2006 SUBARU IMPREZA steering wheel

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-53
– CONTINUED –
Operation
1) SRS side airbag deploys as soon as a
collision occurs.
2) SRS side airbag protects the front pas- senger ’s head and chest.
3) After deployment, SRS side airbag starts to deflate immediately.
The SRS side airbag can function only
when the ignition switch is in the “ON ” po-
sition.
The driver ’s and front passenger ’s SRS
side airbags deploy independently of each
other since each has its own impact sen-
sor. Also, the SRS side airbag deploys in-
dependently of the frontal airbags in the
steering wheel and instrument panel.
An impact sensor is incorporated into
each of the vehicle ’s center pillars. If ei-
ther sensor detects a certain predeter-
mined amount of force during a side im-
pact collision, the control module sends a
signal to the side airbag module on the im-
pacted side of the vehicle, instructing it to
inflate the SRS side airbag. Then the side
airbag module produces gas, which in-
stantly inflates the SRS side airbag. After
deployment, the SRS side airbag will de-
flate in a few seconds.
The SRS side airbag deploys even when
no one occupies the seat on the side on
which an impact is applied.
When the SRS side airbag deploys, a sud-
den, fairly loud inflation noise will be heard
and some smoke will be released. These
occurrences are normal result of the de-
ployment. This smoke does not indicate a
fire in the vehicle.
Do not put any kind of cover or
clothes or other objects over either
front seatback and do not attach la-
bels or stickers to the front seat sur-
face on or near the SRS side airbag.
They could prevent proper deploy-
ment of the SRS side airbag, reduc-
ing protection available to the front
seat ’s occupant.
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1-58 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
In the event that the SRS airbag is de-
ployed, replacement of the system
should be performed only by an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer. When the com-
ponents of the SRS airbag system are
replaced, use only genuine SUBARU
parts.
To ensure their long-term reliability, the
SRS airbags must be inspected by a
SUBARU dealer ten years after the date
of manufacture, which is shown on the
certification plate attached to the driver ’s door jamb.
NOTE
In the following cases, contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
The front part of the vehicle was in-
volved in an accident in which only the
driver ’s SRS frontal airbag or both driv-
er ’s and front passenger ’s SRS frontal
airbags did not deploy.
The pad section of the steering
wheel or front passenger ’s frontal air-
bag 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.
Either center pillar or a nearby area
of the vehicle was involved in an acci-
dent in which the SRS side airbag did
not deploy.
The fabric or leather of either front
seatback is cut, frayed, or otherwise
damaged.
Precautions against vehicle
modification
If you need service or repair in areas
listed in the following, have an au-
thorized SUBARU dealer perform
the work. The SRS airbag control
module, impact sensors and airbag
modules are stored in these areas.
Under the center console
Inside each front fender
Steering wheel and column and
nearby areas
Top of the dashboard on front
passenger ’s side and nearby ar-
eas
Each front seat and nearby area
Inside each center pillar
To avoid accidental activation of
the system or rendering the sys-
tem inoperative, which may result
in serious injury, no modifications
should be made to any compo-
nents or wiring of the SRS airbag
system.
This includes following modifica-
tions:
Installation of custom steering
wheels
Attachment of additional trim
materials to the dashboard
Installation of custom seats
Replacement of seat fabric or
leather
Installation of additional fabric
or leather on the front seat

Instruments and controls
Clock .................................................................... 3-22
Light control switch .............................. ............. 3-22
Headlights ........................................ ....................... 3-22
High/low beam change (dimmer) ..................... ..... 3-23
Headlight flasher ................................. ................... 3-23
Daytime running light system ...................... ......... 3-23
Turn signal lever ................................. ................ 3-24
Illumination brightness control ................... ...... 3-25
Headlight beam leveler (U.S.-spec. WRX-STI) .............................. ........ 3-25
Parking light switch .............................. ............. 3-25
Front fog light button (if equipped) .............. .... 3-26
Wiper and washer .................................. ............. 3-26
Windshield wiper and washer switches .............. . 3-27
Rear window wiper and washer switch – Wagon ............................................ .................... 3-28
Rear window defogger button ....................... .... 3-29
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) ............. . 3-30
Intercooler water spray switch (WRX-STI) ....... 3-3 1
Mirrors ........................................... ...................... 3-32
Inside mirror ..................................... ...................... 3-32
Outside mirrors ................................... .................... 3-33
Tilt steering wheel ............................... ............... 3-35
Horn .............................................. ....................... 3-35

Instruments and controls 3-3
– CONTINUED –
Instrum ents and controlsIgnition switch
The ignition switch has four positions:
LOCK, ACC, ON and START.
LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed
in this position. The ignition switch will lock
the steering wheel when you remove the
key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the right and left as
you turn the key.
Automatic transmission vehicles
The key can be turned from “ACC ” to
“ LOCK ” only when the selector lever is in
the “P ” position.Manual transmission vehicles
The key can be turned from “ACC ” to
“ LOCK ” only when the key is pushed in
while turning it.
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Never turn the ignition switch to “ LOCK ” while the vehicle is being
driven or towed because that will
lock the steering wheel, prevent-
ing steering control. And when
the engine is turned off, it takes a
much greater effort than usual to
steer.
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3-4 Instruments and controls
NOTE
Keep the ignition switch in the
“ LOCK ” position when the engine is
not running.
Using electrical accessories for a
long time with the ignition switch in the “ ON ” or “ACC ” position can cause the
battery to go dead.
If the ignition switch will not move from
the “LOCK ” position to the “ACC ” po-
sition, turn the steering wheel slightly
to the left and right as you turn the ig-
nition switch.
If the key is attached to a keyholder
or to a large bunch of other keys, cen-
trifugal force may act on it as the vehi-
cle moves, resulting in unwanted turn-
ing of the ignition switch. Also, if a
large keyholder is attached to the key,
your knees or hands may accidentally
touch it in a way that turns the ignition switch.
ACC
In this position the electrical accessories
(radio, cigarette lighter, etc.) can be used.
ON
This is the normal operating position after
the engine is started.
START
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.
For vehicle with immobilizer
If your registered key fails to start the en-
gine, pull out the key once (the security in-
dicator light will blink), and then insert the
key in the ignition switch and turn it to the“ START ” position and again try to start the
engine.
NOTE
The engine may not start in the follow-
ing cases:
The key grip is touching another key
or a metallic key holder.
Before leaving the vehicle, always
remove the key from the ignition
switch for safety and never allow
an unattended child to remain in
the vehicle. Failure to follow this
procedure could result in injury to
a child or others. Children could
operate the power windows, the
sunroof or other controls or even
make the vehicle move.
Do not turn the ignition switch to the “ START ” position while the engine
is running.
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Instruments and controls 3-35
Tilt steering wheel
1. Adjust the seat position. Refer to the “Front seats ” section (chapter 1).
2. Push the tilt lock lever down.
3. Move the steering wheel to the desired
level.
4. Pull the lever up to lock the steering
wheel in place.
5. Make sure that the steering wheel is
securely locked by moving it up and down.
Horn
To sound the horn, push the horn pad.
Do not adjust the steering wheel tilt
position while driving. This may
cause loss of vehicle control and re-
sult in personal injury.
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7-8 Starting and operating
ing.
1) Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF ”
position and wait for at least 10 sec-
onds. After checking that the parking
brake is firmly set, turn the ignition
switch to the “START ” position while de-
pressing the accelerator pedal slightly
(approximately a quarter of the full
stroke). Release the accelerator pedal
as soon as the engine starts.
2) If this fails to start the engine, turn the
ignition switch back to the “OFF ” posi-
tion and wait for at least 10 seconds.
Then fully depress the accelerator ped-
al and turn the ignition switch to the“ START ” position. If the engine starts,
quickly release the accelerator pedal.
3) If this fails to start the engine, turn the
ignition switch again to the “OFF ” posi-
tion. After waiting for 10 seconds or
longer, turn the ignition switch to the“ START ” position without depressing
the accelerator pedal.
4) If the engine still refuses to start, con-
tact your nearest SUBARU dealer for
assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator
lights have gone out after the engine has
started. The fuel injection system auto-
matically lowers the idle speed as the en-
gine warms up.
While the engine is warming up, make sure that the selector lever is at the
“P ” or
“ N ” position and that the parking brake is
applied.
NOTE
The engine may be difficult to start
when the battery has been disconnect-
ed and reconnected (for maintenance
or other purposes). This difficulty is
caused by the electronically controlled
throttle ’s self-diagnosis function. To
overcome it, keep the ignition switch in
the “ON ” position for approximately 10
seconds before starting the engine.
Stopping the engine
The ignition switch should be turned off
only when the vehicle is stopped and the
engine is idling.
If you restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, shift the selector
lever into the “N ” position. Do not
attempt to place the selector lever of
a moving vehicle into the “P ” posi-
tion.
Do not stop the engine when the ve-
hicle is moving. This will cause loss
of power to the power steering and
the brake booster, making steering
and braking more difficult. It could
also result in accidental activation
of the “LOCK ” position on the igni-
tion switch, causing the steering
wheel to lock.

Starting and operating 7-13
– CONTINUED –
The driver’s control center differential al-
lows you to freely change the degree of
limitation of the differential action (limited
slip differential (LSD) torque) of your vehi-
cle ’s center differential.
By using the center differential control di-
al, you can set an initial LSD torque to
match the road surface conditions, driving
conditions and your driving style.
1) LSD torque
2) Traction torque
A) Initial LSD torque (adjustable)
B) Mechanical LSD torque
NOTE
If you rapidly depress and release the
accelerator pedal while driving at low
speed, you may hear a knocking sound
from the vicinity of the center differen-
tial and rear differential. This sound oc-
curs because of the structure of the
center differential. It does not indicate
a problem.
Auto mode
In the auto mode, the system estimates
the driving and road conditions using sig-
nals from the wheel speed sensor, throttle
position sensor, steering angle sensor
and brake switch, etc. According to the re-
sult, it electronically and automatically
controls the degree of limitation of the dif-
ferential action (LSD torque) to optimize
the differential action of the center differ-
ential. When the ignition switch is turned
ON, the “AUTO ” indicator light in the com-
bination meter comes on. The system can
be switched to a manual mode.
Manual mode
In the manual mode, you can use the cen-
ter differential control dial to adjust the ini-
In the event of failure of the driver
’s
control center differential, the “ ”
indicator light will flash. Have the
vehicle inspected by your SUBARU
dealer.
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