SUBARU FORESTER 2005 SG / 2.G Owners Manual

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Do not put any kind of cover or clothes or other
objects over either front seatback and do not
attach labels or stickers to the front seat sur-
face on or near the SRS side airbag. They could
prevent proper deployment of the SRS side air-
bag, reducing protection available to the front
seat’s occupant.
T
Operation
A) SRS side airbag deploys as soon as a collision oc- curs.
B) SRS side airbag protects the front passenger’s head
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A B C
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and chest.
C) After deployment, SRS side airbag starts to deflate im- mediately.
The SRS side airbag can function only when the igni-
tion switch is in the “ON” position.
The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS side airbags
deploy independently of each other since each has its
own impact sensor. Also, the SRS side airbag deploys
independently of the frontal airbags in the steering
wheel and instrument panel.
An impact sensor is incorporated into each of the ve-
hicle’s center pillars. If either sensor detects a certain
predetermined amount of force during a side impact
collision, the control module sends a signal to the side
airbag module on the impacted side of the vehicle, in-
structing it to inflate the SRS side airbag. Then the
side airbag module produces gas, which instantly in-
flates the SRS side airbag. After deployment, the SRS
side airbag will deflate in a few seconds.
The SRS side airbag deploys even when no one occu-
pies the seat on the side on which an impact is ap-
plied.
When the SRS side airbag deploys, a sudden, fairly
loud inflation noise will be heard and some smoke will
be released. These occurrences are normal result of the deployment. This smoke does not indicate a fire in
the vehicle.
Do not touch the SRS side airbag system com-
ponents around the front seatback with bare
hands right after deployment. Doing so can
cause burns because the components can be
very hot as a result of deployment.
The SRS side airbag is designed to deploy in the event
of an accident involving a moderate to severe side im-
pact collision. It is basically not designed to deploy in
lesser side impact. Also, it is basically not designed to
deploy in frontal or rear impacts because SRS side air-
bag deployment would not help the occupant in those
situations.
Each SRS side airbag is designed to function on a
one-time-only basis.
SRS side airbag deployment depends on the level of
force experienced in the passenger compartment dur-
ing 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 vehicle itself.

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
V
When will the SRS side airbag most likely de-
ploy?
A severe side impact near the front seat activates the
SRS side airbag.
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VWhen is the SRS side airbag unlikely to deploy?
A C B D E
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A) The vehicle is involved in an ob-
lique side-on impact.
B) The vehicle is involved in a side-on impact in an area outside the vicin-
ity of the passenger compartment.
C) The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or similar object.
D) The vehicle is involved in a side-on impact from a motorcycle.
E) The vehicle rolls onto its side or roof.

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
There are many types of collisions which might not
necessarily require SRS side airbag deployment. In
the event of accidents like those illustrated, the SRS
side airbag may not deploy depending on the level of
accident forces involved.
V
When will the SRS side airbag not deploy?
A) The vehicle is involved in frontal collision with another vehicle (moving or stationary).
B) The vehicle is struck from behind.
A B
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The SRS side airbag is basically not designed to de-
ploy if the vehicle is involved in a frontal collision or is
struck from behind. Examples of such accidents are il-
lustrated.
A) First impact
B) Second impact
In an accident where the vehicle is struck from the side
more than once, the SRS side airbag deploys only once.
Example: In the case of a double side impact collision,
first with one vehicle and immediately followed by an-
other from the same direction, once the SRS side air-
bag is activated on the first impact, it will not be acti- vated on the second. „
SRS airbag system monitors
A diagnostic system continually monitors the readi-
ness of the SRS airbag system while the vehicle is be-
ing driven. The SRS airbag system warning light “AIR-
BAG” will show normal system operation by lighting for
about 6 seconds when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position.
The following components are monitored by the indi- cator: y Front sub sensor (Right hand side)
y Front sub sensor (Left hand side)
B
A
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y
Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
y Frontal airbag module (Driver’s side)
y Frontal airbag module (Passenger’s side)
y Side airbag sensor (Driver’s side)
y Side airbag sensor (Passenger’s side)
y Side airbag module (Driver’s side)
y Side airbag module (Passenger’s side)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger’s side)
y All related wiring
If the warning light exhibits any of the following
conditions, there may be a malfunction in the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS airbag sys-
tem. Immediately take your vehicle to your
nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system
checked. Unless checked and properly re-
paired, the seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbags will operate improperly (e.g. SRS air-
bags may inflate in a very minor collision or not
inflate in a severe collision), which may in-
crease the risk of injury. yFlashing or flickering of the indicator light
y No illumination of the warning light when the
ignition switch is first turned to the “ON” posi-tion y
Continuous illumination of the warning light
yIllumination of the warning light while driving

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„SRS airbag system servicing
yWhen discarding an airbag module or scrap-
ping the entire vehicle damaged by a collision,
consult your SUBARU dealer. y 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, see
your nearest SUBARU dealer. Tampering with
or disconnecting the system’s wiring could re-
sult in accidental inflation of the SRS airbag or
could make the system inoperative, which may
result in serious injury. The wiring harnesses of
the SRS airbag system are covered with yellow
insulation and system connectors are yellow
for easy identification.
If you need service or repair in areas listed be-
low, we recommend that you have an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer perform the work. The
SRS airbag control module, impact sensors
and airbag modules are stored in these areas. y
Under the center console
y Near the bottom of the radiator
y Steering wheel and column and nearby areas
y Top of the dashboard on front passenger’s
side and nearby areasy Each front seat and nearby area (for vehicles
with SRS side airbags only)
y Inside each center pillar
In the event that the SRS airbag is deployed, re-
placement of the system should be performed
only by an authorized SUBARU dealer. When the
components of the SRS airbag system are re-
placed, use only genuine SUBARU parts.
To ensure their long-term reliability, the SRS airbags
must be inspected by a SUBARU dealer ten years af-
ter the date of manufacture, which is shown on the cer-
tification plate attached to the driver’s door jamb.
NOTE
In the following cases, contact your SUBARU deal-
er as soon as possible.y The front part of the vehicle was involved in an
accident in which the SRS frontal airbags did not
deploy.y The pad section of the steering wheel or front

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
passenger’s frontal airbag cover is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged.
In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with SRS
side airbags, contact your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible in the following cases.y
Either center pillar or a nearby area of the vehi-
cle was involved in an accident in which the SRS
side airbag did not deploy.y The fabric or leather of either front seatback is
cut, frayed, or otherwise damaged. „ Precautions against vehicle modifica- tion
yTo 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 following modifications: yInstallation of custom steering wheels
y Attachment of additional trim materials to
the dashboard y Installation of custom seats (for vehicles with SRS side airbags only)y
Replacement of seat fabric or leather (for
vehicles with SRS side airbags only) y Installation of additional fabric or leather
on the front seat (for vehicles with SRS side
airbags only)
y Installation of additional electrical/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 inter-
fere with proper operation of the SRS airbag
system.
Do not perform any of the following modifica-
tions. Such modifications can interfere with
proper operation of the SRS airbag system. y Attachment of any equipment (brush bar,
winches, snow plow, skid plate, etc.) other than
genuine SUBARU accessory parts to the front
end. y Modification of the suspension system or
front end structure. y Installation of a tire of different size and con-
struction from the tires specified on the tire

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placard attached to the driver’s door jamb. yAttachment of any equipment (side steps or
side sill protectors, etc.) other than genuine
SUBARU accessory parts to the side body. (for
vehicles with side airbags only)
Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you want to in-
stall any accessory parts to your vehicle.