2003 SUBARU OUTBACK chapter 9

1-18Expectant 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.

1
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1-29
–
CONTINUED –
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

1-44Not wearing a seatbelt increases the chance of severe injury or death in a crash even when the car has the SRS airbag.
For instructions and precautions concerning the seatbelt system,see the
“Seatbelts” sections in this chapter.
Do not sit or lean unnecessarily close to the SRS airbag. Be-
cause the SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed – faster
than the blink of an eye – and force to protect in high speed colli-
sions, the force of an airbag can injure an occupant whose bodyis too close to SRS airbag. It is also important to wear your seatbelt to help avoid injuriesthat can result when the SRS airbag contacts an occupant not inproper position such as one thrown forward during pre-accidentbraking.Even when properly positioned, there remains a possibility thatan occupant may suffer minor injury such as abrasions andbruises to the face or arms because of the SRS airbag deploy-ment force. The SRS airbags deploy with considerable speed and force.
Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag
deploys could suffer very serious injuries. Because the SRS air-bag needs enough space for deployment, the driver should al-ways sit upright and well back in the seat as far from the steeringwheel as practical while still maintaining full vehicle control and
the front passenger should move the seat as far back as possibleand sit upright and well back in the seat. Do not place any objects over or near the SRS airbag cover or
between you and the SRS airbag. If the SRS airbag deploys,those objects could interfere with its proper operation and could
be propelled inside the car and cause injury. 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.
For that reason, we strongly recommend that ALL children

1
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1-45
–
CONTINUED –
(including those in child seats and those that have outgrown child restraint devices) sit in the REAR seat properly restrained atall times in a child restraint device or in a seatbelt, whichever isappropriate for the child
’s age, height and weight.
Secure ALL types of child restraint devices (including forwardfacing child seats) in the REAR seats at all times.According to accident statistics, children are safer when properlyrestrained in the rear seating positions than in the front seatingpositions.For instructions and precautions concerning the child restraint
system, see the “Child restraint systems ” section in this chapter.
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. Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the front pas-
senger’ s seat, or never hold a child on your lap or in your arms.
The SRS airbag deploys with considerable force and can injure oreven kill the child.
HB0291
Put children in the REAR seat prop- erly restrained at all times.

1-46CAUTION
When the SRS airbag deploys, some smoke will be released.
This smoke could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. If you or your pas-
sengers have breathing problems after SRS airbag deploys, get
fresh air promptly. A deploying SRS airbag releases hot gas. Occupants could get
burnt if they come into direct contact with the hot gas.
Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental restraint system in addition
to a lap/shoulder belt at each front seating position.
The supplemental restraint system (SRS) consists of two airbags (driver ’s
and front passenger ’s frontal airbags) or four airbags (driver ’s and front
passenger’ s frontal airbags and driver ’s and front passenger ’s side air-
bags).These SRS airbags are designed only as a supplement to the prima-ry protection provided by the seatbelt.
The system also controls front seatbelt pretensioners. For operation,
instructions are precautions concerning the seatbelt pretensioner, seethe “Front seatbelt pretensioner ” section in this chapter.
NOTE When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to explain to the buyer that
it is equipped with SRS airbags by alerting him to the applicablesection in this owner ’s manual.

2
Keys and doors2-29
–
CONTINUED –
Rear gate (Station wagon)
WARNING
To prevent dangerous exhaust gas from entering the vehicle, always keep the rear gate closed while driving.
CAUTION
Do not jam a plastic bag in or place cellophane tape on the reargate stays or scratch the stays while loading or unloading cargo.That could cause leakage of gas from the stays, which may resultin their inability to hold the rear gate open.
HB2022BB
To unlock the rear gate, insert the key in the keyhole and turn it clock-
wise. To lock the rear gate, insert the key in the keyhole and turn it coun-
terclockwise. If your vehicle is equipped with power door locking
switches, the rear gate can also be locked and unlocked through use ofthe power door locking switches. Refer to “Power door locking switches ”
section in this chapter.
To open the rear gate, first unlock the rear gate lock then pull the outside
handle up. To close the rear gate, lower it slowly and push down firmly
until the latch engages.

2
Keys and doors2-31
–
CONTINUED –
HB2034BB
To raise or lower the moonroof
The tilting function will only operate when the moonroof is fully closed.
Push the rear side of the “Tilt” switch to raise the moonroof.
Push the front side of the “Tilt” switch to lower the moonroof.
Release the switch after the moonroof has been raised or has been
lowered completely. Pushing the switch continuously may cause dam-
age to the moonroof. To open or close the moonroof
Push the “Open/Close” switch rearward to open the moonroof. The
sun shade will be also opened together with the moonroof. Push the “Open/Close” switch forward to close the moonroof. The
moonroof will stop halfway if you continue to press on the switch.
Release the switch once and push it again to close the moonroof
completely.
After washing the vehicle or after it rains, wipe away water on the roof
prior to opening the moonroof to prevent water drops from falling into
the passenger compartment.
NOTE If the moonroof cannot be closed through the switch operation
because of system failure, it can be closed manually using a hex-headed wrench. For the procedure, refer to “Moonroof — if the
moonroof cannot be closed ” in Chapter 9 “In case of emer-

2-34
NOTE
Driving with the moonroof fully open can cause a great deal of
wind noise. If such a condition has been encountered, close the
moonroof up to the initial stop position of 7.9 in (20 cm), and thewind noise should diminish. If the moonroof cannot be closed through switch operation
because of system failure, it can be closed manually using a hex-headed wrench. For the procedure, refer to “Moonroof — if the
moonroof cannot be closed ” in Chapter 9 “In case of emergency ”.
Sun shades
OM-H2355
nFront sun shade
The front sun shade can be slid forward or backward by hand regard-
less of the moonroof position. n Rear sun shade
The rear sun shade can be slid forward or backward by hand while
the rear moonroof is closed. If the rear moonroof is opened, the sunshade also moves back.