
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-11
 CONTINUED  
Expectant mothers
Expectant  mothers  also  need  to  use  the 
seatbelts. They should consult their doctor
for  specific  recommendations.  The  lap
belt  should  be  worn  securely  and  as  low
as  possible  over  the  hips,  not  over  the
waist.
Emergency Locking Retrac- 
tor (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 Lock- 
ing Retractor (A/ELR)
Each  passenger s  seatbelt  has  an  Auto-
matic/Emergency  Locking  Retractor  (A/ 
ELR). The Automatic/Emergency Locking 
Retractor normally functions as an Emer-
gency  Locking  Retractor  (ELR).  The  A/
ELR has an additional locking mode  Au-
tomatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode  in-
tended to secure a child restraint system.
When the seatbelt is once drawn out com-
pletely and is then retracted even slightly,
the retractor locks the seatbelt in that po-
sition  and  the  seatbelt  cannot  be  extend-
ed. As the belt is rewinding, clicks will be
heard  which  indicate  the  retractor  func-
tions as an ALR. When the seatbelt is re-
tracted 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  re- 
moved,  make  sure  that  the  seatbelt  re- 
tracts  fully  and  the  retractor  returned  to 
the  Emergency  Locking  Retractor  (ELR) 
mode. 
For instructions on how to convert the re-
tractor  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 device at the driver s seat, as re-
quired by current safety standards. There 
is a seatbelt warning light in the combina- 
tion meter. 
If the driver has not yet fastened the seat- 
belt  when  the  ignition  switch  is  turned  to 
the  ON   position,  the  seatbelt  warning
light  will  flash  for 6  seconds,  to warn that 
the  seatbelt  is  unfastened.  If  the  driver s
seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will also 
sound simultaneously. 
If the  driver s seatbelt  is  still not fastened
6  seconds  later,  the  warning  light  will  re- 
main lit for 15 seconds. If the driver s seat-
belt  is  still  not  fastened  even  15  seconds 
later (21 seconds after turning ON the ig- 
nition switch), the warning lights will alter- 
nate  between  flashing  and  steady  illumi- 
nation  at  15-second  intervals,  and  the 
chime will sound while the warning light is 
flashing. 
Alternate  flashing and  steady illumination 
of  the  warning  lights  and  sounding  of  the 
chime will continue until the driver fastens
the seatbelt.
100100 

1-22 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
System servicing
NOTE
If  the  front  part  of  the  vehicle  is  dam- 
aged  in  an  accident  to  the  extent  that
the seatbelt pretensioner does not op-
erate,  contact your  SUBARU dealer  as
soon as possible.
Precautions against vehicle  
modification
Always  consult  your  SUBARU  dealer  if 
you want to install any accessory parts to 
your vehicle.
When discarding a seatbelt retrac- 
tor assembly or scrapping the en- 
tire  vehicle  damaged  by  a  colli- 
sion,  consult  your  SUBARU  deal-
er.
Tampering  with  or  disconnecting 
the system s wiring could result in
accidental  activation  of  the  seat-
belt  pretensioner  and/or  SRS  air-
bag or could make the system in-
operative, which may result in se-
rious injury. The wiring harnesses 
of  the  seatbelt  pretensioner  and 
SRS  airbag  systems  are  covered 
with  yellow  insulation  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 SRS airbag sys-
tems.  For  required  servicing  of
the  seatbelt  pretensioner,  see 
your nearest SUBARU dealer.
The front sub sensors are located in 
both  front  fenders  and  the  SRS  air-
bag  control  module  including  the
impact sensors is located under the
center  console.  If  you  need  service 
or  repair  in  those  areas  or  near  the 
front  seatbelt  retractors,  we  recom- 
mend  that  you  have  an  authorized 
SUBARU dealer perform the work. 
Do not perform any of the following 
modifications.  Such  modifications
can  interfere  with  proper  operation
of the seatbelt pretensioners.
Attachment  of  any  equipment 
(bush  bar,  winches,  snow  plow,
skid  plate,  etc.)  other  than  genu-
ine  SUBARU  accessory  parts  to
the front end.
Modification  of  the  suspension 
system or front end structure.
Installation  of  a  tire  of  different 
size  and  construction  from  the
tires specified on the vehicle plac-
ard  attached  to  the  driver s  door
pillar  or  specified  for  individual
vehicle  models  in  this  Owner s
Manual. 

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-29
 CONTINUED  
er  anchor  and  tighten  the  top  tether.  See 
the 
Top tether anchorages  for additional
instructions. 
9. To  remove  the  child  restraint  system, 
press  the  release  button  on  the  seatbelt 
buckle  and  allow  the  belt  to  retract  com- 
pletely.  The  belt  will  return  to  the  ELR 
mode.
NOTE
When  the  child  restraint  system  is  no 
longer in use, remove it and restore the 
ELR  function  of  the  retractor.  That 
function  is  restored  by  allowing  the 
seatbelt to retract fully.
Installing a booster seat
1. Place the booster seat in the rear seat- 
ing  position  and  sit  the  child  on  it.  The
child  should  sit  well  back  on  the  booster
seat.
2. Run the lap and shoulder belt  through
or  around  the  booster  seat  and  the  child
100611
Child  restraint  systems  and  seat- 
belts can become hot in a vehicle 
that  has been  closed up  in sunny 
weather;  they  could  burn  a  small
child.  Check  the  child  restraint
system before you place a child in
it.
Do  not  leave  an  unsecured  child 
restraint  system  in  your  vehicle.
Unsecured  child  restraint  sys-
tems can be thrown around inside
of  the  vehicle  in  a  sudden  stop, 
turn  or  accident;  they  can  strike 
and  injure  vehicle  occupants  as 
well as result in serious injuries or
death to the child.
When  you  install  a  child  restraint 
system,  follow  the  manufacturer s
instructions  supplied  with  it.  After
installing the child restraint system,
check  to  ensure  that  it  is  held  se- 
curely  in  position.  If  it  is  not  held 
tight and secure, the danger of your 
child suffering personal injury in the 
event  of  an  accident  may  be  in- 
creased.
100141 

Keys and doors 2-3
 CONTINUED  
Immobilizer (Turbo models)
The  immobilizer  system  is  designed  to 
prevent  an  unauthorized  person  from 
starting  the  engine.  Only  keys  registered 
with  your  vehicle s  immobilizer  system
can be used to operate your vehicle. Even 
if an unregistered key fits into the ignition 
switch and can be turned to the  START 
position, the engine will automatically stop
after several seconds. 
Each  immobilizer  key  contains  a  tran- 
sponder  in  which  the  key s  ID  code  is
stored. When a key is inserted into the ig- 
nition switch and turned to the  ON  posi-
tion,  the  transponder  transmits  the  key s
ID  code  to  the  immobilizer  system s  re-
ceiver. If the transmitted ID code matches
the  ID  code  registered  in  the  immobilizer
system,  the  system  allows  the  engine  to
be started. Since the ID code is transmit-
ted  and  acted  upon  almost  instantly,  the
immobilizer system does not impede nor-
mal starting of the engine.
If the engine fails to start, pull out the key
once before trying again. (Refer to the  Ig-
nition switch  section [chapter 3].)
This  device  complies  with  Part  15  of
the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of In-
dustry Canada. Operation is subject to
the  following  two  conditions:  (1)  This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence,  and  (2)  this  device  must  accept
any interference received, including in-
terference  that  may  cause  undesired
operation.
Changes or modifications not express-
ly  approved  by  the  party  responsible
for  compliance  could  void  the  user
s
authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE
To  protect  your  vehicle  from  theft, 
please  pay  close  attention  to  the  fol-
lowing security precautions:
Never leave your vehicle unattended
with its keys inside.
Before leaving your vehicle, close all
windows  and  lock  the  doors  and  rear 
gate.
Do  not  leave  spare  keys  or  any
record of your key number in the vehi- 
cle.
Security ID plate
1) Key number plate 
2) Security ID plate
The  security  ID  is  stamped  on  the  metal 
plate attached to the  key set. Write down 
the security ID 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.
This  number  is  also  needed  for  replace-
ment  or  repair  of  the  engine  control  unit,
immobilizer control unit.
Security indicator light     
The security indicator light deters potential 
thieves  by  indicating  that  the  vehicle  is
equipped  with  an  immobilizer  system.  It
Do not place the key under direct 
sunlight  or  anywhere  it  may  be- 
come hot.
Do  not  get  the  key  wet.  If  the  key 
gets  wet,  wipe  it  dry  with  a  cloth
immediately.
1 2
200803 

2-8 Keys and doors
If any of the doors (or the rear gate) is not 
fully closed, an electronic chirp will sound
five  times  and  the  turn  signal  lights  will
flash five times to alert you that the doors
(or the rear gate) are not properly closed.
When you close the door, it will automati-
cally lock.
NOTE
If  the     button  is  pressed  for  two
seconds or longer, the panic alarm will 
sound. When locking the doors in nor-
mal  circumstances,  press  the   
button  for  less  than  two  seconds.  For
details  on  the  panic  alarm,  refer  to Sounding a panic alarm .
Unlocking the doors
Briefly  press  the     button  (for  less
than  two  seconds)  to  unlock  the  driver s
door.  An  electronic  chirp  will  sound  twice 
and  the  turn  signal  lights  will  flash  twice.
To unlock all other doors (and rear gate on
the  Wagon), briefly  press the    but-
ton a second time within 5 seconds.
NOTE
If the interval between the first and sec- 
ond  presses  of  the     button  (for
unlocking  of  all  of  the  doors  and  the
rear  gate)  is  extremely  short,  the  sys-
tem may not respond.
Illuminated entry
The  interior  (dome)  light  and  ignition 
switch  light  (for  turbo  models)  will  illumi-
nate  when  the     button  is  pressed.
These  lights  stay  illuminated  for  approxi-
mately 30 seconds if any of the doors (or
the  rear  gate  on  the  Wagon)  is  not
opened. 
If  the     button  is  pressed  before  30
seconds have elapsed, these lights will go 
out. Also, these lights will go out if the key
is inserted in the ignition switch. The inte-
rior light switch must be set to  the middle
position  in order for this function to oper-
ate.
Vehicle finder function
Use  this  function  to  find  your  vehicle 
parked  among  many  vehicles  in  a  large
parking  lot.  Provided  you  are  within  30
feet  (10  meters)  of  the  vehicle,  pressing
the     button three times in a five-sec-
ond  period  will  cause  your  vehicle s  horn
to sound once and its turn signal lights to
flash three times.
NOTE
If  the  interval  between  presses  is  too 
short when you press the    button
three  times,  the  system  may  not  re-
spond  to  the  signals  from  the  remote transmitter.
Sounding a panic alarm
To activate the alarm, keep the 
  but-
ton pressed  for more than two seconds .
The  horn  will  sound  and  the  turn  signal 
lights will flash.
To deactivate it, press the    button or
   button. Unless a button on the re-
mote is pressed, the alarm will be deacti-
vated after approximately 30 seconds.
Selecting audible signal op- 
eration
Using  an  electronic  chirp,  the  system  will 
give you an audible signal when the doors 
lock  and  unlock.  If  desired,  you  may  turn
the audible signal off.
Do the following to deactivate the audible
signal.  You  can  also  use  the  same  steps
to restore the function. 
1. Sit  in  the  driver s  seat  and  shut  all
doors and the rear gate. 
2. Open  the  driver s  door,  then  remove
the key from the ignition switch. 
3. Hold  down  the  UNLOCK   side  of  the
power door locking switch. 
4. While  holding  down  the  UNLOCK 
side of the power  door locking  switch,  in- 
sert the key into the ignition switch and re- 
move  it  again  at  least  6  times  within  10 

Keys and doors 2-15
 CONTINUED  
automatically arm and doors will automat- 
ically lock.
To arm the system using power  
door locking switches
1. Close all windows. 
2. Remove  the  key  from  the  ignition 
switch. 
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehi- 
cle. 
4. Make  sure  that  the  engine  hood  is 
locked. 
5. Close  the  doors  (and  the  rear  gate  on 
the  Wagon)  but  leave  only  the  driver s
door or the front passenger s door open.
6. Push  the  front  side  ( LOCK   side)  of
the  power  door  locking  switch  to  set  the
door locks.
7. Close the door. An electronic chirp will sound once, the turn signal lights will flash
once,  and  the  indicator  lights  will  start
flashing rapidly. After rapid flashing for 30
seconds  (standby  time),  the  indicator
lights will then flash slowly (twice approxi-
mately every two seconds), indicating that
the  system  has  been  armed  for  surveil-
lance.
NOTE
The system can be armed even if the
engine  hood,  the  windows  and/or 
moonroofs  are  opened.  Always  make 
sure  that  they  are  fully  closed  before 
arming the system.
The  30-second  standby  time  can  be
eliminated  if  you  prefer.  Have  it  per- 
formed by your SUBARU dealer.
The  system  is  in  the  standby  mode
for a 30-second period after locking the 
doors with the remote transmitter. The
security  indicator  light  will  flash  at
short intervals during this period.
If any of the following actions is done
during  the  standby period,  the  system 
will not switch to the surveillance state.
Doors  are  unlocked  using  the  re-
mote transmitter.
Any  door  (including  the  rear  gate
of  a  Wagon  or  the  trunk  of  a  Sedan) 
is opened.
Ignition  switch  is  turned  to  the 
ON  position.
The engine does not start even when
the  ignition  switch  is  turned  to  the  START   position  once the  alarm sys-
tem has been triggered.
Disarming the system
Briefly  press  the     button  (for  less
than two seconds) on the remote transmit- 
ter. The driver s door will unlock, an elec-
tronic  chirp  will  sound  twice,  the  turn  sig-
nal lights will flash twice and the indicator
light will go off.
NOTE  (Models  with  immobiliz- 
er)
If your vehicle is equipped with an im- 
mobilizer,  the  immobilizer s  function
will cause the security indicator light to 
flash  (approximately  once  every  three 
seconds) even  after  the system is dis- 
armed.
NOTE
The system can be disarmed by the fol- 
lowing method, too.
Cycle  the  ignition  switch  from  the
 LOCK   to  the  ON   position  three
times within 5 seconds.
Emergency disarming
If you cannot disarm the system using the 

2-16 Keys and doors
transmitter (i.e. the transmitter is lost, bro- 
ken or the transmitter battery is too weak),
you  can  disarm  the  system  without  using
the transmitter.
1. Unlock the door with the key and then
open the door.
2. Insert  the  key  into  the  ignition  switch
and  cycle  it  from  the  LOCK   to  the  ON 
position three times  within 5 seconds.
Valet mode
When  you  choose  the  valet  mode,  the 
alarm  system  does  not  operate.  In  valet
mode, the remote transmitter is used only
for  locking  and  unlocking  the  doors  and
rear gate (Wagon) and panic activation. 
To  enter  the  valet  mode, change the set- 
ting of your vehicle s alarm system for de-
activation mode. (Refer to  Activating and
deactivating the alarm system  in this sec-
tion.)  The  security  indicator  light  will  con- 
tinue to flash once every three seconds in-
dicating  that  the  system  is  in  the  valet
mode (only vehicle with an immobilizer). 
To  exit  valet  mode, change  the  setting of 
your vehicle s alarm system for activation
mode. (Refer to  Activating and deactivat-
ing the alarm system  in this section.)
NOTE
If your vehicle is not equipped with an immobilizer, the security indicator light 
does not flash during the valet mode.
Passive arming
When  passive  arming  mode  has  been 
programmed by the dealer, arming of the
system  is  automatically  accomplished
without using the remote transmitter. Note
that  in  this  mode,  DOORS  MUST  BE
MANUALLY LOCKED.
To enter the passive mode
If you wish to program the passive arming 
mode,  have  it  done  by  your  SUBARU 
dealer.
Arming the system 
1. Turn the ignition switch to the  ON  po-
sition.
1) ON 
2) LOCK
2. Turn  the  ignition  switch  from  ON   to
 LOCK  position and remove the key from
the ignition switch. 
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehi- 
cle.
In passive mode, the system will au- 
tomatically  activate  the  alarm  but 
WILL  NOT  automatically  lock  the 
doors. In order to lock the doors you 
must  either  lock  them  as  indicated 
in step 4 below or with the key once 
they  have  been  closed.  Failure  to 
lock  the  doors  manually  will  result 
in a higher security risk.
1
2
200816 

Keys and doors 2-17
4. Before closing the doors, lock all doors 
with the inside door lock levers. 
5. Close the doors. The system will auto- 
matically arm after one minute. 
In the passive mode, the system can also 
be  armed  with  the  remote  transmitter  or
with  the  power  door  locking  switches.  If 
the remote transmitter or power door lock- 
ing switch is used to lock the vehicle, arm- 
ing will take place immediately regardless 
of  whether  or  not  the  passive  mode  has 
been selected.
Disarming the system
To  disarm  the  system,  briefly  press  the 
   button on the transmitter.
Tripped sensor identification
The  security  indicator  light  flashes  when 
the  alarm  system  has  been  triggered.  Al-
so, the number of flashes indicates the lo-
cation of unauthorized intrusion or the se-
verity of impact on the vehicle.
When the ignition switch is turned to the
 ON   position,  the  indicator  light  will  light
for 1 second and then flash as follows: When  a  door  or  rear  gate  (Wagon)  or 
the trunk (Sedan) was opened: 5 times
When  the  ignition  switch was  turned to
the  ON  position: 3 times
When  a  strong  impact  or  multiple  im-
pacts were sensed: twice (only vehicles 
with shock sensors (dealer option)) 
When  a light  impact was  sensed: once 
(only vehicles with shock sensors (deal-
er option))
NOTE
Any  of  the  above  indicator  light  flash- 
ings  will  recur  each  time  the  ignition
switch  is  turned  to  the  ON   position.
Rearming  the  alarm  system  cancels
the flashing.
Shock sensors (dealer op- 
tion)
The  shock  sensors trigger the alarm sys- 
tem  when  they  sense  impacts  applied  to the vehicle and when any of their electric 
wires is cut. The alarm system causes the
horn to sound and the turn signal lights to
flash for a short time when the sensed im-
pact  is  weak,  but  it  warns  of  a  strong  im-
pact  or  multiple  impacts  by  sounding  the
horn  and  flashing  the  turn  signal  lights,
both lasting approximately 30 seconds.
If  you  desire,  your  SUBARU  dealer  can
connect  them  and  set  them  for  activation
or deactivation.
NOTE
The  shock  sensors  are  not  always
able  to  sense  impacts  caused  by 
breaking  in,  and  cannot  sense  an  im-
pact  that  does  not  cause  vibration
(such  as  breaking  the  glass  using  a
rescue hammer).
The shock sensors may sense vibra-
tion  like  those  shown  in  the  following 
and  trigger  the  alarm  system.  Select
the  settings  of  the  alarm  system  and
shock  sensors  appropriately  depend-
ing on where you usually park your ve-
hicle. 
Example:
Vibration from construction site 
Vibration in multistory car park 
Vibration from trains
You  can  have  the  sensitivity  of  the
shock sensors adjusted to your prefer- 
ence by your SUBARU dealer.
200817