2012 SUBARU OUTBACK seat adjustment

Front seats........................................................... 1-2
Manual seat (if equipped) .................................... 1-3
Power seat (if equipped) ...................................... 1-4
Head restraint adjustment .................................... 1-6
Seat heater (if equipped) .................................... 1-6
Rear seats ............................................................ 1-7
Reclining the seatback (Outback) ......................... 1-8
Folding down the rear seatback ........................... 1-9
Head restraint adjustment ................................... 1-10
Armrest ............................................................. 1-12
Seatbelts ............................................................. 1-12
Seatbelt safety tips ............................................. 1-12
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................... 1-13
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ............................................................ 1-13
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 1-14
Fastening the seatbelt ........................................ 1-14
Seatbelt maintenance ......................................... 1-20
Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................. 1-21
System monitors ................................................ 1-22
System servicing ................................................ 1-22 Precautions against vehicle modification
............ 1-22
Child restraint systems ..................................... 1-23
Where to place a child restraint system .............. 1-24
Choosing a child restraint system ...................... 1-25
Installing child restraint systems with A/ELR seatbelt ........................................................... 1-26
Installing a booster seat ..................................... 1-29
Installation of child restraint systems by use of lower and tether anchorages (LATCH) .............. 1-30
Top tether anchorages ....................................... 1-33
*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ................................................ 1-36
General precautions regarding SRS airbag system ............................................................ 1-36
Components ...................................................... 1-42
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system, SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag .................. 1-45
System operation ............................................... 1-50
SRS airbag system monitors .............................. 1-62
SRS airbag system servicing ... .......................... 1-63
Precautions against vehicle modification ............ 1-64
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1

for the child’s age, height and
weight.
Secure ALL types of child restraint
devices (including forward facing
child seats) in the REAR seats at
all times.
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-
CING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT
SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD
BY PLACING THE CHILD ’S HEAD
TOO CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG.
According to accident statistics,
children are safer when properly
restrained in the rear seating posi-
tions than in the front seating posi-
tions. For instructions and precau-
tions concerning child restraint sys-
tems, refer to “Child restraint sys-
tems ”F 1-23. &
Manual seat (if equipped)
! Forward and backward adjustment
Pull the lever upward and slide the seat to
the desired position. Then release the
lever and try to move the seat back and
forth to make sure that it is securely locked
into place. !
Reclining the seatbackWARNING
To prevent the passenger from slid-
ing under the seatbelt in the event of
a collision, always put the seatback
in the upright position while the
vehicle is in motion. Also, do not
place objects such as cushions
between the passenger and the
seatback. If you do so, the risk of
sliding under the lap belt and of the
lap belt sliding up over the abdomen
will increase, and both can result in
serious internal injury or death. Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-3
– CONTINUED –

1-4Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Pull the reclining lever up and adjust the
seatback to the desired position. Then
release the lever and make sure the
seatback is securely locked into place.
The seatback placed in a reclined position
can spring back upward with force when
the lever is pulled. When operating the
reclining lever to return the seatback, hold
the seatback lightly so that it may be
raised back gradually. !
Seat height adjustment (driver ’s
seat)
1) When the lever is pushed down, the seat is lowered.
2) When the lever is pulled up, the seat rises.
The height of the seat can be adjusted by
moving the seat cushion adjustment lever
up or down. &
Power seat (if equipped)WARNING
To prevent the passenger from slid-
ing under the seatbelt in the event of
a collision, always put the seatback
in the upright position while the
vehicle is in motion. Also, do not
place objects such as cushions
between the passenger and the
seatback. If you do so, the risk of
sliding under the lap belt and of the
lap belt sliding up over the abdomen
will increase, and both can result in
serious internal injury or death.

1-6Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
&Head restraint adjustment
1) Head restraint
2) Release button
Both the driver ’s seat and the front
passenger ’s seat are equipped with head
restraints.
The head restraint should be adjusted so
that the center of the head restraint is
closest to the top of the occupant ’s ears.
To raise:
Pull the head restraint up.
To lower:
Push the head restraint down while
pressing the release button on the top of
the seatback. To remove:
While pressing the release button, pull out
the head restraint.
To install:
Install the head restraint into the holes that
are located on the top of the seatback until
the head restraint locks.
WARNING
. Never drive the vehicle with the
head restraints removed because
they are designed to reduce the
risk of serious neck injury in the
event that the vehicle is struck
from the rear. Therefore, when
you remove the head restraints,
you must reinstall all head re-
straints to protect vehicle occu-pants.
. All occupants, including the dri-
ver, should not operate a vehicle
or sit in a vehicle ’s seat until the
head restraints are placed in their
proper positions in order to mini-
mize the risk of neck injury in the
event of a crash. Seat heater (if equipped)
1)
HIGH –Rapid heating
2) LOW –Normal heating
3) OFF –Off
A) Left-hand side
B) Right-hand side

1-10Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
!Outback
Unlock the seatback by pulling the release
lever and then fold the seatback down.
To return the seatback to its original
position, raise the seatback until it locks
into place and make sure that it is securelylocked. &
Head restraint adjustment
Both the rear window side seats and the
rear center seat are equipped with headrestraints.
WARNING
. Never drive the vehicle with the
head restraints removed because
they are designed to reduce the
risk of serious neck injury in the
event that the vehicle is struck
from the rear. Therefore, when
you remove the head restraints,
you must reinstall all head re-
straints to protect vehicle occu-pants.
. All occupants, including the dri-
ver, should not operate a vehicle
or sit in a vehicle ’s seat until the
head restraints are placed in their
proper positions in order to mini-
mize the risk of neck injury in the
event of a crash. !
Rear window side seating position
1) Head restraint
2) Release button
To raise:
Pull the head restraint up.
To lower:
Push the head restraint down while
pressing the release button on the top of
the seatback.
To remove:
While pressing the release button, pull out
the head restraint.
To install:
Install the head restraint into the holes that
are located on the top of the seatback until
the head restraint locks.
The head restraint should be adjusted so

.A vehiclefails the OBDII inspection if
the “CHECK ENGINE ”warning light is not
properly operating (light is illuminated or is
not working due to a burned out bulb) or
there is one or more diagnostic trouble
codes stored in the vehicle ’s computer.
. A state emission inspection may reject
(not pass or fail) a vehicle if the number of
OBDII system readiness monitors “NOT
READY ”is greater than one. If the
vehicle ’s battery has been recently re-
placed or disconnected, the OBDII system
inspection may indicate that the vehicle is
not ready for the emission test. Under this
condition, the vehicle driver should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few
days to reset the readiness monitors and
return for an emission re-inspection. . Owners of rejected or failing vehicles
should contact their SUBARU Dealer for service.
Some states still use dynamometers in
their emission inspection program. A
dynamometer is a treadmill or roller-like
testing device that allows your vehicle ’s
wheels to turn while the vehicle remains in
one place. Prior to your vehicle being put
on a dynamometer, tell your emission
inspector
not to place your SUBARU
AWD vehicle on a two-wheel dynam-
ometer. Otherwise, serious transmis-
sion damage will result. The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and states using two-wheel
dynamometers in their emission testing
program have EXEMPTED SUBARU
AWD vehicles from the portion of the
testing program that involves a two-wheel
dynamometer. There are some states that
use four-wheel dynamometers in their
testing program. When properly used, this
equipment should not damage a SUBARU
AWD vehicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear
wheels be jacked off the ground, nor
should the driveshaft be disconnected for
state emission testing.
Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks
and adjustments every day before you
start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and
lights are clean and unobstructed.
2. Check the appearance and condition
of the tires. Also check tires for properinflation.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
4. Check that the hood, trunk (Legacy)
and rear gate (Outback) are fully closed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside
and outside mirrors.
7. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your
passengers have fastened their seatbelts.
8. Check the operation of the warning
and indicator lights when the ignition
switch is turned to the
“ON ”position.
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warn-
ing lights after starting the engine. Starting and operating
7-7
– CONTINUED –

Warning........................................................ 3-18, 7-34
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ............................. 1-13
Engine
Compartment overview ........................................... 11-9
Coolant ........................................................ 11-17, 12-8
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................. 6, 8-2
Hood .................................................................... 11-7
Low oil level warning light ....................................... 3-14
Oil............................................................... 11-12, 12-4 Overheating .......................................................... 9-13
Starting ................................................................... 7-8
Stopping ............................................................... 7-10
Exterior care .............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ..................................................................... 9-6
Floor mat .................................................................. 6-14
Fluid level Automatic transmission .......................................... 11-21
Brake .................................................................. 11-25
Clutch .................................................................. 11-26
Power steering ..................................................... 11-24
Fog light
Bulb .................................................................... 11-48
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-23
Switch .................................................................. 3-30
Folding mirror switch .................................................. 3-51
Front Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-23, 12-7
Fog light ...................................................... 3-30, 11-48
Fog light indicator light ............................................ 3-23 Position light
........................................................ 11-48
Seatbelt pretensioners ............................................ 1-21
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-48
Front fog light ........................................................... 11-48
Front seats ................................................................. 1-2
Forward and backward adjustment ............................ 1-3
Head restraint adjustment ......................................... 1-6
Power seat ............................................................. 1-4
Reclining ................................................................ 1-3
Seat height adjustment (driver ’s seat) ........................ 1-4
Fuel ........................................................................... 7-2
Economy hints ........................................................ 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-3
Gauge .................................................................... 3-7
Requirements ................................................. 7-2, 12-3
Fuses ..................................................................... 11-44
Fuses and circuits .................................................... 12-10
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) .. ............................. 8-14
Glove box ................................................................... 6-6
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) ........................... 8-14
H
Hands-free system. ..................................................... 5-49
Hazard warning flasher .......................................... 3-5, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment Front seat ............................................................... 1-6
Rear seat .............................................................. 1-10
Headlight ......................................................... 3-27, 11-45
Bulb wattage ........................................................ 12-14 Index
14-5

14-8Index
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-14
Outside Mirror defogger ...................................................... 3-34
Mirrors .................................................................. 3-50
Overhead console ........................................................ 6-8
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-13
P Parking ..................................................................... 7-30
Brake ................................................................... 7-31
Tips...................................................................... 7-34
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel ................................................................... 7-2
Pocket ........................................................................ 6-8
Power Door locking switch .................................................. 2-6
Outside mirrors .............................................. 3-51, 3-51
Seat ....................................................................... 1-4
Steering ................................................................ 7-23
Steering fluid ................................................ 11-24, 12-8
Windows ............................................................... 2-20
Precautions against vehicle modification ............... 1-22, 1-64
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-7
Printed antenna ........................................................... 5-3
R Rear Combination lights ................................................. 11-49
Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-24, 12-7
Gate ............................................................. 2-26, 9-20
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-49 Rear seat
................................................................... 1-7
Armrest ................................................................. 1-12
Folding down .......................................................... 1-9
Head restraint adjustment ........................................ 1-10
Reclining ................................................................ 1-8
Rear view camera ...................................................... 6-19
Rear window
Defogger ............................................................... 3-34
Wiper and washer switch ......................................... 3-33
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-41
Recommended Automatic transmission fluid ..................................... 12-8
Brake fluid ............................................................. 12-8
Clutch fluid ............................................................ 12-8
Continuously variable transmission fluid .................... 12-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 12-4
Front differential gear oil .......................................... 12-7
Manual transmission oil ........................................... 12-7
Power steering fluid ................................................ 12-8
Rear differential gear oil .......................................... 12-7
Spark plugs ........................................................... 12-9
Refueling .................................................................... 7-3
Remote engine start system ........................................ 7-10
Remote keyless entry system ....................................... 2-7
Replacement Brake pad and lining ............................................. 11-29
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-39
Replacing
Air cleaner element ............................................... 11-18
Battery (remote engine start transmitter) .................... 7-14
Battery (remote keyless entry system) ....................... 2-10