2006 SUBARU OUTBACK ECO mode

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-13
– CONTINUED –„ 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 se atbelt 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 ALR. When the seatbelt is retract-
ed fully, ALR mode is released.
When securing a child restraint system on
the passengers’ seats, the seatbelt must
be changed over to the Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR) mode.
When the child rest raint system is re-
moved, make sure that the retractor is re-
stored to the Emergency Locking Retrac-
tor (ELR) function by allowing the seatbelt
to retract fully.
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 and front
passenger’s seat, as required by current
safety standards.
With the ignition switch turned to the “ON”
position, this device reminds the driver
and front passenger to fasten their seat-
belts by illuminating the warning lights in
the locations indicated in the following il-
lustration and sounding a chime.
Driver’s warning light Front passenger’s warning light
T Operation
If the driver and/or front passenger have/
has not yet fastened the seatbelt(s) when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” po-
sition, the seatbelt warning light(s) will
flash for 6 seconds, to warn that the seat-
belt(s) is/are unfastened. If the driver’s
seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will also
sound simultaneously.
If the driver’s and/or front passenger’s
seatbelt(s) are/is still not fastened 6 sec-
onds later, both warning lights or the
warning light for t he unfastened seatbelt
will remain lit for 15 seconds. If the driver’s
and/or front passenger’s seatbelt(s) are/is
still not fastened even 15 seconds later
(21 seconds after turning ON the ignition 100254 100662

1-14 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
switch), the warning lights will alternate
between flashing and steady illumination
at 15-second intervals, and the chime will
sound while the warning light(s) is/are
flashing.
Alternate flashing and steady illumination
of the warning lights and sounding of the
chime will continue until both driver and
front passenger fasten their seatbelts.
NOTE y If the driver and/or front passenger
unfasten(s) the seatbelt(s) after fasten-
ing, the seatbelt warning device oper-
ates as follows according to the vehi-
cle speed.
y At speeds lower than approximate-
ly 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light(s) for unfastened
seatbelt(s) will alternate between
flashing and steady illumination at
15-second intervals. The chime will
not sound.
y At speeds higher than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light(s) for unfastened
seatbelt(s) will alternate between
flashing and steady illumination at
15-second intervals and the chime
will sound while the warning light(s)
is/are flashing.
y It is possible to cancel the warning
operation that follows the 6-second warning after turning ON the ignition
switch by unfastening and refastening
the driver’s seatbelt. When the ignition
switch is turned ON next time, howev-
er, the complete sequence of the warn-
ing operation resumes. For further de-
tails about canceling the warning oper-
ation, please contact your SUBARU
dealer.
If there is no passenger on the front pas-
senger’s seat, the seatbelt warning device
for the front passenger’s seat will be deac-
tivated. The front passenger’s occupant
detection system monitors whether or not
there is a passenger on the front passen-
ger’s seat.
Observe the following precautions. Failure
to do so may prevent the device from func-
tioning correctly or cause the device to
fail.
y Do not install any accessory such as a
table or TV onto the seatback.
y Do not store a heavy load in the seat-
back pocket.
y Do not allow the rear seat occupant to
place his/her hands or legs on the front
passenger’s seatback, or allow him/her to
pull the seatback.
y Do not use front seats with their back-
ward-forward position and seatback not
being locked into place securely. If any of
them are not locked securely, adjust them again. For adjusting procedure, refer to
the “Manual seat” in the front seats sec-
tion in Chapter 1 in this owner’s manual.
(Models equipped with manual seats only)
If the seatbelt warning device for the front
passenger’s seat does not function cor-
rectly (e.g., it is ac tivated even when the
front passenger’s seat is empty or it is de-
activated even when the front passenger
has not fastened his/ her seatbelt), take
the following actions.
y Ensure that no article is placed on the
seat other than a ch ild restraint system
and the child occupant.
y Ensure that there is no article left in the
seatback pocket.
y Ensure that the backward-forward posi-
tion and seatback of front passenger’s
seat are locked into place securely by
moving the seat back and forth. (Models
equipped with manual seats only)
If the seatbelt warning device for front
passenger’s seat still does not function
correctly after taking relevant corrective
actions described above, immediately
contact your SUBARU dealer for an in-
spection.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-31
– 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 child100140
y 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.
y 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, th e danger of your
child suffering personal injury in the
event of an accident may be in-
creased.
100141

1-46 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
y Do not apply any strong impact to the
front passenger’s seat such as by kicking.
y Do not spill liquid on the front passen-
ger’s seat. If liquid is spilled, wipe it off im-
mediately.
y Do not disassemble the front passen-
ger’s seat.
y Do not install any accessory (such as
an audio amplifier) other than a genuine
SUBARU accessory under the front pas-
senger’s seat.
y Do not place anything (shoes, umbrella,
etc.) under the front passenger’s seat.
y The front passenger’s seat must not be
used with the head restraint removed.
y Do not leave any article including a child
restraint system on the front passenger’s
seat or the seatbelt tongue and buckle en-
gaged when you leave your vehicle.
y Do not place a magnet near the seatbelt
buckle and the seatbelt retractor.
y Do not use front seats with their back-
ward-forward position and seatback not
being locked into place securely. If any of
them are not locked securely, adjust them
again. For adjusting procedure, refer to
the “Manual seat” in the front seats sec-
tion in Chapter 1 in this owner’s manual.
(Models equipped with manual seats only)
If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or front
passenger’s occupant detection system
have failed, the SRS airbag system warn- ing light will illumi nate. Have the system
inspected by your SUBARU dealer imme-
diately if the SRS airbag system warning
light comes on.
If your vehicle has sustained impact, this
may affect the proper function of the
Subaru advanced frontal airbag system.
Have your vehicle inspected at your
SUBARU dealer.
NOTE The front passenger’s SRS side airbag,
SRS curtain airbag and seatbelt preten-
sioner are not controlled by the Subaru
advanced frontal airbag system.
T Passenger’s frontal airbag ON and
OFF indicators
or : Front passenger’s frontal air- bag ON indicator
or : Front passenger’s frontal air-
bag OFF indicator
The front passenger’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicators show you the status of
the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag.
The indicators are located between the
map lights.
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, both the ON and OFF indi-
cators illuminate for 6 seconds during
which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators ex-
tinguish for 2 seconds. After that, one of
the indicators illuminates depending on
the status of the fr ont passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag determined by the Subaru
advanced frontal airbag system monitor-
ing.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is activated, the passenger’s frontal airbag
ON indicator will illuminate while the OFF
indicator will remain extinguished.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is deactivated, the passenger’s frontal air-
bag ON indicator will remain extinguished
while the OFF indicator will illuminate.
If both the ON and OFF indicators remain
lit or extinguished simultaneously, the sys-
tem is faulty. Contact your SUBARU deal-
er immediately for an inspection. 100663

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-49
– CONTINUED –correctly fasten the seatbelt, position his/
her legs out forward, and adjust the seat
to the rearmost position. Turn the ignition
switch to the “ON” position. If the OFF in-
dicator remains illuminated while the ON
indicator remains extinguished, take the
following actions.
y Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” po-
sition.
y Ensure that there is no article, book,
shoe, or other object trapped under the
seat, at the rear of the seat, or on the side
of the seat.
y Ensure that the backward-forward posi-
tion and seatback of front passenger’s
seat are locked into place securely by
moving the seat back and forth. (Models
equipped with manual seats only)
y Next, turn the ignition switch to the “ON”
position and wait 6 seconds to allow the
system to complete self-checking. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators ex-
tinguish for 2 seconds. Now, the ON indi-
cator should illuminate while the OFF indi-
cator remains extinguished.
If the OFF indicator still illuminates while
the ON indicator re mains extinguished,
ask the occupant to move to the rear seat
and immediately contact your SUBARU
dealer for an inspection. T Effect vehicle modifications made
for persons with disabilities may
have on Subaru advanced frontal
airbag system operation (U.S. only)
Changing or moving any parts of the front
seats, seat belts, front bumper, front side
frame, instrument panel, combination
meter, steering whee l, steering column,
tire, suspension or floor panel can affect
the operation of the Subaru advanced air-
bag system. If you have any questions,
you may contact the following Subaru dis-
tributors:
of Columbia>
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Dealer Services Department
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)

Schuman Carriage Motors, Inc.
1234 South Beretania Street, Honolulu, HI
96814
808-592-4497

Triple J Enterprises, Inc.
P.O. Box 6066, Tamuning, Guam 96931
671-646-9126
Trebol Subaru of Puerto Rico, Inc.
P.O. Box 11204, San Juan, Puerto Rico
00910
787-793-2828
There are currently no Subaru distributors
in any other U.S. terr itories. If you are in
such an area, please contact the Subaru
distributor or dealer from which you
bought your vehicle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-53
– CONTINUED –V Examples of the types of accidents
in which the driver’s/driver’s and
front passenger’s SRS frontal air-
bag(s) will basically not deploy.
The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbags are designed basically not to deploy if the vehicle is struck from the
side or from behind, or if it rolls onto its
side or roof, or if it is involved in a low-
speed frontal collision.
1) First impact
2) Second impact
In an accident where the vehicle is impact-
ed more than once, the driver’s and/or
front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag(s)
will deploy only once on the first impact.
Example: In the case of a double collision,
first with another vehicle, then against a
concrete wall in immediate succession,
once either or both of the driver’s and front
passenger’s SRS frontal airbags is/are ac-
tivated on the first im pact, it/they will not
be activated on the second impact. „ SRS side airbag and SRS cur-
tain airbag The SRS side airbag is stored in the door
side of each front seat seatback, which
bears an “SRS AIRBAG” label.
In a moderate to severe side impact colli-
sion, the SRS side airbag on the impacted
side of the vehicle deploys between the
occupant and the door panel and supple-
ments the seatbelt by reducing the impact
on the occupant’s chest and waist. The
SRS side airbag operates only for front
seat occupants.
The SRS curtain airbag on each side of
the cabin is stored in the roof side (be-
tween the front pillar and a point over the
rear seat). An “SRS AIRBAG” mark is lo-
cated at the top of each center pillar.
In a moderate to severe side impact colli-
sion, the SRS curtain airbag on the im-
pacted side of the vehicle deploys be-
tween the occupant and the side window
and supplements the seatbelt by reducing
the impact on the occupant’s head.
100279 2
1 100539

2-16 Keys and doors
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 y 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. y The 30-second standby time can be
eliminated if you prefer. Have it per-
formed by your SUBARU dealer.
y If your vehicle is a Sedan and you un-
lock the trunk usin g the remote trans-
mitter’s “ ” button with the alarm
system armed, the system will be tem-
porarily placed in a standby state. The
system will go back to the surveillance
state upon locking the trunk.
y The system is in the standby mode
for a 30-second period after locking the
doors with the remo te transm itter. The
security indicator light will flash at
short intervals during this period.
y If any of the following actions is done
during the standby period, the system
will not switch to the surveillance state.
y Doors are unlocked using the re-
mote transmitter.
y Any door (including the rear gate
of a Station wagon or the trunk of a
Sedan) is opened.
y Ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
„ 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.
To unlock all other doors and the rear gate
(Station wagon), briefly press the “ ”
button a second time within 5 seconds.
NOTE If the interval betw een the first and sec-
ond presses of the “ ” button (for
unlocking of all of the doors and the
rear gate) is extreme ly short, the sys-
tem may not respond.
Or the system can be disarmed by the
following method, too.
y Insert the key in the door lock of the
driver’s door and turn it to the unlock
position.
T Emergency disarming
If you cannot disarm the system using the
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.
The system can be disarmed if you turn
the ignition switch from the “LOCK” to the
“ON” position with a registered key.
Insert the key in the door lock of the driv-
er’s door and turn it to the unlock position.
„ Valet mode
When you choose the valet mode, the
alarm system does not operate. In valet200897
LOCK

Keys and doors
2-17
– CONTINUED –mode, the remote transmitter is used only
for locking and unlocking the doors and
rear gate (Station wagon) and panic acti-
vation.
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 ala rm system” in this sec-
tion.) The security indicator light will con-
tinue to flash once every three seconds in-
dicating that the syst em is in the valet
mode.
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.)
„ Passive armingWhen passive arming mode has been
programmed by the dealer, arming of the
system is automatic ally accomplished
without using the remote transmitter. Note
that in this mode, DOORS MUST BE
MANUALLY LOCKED.
T To enter the passive mode
If you wish to program the passive arming
mode, have it done by your SUBARU
dealer. T Arming the system
1. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” po-
sition.
1) LOCK
2) ON
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.
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.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.
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