ignition SUBARU FORESTER 2005 SG / 2.G Owners Manual

1-10
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Seat heater (if equipped)
HI – Rapid heating
LO – Normal heating
The seat heater operates when the ignition switch is
either in the “ACC” or “ON” position.
To turn on the seat heater, push the “LO” or “HI” posi-
tion on the switch, as desired, depending on the tem-
perature. Selecting the “HI” position will cause the seat
to heat up quicker.
The indicator located on the switch comes on when
the seat heater is in operation. When the vehicle’s in- terior is warmed enough or before you leave the vehi-
cle, be sure to turn the switch off.
y
There is a possibility that people with delicate
skin may suffer slight burns even at low tem-
peratures if he/she uses the seat heater for a
long period of time. When using the heater, al-
ways be sure to warn the persons concerned.y Do not put anything on the seat which insu-
lates against heat, such as a blanket, cushion,
or similar items. This may cause the seat heater
to overheat.
NOTE y Use of the seat heater for a long period of time
while the engine is not running can cause battery
discharge. y When cleaning the seat, do not use benzine,
paint thinner, or any similar materials.
HI
LO
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1-16
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
„
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retrac- tor (A/ELR)
Each passenger’s seatbelt has an Automatic/Emer-
gency Locking Retractor (A/ELR). The Automatic/
Emergency Locking Retractor normally functions as
an Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR). The A/ELR
has an additional locking mode “Automatic Locking
Retractor (ALR) mode” intended to secure a child re-
straint system. When the seatbelt is once drawn out
completely and is then retracted even slightly, the re-
tractor locks the seatbelt in that position and the seat-
belt cannot be extended. As the belt is rewinding,
clicks will be heard which indicate the retractor func-
tions as an ALR. When the seatbelt is retracted fully,
the ALR mode is released.
When securing a child restraint system on the rear
seats by the use of the seatbelt, the seatbelt must be
changed over to the Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.
When the child restraint system is removed, make
sure that the seatbelt retracts fully and the retractor re-
turned to the Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
mode.
For instructions on how to convert the retractor to the
ALR mode and restore it to the ELR mode, see the
“Child restraint systems” section in this chapter. „
Seatbelt warning light and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt warning de-
vice at the driver’s seat, as required by current safety
standards.
This device causes the seatbelt warning light on the
instrument panel to light up when the ignition switch is
turned to “ON” to remind the driver to wear the seat-
belt. If the driver’s seatbelt is not fastened, the warning
light remains on and a warning chime sounds at the
same time. The warning light stays illuminated until
the driver fastens the seatbelt but the chime stops
sounding after about six seconds. „ Fastening the seatbelt
yNever use a belt that is twisted or reversed. In
an accident, this can increase the risk or sever-
ity of injury. y Keep the lap belt as low as possible on your
hips. In a collision, this spreads the force of the
lap belt over stronger hip bones instead of
across the weaker abdomen.y Seatbelts provide maximum restraint when
the occupant sits well back and upright in the
seat. To reduce the risk of sliding under the

1-33
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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fore, if any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt preten-
sioner, the SRS airbag system warning light will illumi-
nate. The SRS airbag system warning light will show
normal system operation by lighting for about 6 sec-
onds when the ignition key is turned to the “ON” posi-tion.
The following components are monitored by the indi-
cator:yFront sub sensor (Right hand side)
y Front sub sensor (Left hand side)
y Side airbag sensor (Driver’s side)
y Side airbag sensor (Passenger’s side)
y Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger’s side)
y All related wiring
y And all other airbag components
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. y
Flashing or flickering of the indicator light
y No illumination of the warning light when the
ignition switch is first turned to the “ON” posi-tiony Continuous illumination of the warning light
yIllumination of the warning light while driving
„ System servicing
yWhen discarding a seatbelt retractor assem-
bly or scrapping the entire vehicle damaged by
a collision, consult your SUBARU dealer. y Tampering with or disconnecting the sys-
tem’s wiring could result in accidental activa-
tion of the seatbelt pretensioner and/or SRS air-
bag or could make the system inoperative,
which may result in serious injury. The wiring
harnesses of the seatbelt pretensioner and SRS
airbag systems are covered with yellow insula-
tion and the connectors of the system are yel-

1-61
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
The SRS airbag can function only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
If the sensors detect a certain predetermined amount
of force during a frontal collision, the control module
sends signals to the frontal airbag modules instructing
them to inflate the SRS frontal airbags. Then both air-
bag modules produce gas, which instantly inflates
driver’s and passenger’s SRS frontal airbags. After the
deployment, the SRS airbags immediately start to de-
flate so that the driver’s vision is not obstructed. The
time required from detecting impact to the deflation of
the SRS airbag after deployment is shorter than the
blink of an eye.
The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag deploys to-
gether with driver’s SRS frontal airbag even when no
one occupies the front passenger’s seat.
Although it is highly unlikely that the SRS airbag would
activate in a non-accident situation, should it occur,
the SRS airbag will deflate quickly, not obscuring vi-
sion and will not interfere with the driver’s ability to
maintain control of the vehicle.
When the SRS 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 airbag system compo-
nents around the steering wheel and dash-
board with bare hands right after deployment.
Doing so can cause burns because the compo-
nents can be very hot as a result of deployment.
The SRS frontal airbag is designed to deploy in the
event of an accident involving a moderate to severe
frontal collision. It is basically not designed to deploy
in lesser frontal impacts because the necessary pro-
tection can be achieved by the seatbelt alone. Also, it
is basically not designed to deploy in side or rear im-
pacts or in roll-over accidents because deployment of
the SRS frontal airbag would not help the occupant in
those situations. The SRS airbag is designed to func-
tion on a one-time-only basis.
SRS airbag deployment depends on the level of force
experienced in the passenger compartment during a
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.

1-73
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
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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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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

2-2
Keys and doors
Keys and doorsKeys
Vehicle with immobilizer system
A) Master key (Black)
B) Submaster key (Black)
C) Valet key (Gray)
D) Key number plate
E) Security ID plate Vehicle without immobilizer system
A) Master key
B) Submaster key
C) Valet key
D) Key number 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. y Ignition switch
y Driver’s door
y Glove box
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2-3
Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
The valet key fits only the ignition switch and door lock.
You can keep the glove box locked when you leave
your vehicle and valet key at a parking facility.
Do not attach a large key holder or key case to
either key. If it banged against your knees while
you were driving, it could turn the ignition switch from the ON position to the ACC or OFF
position, thereby stopping the engine.
„ Key number
The key number is stamped on the key number plate
attached to the key set. Write down the key number
and keep it in another safe place, not in the vehicle.
This number is needed to make a replacement key if
you lose your key or lock it inside the vehicle.
For information on making replacement keys for vehi-
cles with the simmobilizer system, refer to the “Immo-
bilizer (if equipped)” in this chapter.
Immobilizer (if equipped)
The immobilizer system is designed to prevent unau-
thorized persons from starting the engine. Only keys
registered with your vehicle’s immobilizer system can
be used to operate your vehicle. Even if an unregis-
tered key fits into the ignition switch and can be turned
to the “START” position, the engine will automatically
stop after several seconds.
Each immobilizer key contains a transponder 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 the key’s ID code to the immo-
bilizer system’s receiver. If the transmitted ID code
matches the ID code registered in the immobilizer sys-
tem, 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 nor-
mal starting of the engine.
If the engine fails to start, pull out the key once before
trying again. (Refer to the “Ignition switch” section
[chapter 3].)
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Oper- ation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference,

2-5
Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
„Security indicator light
The security indicator light deters potential thieves by
indicating that the vehicle is equipped with an immobi-
lizer system. It begins flashing about 60 seconds after
the ignition switch is turned from the “ON” position to
the “ACC” or “LOCK” position or immediately after the
key is pulled out.
If the security indicator light does not flash, the immo-
bilizer system may be faulty. If this occurs, contact
your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
In case an unauthorized key is used (e.g. an imitation
key), the security indicator light comes on.
NOTE
Even if the security indicator light flashes irregu-
larly or its fuse blows (the light does not flash if its
fuse is blown), the immobilizer system will func-
tion normally. „ Key replacement
Your key number plate and security ID plate will be re-
quired if you ever need a replacement key made. Any
new key must be registered for use with your vehicle’s
immobilizer system before it can be used. Up to four
keys can be registered for use with one vehicle.
For security, all the keys registered with your vehicle’s immobilizer system will have their ID codes erased
and re-registered when a new key is made. Therefore,
all of your vehicle’s keys must be presented when a
new key is registered. Any key that is not re-registered
when a new key is made cannot be used after the oth-
er keys are re-registered. For information on replace-
ment keys and on the registration of keys with your im-
mobilizer system, contact your SUBARU dealer.

2-9
Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
Remote keyless entry system (if
equipped)
Two transmitters are provided for your vehicle.
The remote keyless entry system has the following
functions. yLocking and unlocking the doors and rear gate with-
out a key y Sounding a panic alarm
y Arming and disarming the security system (if your
vehicle is equipped with an optional security system).
See the next section “Security system (if equipped)”
for detailed information.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Oper-
ation is subject to the following two conditions: (1)
This device may not cause harmful interference,
and (2) this device must accept any interference
received, including interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved
by the party responsible for compliance could
void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
The operable distance of the keyless entry system is
approximately 30 feet (10 meters). However, this dis- tance will vary depending on environmental condi-
tions. The system’s operable distance will be shorter
in areas near a facility or electronic equipment emitting
strong radio waves such as a power plant, broadcast
station, TV tower, or remote controller of home elec-
tronic appliances.
The keyless entry system does not operate when the key is inserted in the ignition switch to prevent acci-
dental lockout.
y
Do not expose the transmitter to severe
shocks, such as those experienced as a result
of dropping or throwing. y Do not take the transmitter apart except when
replacing the battery.y Do not get the transmitter wet. If it gets wet,
wipe it dry with a cloth immediately.