2003 SUBARU IMPREZA dashboard

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-46
SRS frontal airbag
The driver ’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed in the cen-
ter portion of the steering wheel. The passenger ’s
SRS frontal airbag is stowed near the top of the
dashboard under an “SRS AIRBAG ” mark.
In a moderate to severe frontal collision, the driver ’s
and front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbags deploy
and supplement the seatbelts by reducing the im- pact on the driver ’s and front passenger ’s head and
chest.
WARNING
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.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-48
WARNING
The SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed and force. Occupants who are out ofproper position when the SRS airbag deploys
could suffer very serious injuries. Becausethe SRS airbag needs enough space for de- ployment, the driver should always sit upright and well back in the seat as far from the steer-ing wheel as practical while still maintainingfull vehicle control and the front passengershould move the seat as far back as possibleand sit upright and well back in the seat.It is also important to wear your seatbelt to
help avoid injuries that can result when theSRS airbag contacts an occupant not in prop-er position such as one thrown toward thefront of the car during pre-accident braking.
WARNING
Do not put any objects over the steering wheel pad and dashboard. If the SRS frontal
airbag deploys, those objects could interferewith its proper operation and could be pro-
pelled inside the vehicle and cause injury.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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– CONTINUED –
CAUTION
If you need service or repair in areas listed be-
low, we recommend that you have an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer perform the work. The
SRS airbag 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 passenger ’s
side and nearby areas Each front seat and nearby area (only for ve-
hicles with SRS side airbags) Inside each center pillar
In the event that the SRS airbag is deployed, re-
placement of the system should be performed
only by an authorized SUBARU dealer. When the
components of the SRS airbag system are re-
placed, use only genuine SUBARU parts.
To ensure their long-term reliability, the SRS airbags must be inspected by a SUBARU dealer ten years
after the date of manufacture, which is shown on the
certification plate attached to the driver ’s door jamb. 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 the SRS frontal airbags did not
deploy. The pad section of the steering wheel or front
passenger’ s frontal airbag cover is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged. In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with SRS side airbags, contact your SUBARU dealer assoon as possible in the following cases. Either center pillar or a nearby area of the ve-
hicle was involved in an accident in which the
SRS side airbag did not deploy. The fabric or leather of either front seatback is
cut, frayed, or otherwise damaged.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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Precautions against vehicle modifica- tion
WARNING
To avoid accidental activation of the system
or rendering the system inoperative, which
may result in serious injury, no modifications should be made to any components or wiring of the SRS airbag system.This includes following modifications: Installation of custom steering wheels
Attachment of additional trim materials to
the dashboard Installation of custom seats (for vehicles
with SRS side airbags only) Replacement of seat fabric or leather (for
vehicles with SRS side airbags only) Installation of additional fabric or leather
on the front seat (for vehicles with SRS side airbags only)
Installation of additional electrical/electronic
equipment such as a mobile two-way radio on or near the SRS airbag system componentsand/or wiring is not advisable. This could in-
terfere with proper operation of the SRS air- bag system.
CAUTION
Do not perform any of the following modifica- tions. Such modifications can interfere with proper operation of the SRS airbag system. Attachment of any equipment (brush bar,
winches, snow plow, skid plate, etc.) otherthan SUBARU genuine accessory parts to thefront end. Modification of the suspension system or
front end structure. Installation of a tire of different size and
construction from the tires specified on thetire placard attached to the driver ’s door jamb.
Attachment of any equipment (side steps or
side sill protectors, etc.) other than SUBARU genuine accessory parts to the side body (for
vehicles with side airbags only).
Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you want to
install any accessory parts to your vehicle.