wheel SUBARU OUTBACK 2006 User Guide

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-43
– CONTINUED –„ Subaru advanced frontal air-
bag systemYour vehicle is equipped with a Subaru
advanced frontal airbag system that com-
plies with the new advanced frontal airbag
requirements in the amended Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No.
208.
The Subaru advanced frontal airbag sys-
tem automatically determines the deploy-
ment force of the driver’s SRS frontal air-
bag at the time of deployment as well as
whether or not to activate the front pas-
senger’s SRS frontal airbag and, if activat-
ed, the deployment force of the SRS fron-
tal airbag at the time of deployment.
Your vehicle has warning labels on the
driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors
beginning with the phrase “EVEN WITH
ADVANCED AIR BAGS” and a tag at-
tached to the glove box lid beginning with
the phrase “Even with Advanced Air
Bags”. Make sure th at you carefully read
the instructions on the warning labels and
tag.
Always wear your seatbelt. The subaru
advanced frontal airbag system is a sup-
plemental restraint system and must be
used in combination with a seatbelt. All
occupants should wear a seatbelt or be
seated in an appropriate child restraint
system. The driver’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed
in the center portion of the steering wheel.
The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
is stowed near the top of the dashboard
under an “SRS AIRBAG” mark.
In a moderate to seve re frontal collision,
the driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbags deploy and supplement the
seatbelts by reducing the impact on the
driver’s and front passenger’s head and
chest.
100261NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD
FACING CHILD SAFETY 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.
Never allow a child to stand up, or to
kneel on the front passenger’s seat.
The SRS airbag deploys with con-
siderable force and can injure or
even kill the child. 100126

1-44 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Never hold a child on your lap or in
your arms. The SRS airbag deploys
with considerable force and can in-
jure or even kill the child. 100125
The SRS airbag deploys with con-
siderable speed and force. Occu-
pants who are out of proper position
when the SRS airbag deploys could
suffer very serious injuries. Be-
cause the SRS airbag needs enough
space for deployment, the driver
should always sit upright and well
back in the seat as far from the
steering wheel as practical while
still maintaining full vehicle control
and the front passenger should
move the seat as far back as possi-
ble and sit upright and well back in
the seat. 100155
It is also important to wear your
seatbelt to help avoid injuries that
can result when the SRS airbag con-
tacts an occupant not in proper po-
sition such as one thrown toward
the front of the vehicle during pre-
accident braking.
Do not put any objects over the
steering wheel pad and dashboard.
If the SRS fronta l airbag deploys,
those objects could interfere with its
proper operation and could be pro-
pelled inside the vehicle and cause
injury. 100274

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-51
– CONTINUED –The driver’s SRS frontal airbag and front
passenger’s SRS frontal airbag are de-
signed to deploy in the event of an acci-
dent involving a moderate to severe fron-
tal collision. It is ba sically not designed to
deploy in lesser frontal impacts because
the necessary protection can be achieved
by the seatbelt alone. Also, they are basi-
cally not designed to deploy in side or rear
impacts or in roll-over accidents because
deployment of only the driver’s SRS fron-
tal airbag or both driver’s and front pas-
senger’s SRS frontal airbags would not
help the occupant in those situations. The
driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal
airbags are designed to function on a one-
time-only basis.
SRS airbag deployment depends on the
level of force experienced in the passen-
ger 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 it-
self.
V Examples of accident in which the
driver’s/driver’s and front passen-
ger’s SRS frontal ai rbag(s) will most
likely deploy.
A head-on collision against a thick con-
crete wall at a vehicle speed of 12 to 19
mph (20 to 30 km/h) or higher activates
only the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both
driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal
airbags. The airbag(s) will also be activat-
ed when the vehicle is exposed to a frontal
impact similar in fashion and magnitude to
the collision described above. V Examples of the types of accidents
in which it is possible that the driv-
er’s/driver’s and front passenger’s
SRS frontal airbag (s) will deploy.
The only the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or
both driver’s and front passenger’s SRSDo not touch the SRS airbag system
components around the steering
wheel and dashboard with bare
hands right after deployment. Doing
so can cause burns because the
components can be very hot as a re-
sult of deployment.
200312
100277

1-56 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
T Operation
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain air-
bag can function only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
side airbags and SRS curtain airbags de-
ploy independently of each other since
each has its own impact sensor. There-
fore, they may not both deploy in the same
accident. Also, the SRS side airbag and
SRS curtain airbag deploys independently
of the driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbags in the steering wheel and
instrument panel.
An impact sensor is located in each of the
left and right center pillars and rear wheel
houses. If a center pillar impact sensory Do not attach a hands-free micro-
phone or any other accessory to a
front pillar, a center pillar, a rear
pillar, the windshield, a side win-
dow, an assist grip, or any other
cabin surface that would be near a
deploying SRS curtain airbag. A
hands-free microphone or other
accessory in such a location
could be propelled through the
cabin with great force by the cur-
tain airbag, or it could prevent
correct deployment of the curtain
airbag. In either case, the result
could be serious injuries.
y Do not hang coat hangers or other
hard or pointed objects on the
coat hooks. If such items were
hanging on the coat hooks during
deployment of the SRS curtain air-
bags, they could cause serious in-
juries by coming off the coat
hooks and being thrown through
the cabin or by preventing deploy-
ment of the curtain airbags.
Before hanging clothing on the
coat hooks, make sure there are
no sharp objects in the pockets.
Hang clothing directly on the coat
hooks without using hangers. Do not put any kind of cover or
clothes or other objects over either
front seatback and do not attach la-
bels or stickers to the front seat sur-
face on or near the SRS side airbag.
They could prevent proper deploy-
ment of the SRS side airbag, reduc-
ing protection available to the front
seat’s occupant. 100280
100281

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-57
– CONTINUED –senses an impact force above a predeter-
mined 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 it is a rear wheel
house impact sensor alone that senses a
sufficiently strong impac t force, the control
module causes only the SRS curtain air-
bag on the impacted side to inflate. After
the deployment, the SRS side airbag im-
mediately starts to deflate. The time re-
quired from detection of an impact to de-
flation of an SRS side airbag after deploy-
ment 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 air-
bag deploy even when no one occupies
the seat on the side on which an impact is
applied.
When the SRS side airbag and SRS cur-
tain airbag deploy, a sudden, fairly loud in-
flation noise will be heard and some
smoke will be released. These occurrenc-
es are a normal result of the deployment.
This smoke does not indicate a fire in the
vehicle. The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain air-
bag are designed to deploy in the event of
an accident involving a moderate to se-
vere side impact collision. It is basically
not designed to deploy in a lesser side im-
pact. Also, it is basically not designed to
deploy in frontal or rear impacts because
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.
SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deployment depend on the level of force
experienced in the passenger compart-
ment 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 vehicle it-
self.
V Example of the type of accident in
which the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag will most likely de-
ploy.
A severe side impact near the front seat
activates the SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag.Do not touch the SRS side airbag
system components around the
front seat seatback with bare hands
right after deployment. Doing so can
cause burns because the compo-
nents can be very hot as a result of
deployment.
After deployment, do not touch any
part of the SRS curtain airbag sys-
tem (from the front pillar to the part
of the roof side over the rear seat).
Doing so can cause burns because
the components can be very hot as
a result of deployment.
200320

1-60 Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
y Front sub sensor (Left-hand side)
y Airbag control module (including impact
sensors)
y Frontal airbag module (Driver’s side)
y Frontal airbag module (Front passen-
ger’s side)
y Side airbag sensor (Center pillar right-
hand side)
y Side airbag sensor (Center pillar left-
hand side)
y Side airbag module (Driver’s side)
y Side airbag module (Front passenger’s
side)
y Curtain airbag sensor (Rear wheel
house right-hand side)
y Curtain airbag sensor (Rear wheel
house left-hand side)
y Curtain airbag module (Right side)
y Curtain airbag module (Left side)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt pretensi oner (Front passen-
ger’s side)
y Seatbelt buckle switch (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt buckle switch (Front passen-
ger’s side)
y Driver’s seat position sensor
y Front passenger’s seatbelt tension sen-
sor
y Front passenger’s occupant detection
system weight sensor
y Front passenger’s occupant detection
control module y Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicator
y All related wiring
„ SRS airbag system servicingIf the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt pre-
tensioners and/or SRS airbag sys-
tem. Immediately take your vehicle
to your nearest SUBARU dealer to
have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbags will operate improperly (e.g.
SRS airbags may inflate in a very mi-
nor collision or not inflate in a se-
vere collision), which may increase
the risk of injury.
y Flashing or flickering of the warn-
ing light
y No illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON” position
y Continuous illumination of the
warning light
y Illumination of the warning light
while driving y When discarding an airbag mod-
ule or scrapping the entire vehicle
damaged by a collision, consult
your SUBARU dealer.
y The SRS airbag has no user-ser-
viceable parts. Do not use electri-
cal 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 discon-
necting the system’s wiring could
result in accidental inflation of the
SRS airbag or could make the sys-
tem inoperative, which may result
in serious injury. The wiring har-
nesses of the SRS airbag system
are covered with yellow insulation
and system connectors are yellow
for easy identification.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-61
– CONTINUED –In the event that the SRS airbag is de-
ployed, replacement of the system
should be performed only by an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer. When the com-
ponents of the SRS airbag system are
replaced, use only genuine SUBARU parts.
NOTE In the following cases, contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
y The front part of the vehicle was in-
volved in an accident in which the only
the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both
driver’s and front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbags did not deploy.
y The pad of the steering wheel, the
cover over the front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag, or either roof side (from
the front pillar to a point over the rear
seat) is scratched, cracked, or other-
wise damaged.
y Either center pillar and rear wheel
house or a nearby area of the vehicle
was involved in an accident in which
the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain
airbag did not deploy.
y The fabric or leather of either front
seatback is cut, frayed, or otherwise
damaged. „ Precautions against vehicle
modificationIf you need service or repair in areas
listed in the following, have an au-
thorized 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 Inside each front fender
y Steering wheel and column and
nearby areas
y Top of the dashboard on front
passenger’s side and nearby ar-
eas
y Each front seat and nearby area
y Inside each center pillar
y In each roof side (from the front
pillar to a point over the rear seat)
y Between the rear seat cushion
and rear wheel house on each
side y To avoid accidental activation of
the system or rendering the sys-
tem inoperative, which may result
in serious injury, no modifications
should be made to any compo-
nents or wiring of the SRS airbag
system.
This includes following modifica-
tions:
y Installation of custom steering
wheels
y Attachment of additional trim
materials to the dashboard
y Installation of custom seats
y Replacement of seat fabric or
leather
y Installation of additional fabric
or leather on the front seat

3
Instruments and controlsIgnition switch .................................................... 3-3 LOCK ....................................................................... 3-3
ACC .......................................................................... 3-4
ON ............................................................................ 3-4
START ...................................................................... 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................... 3-5
Ignition switch light ................................................ 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ...................................... 3-5
Meters and gauges (Tur bo models) ................. 3-5Combination meter illumination ............................ 3-5
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle
movement and combination meter sequential
illumination upon turning on the ignition
switch .................................................................... 3-6
Speedometer ........................................................... 3-6
Odometer ................................................................. 3-7
Double trip meter .................................................... 3-7
Tachometer ............................................................. 3-8
Fuel gauge ............................................................... 3-8
Temperature gauge ................................................ 3-9
Meters and gauges (Non-turbo models) .......... 3-10 Combination meter illumination ............................ 3-10
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle
movement upon turning on the ignition
switch .................................................................... 3-10
Speedometer ........................................................... 3-10
Odometer ................................................................. 3-11
Double trip meter .................................................... 3-11
Tachometer ............................................................. 3-12
Fuel gauge ............................................................... 3-12 Temperature gauge ................................................ 3-13
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-14 Seatbelt warning light and chime .......................... 3-14
SRS airbag system warning lig ht ............. ............. 3-16
Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators .............................................................. 3-17
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ....................................................... 3-17
Charge warning light .............................................. 3-18
Oil pressure warning light ..................................... 3-18
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (AT
vehicles) ................................................................ 3-18
Low tire pressure warning light (if equipped) ...... 3-18
ABS warning light ................................................... 3-20
Brake system warning light ................................... 3-20
Low fuel warning light ............................................ 3-21
Door open warning light ........................................ 3-22
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) ......... 3-22
Vehicle Dynamics Contro l operation indicator
light (if equipped) ................................................. 3-22
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light (if
equipped)/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
indicator light (if equipped) ................................. 3-22
Security indicator light ........................................... 3-23
SPORT mode indicator light (AT vehicles) ........... 3-24
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) .... 3-24
Gear position indicator (AT vehicles) ................... 3-24
Turn signal indicator lights .................................... 3-24
High beam indicator light ....................................... 3-25
Cruise control indicator light ................................. 3-25

Instruments and controls
Cruise control set indicator light .......................... 3-25
Headlight indicator light ........................................ 3-25
Front fog light indicator light ................................ 3-25
Clock .................................................................... 3-25
Information display (Vehicle without
Navigation System) ......................................... 3-26 Outside temperature indicator .............................. 3-27
Current fuel consumption ...................................... 3-28
Average fuel consumption .................................... 3-28
Driving range on remaining fu el ........................... 3-29
Journey time ........................................................... 3-30
Light control switch ........................................... 3-31 Headlights ............................................................... 3-31
High/low beam change (dimmer) .......................... 3-31
Headlight flasher .................................................... 3-32
Daytime running light system ............................... 3-32
Turn signal lever ................................................. 3-32
Illumination brightness control ......................... 3-33
Parking light switch ........................................... 3-33
Front fog light switch (if equipped) .................. 3-34
Wiper and washer ............................................... 3-34 Windshield wiper and washer switches ............... 3-35
Rear window wiper and washer switch (Station
wagon) .................................................................. 3-37
Windshield wiper deicer (i f equipped) .............. 3-38
Rear window defogger butt on ................ ........... 3-38
Mirrors ................................................................. 3-40
Inside mirror ........................................................... 3-40
Auto-dimming mirror/compas s (if equipped) ...... 3-40 Outside mirrors ....................................................... 3-41
Tilt steering wheel .............................................. 3-43
Horn ..................................................................... 3-43

Instruments and controls
3-3
– CONTINUED – Instruments and controls
Ignition switch
The ignition switch has four positions:
LOCK, ACC, ON and START. NOTE y Keep the ignition switch in the
“LOCK” position when the engine is
not running.
y Using electrical accessories for a
long time with the igni tion switch in the
“ON” or “ACC” posi tion can cause the
battery to go dead.
If the ignition switch will not move from
the “LOCK” position to the “ACC” po-
sition, turn the steering wheel slightly
to the left and right as you turn the ig-
nition switch.
y If the key is attached to a keyholder
or to a large bunch of other keys, cen-
trifugal force may act on it as the vehi-
cle moves, resulting in unwanted turn-
ing of the ignition switch. Also, if a
large keyholder is attached to the key, your knees or hands may accidentally
touch it in a way that turns the ignition
switch.
„ LOCK The key can only be inserted or removed
in this position. The ignition switch will lock
the steering wheel when you remove the
key.
If turning the key is di fficult, turn the steer-
ing wheel slightly to the right and left as
you turn the key.
T Automatic transmission vehicles
The key can be turned from “ACC” to
“LOCK” only when the selector lever is in
the “P” position.y Never turn the ignition switch to
“LOCK” while the vehicle is being
driven or towed because that will
lock the steering wheel, prevent-
ing steering control. And when
the engine is turned off, it takes a
much greater effort than usual to
steer.
y Before leaving th e vehicle, always
remove the key from the ignition
switch for safety and never allow
an unattended child to remain in
the vehicle. Failure to follow this
procedure could result in injury to
a child or others. Children could
operate the power windows, the
sunroof or other controls or even
make the vehicle move. 300259
300501