2006 SUBARU OUTBACK Owners Manual

1-56 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
T Operation
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain air-
bag can function only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
side airbags and SRS curtain airbags de-
ploy independently of each other since
each has its own impact sensor. There-
fore, they may not both deploy in the same
accident. Also, the SRS side airbag and
SRS curtain airbag deploys independently
of the driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbags in the steering wheel and
instrument panel.
An impact sensor is located in each of the
left and right center pillars and rear wheel
houses. If a center pillar impact sensory Do not attach a hands-free micro-
phone or any other accessory to a
front pillar, a center pillar, a rear
pillar, the windshield, a side win-
dow, an assist grip, or any other
cabin surface that would be near a
deploying SRS curtain airbag. A
hands-free microphone or other
accessory in such a location
could be propelled through the
cabin with great force by the cur-
tain airbag, or it could prevent
correct deployment of the curtain
airbag. In either case, the result
could be serious injuries.
y Do not hang coat hangers or other
hard or pointed objects on the
coat hooks. If such items were
hanging on the coat hooks during
deployment of the SRS curtain air-
bags, they could cause serious in-
juries by coming off the coat
hooks and being thrown through
the cabin or by preventing deploy-
ment of the curtain airbags.
Before hanging clothing on the
coat hooks, make sure there are
no sharp objects in the pockets.
Hang clothing directly on the coat
hooks without using hangers. 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. 100280
100281

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-57
– CONTINUED –senses an impact force above a predeter-
mined level in a side collision, the control
module causes both the SRS side airbag
and curtain airbag on the impacted side to
inflate regardless of whether the rear
wheel house impact sensor on the same
side senses an impact. If it is a rear wheel
house impact sensor alone that senses a
sufficiently strong impac t force, the control
module causes only the SRS curtain air-
bag on the impacted side to inflate. After
the deployment, the SRS side airbag im-
mediately starts to deflate. The time re-
quired from detection of an impact to de-
flation of an SRS side airbag after deploy-
ment is shorter than the blink of an eye.
The SRS curtain airbag remains inflated
for a while following deployment then
slowly deflates.
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain air-
bag deploy even when no one occupies
the seat on the side on which an impact is
applied.
When the SRS side airbag and SRS cur-
tain airbag deploy, a sudden, fairly loud in-
flation noise will be heard and some
smoke will be released. These occurrenc-
es are a normal result of the deployment.
This smoke does not indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain air-
bag are designed to deploy in the event of
an accident involving a moderate to se-
vere side impact collision. It is basically
not designed to deploy in a lesser side im-
pact. Also, it is basically not designed to
deploy in frontal or rear impacts because
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag
deployment would not help the occupant
in those situations.
Each SRS side airbag and SRS curtain
airbag are designed to function on a one-
time-only basis.
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deployment depend on the level of force
experienced in the passenger compart-
ment during a side impact collision. That
level differs from one type of collision to
another, and it may have no bearing on
the visible damage done to the vehicle it-
self.
V Example of the type of accident in
which the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag will most likely de-
ploy.
A severe side impact near the front seat
activates the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag.Do not touch the SRS side airbag
system components around the
front seat seatback with bare hands
right after deployment. Doing so can
cause burns because the compo-
nents can be very hot as a result of
deployment.
After deployment, do not touch any
part of the SRS curtain airbag sys-
tem (from the front pillar to the part
of the roof side over the rear seat).
Doing so can cause burns because
the components can be very hot as
a result of deployment.
200320

1-58 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
V Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side airbag and SRS cur-
tain airbag are unlikely to deploy. 1 2
3 4
5
1006581) The vehicle is involved in an oblique
side-on impact.
2) The vehicle is involved in a side-on
impact in an area outside the vicinity
of the passenger compartment.
3) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole
or similar object.
4) The vehicle is involved in a side-on
impact from a motorcycle.
5) The vehicle rolls onto its side or roof.
There are many types of collisions which
might not necessarily require SRS side
airbag and SRS curtain airbag deploy-
ment. In the event of accidents like those
illustrated, the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag may not deploy depending
on the level of accident forces involved.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-59
– CONTINUED –V Examples of the types of accidents
in which the SRS side airbag and
SRS curtain airbag will basically not
deploy.
1) The vehicle is involved in frontal collision
with another vehicle (moving or station- ary).
2) The vehicle is struck from behind.
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain air-
bag are basically not designed to deploy if
the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision
or is struck from behind. Examples of such
accidents are illustrated.
1) First impact
2) Second impact
A) SRS curtain airbag
B) SRS side airbag
In an accident where the vehicle is struck
from the side more than once, the SRS
side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deploy
only once on the first impact.
Example: In the case of a double side im-
pact collision, first with one vehicle and immediately followed by another from the
same direction, once the SRS side airbag
and SRS curtain airbag are activated on
the first impact, they will not be activated
on the second.
„ SRS airbag system monitors
A diagnostic system continually monitors
the readiness of the SRS airbag system
(including front seatbelt pretensioners)
while the vehicle is being driven. The SRS
airbag system warning light “AIRBAG” will
show normal system operation by lighting
for approximately 6 seconds when the ig-
nition switch is turned to the “ON” position.
The following components are monitored
by the indicator:
y Front sub sensor (Right-hand side)1
2
100659 1AB
2 100660
200326

1-60 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
y Front sub sensor (Left-hand side)
y Airbag control module (including impact
sensors)
y Frontal airbag module (Driver’s side)
y Frontal airbag module (Front passen-
ger’s side)
y Side airbag sensor (Center pillar right-
hand side)
y Side airbag sensor (Center pillar left-
hand side)
y Side airbag module (Driver’s side)
y Side airbag module (Front passenger’s
side)
y Curtain airbag sensor (Rear wheel
house right-hand side)
y Curtain airbag sensor (Rear wheel
house left-hand side)
y Curtain airbag module (Right side)
y Curtain airbag module (Left side)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt pretensi oner (Front passen-
ger’s side)
y Seatbelt buckle switch (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt buckle switch (Front passen-
ger’s side)
y Driver’s seat position sensor
y Front passenger’s seatbelt tension sen-
sor
y Front passenger’s occupant detection
system weight sensor
y Front passenger’s occupant detection
control module y Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicator
y All related wiring
„ SRS airbag system servicingIf the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt pre-
tensioners and/or SRS airbag sys-
tem. Immediately take your vehicle
to your nearest SUBARU dealer to
have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbags will operate improperly (e.g.
SRS airbags may inflate in a very mi-
nor collision or not inflate in a se-
vere collision), which may increase
the risk of injury.
y Flashing or flickering of the warn-
ing light
y No illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON” position
y Continuous illumination of the
warning light
y Illumination of the warning light
while driving y When discarding an airbag mod-
ule or scrapping the entire vehicle
damaged by a collision, consult
your SUBARU dealer.
y The SRS airbag has no user-ser-
viceable parts. Do not use electri-
cal 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 discon-
necting the system’s wiring could
result in accidental inflation of the
SRS airbag or could make the sys-
tem inoperative, which may result
in serious injury. The wiring har-
nesses of the SRS airbag system
are covered with yellow insulation
and system connectors are yellow
for easy identification.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-61
– CONTINUED –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.
NOTE In the following cases, contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
y The front part of the vehicle was in-
volved in an accident in which the only
the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both
driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbags did not deploy.
y The pad of the steering wheel, the
cover over the front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag, or either roof side (from
the front pillar to a point over the rear
seat) is scratched, cracked, or other-
wise damaged.
y Either center pillar and rear wheel
house or a nearby area of the vehicle
was involved in an accident in which
the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain
airbag did not deploy.
y The fabric or leather of either front
seatback is cut, frayed, or otherwise
damaged. „ Precautions against vehicle
modificationIf 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.
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 ar-
eas
y Each front seat and nearby area
y Inside each center pillar
y In each roof side (from the front
pillar to a point over the rear seat)
y Between the rear seat cushion
and rear wheel house on each
side y 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:
y Installation of custom steering
wheels
y Attachment of additional trim
materials to the dashboard
y Installation of custom seats
y Replacement of seat fabric or
leather
y Installation of additional fabric
or leather on the front seat

1-62 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Always consult your SUBARU dealer if
you want to install any accessory parts on
your vehicle.y Attachment of a hands-free mi-
crophone or any other accesso-
ry to a front pillar , a center pillar,
a rear pillar, the windshield, a
side window, an assist grip, or
any other cabin surface that
would be near a deploying SRS
curtain airbag.
y Installation of additional electri-
cal/electronic equipment such
as a mobile two-way radio on or
near the SRS airbag system
components and/or wiring is
not advisable. This could inter-
fere with proper operation of the
SRS airbag system.
Do not perform any of the following
modifications. Such modifications
can interfere with proper operation
of the SRS airbag system.
y Attachment of any equipment
(bush bar, winches, snow plow,
skid plate, etc.) other than genu-
ine SUBARU accessory parts.
y Modification of the suspension
system or front end structure. y 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.
y Attachment of any equipment
(side steps or side sill protectors,
etc.) other than genuine SUBARU
accessory parts to the side body.

2
Keys and doorsKeys ..................................................................... 2-2 Key number ............................................................. 2-2
Immobilizer ......................................................... 2-3 Security ID plate ..................................................... 2-3
Security indicator light ........................................... 2-4
Key replacement ........ ....................................... ...... 2-4
Door locks ........................................................... 2-4 Locking and unlocking from the outside ............. 2-4
Locking and unlocking from the inside ................ 2-5
Battery drainage prevention function ................... 2-6
Power door locking switches ............................ 2-6 Key lock-in prevention function ............................ 2-7
Remote keyless entry system ........................... 2-7 Locking the doors .................................................. 2-8
Unlocking the doors ............................................... 2-9
Unlocking the trunk lid/rear gate ........................... 2-9
Illuminated entry ..................................................... 2-9
Vehicle finder function ........................................... 2-9
Sounding a panic alarm ......................................... 2-10
Selecting audible signal operation ....................... 2-10
Replacing the battery ............................................. 2-10
Replacing lost transmitters ................................... 2-11
Alarm system ...................................................... 2-14
System alarm operation ......................................... 2-14
Activating and deactivating the alarm system ..... 2-14
If you have accidentally triggered the alarm
system ................................................................... 2-15
Arming the system ................................................. 2-15
Disarming the system ............................................ 2-16 Valet mode ............................................................... 2-16
Passive arming ....................................................... 2-17
Tripped sensor identification ................................ 2-18
Shock sensors (dealer option) .............................. 2-18
Child safety locks ........... .................................... 2-18
Windows ................... ....................................... .... 2-19Power windows ....................................................... 2-19
Trunk lid (Sedan) ............... ................................. 2-21To open and close the trunk lid from outside ...... 2-21
To open the trunk lid from inside .......................... 2-22
To lock and unlock the trunk lid release lever ..... 2-22
Internal trunk lid release hand le ....... .............. ....... 2-22
Rear gate (Station wagon) ................................. 2-24
Moonroof (if equipped) ..... ................ ............. .... 2-25Tilting/sliding moonroof (Sedan) .......................... 2-26
Moonroof (Station wagon) ..................................... 2-27