2003 SUBARU IMPREZA ignition

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-6
WARNING
Never drive the vehicle with the head re-
straints removed because they are designedto reduce the risk of serious neck injury in the
event that the vehicle is struck from the rear.Seat heater (if equipped)
The seat heater operates when the ignition switch is
either in the
“ACC” or “ON” position.
To turn on the seat heater, push the “LO” or “HI”
position on the switch, as desired, depending on the
temperature. Selecting the “HI” position will cause
the seat to heat up quicker.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-15
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the ALR mode and restore 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 warningdevice at the driver ’s seat, as required by current
safety standards.
This device causes the seatbelt warning light on the
instrument panel to light up for about six seconds
when the ignition switch is turned to “ON” to remind
the driver to wear the seatbelt. If the driver ’s seatbelt
is not fastened, a warning chime sounds at thesame time. 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 as possible on your
hips. In a collision, this spreads the force of the lap belt over stronger hip bones instead ofacross the weaker abdomen.
Seatbelts provide maximum restraint 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 seatbacksshould be always used in the upright position
while the vehicle is running. If the front seat-
backs 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 abdo-men will increase, and both can result in seri-ous 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 slidingunder the lap belt and of the lap belt slidingup over the abdomen will increase, and bothcan result in serious internal injury or death.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-29
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System monitors
A diagnostic system continually monitors the readi-
ness of the seatbelt pretensioner while the vehicle is
being driven. The seatbelt pretensioners share the
control module with the SRS airbag system. There-
fore, if any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt preten-
sioner, the SRS airbag system warning light will illu-
minate. The SRS airbag system warning light will
show normal system operation by lighting for about
6 seconds when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position.
The following components are monitored by the indi- cator:
Front sub sensor (Right hand side)
Front sub sensor (Left hand side)
Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
Seatbelt pretensioner (driver ’s side)
Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger ’s side)
All related wiring
In the event of a malfunction indicated by any of fol-
lowing, the vehicle should be taken promptly to your
nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system
checked. Unless checked and repaired, the seatbelt
pretensioners and SRS airbag will not function reli- ably: Flashing or flickering of the indicator light.
No illumination of the warning light when the igni-
tion switch is first turned to the “ON” position.
Continuous illumination of the warning light.
Illumination of the warning light while driving.
System servicing
WARNING
When discarding a seatbelt retractor assem-
bly or scrapping the entire car damaged by a
collision, consult your SUBARU dealer. Tampering with or disconnecting the sys-
tem’ s wiring could result in accidental activa-

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-51
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The SRS airbag can function only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
If the front sub sensors inside the both front fenders
and the impact sensors in the airbag control module
detect a certain predetermined amount of force dur-
ing a frontal collision, the control module sends sig-
nals to the frontal airbag modules instructing them to
inflate the SRS frontal airbags. Then both airbag
modules produce gas, which instantly inflates driv-er’ s and passenger ’s SRS frontal airbags. After the
deployment, the SRS airbags immediately start to
deflate so that the driver ’s vision is not obstructed.
The time required from detecting impact to the
deflation of the SRS airbag after deployment is
shorter than the blink of an eye.
The front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag deploys to-
gether with driver ’s SRS frontal airbag even when no
one occupies the front passenger ’s seat.
Although it is highly unlikely that the SRS airbag would activate in a non-accident situation, should it
occur, the SRS airbag will deflate quickly, not ob-
scuring vision and will not interfere with the driver ’s
ability to maintain control of the vehicle.
When the SRS airbag deploys, a sudden, fairly loud
inflation noise will be heard and some smoke will be released. These occurrences are normal result of
the deployment. This smoke does not indicate a firein the vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not touch the SRS airbag system compo-
nents around the steering wheel and dash- board with bare hands right after deployment.
Doing so can cause burns because the com-ponents can be very hot as a result of deploy-ment.
The SRS frontal airbag is designed to deploy in the
event of an accident involving a moderate to severe
frontal collision. It is basically not designed to
deploy in lesser frontal impacts because the neces-
sary protection can be achieved by the seatbelt
alone. Also, it is basically not designed to deploy in
side or rear impacts or in roll-over accidents be-
cause deployment of the SRS frontal airbag wouldnot help the occupant in those situations. The SRS
airbag is designed to function on a one-time-onlybasis.
SRS airbag deployment depends on the level of
force experienced in the passenger compartment
during a collision. That level differs from one type of

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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Operation
A) SRS side airbag deploys as soon as a collision
occurs.
B) After deployment, SRS side airbag starts to deflate immediately. The SRS side airbag can function only when the
ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
The driver ’s and front passenger ’s SRS side airbags
deploy independently of each other since each has
its own impact sensor. Also, the SRS side airbag de-
ploys independently of the frontal airbags in the steering wheel and instrument panel.
An impact sensor is incorporated into each of the
vehicle’ s center pillars. If either sensor detects a
certain predetermined amount of force during a side
impact collision, the control module sends a signal to the side airbag module on the impacted side of the vehicle, instructing it to inflate the SRS side air-
bag. Then the side airbag module produces gas,which instantly inflates the SRS side airbag. After
the deployment, the SRS side airbag immediately
starts to deflate. The time required from detecting
impact to the deflation of the SRS side airbag after
deployment is shorter than the blink of an eye.
The SRS side airbag deploys even when no one oc- cupies the seat on the side on which an impact isapplied.
When the SRS side airbag deploys, a sudden, fairly
loud inflation noise will be heard and some smoke
will be released. These occurrences are normal re-

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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The SRS side airbag is basically not designed to
deploy if the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision
or is struck from behind. Examples of such acci-
dents are illustrated.
1) First impact 2) Second impact
In an accident where the vehicle is struck from the
side more than once, the SRS side airbag deploysonly once.
Example: In the case of a double side impact colli- sion, first with one vehicle and immediately followed
by another from the same direction, once the SRSside airbag is activated on the first impact, it will notbe activated on the second.
SRS airbag system monitors
A diagnostic system continually monitors the readi- ness of the SRS airbag system while the vehicle is
being driven. The SRS airbag system warning light
“AIRBAG” will show normal system operation by
lighting for about 6 seconds when the ignition key is
turned to the “ON” position.
The following components are monitored by the indi-cator: Front sub sensor (Right hand side)
Front sub sensor (Left hand side)
Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
Frontal airbag module (Driver ’s side)

Keys and doors
2-2
Keys
1) Master key
2) Submaster key3) Valet key
4) Key number plate
Three types of keys are provided for your vehicle:
Master key, submaster key and valet key. The master key and submaster key fit all locks on your vehicle. Ignition switch
Doors
Trunk (sedan) or Rear gate (wagon)
Glove box The valet key fits only the ignition switch and driver
’s
door lock. You can keep the trunk and glove boxlocked when you leave your vehicle and valet key at
a parking facility.
Key number
The key number is stamped on the metal plate
attached to the key set. Write down the key number and keep it in another safe place, not in the vehicle.
This number is needed to make a replacement key ifyou lose your key or lock it inside the vehicle.

Keys and doors
2-6
Remote keyless entry system (if equipped)
Two transmitters are provided for your vehicle.
The remote keyless entry system has the following functions.Locking and unlocking the doors (and rear gate
on the wagon) without a key Sounding a panic alarm
Arming and disarming the security system (if your
vehicle is equipped with an optional security sys-tem). See the next section “Security system (if
equipped)” for detailed information.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not causeharmful interference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, includinginterference that may cause undesired opera-tion.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for com-
pliance could void the user ’s authority to
operate the equipment. The operable distance of the keyless entry system is
approximately 30 feet (10 meters). However, this
distance will vary depending on environmental
conditions. Range may be reduced near sources of
RF interference such as power plants and radio/tele-
vision broadcasting towers.
The remote keyless entry system does not operate
when the key is inserted in the ignition switch to pre-vent accidental lockout.
CAUTION

Do not expose the transmitter to severe
shocks, such as those experienced as a result of dropping or throwing. Do not take the transmitter apart except
when replacing the battery. Do not get the transmitter wet. If it gets wet,
wipe it dry with a cloth immediately.