2004 SUBARU OUTBACK steering

1-64
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
avoid injuries that can result when the SRS air-
bag contacts an occupant not in proper posi-
tion such as one thrown toward the front of the
car during pre-accident braking.
Do not put any objects over the steering wheel
pad and dashboard. If the SRS frontal airbag
deploys, those objects could interfere with its
proper operation and could be propelled inside
the vehicle and cause injury.
Do not attach accessories to the windshield, or
fit an extra-wide mirror over the rear view mir-
ror. If the SRS airbag deploys, those objects
could become projectiles that could seriously
injure vehicle occupants.
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1-66
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 aneye.
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.
When the SRS frontal airbags deploy, the driver’s and
front passenger’s seatbelt pretensioners operate at
the same time.
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 thevehicle.
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

1-74
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
T
Operation
A) SRS side airbag deploys as soon as a collision oc- curs.
B) After deployment, SRS side airbag starts to deflate im- mediately. The SRS side airbag can function only when the igni-
tion 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 deploys
independently of the frontal airbags in the steering
wheel and instrument panel.
An impact sensor is incorporated into each of the ve-
hicle’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, in-
structing it to inflate the SRS side airbag. Then the
side airbag module produces gas, which instantly in-
flates 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 occu-
pies the seat on the side of which an impact is applied.
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 result of
the deployment. This smoke does not indicate a fire in
A B
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1-80
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
y
Under the center console
y Inside each front fender
y Steering wheel and column and nearby areas
y Top of the dashboard on front passenger’s
side and nearby areas y Each front seat and nearby area (only for ve-
hicles with SRS side airbags)
y 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 af-
ter the date of manufacture, which is shown on the cer-
tification label attached to the driver’s door.
NOTE
In the following cases, contact your SUBARU deal-
er as soon as possible.y The front part of the vehicle was involved in an
accident in which the SRS frontal airbags did not
deploy.y 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 as
soon as possible in the following cases.y
Either center pillar or a nearby area of the vehi-
cle was involved in an accident in which the SRS
side airbag did not deploy.y The fabric or leather of either front seatback is
cut, frayed, or otherwise damaged. „ Precautions against vehicle modifica- tion
yTo avoid accidental activation of the system
or rendering the system inoperative, which may
result in serious injury, no modifications
should be made to any components or wiring of
the SRS airbag system.
This includes following modifications: yInstallation of custom steering wheels
y Attachment of additional trim materials to
the dashboard y Installation of custom seats (only for vehi-

3-2
Instruments and controls
For vehicles with manual heating and air conditioning systems .................................... 3-29
For vehicles with automatic climate control .. 3-29
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) ........ 3-30
Mirrors ........................................................... 3-31 Inside mirror ...................................................... 3-31
Auto-dimming mirror/compass (if equipped) 3-31
Outside mirrors ................................................. 3-33
Tilt steering wheel ........................................ 3-35
Horn ............................................................... 3-36

3-3
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
Instruments and controlsIgnition switch
Never turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” while
the vehicle is being driven or towed because
that will lock the steering wheel, preventing
steering control. And when the engine is turned
off, it takes a much greater effort than usual to
steer.
The ignition switch has four positions: LOCK, ACC,
ON and START.
NOTE y Keep the ignition switch in the “LOCK” position
when the engine is not running. y Using electrical accessories for a long time with
the ignition switch in the “ON” or “ACC” position
can cause the battery to go flat.
If the ignition switch will not move from the “LOCK” position to the “ACC” position, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left and right as youturn the ignition switch. y If the key is attached to a keyholder or to a large
bunch of other keys, centrifugal force may act on
it as the vehicle moves, resulting in unwanted
turning of the ignition switch. Also, if a large key-
holder is attached to the key, your knees or hands
may accidentally touch it in a way that turns the ig-
nition switch. „ LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed in this posi-
tion. The ignition switch will lock the steering wheel
when you remove the key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the right and left as you turn the key.
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Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
„ON
This is the normal operating position after the engine
is started. „ START
Do not turn the ignition switch to the “START”position while the engine is running.
The engine is started in this position. The starter
cranks the engine to start it. When the key is released
(after the engine has started), the key automatically
returns to the “ON” position. „ Key reminder chime
The reminder chime sounds when the driver’s door
opens and the key is in the “LOCK” or “ACC” positions.
The chime stops when the key is removed from the ig- nition switch. „ Ignition switch light
For easy access to the ignition switch in the dark, the
ignition switch light comes on when driver’s door is opened. The light remains on for 10 seconds and goes
out after driver’s door is closed or if the key is turned
to the “ON” position. „
Key interlock release (AT vehicles
only)
If the key can not be turned to the “LOCK” position
even when the selector lever is in the “P” position:
1. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bag.
2. Remove the cover under the steering column using
a phillips screwdriver.
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3-35
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
The indicator light located on the switch will come on
when the outside mirror defogger heater in operation.
To turn it off, push the switch again.Tilt steering wheel
Do not adjust the steering wheel tilt position
while driving. This may cause loss of vehicle
control and result in personal injury.
1. Adjust the seat position. Refer to the “Front seats”
section (chapter 1).
2. Pull the tilt lock lever down.
3. Move the steering wheel to the desired level.
4. Push the lever up to lock the steering wheel in
HS3043BA