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

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 to 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 r etractor assemblies, use only

genuine SUBARU parts.

. If either front seatbelt does not

retract or cannot be pulled out due to

a malf unction or activation of the

pretensioner, contact your SUBARU

dealer as soon as possible.

. If the front seatbelt assembly 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

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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

coll ision 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

pretensioner, 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 assembly or scrapping

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 equipment on any

cir cuit related to the seatbelt

pretensioner 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

modifications. 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 specifi ed on the ve hicle

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.

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

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