2004 SUBARU IMPREZA ignition

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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that the center of the head restraint is closest to the top
of the occupant’s ears.
"Each active head restraint is effective only
when its height is properly adjusted and the
user sits in the correct position on the seat. " Each active head restraint is designed to
work only once. If your vehicle is involved in a
rear-end collision, have an authorized SUBARU
dealer inspect the active head restraints." The active head restraints may not operate in
the event the vehicle experiences only a slight
impact in the rear." The active head restraints may be damaged if
they are pushed hard from behind or subjected
to shock. As a result, they may not function if
the vehicle suffers a rear impact.
Seat heater (if equipped)
1) HI – Rapid heating
2) LO – Normal heating
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” posi-
tion on the switch, as desired, depending on the tem-
perature. Selecting the “HI” position will cause the seat
to heat up quicker.
The indicator located on the switch comes on when
the seat heater is in operation. When the vehicle’s in-
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!Automatic/Emergency Locking Retrac- tor (A/ELR)
Each passenger’s seatbelt has an Automatic/Emer-
gency Locking Retractor (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” intended to secure a child re-
straint system. When the seatbelt is once drawn out
completely and is then retracted even slightly, the re-
tractor locks the seatbelt in that position and the seat-
belt cannot be extended. As the belt is rewinding,
clicks will be heard which indicate the retractor func-
tions as an ALR. When the seatbelt is retracted fully,
the ALR mode is released.
When securing a child restraint system on the rear
seats by the use of the seatbelt, the seatbelt must be
changed over to the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.
When the child restraint system is removed, make
sure that the seatbelt retracts fully and the retractor re-
turned to the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
mode.
For instructions on how to convert the retractor to 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 warning de-
vice 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 the same time. ! Fastening the seatbelt
"Never use a belt that is twisted or reversed. In
an accident, this can increase the risk or sever-
ity 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 of
across 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 seatbacks
should be always used in the upright position
while the vehicle is running. If the front seat-

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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your SUBARU dealer.
! 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 illumi-
nate. The SRS airbag system warning light will show
normal system operation by lighting for about 6 sec-
onds when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi- tion.
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
" And all other airbag components
In the event of a malfunction indicated by any of follow-
ing, the vehicle should be taken promptly to your near-
est SUBARU dealer to have the system checked. Un-
less checked and repaired, the seatbelt pretensioners
and SRS airbag 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.
! System servicing
"When discarding a seatbelt retractor assem-
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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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 during
a frontal collision, the control module sends signals to
the frontal airbag modules instructing them to inflate
the SRS frontal airbags. Then both airbag modules
produce gas, which instantly inflates driver’s and pas-
senger’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 air-
bag 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 obscuring vi-
sion 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 fire in the vehicle.
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 compo-
nents can be very hot as a result of deployment.
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 necessary pro-
tection can be achieved by the seatbelt alone. Also, it
is basically not designed to deploy in side or rear im-
pacts or in roll-over accidents because deployment of
the SRS frontal airbag would not help the occupant in
those situations. The SRS airbag is designed to func-
tion on a one-time-only basis.
SRS airbag deployment depends on the level of force
experienced in the passenger compartment during a
collision. That level differs from one type of collision to
another, and it may have no bearing on the visible

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
The SRS side airbag is basically not designed to de-
ploy if the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision or is
struck from behind. Examples of such accidents are il-
lustrated.
1) First impact
2) Second impact
In an accident where the vehicle is struck from the side
more than once, the SRS side airbag deploys only
once.
Example: In the case of a double side impact collision,
first with one vehicle and immediately followed by an-
other from the same direction, once the SRS side air-
bag is activated on the first impact, it will not be acti- vated on the second. !
SRS airbag system monitors
A diagnostic system continually monitors the readi-
ness of the SRS airbag system while the vehicle is be-
ing driven. The SRS airbag system warning light “AIR-
BAG” 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)
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"Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
" Frontal airbag module (Driver’s side)
" 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 follow-
ing, the vehicle should be taken promptly to your near-
est SUBARU dealer to have the system checked. Un-
less 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 ignition
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
"When discarding an airbag module or scrap-
ping the entire car damaged by a collision, con-
sult 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 with
or 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 harnesses of
the SRS airbag system are covered with yellow
insulation and system connectors are yellow
for easy identification.
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.

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Keys and doors
Keys and doorsKeys
WRX-STi
1) Master key (1)
2) STi key (Master key (2))
3) Valet key
4) Key number plate Except WRX-STi
1) Master key
2) Submaster key
3) Valet key
4) Key number plate
Three types of keys are provided for your vehicle:
Master key, STi key/submaster key and valet key.
The master key and STi key/submaster key fit all locks
on your vehicle." Ignition switch
" Doors
" Trunk (sedan)
" Glove box
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The valet key fits only the ignition switch and driver’s
door lock. You can keep the trunk and glove box
locked when you leave your vehicle and valet key at a
parking facility.
Do not attach a large key holder or key case to
either key. If it banged against your knees while
you were driving, it could turn the ignition switch from the ON position to the ACC or OFF
position, thereby stopping the engine.
! Key number
The key number is stamped on the metal plate at-
tached 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 if you
lose your key or lock it inside the vehicle.
Door locks ! Locking and unlocking from the out-
side
To lock the door from the outside with the key, turn the
key toward the rear. To unlock the door, turn the key
toward the front.
Pull the outside door handle to open an unlocked door.
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