2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX airbag

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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WARNING
Do not attach accessories to the door trim or near either SRS side airbags and do not placeobjects near the SRS side airbags. In the
event of the SRS side airbag deployment, theycould be propelled dangerously toward the
vehicle’s occupants and cause injuries.
WARNING
Do not put any kind of cover or clothes or oth- er objects over either front seatback and donot attach labels or stickers to the front seat
surface on or near the SRS side airbag. Theycould prevent proper deployment of the SRS side airbag, reducing protection available to the front seat ’s occupant.

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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-

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sult of the deployment. This smoke does not indi-
cate a fire in the vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not touch the SRS side airbag system components around the front seatback with
bare hands right after deployment. Doing so
can cause burns because the componentscan be very hot as a result of deployment.
The SRS side airbag is designed to deploy in the
event of an accident involving a moderate to severe side impact collision. It is basically not designed to deploy in lesser side impact. Also, it is basically not
designed to deploy in frontal or rear impacts be-cause SRS side airbag deployment would not helpthe occupant in those situations.
Each SRS side airbag is designed to function on a
one-time-only basis.
SRS side airbag deployment depends on the level
of force experienced in the passenger compartment
during a side impact collision. That level differs from
one type of collision to another, and it may have no
bearing on the visible damage done to the vehicle itself. n
When will the SRS side airbag most likely deploy?
A severe side impact near the front seat activates the SRS side airbag.

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nWhen is the SRS side airbag unlikely to deploy?
1) The vehicle is involved in an
oblique side-on impact.
2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on impact in an area outside the vicin- ity of the passenger compartment.
3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or similar object.
4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on
impact from a motorcycle.
5) The vehicle rolls onto its side or
roof.

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There are many types of collisions which might not
necessarily require SRS side airbag deployment. Inthe event of accidents like those illustrated, the SRSside airbag may not deploy depending on the level
of accident forces involved.n
When will the SRS side airbag not deploy?
1) The vehicle is involved in a frontal collision with
another vehicle (moving or stationary).
2) The vehicle is struck from behind.

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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)

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Frontal airbag module (Passenger ’s side)
Side airbag sensor (Driver ’s side — if equipped)
Side airbag sensor (Passenger ’s side — if
equipped) Side airbag module (Driver ’s side — if equipped)
Side airbag module (Passenger ’s side — if
equipped) 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 SRS
airbags will not function reliably: 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.
SRS airbag system servicing
WARNING
When discarding an airbag module or scrap-
ping the entire car damaged by a collision,
consult your SUBARU dealer. The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable
parts. Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRS airbag system.For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see
your nearest SUBARU dealer. Tampering withor disconnecting the system ’s wiring could re-
sult in accidental inflation of the SRS airbag
or could make the system inoperative, which
may result in serious injury. The wiring har-
nesses of the SRS airbag system are coveredwith yellow insulation and system connectorsare yellow for easy identification.

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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.