2003 SUBARU BAJA Owners Manual

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1-9
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To avoid the possibility of serious injury or death, passengers
must never be allowed to sit on the rear center console while the
vehicle is in motion. The rear seat of this vehicle is designed forno more than two passengers and is equipped with only two seat-belts. Make sure that the rear seatback is securely locked. When it is
securely locked, the red marking on the lock is no longer visible.If it is not locked, the seatback may move forward when the ve-hicle is operated. Secure skis and other lengthy items properly to prevent them
from being thrown around inside the vehicle and causing serious
injury during a sudden stop, a sudden steering or a rapid accel-eration.
HB0302
Sit well back and upright.

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Rear headrest
HB1153AA
Rear headrest are hot adjustable, nor removable. Folding down the rear seat
WARNING
After returning the rear seat to its original position, be certain
to place all of the seatbelts and the tab attached to the seat cush- ion above the seat cushion. And make certain that the shoulderbelts are fully visible. Make sure that the rear seatback is securely locked after
returning the seatback to its original position. When securely
locked, the red marking on the lock is no longer visible. If it is not
locked securely, the rear seatback may fold down during driving.

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Folding down the seatback
HB1110BA
HB1109BB
1. Unlock the seatback by pulling the release knob up and then fold the seatback down. Folding down the seat cushion and seatback
1. Move the front seat forward.
2. Store the seatbelts in the seatbelt pockets to prevent them from fal-ling below the cushion.
HB1111BA
3. Raise the seat cushion by pulling up the tab.

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HB1112BAHB1109CA
4. Unlock the seatback by pulling the release knob up and fold the
seatback down. Confirm that the pin located at the bottom of the seat
cushion is inserted into the slot at the top of the seatback.
CAUTION
Be careful not to pinch your hand or fingers with the seat cushionor the seatback when performing the fold down operation.
HB1113BAHB1112CB
CAUTION
Confirm that the rear seatbelts are stored in the seatbelt pocket prior to returning the seat cushion to its original position.

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5. To return the rear seat to its original position, raise the seatback
and seat cushion until they lock into place and make sure that they
are securely locked.
Make sure that the rear seatbelt buckles are not under the seat cush-
ion or seatback, when returning the seat cushion and the seatback totheir original position.

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Seatbelts Seatbelt safety tips
WARNING
All persons in the vehicle should fasten their seatbelts BE-
FORE the vehicle starts to move. Otherwise, the possibility of se-
rious injury becomes greater in the event of a sudden stop or ac-cident. 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 an accident, serious injury or death could result. Replace all seatbelt assemblies including retractors and at-
taching hardware worn by occupants of a vehicle that has been ina serious accident. The entire assembly should be replaced evenif damage is not obvious. Put children aged 12 and under in the rear seat properly re-
strained at all times. The SRS airbag deploys with considerablespeed and force and can injure or even kill children, especially ifthey are 12 years of age and under and are not restrained or im-properly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater. Forthat reason, we strongly recommend that ALL children (includingthose in child seats and those that have outgrown child restraint
devices) sit in the REAR seat properly restrained at all times in achild restraint device or in a seatbelt, whichever is appropriate forthe child ’s height and weight.
Secure ALL types of child restraint devices (including forwardfacing 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 TOTHE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD ’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO
THE SRS AIRBAG.

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According to accident statistics, children are safer when properly restrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seatingpositions. For instructions and precautions concerning the childrestraint system, see the “Child restraint systems ” section in this
chapter.
Infants or small children
Use a child restraint system that is suitable for your vehicle. See in-
formation on “Child restraint systems ” in this chapter.
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 ac-
cident 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 possibleon 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 beused. Never place the shoulder belt under the child ’s arm or behind
the child ’s back.
Expectant mothers
HS1107AA

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Expectant mothers also need to use the seatbelts. They should con-
sult their doctor for specific recommendations. The lap belt should be
worn securely and as low as possible over the hips, not over thewaist.
Emergency Locking Retractor (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 Locking Retractor (A/ELR)
Each passenger ’s seatbelt has an Automatic/Emergency Locking Re-
tractor (A/ELR). The Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor normally
functions as an Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR). The A/ELR has an
additional locking mode “Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode ” in-
tended to secure a child restraint system. When the seatbelt is once
drawn out completely and is then retracted even slightly, the retractorlocks 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 ALR. When the seatbelt is retracted fully, ALR mode is re-leased.
When securing a child restraint system on the passengers ’ seats, the
seatbelt must be changed over to the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.
When the child restraint system is removed, make sure that the retractor
is restored to the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) function by allow-
ing the seatbelt to retract fully.
For instructions on how to convert the retractor to the ALR mode and re-
store it to the ELR mode, see the “Child restraint systems ” section in this
chapter. Seatbelt warning light and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt warning device at the driver ’s
seat.