ag, consult your

nearest SUBARU dealer. Tamper-

ing wi th or disconnecting the

system’s wiring could result in

accidental inflation of the SRS

airbag or could make the system

inoperative, which may result in

serious injury.

CAUTION

If you need service or repair in areas

indicated in the following list, have

the work performed by an author-

ized SUBARU dealer. The SRS air-

bag control module, impact sensors

and airbag modules are stored in

these areas.

. Under the center console

. Inside each front fender

. Steering wheel and column and

nearby areas

. Top of the dashboard on front

p assenger’s side a nd nearby

areas

. Each front seat and nearby area

. Inside each center pillar

. Inside each front door

. In each roof side (from the front

pillar to a point over the rear seat)

. Between the rear seat cushion

and rear wheel house on each

side

. Under the rear center seat

In the event that the SRS airbag is

deployed, replacement of the system

should be performed only by an author-

ized SUBARU dealer. When the compo-

nents of the SRS airbag system are

replaced, use only genuine SUBARU

parts.

NOTE

In the following cases, contact your

SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

. The front part of the vehicle was

involved in an accident in which only

the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both

driver’s and front passeng er’s SRS

frontal airbags did not deploy.

. The pad of the steering wheel, the

cover over the front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag, or either roof side (from

the front pillar to a point over the rear

seat) is scratched, cracked, or other-

wise damaged.

. The center pillar, front door, rear

wheel house or rear sub frame, or an

area near these parts, was involved in

an accident in which the SRS side

airbag and SRS curtain airbag did not

deploy.

. The fabric or leather of either front

seatback is cut, frayed, or otherwise

damaged.

. The rear part of the vehicle was

involved in an accident.

& Precautions against vehicle

modification

WARNING

To avoid accidental activation of the

system o r 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 the following modifi-

cations.

. Installation of custom steering

wheels

. Attachment of additional trim

materials to the dashboard

. Installation of custom seats

. Re placement of seat fabric or

leather

. Installation of additional fabric or

leather on the front seat

. Attachment of a hands-free mi-

crophone or any other accessory

to a front pillar, a center pillar, a

rear pillar, the windshield, a side

window, an assist grip, or any

other cabin surface that would be

near a deploying SRS curtain

airbag

. Installation of additional electri-

cal/electronic equipment such as

a mobile two-way radio on or

near the SRS airbag system

components and/or wiring

. Modificati ons on or inside the

front door panels for the purpose

of a speaker replacement or

sound insulation

CAUTION

Do not perform any of the following

modifications. Such modifications

can interfere with proper operation

of the SRS airbag system.

. Attachment of any equipment

(bush bar, bullbar, winches, snow

plow, skid/sump plate, etc.) other

than genuine SUBARU a cces-

sory parts.

. Modification of the suspension

system or front end structure.

. Installation of a tire of different

size and construction from the

tires specified on the vehicle

placard attached to the driver’s

door pillar or specified for indivi-

dual vehicle models in this Own-

er’s Manual.

. Attachment of any equipment

(side steps or side sill protectors,

etc.) other than genuine SUBARU

accessory parts to the side body.

Always consult your SUBARU dealer if

you want to install any accessory parts on

your vehicle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-69

1-70 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

*SRS airbag (Supplemental

Restraint System airbag)

(Type B)

*SRS: This stands for Supplemental Re-

straint System. This name is used be-

cause the airbag system supplements the

vehicle’s seatbelts.

CAUTION

The descriptions in this section vary

depending on the year and month of

vehicle production. Determine

which of the following categories

your vehicle belongs to, and then

refer to the descriptions specified to

that category.

TYPE A: Vehicles manufactured in

August 2012 or before

TYPE B: Vehicles manufactured in

September 2012 and after

The month and year your vehicle

was manufactured can be deter-

mined by checking the certification

label located on the lower side of B

pillar.

Certification label

A) Year and month

Your vehicle is equipped with a supple-

mental restraint system in addition to a

lap/shoulder belt at each front seating

position and each rear window-side seat-

ing position. The supplemental restraint

system (SRS) consists of six airbags.

The configurations are as follows:

. Driver’s and front passenger’s frontal

airbags

. Driver’s and front passenger’s side

airbags

. Curtain airbags (for driver, front pas-

senger, and window-side rear passen-

gers)

These SRS airbags are designed only

as a supplement to the primary protec-

tion provided by the seatbelt.

The system also controls front seatbelt

pretensioners. For operation instructions

and precautions concerning the seatbelt

pretensioner, refer to “Front seatbelt pre-

tensioners” F1-23.

& General precautions regard-

ing SRS airbag system

WARNING

. 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

to be a supplement to the primary

protection provided by the seat-

belt. It does not eliminate the

need to fasten seatbelts. In com-

bination with the seatbelts, it

offers the best combined protec-

tion in case of a serious accident.

Not wearing a seatbelt increases

the chance of severe injury or

death in a crash even when the

vehicle has the SRS airbag.

For instructions and precautions

concerning the seatbelt system,

refer to “Seatbelts” F1-14.

. The SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag are designed only

to be a supplement to the primary

protection provided by the seat-

belt. They do not eliminate 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 posi-

tion.

WARNING

. The SRS airbags deploy with

considerable speed and force.

Occupants who are out of proper

position whe n the SRS airbag

deploys could suffer very serious

injuries. Because the SRS airbag

needs enough space for deploy-

ment, the driver should always

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.

WARNING

. Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

close to either front door. The

SRS side airbags are stored in

both front seat seatbacks next to

the door, and they provide pro-

tection by deploying rapidly (fas-

ter than the blink of an eye) in the

event of a side impact collision.

However, the force of SRS side

airbag deploymen t may cause

injuries if yo ur head or other

parts of the body are too close

to the SRS side airbag.

. Since your vehicle is equipped

with SRS curtain airbags, do not

sit or lean unnecessarily close to

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-71

– CONTINUED –

1-72 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

the front or rear door on either

side. Also, do not put your head,

arms or hands out of the window.

The SRS curtain airbags on both

sides of the cabin are stored in

the roof side (between the front

pillar and a point over the rear

seat), and they provide protec-

tion by deploying rapidly (faster

than the blink of an eye) in the

event of a side impact or also a

frontal collision depending on

circumstances. For Outback

models, the SRS curtain airbags

also deploy in the event of a

rollover. However, the force of

its deployment may cause inju-

ries if your head is too close to it.

. Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

close to the SRS airbag. Because

the SRS airbag deploys with

considerable speed – faster than

the blink of an eye – and force to

protect in high speed collisions,

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-acci-

dent braking.

Even when properly positioned,

there remains a possibility that

an occupant may suffer minor

inju ry such a s abrasions a nd

bruises to the face or arms

because of the SRS airbag de-

ployment force.

WARNING

. Do not rest your arm on either

front door or its internal trim. You

could be injured in the event of

SRS side airbag deployment.

. Do not place any objects over or

near the SRS airbag cover or

between you and the SRS airbag.

If the SRS airbag deploys, these

objects could interfere with its

proper operation and could be

propelled inside the vehicle,

causing injury.

WARNING

Do not put any objects over the

steering wheel pad and dashboard.

If the SRS frontal airbag deploys,

these objects could interfere with its

proper operation and could be pro-

pelled inside the vehicle, causing

injury.

WARNING

Do not attach accessories to the

windshield, or fit an extra-wide mir-

ror over the rear view mirror. If the

SRS airbag deploys, those objects

could become projectiles that could

seriously injure vehicle occupants.

WARNING

. 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 SRS side airbag deploy-

ment, they could be propelled

dangerously toward the vehicle’s

occupants and cause injuries.

. Do not attach a hands-free micro-

phone or any other accessory to

a front pillar, a center pillar, a rear

pillar, the windshield, a side win-

dow, an assist grip, or any other

cabin surface that would be near

a deploying SRS curtain airbag.

A hands-free microphone or

other accessory in such a loca-

tion could be propelled through

the cabin with great force by the

curtain airbag, or it could prevent

correct deployment of the curtain

airbag. In either case, the result

could be serious injuries.

WARNING

Do not hang coat hangers or other

hard or pointed objects on the coat

hooks. If such items were hanging

on the coat hooks during deploy-

ment of the SRS curtain airbags,

they could cause serious injuries by

coming off the coat hooks and being

thrown through the cabin or by

preventing deployment of the cur-

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-73

– CONTINUED –

1-74 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

tain airbags.

Before hanging clothing on the coat

hooks, make sure there are no sharp

objects in the pockets. Hang cloth-

ing directly on the coat hooks with-

out using hangers.

WARNING

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 prevent proper

deployment of the SRS side airbag,

reducing protection available to the

front seat’s occupant.

WARNING

Put children in the rear seat properly

restrained at all times. The SRS

air bag deploys with considerab le

speed and force and can injure or

even kill children, especially if they

are not restrained or improperly

restrained. Because children are

lighter and weaker than adults, their

risk of being injured from deploy-

ment is greater.

Consequently, we strongly recom-

mend that ALL children (including

those in child seats and those that

have outgrown child restraint de-

vices) sit in the REAR seat properly

restrained at all times in a child

restraint devi ce or in a seatbe lt,

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 properl y

restrained in the rear seating posi-

tions than in the front seating posi-

tions.

For instructions and precautions

concerning the child restraint sys-

tem, refer to “Child restraint sys-

tems” F1-25.

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-

CING 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.

WARNING

Never allow a child to stand up or

kneel on the front passenger’s seat.

The SRS airbag deploys with con-

siderable force and can injure or

even kill the child.

WARNING

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.

WARNING

. Never allow a child to do the

following.

– Kneel on any passenger’s

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-75

– CONTINUED –

1-76 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

seat facing the side window

– Wrap his/her arms around the

front seat seatback

– Put his/her head, arm s or

other parts of the body out of

the window

In the event of an accident, the

force of SRS side airbag and/or

SRS curtain airbag deployment

could injure the child seriously

because his/her head, arms or

other parts of the body are too

close to the SRS side airbag and/

or SRS curtain airbag.

. Since your vehicle is also

equipped with a front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag, children

aged 12 and under should be

placed in the rear seat anyway

and should be properly re-

strained at all times.

CAUTION

. When the SRS airbag deploys,

some s moke will be released.

This smoke could cause breath-

ing problems for people with a

history of asthma or other

breathing trouble. If you or your

passengers have breathing pro-

blems after SRS airbag deploys,

get fresh air promptly.

. A deploying SRS airbag releases

hot gas. Occupants could get

burned if they come into direct

contact with the hot gas.

NOTE

When you sell your vehicle, we urge

you to explain to the buyer that it is

equipped with SRS airbags by alerting

the buyer to the applicable section in

this Owner’s Manual.

& Components

1) SRS frontal airbag

2) SRS side airbag

3) SRS curtain airbag

The SRS airbags are stowed in t he

following locations.

Driver’s SRS frontal airbag: in the center

portion of the steering wheel

Front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag:

near the top of the dashboard under an

“SRS AIRBAG” mark

SRS side airbag: in the door side of each

front seat seatback which bears an “SRS

AIRBAG” label

SRS curtain airbag: in the roof side

(between the front pillar and a point over

the rear seat)

An “SRS AIRBAG” mark is located at the

top of each center pillar.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-77

– CONTINUED –

1-78 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

1) Front sub sensor (right-hand side)

2) Front sub sensor (left-hand side)

3) SRS airbag system warning light

4) Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)

5) Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and

OFF indicator

6) Frontal airbag module (front passenger’s

side)

7) Airbag control module (including impact

sensor [all models] and rollover sensor

[Outback])

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-79

– CONTINUED –

1-80 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

1) Rear wheel house impact sensor (left-

hand side)

2) Curtain airbag module (left-hand side)

3) Front door impact sensor (left-hand side)

4) Curtain airbag module (right-hand side)

5) Front passenger’s occupant detection

control module

6) Center pillar impact sensor (left-hand

side)

7) Seatbelt pretensioner (left-hand side)

8) Lap belt pretensioner (driver’s side)

9) Side airbag module (left-hand side)

10) Seatbelt buckle switch (right-hand side)

11) Rear wheel house impact sensor (right-

hand side)

12) Side airbag module (right-hand side)

13) Seatbelt pretensioner (right-hand side)

14) Center pillar impact sensor (right-hand

side)

15) Lap belt pretensioner (front passenger’s

side)

16) Front passenger’s occupant detection

system weight sensor

17) Front door impact sensor (right-hand

side)

& SUBARU advanced frontal

airbag system, SRS side air-

bag and SRS curtain airbag

Your vehicle is equipped with a SUBARU

advanced frontal airbag system that com-

plies with the new advanced frontal airbag

requirements in the amended Federal

Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)

No. 208.

The SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system automatically determines the de-

ployment force of the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag at the time of deployment as well as

whether or not to acti vate the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag and, if

activated, the deployment force of the

SRS frontal airbag at the time of deploy-

ment.

Your vehicle has warning labels on the

driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors

beginning with the phrase “EVEN WITH

ADVANCED AIR BAGS” and a tag

attached to the glove box lid beginning

with the phrase “Even with Advanced Air

Bags”. Make sure that you carefully read

the instructions on the warning labels and

tag.

Always wear your seatbelt. The SUBARU

advanced frontal airbag system is a

supplemental restraint system and must

be used in combination with a seatbelt. All

occupants should wear a seatbelt or be

seated in an appropriate child restraint

system.

For the locations of the driver’s SRS

frontal airbag, front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag, SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag, refer to “Components” F1-

46.

In a moderate to severe frontal collision,

the driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbags, and SRS curtain airbag

depending on circumstances, deploy and

supplement the seatbelts by reducing the

impact on the driver’s and front passen-

ger’s head and chest.

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 to the occupant’s chest and

waist.

In a moderate to severe side impact

collision, the SRS curtain airbag on the

impacted side of the vehicle deploys

between the occupant and the side

window and supplements the seatbelt by

reducing the impact to the occupant’s

head.

NOTE

The SRS side airba g and seatbelt

pretensioner are not controlled by the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag sys-

tem.

! Driver’s SRS frontal airbag

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag uses a

dual stage inflator. The inflator operates in

different ways depending on the severity

of impact.

Have the system inspected by your

SUBARU dealer immediately if the SRS

airbag system warning light illuminates.

! Front passenger’s SRS frontal air-

bag

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

uses a dual stage inflator. The inflator

operates in different ways depending on

the severity of impact.

The total load on the seat is monitored by

the passenger’s occupant detection sys-

tem weight sensor under the seat.

Using the total seat load and seatbelt

bu ckle switch, th e oc cupant detection

system determines whether the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag should or

should not be inflated.

The occupant detection system may not

inflate the front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag even when the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag deploys. This is normal.

CAUTION

Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may prevent the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system from functioning correctly

or cause the system to fail.

. Do not apply any strong impact

to the front passenger’s seat

such as by kicking.

. Do not spill liquid on the front

passenger’s seat. If liquid is

spilled, wipe it off immediately.

. Do not remove or disassemble

the front passenger’s seat.

. Do not install any accessory

(such as an audio amplifier) other

than a genuine SUBARU acces-

sory under the front passenger’s

seat.

. Do not place anything (shoes,

umbrella, etc.) under the front

passenger’s seat.

. Do not use the front passenger’s

seat with the head restraint re-

moved.

. Do not leave any articles on the

front passenger’s seat or the

seatbelt tongue and buckle en-

gaged when you leave your ve-

hicle.

. Do not place a magnet near the

seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt

retractor.

. Do not use front seats with their

backward-forward position and

seatback not being locked into

place securely. If any of them are

not locked securely, adjust them

again. For adjusting procedure,

refer to “Manual seat” F 1-3

(models equipped with manual

seats only).

If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or front

passenger’s occupant detection system

have failed, the SRS airbag system

warning light will illuminate. Have the

system inspected by your SUBARU deal-

er immediately if the SRS airbag system

warning light illuminates.

If your vehicle has sustained impact, this

may affect the proper functi on of the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system.

Hav e your vehicle inspected a t you r

SUBARU dealer.

! Passenger’s frontal airbag ON and

OFF indicators

Refer to “Front passenger’s frontal airbag

ON and OFF indicators” F3-15.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-81

– CONTINUED –

1-82 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Conditions in which front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag is not

activated

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

will not be activated when any of the

following conditions are met regarding the

front passenger’s seat:

. The seat is empty.

. The seat is equipped with a rearward

facing child restraint system and an infant

is restrained with it. (See WARNING that

follows.)

. The seat is equipped with a forward

facing child restraint system and a small

child is restrained with it. (See WARNING

that follows.)

. The seat is equipped with a booster

seat and a small child is in the booster

seat. (See WARNING that follows.)

. The seat is relieved of the occupant

load for a time exceeding the predeter-

mined monitoring time period.

. The seat is occupied by a child who

has outgrown a child restraint system

(See WARNING that follows.) or by a

small adult.

. The front passenger’s occupant detec-

tion system is malfunctioning.

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-

CING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT

PASSENGER’S SEAT EVEN IF THE

FRONT PASSENGER’S SRS FRON-

TAL AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED. Be

sure to install it in the REAR seat in

a correct manner. Also, it is strongly

recommended that any forward fa-

cing child seat or booster seat be

installed in the REAR seat, and that

even children who have outgrown a

child restraint system be also

seated in the REAR seat. This is

because children sitting in the front

passenger’s seat may be killed or

severely injured should the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag de-

ploy. REAR seats are the safest

place for children.

CAUTION

When the front passenger’s seat is

occupied by a child, observe the

following precautions. Failure to do

so may increase the load on the

front passenger’s seat, activating

the front passenger ’s SRS frontal

airbag even though that seat is

occupied by a child.

. Do not place any article on the

seat other than the child occu-

pant and a child restraint system.

. Do not place more than one child

on the seat.

. Do not install any acces sory

such as a table or TV onto the

seatback.

. Do not store a heavy load in the

seatback pocket.

. Do not allow the rear seat occu-

pant to place his/her hands or

legs on the front pa ssenger’s

seatback, or allow him/her to pull

the seatback.

! If the front passenger’s frontal air-

bag ON indicator illuminates and the

OFF indicator turns off even when

an infant or a small child is in a child

restraint system (including booster

seat)

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Remove th e child restraint system

from the seat.

3. By referring to the child restraint

manufacturer’s recommendations as well

as the child restraint system installation

procedures in “Child restraint systems”

F1-25, correctly install the child restraint

system.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position and make sure that the front

passenger’s frontal airbag ON indicator

turns off and the OFF indicator illuminates.

If still the ON indicator remains illuminated

while the OFF indicator turns off, take the

following actions.

. Ensure that no article is placed on the

seat other than the child restraint system

and the child occupant.

. Ensure that there is no article left in the

seatback pocket.

. Ensure that the backward-forward po-

sition and seatback of front passenger’s

seat are locked into place securely by

moving the seat back and forth. (Models

equipped with manual seats only)

If the ON indicator still remains illuminated

while the OFF indicator turns off after

taking relevant corrective act ions d e-

scribed above, relocate the child restraint

system to the rear seat and immediately

cont act your SUBARU dealer for an

inspection.

NOTE

When a child who has outgrown a child

restraint system or a small adult is

seated in the front passenger’s seat,

the SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system may or may not activate the

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

depending on the occupant’s seating

posture. If the front passenger’s SRS

fro ntal airbag is activ ated (the ON

indicator remains illuminated whil e

the OFF indicator turns off), take the

following actions.

. Ensure that no article is placed on

the seat other than the occupant.

. Ensure that there is no article left in

the seatback pocket.

If the ON indicator still remains illumi-

nated while the OFF indicator turns off

despite the fact that the actions noted

above have been taken, seat the child/

small adult in the rear seat and im-

mediately contact your SUBARU dealer

for an inspection. Even if the system

has passed the dealer inspection, it is

recommended that on subsequent trips

the child/small adult always take the

rear seat.

Children wh o have outgrown a chi ld

restraint system should always wear the

seatbelt irrespective of whether the airbag

is deactivated or activated.

! Conditions in which front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag is activated

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

will be activated for deployment upon

impact when any of the following condi-

tions is met regarding the front passen-

ger’s seat.

. When the seat is occupied by an adult.

. When a heavy article is placed on the

seat.

CAUTION

When the front passenger’s seat is

occupied by an adult, observe the

following precautions. Failure to do

so may lessen the load on the front

passenger’s seat, deactivating the

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

despite the fact that the seat is

occupied by an adult. This may

result in personal injury.

. Do not allow the rear seat occu-

pant to lift the front passenger’s

seat cushion using his/her feet.

. Do not place any article under the

fr ont passenger ’ s s eat, or

squeeze any article from behind

and under the seat. This may lift

the seat cushion.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-83

– CONTINUED –

1-84 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

. Do not squeeze any article be-

tween the front passenger’s seat

and side trim/pillar, door or cen-

ter console box. This may lift the

seat cushion.

! If the passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator illuminates and the ON

indicator turns off even when the

front passenger’s seat is occupied

by an adult

This can be caused by the adult incor-

rectly sitting in the front passenger’s seat.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Ask the front passenger to set the

seatback to the upright position, sit up

straight in the center of the seat cushion,

correctly fasten the seatbelt, position his/

her legs out forward, and adjust the seat to

the rearmost position.

3. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position.

If the OFF indicator remains illuminated

while the ON indicator remains off, take

the following actions.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Ensure that there is no article, book,

shoe, or other object trapped under the

seat, at the rear of the seat, or on the side

of the seat.

3. Ensure that the backward- forward

position and seatback of front passenger’s

seat are locked into place securely by

moving the seat back and forth. (Models

equipped with manual seats only)

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position and wait 6 seconds to allow the

system to complete self-checking. Follow-

ing the system check, both indicators turn

off for 2 seconds. Now, the ON indicator

should illuminate while the OFF indicator

remains off.

If the OFF indicator still remains illumi-

nated while the ON indicator remains off,

ask the occupant to move to the rear seat

and immediately contact your SUBARU

dealer for an inspection.

! Effect vehicle modifications made

for persons with disabilities may

have on SUBARU advanced frontal

airbag system operation (U.S. only)

Changing or moving any parts of the front

seats, seatbelts, front bumper, front side

frame, instrument panel, combination me-

ter, steering wheel, steering column, tire,

suspension or floor panel can affect the

operation of the SUBARU advanced air-

bag system. If you have any questions,

you may contact the following SUBARU

distributors:

<Continental U.S., Alaska and the District

of Columbia>

Subaru of America, Inc.

Customer Dealer Services Department

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000

1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)

Servco Subaru Inc., dba Subaru Hawaii

2850 Pukoloa Street, Suite 202, Honolulu,

HI 96819

808-839-2273

<Guam>

Shen’s Corporation dba Prestige Automo-

bile

491, East Marine Drive, Route 1 Dededo,

Guam

671-633-2698

Trebol Motors

P.O. Box 11204, San Juan, Puerto Rico

00910

787-793-2828

There are currently no SUBARU distribu-

tors in any other U.S. territories. If you are

in su ch an area, please contact the

SUBARU distributor or dealer from which

you bought your vehicle.

& System operation

CAUTION

Do not touch the SRS airbag system

components with bare hands right

after deployment. Doing so c an

cause burns because the compo-

nents can be very hot as a result of

deployment.

The SRS airbags can function only when

the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.

When the SRS airbag(s) deploy(s), a

sudden, fairly loud inflation noise will be

heard and some smoke will be released.

These occurrences are a normal result of

the deployment. This smoke does not

indicate a fire in the vehicle.

! SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

operation

1) Driver’s side

2) Passenger’s side

The SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system is designed to determine the

activation or deactivation condition of the

front p assenger’s SRS frontal airbag

depending on the total load on the front

passenger’s seat monitored by the front

passenger’s occupant detection system

weight sensor. For this reason, only the

driver’s SRS frontal airbag may deploy in

the event of a collision, but this does not

mean failure of the system.

If the front sub sensors inside both front

fenders and the impact sensors in the

airbag control module detect a predeter-

mined amount of force during a frontal

collision, the control module sends signals

to the airbag module(s) (only driver’s

module or both driver’s and front passen-

ger’s modules) instructing the module(s)

to inflate the SRS frontal airbag(s). The

driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbags use dual stage inflators. The two

inflators of each airbag are triggered either

sequentially or simultaneously, depending

on the severity of impact in the case of the

driver’s SRS frontal airbag and depending

on the severity of impact and the total load

on the seat in the case of the front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag.

After deployment, the SRS airbag imme-

diately starts to deflate so that the driver’s

vision is not obstructed and the driver’s

ability to maintain control of the vehicle is

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-85

– CONTINUED –

1-86 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

not impaired. The time required from

detecting impact to the deflation of the

SRS airbag after deployment is shorter

than the blink of an eye.

Both when only the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag deploys and the driver’s and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbags deploy,

the driver’s and front passenger’s seatbelt

pretensioners operate at the same time.

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag are de-

signed to deplo y in t he event of an

accident involving a moderate to severe

frontal collision. They are not designed to

de ploy in most lesser frontal impacts

because the necessary protection can be

achieved by the seatbelt alone. Also, they

are not designed to deploy in most side or

rear impacts or in most rollover accidents

because deployment of only the driver’s

SRS frontal airbag or both driver’s and

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbags

would not help the occupant in those

situations. The driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbags are designed to

function on a one-time-only basis.

SRS airbag deployment depends on the

level of force experienced in the passen-

ger 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.

! Examples of accident in which the

driver’s/driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag(s) will most

likely deploy

A head-on collision against a thick con-

crete wall at a vehicle speed of 12 to 19

mph (20 to 30 km/h) or higher activates

only the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both

driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbags. The airbag(s) will also be acti-

vated when the vehicle is exposed to a

f rontal impact sim ilar in fashion and

magnitude to the collision described

above.

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which it is possible that the

driver’s/driver’s and front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag(s) will de-

ploy

Only the driver ’s SRS frontal airbag or

both driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbags 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 impacted or

knocked hard against an obstacle on the

road such as a curb).

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-87

– CONTINUED –

1-88 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Examples of the types of accidents in which deployment of the driver’s/driver’s

and front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag(s) is unlikely to occur

1) The vehicle strikes an object, such as a

telephone pole or sign pole.

2) The vehicle slides under the load bed of

a truck.

3) The vehicle sustains an oblique offset

frontal impact.

4) The vehicle sustains an offset frontal

collision.

5) The vehicle strikes an object that can

move or deform, such as a parked

vehicle.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require deployment

of driver’s/driver’s and front passenger’s

SRS frontal airbag(s). In the event of

accidents like those illustrated, the dri-

ver’s/driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag(s) may not deploy depend-

ing on the level of accident forces in-

volved.

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which the driver’s/driver’s and

front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag(s) is not designed to deploy

in most cases

The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbags are designed not to deploy

in most cases if the vehicle is struck from

the side or from behind, or if it rolls onto its

side or roof, or if it is involved in a low-

speed frontal collision.

1) First impact

2) Second impact

I n an accident where the vehicl e is

impacted more than once, the driver’s

and/or front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag(s) will deploy only once on the first

impact.

Example: In the case of a double collision,

first with another vehicle, then against a

concrete wall in immediate succession,

once either or both of the driver’s and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbags is/are

activated on the first impact, it/they will not

be activated on the second impact.

WARNING

If the vehicle is dama ged in an

accident but the SRS frontal airbag

does not deploy, contact your

SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-

ble.

! SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag operation

The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

side airbags and SRS curtain airbags

deploy independently of each other be-

cause each has its own impact sensor.

Therefore, they may not both deploy in the

same accident. Also, the SRS side airbag

deploys independently of the driver’s and

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-89

– CONTINUED –

1-90 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbags in

the steering wheel and instrument panel.

An impact sensor, which senses impact

force, is located in each of the following

locations.

. In the left and right front doors

. In the left and right center pillars

. In the left and right rear wheel houses

. In the airbag control module

. In the left and right front fenders (only

SRS curtain airbags are designed to

deploy when the front sub sensors sense

a severe impact.)

For Outback models, a rollover sensor is

also locate d inside the airbag control

module.

If the impact sensor that is located in the

airbag control module and one of the

center pillar impact sensors or front door

impact sensors together sense an impact

force above a predetermined level in a

side collision, the control module causes

both the SRS side airbag and curtain

airbag on the impacted side to inflate

regardless of whether the rear wheel

house impact sensor on the same side

senses an impact.

If the impact sensor that is located in the

airbag control module and one of the rear

wheel house impa ct sensors together

sense an impact force above a predeter-

mined level in a side collision, the control

module c auses only the SRS curtain

airbag on the impacted side to inflate.

Even if a frontal collision occurs, both right

and left curtain airbags will deploy when

the front sensor and the cont rol unit

determine that the impact results from a

an offset frontal collision.

The curtain a irbags are designed to

deploy when the driver’s frontal airbag

deploys or the driver’s and passenger’s

frontal airbags deploy in a frontal collision,

and also when the system determines that

the collision is an offset frontal collision.

The curtain airbags are basically designed

not to deploy when the frontal airbags do

not deploy or the system determines that

the collision is other than an offset frontal

collision.

For Outback models, if the rollover sensor

detects rollover of the vehicle, the control

module inflates the SRS curtain airbags.

At this time, the driver’s and front passen-

ger ’s seatbelt pretensioners also operate

at the same time.

After the deployment, the SRS side airbag

immediately starts to deflate. The time

required from detection of an impact to

deflation of an SRS side airbag after

deployment is shorter than the blink of

an eye.

The SRS curtain airbag remains inflated

for a while following deployment then

slowly deflates.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag deploy even when no one occupies

the seat on the side on which an impact is

applied.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are designed to deploy in the event

of an accident involving a moderate to

severe side impact collision. They are

basica lly not designed to deploy i n a

lesser side impact.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag deployment depend on the level of

force experienced in the passenger com-

partment 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.

For Outback models, the SRS curtain

airbags are also designed to deploy when

the vehicle is in an extremely inclined

state such as during a rollover. They are

not designed to deploy in most lesser

inclined state.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are not designed to deploy in most

rear impacts because the SRS side airbag

and SRS curtain airbag deployment would

not help the occupant in those situations.

Each SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are designed to function on a one-

time-only basis.

! 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 airbag.

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which the SRS curtain airbag will

most likely deploy

Legacy models

1) A severe side impact near the front seat

or the rear seat.

2) An offset frontal collision that is severe

enough to deploy the front airbag.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

1-91

– CONTINUED –

1-92 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Outback models

1) The vehicle is involved in a severe side

impact near the front seat or the rear

seat.

2) The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

3) The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal or

the skidding vehicle’s tires hit a curb-

stone laterally.

4) An offset frontal collision that is severe

enough to deploy the front airbag.

! Examples of the types of accidents in which it is possible that the SRS side

airbag and the SRS curtain airbag will deploy (Outback)

1) Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard

surface

2) Falling into or jumping over a deep hole

3) Landing hard or vehicle falling

It is possible that the SRS side and curtain

airbags will deploy if a serious impact

occurs to the underside of your vehicle.

Some examples are shown in the illustra-

tion.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-93

– CONTINUED –

1-94 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side airbag is unlikely to

deploy

1) The vehicle is involved in an oblique

side-on impact.

2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

5) The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS side

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS side

airbag may not deploy depending on the

level of accident forces involved.

! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS curtain airbag is unlikely

to deploy

Legacy models

1) The vehicle is involved in an oblique

side-on impact.

2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

5) The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS curtain

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS

curtain airbag may not deploy depending

on the level of accident forces involved.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-95

– CONTINUED –

1-96 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Outback models

1) The vehicle is involved in an oblique

side-on impact.

2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS curtain

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS

curtain airbag may not deploy depending

on the level of accident forces involved.

! Examples of the types of accidents

in which the SRS side airbag and

SRS curtain airbag is not designed

to deploy in most cases

1) The vehicle is involved in frontal collision

with another vehicle (moving or station-

ary). (Only the SRS side airbag is

designed not to deploy in most cases)

2) The vehicle is struck from behind.

3) The vehicle pitches end over end.

In the event of accidents like those

illustrated, the SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag are not designed to deploy

in most cases.

1) First impact

2) Second impact

A) SRS curtain airbag

B) SRS side airbag

In an accident where the vehicle is struck

from the side more than once, the SRS

side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deploy

only once on the first impact.

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

and SRS curtain airbag are activated on

the first impact, they will not be activated

on the second.

& SRS airbag system monitors

SRS airbag system warning light (type A)

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

1-97

– CONTINUED –

1-98 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

SRS airbag system warning light (type B)

A diagnostic system continually monitors

the readiness of the SRS airbag system

(including front s eatbelt pretensioners)

while the vehicle is being driven. The

SRS airbag system warning light will show

normal system operation by illuminating

for approximately 6 seconds when the

ignitio n switch is tu rned to the “ON”

position.

The following components are monitored

by the indicator.

. Front sub sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Airbag control module (including im-

pact sensors [all models] and rollover

sensors [Outback])

. Frontal airbag module

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Center pillar impact sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Front door impact sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Side airbag module

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Rear wheel house impact sensor

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Curtain airbag module

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

. Seatbelt pretensioner

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Lap belt pretensioner

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

. Seatbelt buckle switch (front passen-

ger’s side)

. Front passenger’s occupant detection

system weight sensor

. Front passenger’s occupant detection

control module

. Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

and OFF indicator

. All related wiring

WARNING

If the warning light exhibits any of

the following conditions, there may

be a malfunction in the seatbelt

pretensioners and /or SRS airbag

system. Immediately take your vehi-

cle to your nearest SUBARU dealer

to have the system checked. Unless

checked and properly repaired, the

seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS

airbags will operate improperly (e.g.

SRS airbags may inflate in a very

minor collision or not inflate in a

severe collisi on), which may in -

crease the risk of injury.

. Flashing or flickering of the warn-

ing light

. No illumination of the warning

light when the ignition switch is

first turned to the “ON” position

. Continuous illumination of the

warning light

. Illumination of the warning light

while driving

& SRS airbag system servicing

WARNING

. When discarding an airbag mod-

ule or scrapping the entire vehi-

cle damaged by a collision, con-

sult your SUBARU dealer.

. 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 airb ag, consult your

nearest SUBARU dealer. Tamper-

ing wi th or disconnecting the

system’s wiring could result in

accidental inflation of the SRS

airbag or could make the system

inoperative, which may result in

serious injury.

CAUTION

If you need service or repair in areas

indicated in the following list, have

the work performed by an author-

ized SUBARU dealer. The SRS air-

bag control module, impact sensors

and airbag modules are stored in

these areas.

. Under the center console

. Inside each front fender

. Steering wheel and column and

nearby areas

. Top of the dashboard on front

p assenger’s side a nd nearby

areas

. Each front seat and nearby area

. Inside each center pillar

. Inside each front door

. In each roof side (from the front

pillar to a point over the rear seat)

. Between the rear seat cushion

and rear wheel house on each

side

. Under the rear center seat

In the event that the SRS airbag is

deployed, replacement of the system

should be performed only by an author-

ized SUBARU dealer. When the compo-

nents of the SRS airbag system are

replaced, use only genuine SUBARU

parts.

NOTE

In the following cases, contact your

SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

. The front part of the vehicle was

involved in an accident in which only

the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both

driver’s and front passeng er’s SRS

frontal airbags did not deploy.

. The pad of the steering wheel, the

cover over the front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag, or either roof side (from

the front pillar to a point over the rear

seat) is scratched, cracked, or other-

wise damaged.

. The center pillar, front door, rear

wheel house or rear sub frame, or an

area near these parts, was involved in

an accident in which the SRS side

airbag and SRS curtain airbag did not

deploy.

. The fabric or leather of either front

seatback is cut, frayed, or otherwise

damaged.

. The rear part of the vehicle was

involved in an accident.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-99

– CONTINUED –

1-100 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

& Precautions against vehicle

modification

WARNING

To avoid accidental activation of the

system o r 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 the following modifi-

cations.

. Installation of custom steering

wheels

. Attachment of additional trim

materials to the dashboard

. Installation of custom seats

. Re placement of seat fabric or

leather

. Installation of additional fabric or

leather on the front seat

. Attachment of a hands-free mi-

crophone or any other accessory

to a front pillar, a center pillar, a

rear pillar, the windshield, a side

window, an assist grip, or any

other cabin surface that would be

near a deploying SRS curtain

airbag

. Installation of additional electri-

cal/electronic equipment such as

a mobile two-way radio on or

near the SRS airbag system

components and/or wiring

. Modificati ons on or inside the

front door panels for the purpose

of a speaker replacement or

sound insulation

CAUTION

Do not perform any of the following

modifications. Such modifications

can interfere with proper operation

of the SRS airbag system.

. Attachment of any equipment

(bush bar, bullbar, winches, snow

plow, skid/sump plate, etc.) other

than genuine SUBARU a cces-

sory parts.

. Modification of the suspension

system or front end structure.

. Installation of a tire of different

size and construction from the

tires specified on the vehicle

placard attached to the driver’s

door pillar or specified for indivi-

dual vehicle models in this Own-

er’s Manual.

. Attachment of any equipment

(side steps or side sill protectors,

etc.) other than genuine SUBARU

accessory parts to the side body.

Always consult your SUBARU dealer if

you want to install any accessory parts on

your vehicle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags for Your Subaru Outback SUV Fourth Generation (2010-2014)

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