Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-40
strained at all times in a child restraint device or in a seatbelt, whichever is appropriate forthe 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 rearseating positions than in the front seatingpositions.For instructions and precautions concerningthe child restraint system, see the “Child re-
straint systems ” section in this chapter.
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. Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel
on the front passenger ’s seat, or never hold a
child on your lap or in your arms. The SRS air- bag deploys with considerable force and caninjure or even kill the child.CAUTION
When the SRS airbag deploys, some smoke
will be released. This smoke could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. If you oryour passengers have breathing problems af-
ter SRS airbag deploys, get fresh air promptly. A deploying SRS airbag releases hot gas.
Occupants could get burnt if they come into direct contact with the hot gas.
NOTE When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to ex- plain to the buyer that it is equipped with SRS
airbags by alerting him to the applicable sectionin this owner ’s manual.
Instruments and controls
3-20
Wiper and washer
WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use the windshield
washer until the windshield is sufficiently
warmed by the defroster.Otherwise the washer fluid can freeze on the
windshield, blocking your view.
CAUTION
Do not operate the washer continuously for
more than ten seconds, or when the washer
fluid tank is empty. This may cause overheat-
ing of the washer motor. Check the washer
fluid level frequently, such as at fuel stops. Do not operate the wipers when the wind-
shield or rear window is dry. This may scratchthe glass, damage the wiper blades and causethe wiper motor to burn out. Before operating
the wiper on a dry windshield or rear window,
always use the windshield washer. In freezing weather, be sure that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear window before switching on the wipers.Attempting to operate the wiper with the
blades frozen to the window glass could
cause not only the wiper blades to be dam-aged but also the wiper motor to burn out. Ifthe wiper blade is frozen to the window glass,
be sure to operate the defroster, windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) or rear window
defogger before turning on the wiper.
If the wipers stop during operation because
of ice or some other obstruction on the win-
dow, the wiper motor could burn out even if the wiper switch is turned off. If this occurs, promptly stop the vehicle in a safe place, turnthe ignition switch to the “LOCK” position and
clean the window glass to allow proper wiperoperation. Use clean water if windshield washer fluid is
unavailable. In areas where water freezes in
winter, use SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluidor the equivalent. (See the “Windshield wash-
er fluid ” section in chapter 11.)
Also, when driving the vehicle when there are
freezing temperatures, use non-freezing type wiper blades. Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline
or a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.