2012 SUBARU FORESTER Owners Manual

1-56Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS curtain airbag is unlikely
to deploy.
1) 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 is involved in a side-on impact from a motorcycle.
There are many types of collisions which
might not necessarily require SRS curtain
airbag deployment. In the event of acci-
dents like those illustrated, the SRS
curtain airbag may not deploy depending
on the level of accident forces involved.

!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
airbag are basically not designed to
deploy if the vehicle is involved in a frontal
collision or is struck from behind. Exam-
ples 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
impact 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. !
Example of the type of accident in
which the SRS curtain airbag will
basically not deploy.The SRS curtain airbags are not basically
designed to deploy if the vehicle pitches
end over end. Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-57
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1-58Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
&SRS airbag system monitors
Type A
Type B
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
“AIR-
BAG ”will show normal system operation
by lighting for approximately 6 seconds
when the ignition switch is turned to the“ ON ”position.
The following components are monitored
by the indicator: . Front sub sensor
– Right-hand side
– Left-hand side
. Airbag control module (including im-
pact and rollover sensors). Frontal airbag module
– Driver ’s side
– Front passenger ’s side
. Side airbag sensor
– Center pillar right-hand side
– Center pillar left-hand side
. Side airbag module
– Driver ’s side
– Front passenger ’s side
. Curtain airbag sensor
– Rear wheel house right-hand side
– Rear wheel house left-hand side
. Curtain airbag module
– Right-hand side
– Left-hand side
. Satellite safing sensor (under the rear
center seat) .
Seatbelt pretensioner
– Driver ’s side
– Front passenger ’s side
. Seatbelt buckle switch (front passen-
ger ’s side)
. Front passenger ’s seatbelt tension
sensor. Front passenger ’s occupant detection
system weight sensor. Front passenger ’s occupant detection
control module. Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicator. All related wiring
WARNING
If the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt
pretensioners and/or SRS airbag
system. Immediately take your vehi-
cle to your nearest SUBARU dealer
to have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbag will not operate properly in
the event of a collision, which may
increase the risk of injury. . Flashing or flickering of the warn-
ing light

.No illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON ”position
. Continuous illumination of the
warning light
. Illumination of the warning light
while driving
& SRS airbag system servicing
WARNING
. When discarding an airbag mod-
ule or scrapping the entire vehi-
cle damaged by a collision, con-
sult your SUBARU dealer.
. The SRS airbag has no user-
serviceable parts. Do not use
electrical test equipment on any
circuit related to the SRS airbag
system. For required servicing of
the SRS airbag, consult your
nearest SUBARU dealer. Tamper-
ing with or disconnecting thesystem ’s wiring could result in
accidental inflation of the SRS
airbag or could make the system
inoperative, which may result in
serious injury.
CAUTION
If you need service or repair in areas
indicated in the following list, have
the work performed by an author-
ized SUBARU dealer. The SRS air-
bag control module, impact sensors
and airbag modules are stored in
these areas. . Under the center console
. On both the right and left sides at
the front of the vehicle
. Steering wheel and column and
nearby areas
. Top of the dashboard on front
passenger ’s side and nearby
areas
. Each front seat and nearby area
. Inside each center pillar
. In each roof side (from the front
pillar to a point over the rear seat)
. Between the rear seat cushion
and rear wheel house on each side
. Under the rear center seat
In the event that the SRS airbag is
deployed, replacement of the system
should be performed only by an author-
ized SUBARU dealer. When the compo- nents of the SRS airbag system are
replaced, use only genuine SUBARUparts.
NOTE
In the following cases, contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. . The front part of the vehicle was
damaged in an accident in which either
or both of the frontal airbags did not
deploy.. 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.. Center pillar, rear wheel house or
rear sub frame, or an area near these
parts, was involved in an accident in
which the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag did not deploy.. The fabric or leather of either front
seatback is cut, frayed, or otherwisedamaged.. The rear part of the vehicle was
involved in an accident in which no
SRS airbag deployed. Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-59
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1-60Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
&Precautions against vehicle modification
WARNING
To avoid accidental activation of the
system or rendering the system
inoperative, which may result in
serious injury, no modifications
should be made to any components
or wiring of the SRS airbag system.
This includes the following modifi- cations. . 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
. Attachment of a hands-free mi-
crophone or any other accessory
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 curtainairbag. .
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 interfere
with proper operation of the
SRS airbag system.
CAUTION
Do not perform any of the following
modifications. Such modifications
can interfere with proper operation
of the SRS airbag system. . 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
placard attached to the driver ’s
door pillar or specified for indivi-
dual vehicle models in this Own-er ’s Manual.
. Attachment of any equipment
(side steps or side sill protectors, etc.) other than genuine SUBARU
accessory parts to the side body.
Always consult your SUBARU dealer if
you want to install any accessory parts on
your vehicle.

Keys..................................................................... 2-2
Key number plate and security ID plate ................ 2-2
Immobilizer .......................................................... 2-3
Security indicator light ........................................ 2-3
Key replacement ................................................. 2-3
Door locks ........................................................... 2-4
Locking and unlocking from the outside .. ............ 2-4
Locking and unlocking from the inside ................ 2-5
Battery drainage prevention function ................... 2-5
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 rear gate ....................................... 2-9
Illuminated entry ................................................. 2-9
Vehicle finder function ......................................... 2-9
Sounding a panic alarm ...................................... 2-10
Selecting turn signal lights operation .................. 2-10
Selecting audible signal operation ...................... 2-10
Replacing the battery ......................................... 2-10
Replacing lost transmitters ................................. 2-11 Alarm system
..................................................... 2-14
System operation ............................................... 2-14
Activating and deactivating the alarm system ..... 2-15
If you have accidentally triggered the alarm system ............................................................ 2-15
Arming the system ............................................ 2-15
Disarming the system ........................................ 2-17
Valet mode ........................................................ 2-17
Passive arming .................................................. 2-17
Tripped sensor identification .............................. 2-18
Shock sensors (dealer option).. .......................... 2-19
Child safety locks .............................................. 2-19
Windows ............................................................. 2-20
Power window operation by driver ..................... 2-20
Power window operation by passengers ............. 2-22
Initialization of power window (type A) ............... 2-23
Rear gate ............................................................ 2-23
Moonroof (if equipped) ...................................... 2-24
To open the moonroof ....................................... 2-25
To close the moonroof ....................................... 2-25
Anti-entrapment function .................................... 2-25
Sun shade ......................................................... 2-26 Keys and doors
2

2-2Keys and doors
Keys
1) Master key (black)
2) Submaster key (black)
3) Valet key (gray)
4) Key number plate
5) Security ID plate
Three types of keys are provided for your vehicle:
Master key, submaster key and valet key.
The master key and submaster key fit all
locks on your vehicle. . Ignition switch
. Driver ’s door
. Glove box
The valet key fits only the ignition switch
and driver ’s door lock. You can keep the glove box locked when you leave your
vehicle and valet key at a parking facility.
CAUTION
Do not attach a large key holder or
key case to either key. If it bangs
against your knees while you are
driving, it could turn the ignition
switch from the “ON ”position to the
“ Acc ”or “LOCK ”position, thereby
stopping the engine.
& Key number plate and secur-
ity ID plate
1) Key number plate
2) Security ID plate
The key number is stamped on the key number plate attached to the key set. The
security ID for the immobilizer system is
stamped on the security ID plate attached
to the key set. Be sure to keep these
plates in a safe place, not in the vehicle. It
is recommended to make a note of these
numbers to be on the safe side. These
numbers are needed to make a replace-
ment key if you lose your key or lock it
inside the vehicle.
For information on making replacement
keys, refer to
“Key replacement ”F 2-3.
The security ID is also needed for
replacement or repair of the engine control
unit, integrated unit, or combination meter.

Immobilizer
CAUTION
FCC WARNING
Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party re-
sponsible for compliance could void
the user ’s authority to operate the
equipment.
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 not start or will
stop after several seconds.
Each immobilizer key contains a trans-
ponder in which the key ’s ID code is
stored. When a key is inserted into the
ignition switch and turned to the “ON ”
position, the transponder transmits thekey ’s ID code to the immobilizer system ’s
receiver. 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
transmitted and acted upon almost in- stantly, the immobilizer system does not
impede normal starting of the engine.
If the engine fails to start, pull out the key
once before trying again. Refer to
“Ignition
switch ”F 3-3.
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules and RSS-Gen of IC
Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions: (1) this de-
vice may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept
any interference received, including
interference that may cause undesiredoperation.
CAUTION
. Do not place the key under direct
sunlight or anywhere it may
become hot.
. Do not get the key wet. If the key
gets wet, wipe it dry with a cloth
immediately.
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 the moonroof, and lock
the doors and rear gate..
Do not leave spare keys or any
record of your key number in thevehicle. & Security indicator light
Refer to “Security indicator light ”F 3-23.
& Key replacement
Your key number plate and security ID
plate are required if you need a new
replacement key. Any new key must be
registered to your vehicle ’s immobilizer
system. Up to four keys can be registered
for use with one vehicle.
For security, all the keys must be re-
registered to your vehicle ’s immobilizer
system when registering a new key.
Therefore, all of your vehicle ’s keys must
be presented when a new key is regis-
tered. Any key that is not re-registered
cannot be used after the other keys are re-
registered. For information on replace-
ment keys and on the registration of keys
with your immobilizer system, contact your
SUBARU dealer.
NOTE
A vehicle that is equipped with the
remote engine start system as a dealer Keys and doors
2-3
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