
1-35
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
your SUBARU dealer.
! System monitors
SRS airbag system warning light
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 airbag system. Therefore, if
any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt pretensioner, the
SRS airbag system warning light will illuminate. The
SRS airbag system warning light will show normal sys-
tem operation by lighting for about 7 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)
" Frontal airbag module (Front passenger’s side)
" Side airbag sensor (Center pillar right hand side)
" Side airbag sensor (Center pillar left hand side)
" Side airbag module (Driver’s side)
" Side airbag module (Front passenger’s side)
" Side airbag sensor (Rear wheel house right hand
side) " Side airbag sensor (Rear wheel house left hand
side)" Curtain airbag module (Right side)
" Curtain airbag module (Left side)
" Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)
" Seatbelt pretensioner (Front passenger’s side)
" Seatbelt buckle switch (Driver’s side)
" Seatbelt buckle switch (Front passenger’s side)
" Driver’s seat position sensor
" Front passenger’s occupant detection system
weight sensor" Front passenger’s occupant detection control mod-
ule
UB7507JA

1-36
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
"
Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indi-
cator " All related wiring
If the warning light exhibits any of the following
conditions, there may be a malfunction in the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS airbag sys-
tem. Immediately take your vehicle to your
nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system
checked. Unless checked and properly re-
paired, the seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbags will operate improperly (e.g. SRS air-
bags may inflate in a very minor collision or not
inflate in a severe collision), which may in-
crease the risk of injury. "Flashing or flickering of the indicator light
" No illumination of the warning light when the
ignition switch is first turned to the “ON” posi- tion " Continuous illumination of the warning light
"Illumination of the warning light while driving !
System servicing
"When discarding a seatbelt retractor assem-
bly or scrapping the entire vehicle damaged by
a collision, consult your SUBARU dealer. " Tampering with or disconnecting the sys-
tem’s wiring could result in accidental activa-
tion of the seatbelt pretensioner and/or airbag
or could make the system inoperative, which
may result in serious injury. The wiring har-
nesses of the seatbelt pretensioner and SRS
airbag systems are covered with yellow insula-
tion and the connectors of the system are yel-
low for easy identification. Do not use electrical
test equipment on any circuit related to the
seatbelt pretensioner and airbag systems. For
required servicing of the seatbelt pretensioner,
see your nearest SUBARU dealer.
The front sub sensors are located in both front
fenders and the airbag control module includ-
ing the impact sensors is located under the
center console. If you need service or repair in

1-40
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
!
Where to place a child restraint system
The following are SUBARU’s recommendations on
where to place a child restraint system in your vehicle.
A: Front passenger’s seat
You should not install a child restraint system due to
the hazard to children posed by the passenger’s air-
bag.
B: Rear seat, window-side seating positions
Recommended positions for all types of child restraint
systems.
In these positions, Automatic/Emergency Locking Re-
tractor (A/ELR) seatbelts and lower anchorages (bars)
are provided for installing a child restraint system. C: Rear seat, center seating position
Installing a child restraint system is not recommended,
although the A/ELR seatbelt is provided in this posi- tion.
Some types of child restraints might not be able to be
secured firmly due to projection of the seat cushion.
In this seating position, you should use only a child re-
straint system that has a bottom base that fits snugly
against the contours of the seat cushion and can be
securely retained using the seatbelt.
"
Put children aged 12 and under in the rear
seat properly restrained at all times. The SRS
airbag deploys with considerable speed and
force and can injure or even kill children, espe-
cially if they are 12 years of age and under and
are not restrained or improperly restrained. Be-
cause children are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured from deploy-
ment is greater.
For that reason, be sure to secure ALL types of
child restraint devices (including forward fac-
ing child seats) in the REAR seats at all times.
You should choose a restraint device which is
appropriate for the child’s age, height and
weight. According to accident statistics, chil-
UG1530BA

1-61
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
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 vehicle and cause
injury.
"Put children aged 12 and under in the rear
seat properly restrained at all times. The SRS
airbag deploys with considerable speed and
force and can injure or even kill children, espe-
cially if they are 12 years of age and under and are not restrained or improperly restrained. Be-
cause children are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured from deploy-
ment is greater.
For that reason, we strongly recommend that
ALL children (including those in child seats and
those that have outgrown child restraint devic-
es) sit in the REAR seat properly restrained at
all times in a child restraint device or in a seat-
belt, whichever is appropriate for the child’s
age, height and weight.
Secure ALL types of child restraint devices (in-
cluding forward facing child seats) in the REAR
seats at all times.
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rear seat-
ing positions than in the front seating posi-tions.
For instructions and precautions concerning
the child restraint system, see the “Child re-
straint systems” section in this chapter. "
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING
CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO
RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE
CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S HEAD TOO
CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG." Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on
HS1034BA

1-63
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
!Components
Sedan
1
2
3
4
5
6 18
19 23
22
8
11
132017
20 12
107
921
20 20
14
16
15
UB1219BB
1) Airbag control module (including im-pact sensors)
2) Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)
3) Frontal airbag module (front pas- senger’s side)
4) Front sub sensor (left hand side)
5) Front sub sensor (right hand side)
6) Side airbag module (driver’s side)
7) Side airbag module (front passen- ger’s side)
8) Side airbag sensor (center pillar left
hand side)
9) Side airbag sensor (center pillar right hand side)
10) Airbag wiring (yellow)
11) Seatbelt pretensioner (driver’s side)
12) Seatbelt pretensioner (front passen- ger’s side)
13) Side airbag sensor (rear wheel house right hand side)
14) Side airbag sensor (rear wheel house left hand side)
15) Curtain airbag module (right side)
16) Curtain airbag module (left side)
17) Seatbelt buckle switch (driver’s side)
18) Seatbelt buckle switch (front pas- senger’s side)
19) Driver’s seat position sensor
20) Front passenger’s occupant detec- tion system weight sensor
21) Front passenger’s occupant detec-
tion control module
22) Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicator
23) SRS airbag system warning light

1-64
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Station wagon
1
2
3
4
5
20
20
21
9
7
10
12
20
17
20
13
6
18
19 23
22
8
11
14
15
16
UB1218BB
1) Airbag control module (including im-
pact sensors)
2) Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)
3) Frontal airbag module (front pas- senger’s side)
4) Front sub sensor (left hand side)
5) Front sub sensor (right hand side)
6) Side airbag module (driver’s side)
7) Side airbag module (front passen- ger’s side)
8) Side airbag sensor (center pillar left
hand side)
9) Side airbag sensor (center pillar right hand side)
10) Airbag wiring (yellow)
11) Seatbelt pretensioner (driver’s side)
12) Seatbelt pretensioner (front passen- ger’s side)
13) Side airbag sensor (rear wheel house right hand side)
14) Side airbag sensor (rear wheel house left hand side)
15) Curtain airbag module (right side)
16) Curtain airbag module (left side)
17) Seatbelt buckle switch (driver’s side)
18) Seatbelt buckle switch (front pas- senger’s side)
19) Driver’s seat position sensor
20) Front passenger’s occupant detec- tion system weight sensor
21) Front passenger’s occupant detec-
tion control module
22) Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicator
23) SRS airbag system warning light

1-68
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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.
! Driver’s SRS frontal airbag
The driver’s SRS frontal airbag uses a dual stage in-
flator. The inflator operates in different ways depend-
ing on the severity of impact, backward-forward ad-
justment of the driver’s seat position and whether or not he/she is wearing the seatbelt.
The backward-forward adjustment of the driver’s seat
position is monitored by the driver’s seat position sen-
sor under the driver’s seat.
Whether or not the driver is wearing the seatbelt is
monitored by the seatbelt buckle switch.
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so
may cause the seatbelt buckle switch and/or the seat
position sensor to malfunction, preventing the Subaru
advanced frontal airbag system from functioning cor-
rectly or causing the system to fail."
Do not place articles/metal objects or install any ac-
cessory other than a genuine SUBARU accessory un-
der the driver’s seat. Do not allow the rear seat occu-
pant to kick the driver’s seat or push up its bottom sur-
face with his/her feet. " Do not place a magnet near the seatbelt buckle or
under the driver’s seat.
If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or the driver’s seat
position sensor have failed, the SRS airbag system
warning light will illuminate. Although the driver’s SRS
frontal airbag can deploy regardless of the backward-
forward adjustment of the driver’s seat position even
when the warning light is on, have the system inspect-
ed by your SUBARU dealer immediately if the SRS
airbag system warning light comes on.
UB1586BA

1-69
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
NOTE
The driver’s SRS side airbag, SRS curtain airbag
and seatbelt pretensioner are not controlled by the
Subaru advanced frontal airbag system. !Front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag uses a dual
stage inflator. The inflator operates in different ways
depending on the severity of impact and the total load
on the seat.
The total load on the seat is monitored by the passen-
ger’s occupant detection system weight sensor under
the seat.
The detection system monitors the total load on the
seat and, based on this, determines as to whether or
not the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag should be
activated.
Depending on the weight sensor output, only the driv-
er’s SRS frontal airbag may deploy. This is normal.
Observe the following precautions. Failure to do so
may prevent the Subaru advanced frontal airbag sys-
tem from functioning correctly or cause the system to fail." Do not apply any strong impact to the front passen-
ger’s seat such as by kicking." Do not spill liquid on the front passenger’s seat. If
liquid is spilt, wipe it off immediately. "
Do not remove or disassemble the front passen-
ger’s seat." Do not install any accessory (such as an audio am-
plifier) other than a genuine SUBARU accessory un-
der the front passenger’s seat." Do not place anything (shoes, umbrella, etc.) under
the front passenger’s seat." The front passenger’s seat must not be used with
the head restraint removed. " Do not leave any article including a child restraint
system on the front passenger’s seat or the seatbelt
tongue and buckle engaged when you leave your ve-
hicle. " Do not place a magnet near the seatbelt buckle.
" Do not use front seats with their backward-forward
position and seatback not being locked into place se-
curely. If any of them are not locked securely, adjust
them again. For adjusting procedure, refer to the
“Manual seat” in the front seats section in Chapter 1 in
this owner’s manual. (Models equipped with manualseats only)
If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or passenger’s occu-
pant detection system weight sensor have failed, the
SRS airbag system warning light will illuminate. Have
the system inspected by your SUBARU dealer imme-
diately if the SRS airbag system warning light comeson.