Page 78 of 474

wheel and instrument panel.
An impact sensor, which senses impact
force, is located in each of the followinglocations. .In the left and right front doors
. In the left and right center pillars
. In the left and right rear wheel houses
. In the airbag control module
For Outback models, a rollover sensor is
also located inside the airbag controlmodule.
If the impact sensor that is located in the
airbag control module and one of the
center pillar impact sensors or front door
impact sensors together sense an impact
force above a predetermined 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 the impact sensor that is located in the
airbag control module and one of the rear
wheel house impact sensors together
sense an impact force above a predeter-
mined level in a side collision, the control
module causes only the SRS curtain
airbag on the impacted side to inflate. For Outback models, if the rollover sensor
detects rollover of the vehicle, the control
module inflates the SRS curtain airbags.
At this time, the driver
’s and front passen-
ger ’s seatbelt pretensioners also operate
at the same time.
After the deployment, the SRS side airbag
immediately starts to deflate. The time
required from detection of an impact to
deflation of an SRS side airbag after
deployment 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
airbag deploy even when no one occupies
the seat on the side on which an impact isapplied.
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain
airbag are designed to deploy in the event
of an accident involving a moderate to
severe side impact collision. They are
basically not designed to deploy in a
lesser side impact.
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain
airbag deployment depend on the level of
force experienced in the passenger com-
partment 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 vehicleitself.
For Outback models, the SRS curtain
airbags are also designed to deploy when
the vehicle is in an extremely inclined
state such as during a rollover. They are
basically not designed to deploy in a
lesser inclined state.
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain
airbag are basically not designed to
deploy in frontal or rear impacts because
the 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.
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-55
– CONTINUED –
Page 79 of 474
1-56Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
! Example of the type of accident in
which the SRS side airbag will most
likely deploy.
A severe side impact near the front seat
activates the SRS side airbag. !
Examples of the types of accidents
in which the SRS curtain airbag will
most likely deploy.
Legacy models
A severe side impact near the front seat or
the rear seat activates the SRS curtainairbag.
Page 80 of 474
Outback models1) The vehicle is involved in a severe sideimpact near the front seat or the rear seat.
2) The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.
3) The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal or the skidding vehicle ’s tires hit a curb-
stone laterally.
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-57
– CONTINUED –
Page 81 of 474
1-58Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
! Examples of the types of accidents in which it is possible that the SRS side
airbag and the SRS curtain airbag will deploy (Outback).
1) Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard
surface
2) Falling into or jumping over a deep hole
3) Landing hard or vehicle falling
It is possible that the SRS side and curtain
airbags will deploy if a serious impact
occurs to the underside of your vehicle.
Some examples are shown in the illustra-tion.
Page 82 of 474
!Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side 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 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 the roof.
There are many types of collisions which
might not necessarily require SRS side
airbag deployment. In the event of acci-
dents like those illustrated, the SRS side
airbag may not deploy depending on the
level of accident forces involved. Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-59
– CONTINUED –
Page 83 of 474
1-60Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS curtain airbag is unlikely
to deploy.
Legacy models
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 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 the roof.
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.
Page 84 of 474
Outback models1) The vehicle is involved in an obliqueside-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.
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. Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-61
– CONTINUED –
Page 85 of 474

1-62Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
! 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.
3) The vehicle pitches end over end.
In the event of accidents like those
illustrated, the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag are basically not designed
to deploy.
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. &
SRS airbag system monitors
SRS airbag system warning light
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 will show
normal system operation by illuminating
for approximately 6 seconds when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position.
The following components are monitored
by the indicator.