2003 SUBARU LEGACY Owners Manual

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1-25
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HB1033BA
2. After confirming that the webbing is not twisted, insert the connec- tor (tongue) attached at the webbing end into the buckle on the right-
hand side until a click is heard. If the belt stops before reaching the
buckle, return the belt slightly and pull it out more slowly. If the belt
still cannot be unlocked, let the belt retract slightly after giving it a
strong pull, then pull it out slowly again.
HB1034BA
3. Insert the center seatbelt tongue plate in the center seatbelt buckle
marked “CENTER” on the left-hand side until it clicks. To make the lap
part tight, pull up on the shoulder belt. And place the lap belt as lowas possible on your hips, not on your waist.

1-26
HS1019BA
nUnfastening the seatbelt
HS0317
Push
Push the release button of the center seatbelt buckle (on the left-hand side) to unfasten the seatbelt. NOTE When the seatback is folded down for greater luggage space, it is
necessary to disconnect the connector. CAUTION
Do not allow the retractor to roll up the seatbelt too quickly.
Otherwise, the metal tongue plates may hit against the trim,resulting in damaged trim.

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Have the seatbelt fully rolled up so that the tongue plates are
neatly stored. A hanging tongue plate can swing and hit against the trim during driving, causing damage to the trim.
HB1037BA
HB1036BA
1. Insert a key or other hard pointed object into the slot in the con-
nector (buckle) on the right-hand side and push it in, and the connec-
tor (tongue) plate will disconnect from the buckle.
HB1048BA
HB1038CA
2. Allow the retractor to roll up the belt. You should hold the webbing
end and guide it back into the retractor while it is rolling up. Neatly
store the tongue plates in the recess in the retractor and then insert
the connector (tongue) plate into the slot located at the front of the
recess.

1-28NOTE When folding down the rear seat cushion, store the seatbelts in the seatbelt pocket to prevent them falling below the cushion.
HB1074BB

Seatbelt maintenance
CAUTION
Keep the belts free of polishes, oils, chemicals and particularly
battery acid. Never attempt to make modifications or changes that will pre-
vent the seatbelt from operating properly.
To clean the seatbelts, use a mild soap and lukewarm water. Never
bleach or dye the belts because this could seriously affect their strength. Inspect the seatbelts and attachments including the webbing and all
hardware periodically for cracks, cuts, gashes, tears, damage, loose
bolts or worn areas. Replace the seatbelts even if only minor damage isfound.

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Front seatbelt pretensioners
WARNING
To obtain maximum protection, occupants should sit in an up-
right position with their seatbelts properly fastened. Refer to
“Seatbelts” section in this chapter.
Do not modify, remove or strike the front seatbelt retractor as-
semblies or surrounding area. This could result in accidental ac-tivation of the seatbelt pretensioners or could make the system
inoperative, possibly resulting in serious injury. Seatbelt preten-sioners have no user-serviceable parts. For required servicing of
front seatbelt retractors equipped with seatbelt pretensioners,
see your nearest SUBARU dealer. When discarding front seatbelt retractor assemblies or scrap-
ping the entire car due to collision damage or for other reasons,
consult your SUBARU dealer.
HB0373
Seatbelt retractor assembly (Pretensioner)
The driver
’s and front passenger ’s seatbelts have a seatbelt preten-
sioner. The seatbelt pretensioners are designed to be activated in the
event of an accident involving a moderate to severe frontal collision.
The pretensioner sensor also serves as a SRS frontal airbag sensor. If
the sensor detects a certain predetermined amount of force during a
frontal collision, the front seatbelt is quickly drawn back in by the re-
tractor to take up the slack so that the belt more effectively restrains

1-30the front seat occupant.
When a seatbelt pretensioner is activated, an operating noise will be
heard and a small amount of smoke will be released. These occur-
rences are normal and not harmful. This smoke does not indicate a
fire in the vehicle.
Once the seatbelt pretensioner has been activated, the seatbelt re-
tractor remains locked. Consequently, the seatbelt can not be pulled
out and retracted and therefore must be replaced. NOTE
Seatbelt pretensioners are not designed to activate in minor
frontal impacts, in side or rear impacts or in roll-over accidents. The driver ’s seat and passenger ’s seat pretensioners and fron-
tal airbag operate simultaneously. Pretensioners are designed to function on a one-time-only ba-
sis. In the event that a pretensioner is activated, both the driver ’s
and front passenger ’s seatbelt retractor assemblies must be re-
placed and only by an authorized SUBARU dealer. When replac-
ing seatbelt retractor assemblies, use only genuine SUBARUparts. If either front seatbelt does not retract or cannot be pulled out
due to a malfunction or activation of the pretensioner, contactyour SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. If the front seatbelt retractor assembly or surrounding area
has been damaged, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as pos-sible. When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to explain to the buy-
er that it has seatbelt pretensioners by alerting him to the con-tents of this section.

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System monitors
HB4010EC
A diagnostic system continually monitors the readiness of the seatbelt
pretensioner while the vehicle is being driven. The seatbelt preten-
sioners share the control module with the airbag system. Therefore, if
any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt pretensioner, the SRS airbag sys-
tem warning light will illuminate. 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 indicator: 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 following, the vehicle
should be taken promptly to your nearest SUBARU dealer to have the
system checked. Unless checked and repaired, the seatbelt preten-
sioners and airbags will not function reliably: Flashing or flickering of the indicator light.
No illumination of the warning light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON” position.
Continuous illumination of the warning light.
Illumination of the warning light while driving.

1-32
System servicing
WARNING
When discarding a seatbelt retractor assembly or scrapping
the entire car damaged by a collision, consult your SUBARU deal-
er. Tampering with or disconnecting the system ’s wiring could re-
sult in accidental activation of the seatbelt pretensioner and/orairbag or could make the system inoperative, which may result in
serious injury. The wiring harnesses of the seatbelt pretensionerand SRS airbag systems are covered with yellow insulation andthe connectors of the system are yellow for easy identification.Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to theseatbelt pretensioner and airbag systems. For required servicing
of the seatbelt pretensioner, see your nearest SUBARU dealer.
CAUTION
The front sub sensors are located in both front fenders and theairbag control module including the impact sensors is locatedunder the center console. If you need service or repair in those
areas or near the front seatbelt retractors, we recommend thatyou have an authorized SUBARU dealer perform the work.
NOTE If the front part of the vehicle is damaged in an accident to the extent that the seatbelt pretensioner does not operate, contactyour SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.