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1-26Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
4. To make the lap part tight, pull up onthe shoulder belt.
5. Place the lap belt as low as possibleon your hips, not on your waist.
!Unfastening the seatbelt
Push the button on the buckle.
NOTE
1) Holder
.Before folding or raising the seat-backof the third-row seat, confirm thatthe seatbelt is flat against the sidewallat the lower point and the webbing isattached to the holder..When raising the seatback of thethird-rowseat, if the seatbelt catcheson the seatback, hold the belt forwardof the seatback while latching theseatback.
&Seatbelt maintenance
To clean the seatbelts, use a mild soapand lukewarm water. Never bleach or dyethe belts because this could seriouslyaffect their strength.
Inspect the seatbelts and attachmentsincluding the webbing and all hardwareperiodically for cracks, cuts, gashes,tears, damage, loose bolts or worn areas.Replacethe seatbelts even if only minordamage is found.
CAUTION
.Keep the belts free of polishes,oils, chemicals and particularlybattery acid.
.Never attempt to make modifica-tions or changes that will preventthe seatbelt from operating prop-erly.
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Front seatbelt pretensioners
Thedriver’s and front passenger’s seat-belts have a seatbelt pretensioner. Theseatbelt pretensioners for the driver’s seatand front passenger’s seat operate at thesame time as the frontal, and side SRSairbags. If the vehicle rolls over, theyoperate simultaneously with the curtainairbag.
The front and side airbag sensors and therollover sensor are used as the preten-sioner sensors. If a sensor detects acertain predetermined amount of forceduring a frontal collision, a side impactcollision or a rollover collision of thevehicle, the front seatbelt is quickly drawnback in by the retractor to take up theslack so that the belt more effectively
restrains the front seat occupant.
When a seatbelt pretensioner is activated,an operating noise will be heard and asmall amount of smoke will be released.These occurrences are normal and notharmful. This smoke does not indicate afire in the vehicle.
Once the seatbelt pretensioner has beenactivated, the seatbelt retractor remainslocked. Consequently, the seatbelt can notbe pulled out and retracted and thereforemust be replaced.
NOTE
.Seatbelt pretensioners are not de-signed to activate in minor frontalimpacts, in minor side impacts or rearimpacts..The seatbelt pretensioners for thedriver’sseatandfrontpassenger’sseat operate at the same time as thefrontal, and side SRS airbags. If thevehicle rolls over, they operate simul-taneously with thecurtain airbag..Pretensioners are designed to func-tion on a one-time-only basis. In theevent that a pretensioner is activated,both the driver’s and front passenger’sseatbelt retractor assemblies must bereplaced and only by an authorizedSUBARU dealer. When replacing seat-
belt retractor assemblies, use onlygenuine SUBARU parts..If either front seatbelt does notretract or cannot be pulled out due toamalfunctionoractivationofthepretensioner, contact your SUBARUdealer as soon as possible..If the front seatbelt retractor assem-bly or surrounding area has beendamaged, contact your SUBARU dealeras soon as possible..When you sell your vehicle, we urgeyou to explain to the buyer that it hasseatbelt pretensioners by alerting himto the contents of this section.
WARNING
.To obtain maximum protection,occupants should sit in an up-right position with their seatbeltsproperly fastened. Refer to“Seat-belts”F1-17.
.Do not modify, remove or strikethe front seatbelt retractor as-semblies or surrounding area.This could result in accidentalactivation of the seatbelt preten-sioners or could make the sys-tem inoperative, possibly result-ing in serious injury. Seatbeltpretensioners have no user-ser-
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1-28Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
viceable parts. For required ser-vicing of front seatbelt retractorsequipped with seatbelt preten-sioners, see your nearestSUBARU dealer.
.When discarding front seatbeltretractor assemblies or scrap-ping the entire vehicle due tocollision damage or for otherreasons, consult your SUBARUdealer.
&System monitors
A diagnostic system continually monitorsthe readiness of the seatbelt pretensionerwhile the vehicle is being driven. Theseatbeltpretensioners share the controlmodule with the airbag system. Therefore,if any malfunction occurs in a seatbeltpretensioner, the SRS airbag systemwarning light will illuminate. For details,refer to“SRS airbag system monitors”F1-71.
&System servicing
WARNING
.When discarding a seatbelt re-tractor assembly or scrappingthe entire vehicle damaged by a
collision, consult your SUBARUdealer.
.Tampering with or disconnectingthe system’s wiring could resultin accidental activation of theseatbelt pretensioner and/or air-bag or could make the systeminoperative, which may result inserious injury. Do not use elec-trical test equipment on anycircuit related to the seatbeltpretensioner and airbag sys-tems. For required servicing ofthe seatbelt pretensioner, seeyour nearest SUBARU dealer.
CAUTION
The front sub sensors are locatedon both sides of the radiator panel,and the airbag control module in-cludingthe impact sensors is lo-cated under the center console. Ifyou need service or repair in thoseareas or near the front seatbeltretractors, we recommend that youhave an authorized SUBARU dealerperform the work.
NOTE
If the front part of the vehicle isdamaged in an accident to the extentthat the seatbelt pretensioner does notoperate, contact your SUBARU dealeras soon as possible.
&Precautions against vehicle
modification
Always consult your SUBARU dealer ifyou want to install any accessory parts toyour vehicle.
CAUTION
Do not perform any of the followingmodifications. Such modificationscan interfere with proper operationof the seatbelt pretensioners.
.Attachment of any equipment(bush bar, winches, snow plow,skid plate, etc.)other than genu-ine SUBARU accessory parts tothe front end.
.Modification of the suspensionsystem or front end structure.
.Installation of a tire of differentsize and construction from thetires specified on the vehicleplacard attached to the doorpillar or specified for individual
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vehicle models in this Owner’sManual.Child restraint systems
Whileriding in the vehicle, infants andsmall children should always be placed inan infant or child restraint system in one ofthe rear seating positions recommendedin this Owner’s Manual.
You should use an infant or child restraintsystem that meets Federal Motor VehicleSafetyStandards or Canada Motor Vehi-cle Safety Standards, is compatible withyour vehicle and is appropriate for thechild’s age and size.
Allchild restraint systems are designed tobe secured in vehicle seats by lap belts orthe lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt(except those described in“Installation ofchild restraint systems by use of lower and
tether anchorages (LATCH)”F1-37).
Children could be endangered in anaccident if their child restraints are notproperly secured in the vehicle. Wheninstalling the child restraint system, care-fully follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
According to accident statistics, childrenare safer when properly restrained in therear seating positions than in the frontseating positions.
All U.S. states and Canadian provincesrequire that infants and small children berestrained in an approved child restraintsystem at all times while the vehicle ismoving.
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1-30Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
WARNING
Never let a passenger hold a childon his or her lap while the vehicle ismoving. The passenger cannot pro-tect the child from injury in a colli-sion, because the child will becaught between the passenger andobjects inside the vehicle. Addition-ally, holding a child in your lap orarms in the front seat exposes thatchild to another serious danger.Since the SRSairbag deploys withconsiderable speed and force, thechild could be injured or even killed.
WARNING
Children should be properly re-strained at all times. Never allow achild to stand up, or to kneel on anyseat. Unrestrained children will bethrown forward during sudden stopor in an accident and can be injuredseriously.
Additionally, children standing up orkneeling on or in front of the frontseat are exposed another seriousdanger. Since the SRS airbag de-ployswith considerable speed andforce, the child could be injured oreven killed.
&Where to place a child re-
straint system
The following are SUBARU’s recommen-dations on where to place a child restraintsystem in your vehicle.
A: Front passenger’s seat
You should not install a child restraintsystem (including a booster seat) due tothe hazard to children posed by thepassenger’s airbag.
B: Second-row outboard seats
Recommended positions for all types ofchild restraint systems.
In these positions, Automatic/EmergencyLocking Retractor (A/ELR) seatbelts andlower anchorages (bars) are provided forinstalling a child restraint system.
Some types of child restraints might not beable to be secured firmly due to projectionof the seat cushion.
In this seating position, you should useonly a child restraint system that has abottom base that fits snugly against the
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contours of the seat cushion and can besecurely retained using the seatbelt.
C: Second-row center seat
Installing a child restraint system is notrecommended, although the A/ELR seat-belt and an upper anchorage (tetheranchorage) are provided in this position.
Some types of child restraints might not beable to be secured firmly due to projectionof the seat cushion.
In this seating position, you should useonly a child restraint system that has abottom base that fits snugly against thecontours of the seat cushion and can besecurelyretained using the seatbelt.
D: Third-row seat
Installing a child restraint system is notrecommended, although the A/ELR seat-belt and two upper anchorages (tetheranchorages)are provided in these posi-tions.
These seating positions are not equippedwith lower anchorages (bars) for installingLATCH system-type child restraints. How-ever, child restraint devices can be used inthese position using the A/ELR seatbeltsand upper anchorages (tether an-chorages) provided.
Some typesof child restraints might not beable to be secured firmly due to projectionof the seat cushion.
In this seating position, you should useonly a child restraint system that has abottom base that fits snugly against thecontours of the seat cushion and can besecurely retained using the seatbelt.
WARNING
Put children aged 12 and under inthe rear seat properly restrained atalltimes. The SRS airbag deployswith considerable speed and forceand can injure or even kill children,especially if they are 12 years of ageand under and are not restrained orimproperly restrained. Because chil-dren are lighter and weaker thanadults, their risk of being injuredfrom deployment is greater.
Consequently, be sure to secureALL types of child restraint devices(including forward facing childseats) in the REAR seats at all times.You should choose a restraint de-vice which is appropriate for thechild’s age, height and weight. Ac-cording to accident statistics, chil-dren are safer when properly re-strained in the rear seating posi-tions than in the front seating posi-tions.
WARNING
SINCE YOUR VEHICLE ISEQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER’SSRS AIRBAG, DO NOT INSTALL AREARWARD FACING CHILDSAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT PAS-SENGER’S SEAT. DOING SO RISKSSERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TOTHE CHILD BY PLACING THECHILD’SHEADTOOCLOSETOTHE SRS AIRBAG.
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1-32Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
&Choosing a child restraint
system
Choose a child restraint system that isappropriate for the child’s age and size(weight and height) in order to provide thechild with proper protection. The childrestraint system should meet all applic-able requirements of Federal Motor Vehi-cle Safety Standards for United States orCanada Motor Vehicle Safety Standardsfor Canada. It can be identified by lookingfor the label on the child restraint systemor the manufacturer’s statement of com-pliance in the document attached to thesystem. Also it is important for you tomake sure thatthe child restraint systemis compatible with the vehicle in which itwill be used.
&Installing child restraint sys-
tems with A/ELR seatbelt
WARNING
.Child restraint systems and seat-belts can become hot in a vehiclethat has been closed up in sunnyweather; they could burn a smallchild. Check the child restraintsystem before you place a childin it.
.Do not leave an unsecured childrestraint system in your vehicle.Unsecured child restraint sys-tems can be thrown around in-side of the vehicle in a suddenstop, turn or accident; they canstrikeand injure vehicle occu-pants as well as result in seriousinjuries or death to the child.
CAUTION
When you install a child restraintsystem, follow the manufacturer’sinstructions supplied with it. Afterinstalling the child restraint system,check to ensure that it is heldsecurely in position. If it is not heldtight and secure, the danger of your
child suffering personal injury in theevent of an accident may be in-creased.
!Installing a rearward facing childrestraint
1. Slide the seat or seat pair to itsrearmost position.
2. Adjust the seatback to the uprightposition.
3. Place the child restraint system in therear seating position.
4. Run the lap and shoulder belt throughor around the child restraint systemfollowing the instructions provided by itsmanufacturer.
5. Insert the tongue plate into the buckleuntil you hear a click.
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6. Take up the slack in the lap belt.
7. Pull out the seatbelt fully from theretractor to change the retractor over fromthe Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)to the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)mode. Then, allow the belt to rewind intothe retractor. As the belt is rewinding,clicks will be heard which indicate theretractor functions as ALR.
8. Push and pull the child restraintsystem forward and from side to side tocheck if it is firmly secured.
Sometimes a child restraint can be morefirmlysecured by pushing it down into theseat cushion and then tightening theseatbelt.
9. Pull at the shoulder portion of the beltto confirm that it cannot be pulled out (ALRproperly functioning).
10. To remove the child restraint system,press the release button on the seatbeltbuckle and allow the belt to retractcompletely. The belt will return to theELR mode.
WARNING
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-CING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONTPA S S E N G E R’SSEAT.DOINGSORISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATHTO THE CHILD BY PLACING THECHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THESRS AIRBAG.
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