steering SUBARU WRX 2016 User Guide

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
& Components
1) SRS frontal airbag
2) SRS side airbag
3) SRS curtain airbag
4) SRS knee airbag The SRS airbags are stowed in the
following locations.
Driver ’ s SRS frontal airbag : in the center
portion of the steering wheel
Front passenger ’ s SRS frontal airbag :
near the top of the dashboard under an
“ SRS AIRBAG ” mark
SRS side airbag : in the door side of each
front seat seatback which bears an “ SRS
AIRBAG ” label
SRS curtain airbag : in the roof side
(between the front pillar and a point
behind the rear quarter glass)
An “ SRS AIRBAG ” mark is located at the
top of each center pillar and rear pillar.
SRS knee airbag : under the steering
column1-36

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
& SUBARU advanced frontal
airbag 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
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)
No. 208.
The SUBARU advanced frontal airbag
system automatically determines the de-
ployment force of the driver ’ s SRS frontal
airbag at the time of deployment as well as
whether or not to activate the front
passenger ’ s SRS frontal airbag and, if
activated, the deployment force of the
SRS frontal airbag at the time of deploy-
ment.
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
attached to the glove box lid beginning
with the phrase “ Even with Advanced Air
Bags ” . Make sure that you carefully read
the instructions on the warning labels and
tag.
Always wear your seatbelt. The SUBARU
advanced frontal airbag system is a
supplemental 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. Also, the
driver ’ s knee airbag is stowed in the
bottom of the steering column.
In a moderate to severe frontal collision,
the following components deploy.
. SRS frontal airbag for driver
. SRS frontal airbag for front passenger
. Knee airbag for driver
. SRS curtain airbag *1
*1: When an offset frontal collision that is severe
enough to deploy the front airbag occurs.
These components supplement the seat-
belts by reducing the impact to the
occupant ’ s head, chest and knees. WARNINGNEVER INSTALL A FORWARD OR
REARWARD FACING 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.1-38

WARNINGNever 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. WARNINGNever hold a child on your lap or in
your arms. The SRS airbag deploys
with considerable force and can
injure or even kill the child. WARNINGThe 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
possible and sit upright and well
back in the seat.
It is also important to wear yourSeat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
– CONTINUED –1-39

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
seatbelt to help avoid injuries that
can result when the SRS airbag
contacts an occupant not in proper
position such as one thrown toward
the front of the vehicle during pre-
accident braking.
WARNING
. Do not put any objects over the
steering wheel pad and dash-
board. If the SRS frontal airbag
deploys, these objects could in-
terfere with its proper operation
and could be propelled inside the
vehicle, causing injury.
. Do not put any objects under the
driver ’ s side of the instrument panel. If the knee airbag deploys,
those objects could interfere with
its proper operation and could be
propelled inside the vehicle,
causing injury.
. The key must not be attached to
heavy, sharp or hard acces-
sories, or another key. If the knee
airbag deploys, those objects
could interfere with its proper
operation and could be propelled
inside the vehicle and cause
injury.
WARNING
Do not attach accessories to the
windshield, or fit an extra-wide mir- ror over the inside rear view mirror.
If the SRS airbag deploys, those
objects could become projectiles
that could seriously injure vehicle
occupants.
! Driver ’ s SRS frontal airbag
The driver ’ s SRS frontal airbag uses a
dual stage inflator. The inflator operates in
different ways depending on the severity
of impact.
Have the system inspected by your
SUBARU dealer immediately if the SRS
airbag system warning light illuminates.
NOTE The driver ’ s SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag are not controlled by the
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag sys-
tem.
! Front passenger ’ s SRS frontal air-
bag
The front passenger ’ s SRS frontal airbag
uses a dual stage inflator. The inflator
operates in different ways depending on
the severity of impact.
The occupant detection system sensor is
installed under the seat upholstery and
monitors the physique and posture of the
front passenger. Using this information,1-40

nated while the ON indicator remains off,
ask the occupant to move to the rear seat
and immediately contact your SUBARU
dealer for an inspection.
! How to contact the vehicle manu-
facturer concerning modifications
for persons with disabilities that
may affect the advanced airbag
system
Changing or moving any parts of the front
seats, rear seat, seatbelts, front bumper,
front side frame, radiator panel, instrument
panel, combination meter, steering wheel,
steering column, tire, suspension or floor
panel can affect the operation of the
SUBARU advanced airbag system. If
you have any questions, you may contact
the following SUBARU distributors.
of Columbia>
Subaru of America, Inc.
Customer Dealer Services Department
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)
Subaru Hawaii
2850 Pukoloa Street, Suite 202,
Honolulu, HI 96819-4467
808-839-2273

Shen ’ s Corporation dba Prestige Automo-
bile
491, East Marine Corps Drive, Route 1
Dededo, Guam 96921-6225
671-633-2698

Trebol Motors
P.O. Box 11204, San Juan, Puerto Rico
00910
787-793-2828

Subaru Canada, Inc.
Consumer Support Department
560 Suffork Court, Mississauga, Ontario
L5R 4J7
1-800-894-4212
There are currently no SUBARU distribu-
tors in any other U.S. territories. If you are
in such an area, please contact the
SUBARU distributor or dealer from which
you bought your vehicle. Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
– CONTINUED –1-45

The driver ’ s and front passenger ’ s SRS
frontal airbags use dual stage inflators.
The two inflators of each airbag are
triggered either sequentially or simulta-
neously, depending on the severity of
impact, in the case of the driver ’ s SRS
frontal airbag and depending on the
severity of impact and the characteristic
of item(s) or person on the seat in the case
of the front passenger ’ s SRS frontal
airbag.
After deployment, the SRS airbag imme-
diately starts to deflate 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 short-
er than the blink of an eye.
Both when only the driver ’ s SRS frontal
airbag deploys and the driver ’ s and front
passenger ’ s SRS frontal airbags deploy,
the driver ’ s and front passenger ’ s seatbelt
pretensioners operate at the same time.
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 vision
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 a normal result of the
deployment. This smoke does not indicate
a fire in the vehicle.
CAUTIONDo 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
result of deployment.
The driver ’ s SRS frontal airbag and front
passenger ’ s SRS frontal airbag are de-
signed to deploy in the event of an
accident involving a moderate to severe
frontal collision. They are not designed to
deploy in most lesser frontal impacts
because the necessary protection can be
achieved by the seatbelt alone. Also, they
are not designed to deploy in most side or
rear impacts or in most roll-over accidents
because deployment of only the driver ’ s
SRS frontal airbag or both driver ’ s and
front passenger ’ s SRS frontal airbags
would not help the occupant in those
situations. The driver ’ s and front passen-
ger ’ 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
itself.
! Example of accident in which the
driver ’ s/driver ’ s and front pas-
senger ’ s SRS frontal airbag(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 acti-
vated when the vehicle is exposed to a
frontal impact similar in fashion andSeat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
– CONTINUED –1-47

A hands-free microphone or
other accessory in such a loca-
tion could be propelled through
the cabin with great force by the
curtain airbag, or it could prevent
correct deployment of the curtain
airbag. In either case, the result
could be serious injuries.
. Never hang or place coat hangers
or other hard or pointed objects
near the side windows. If such
items are present when the SRS
curtain airbags deploy, they
could be thrown through the
passenger compartment and
cause serious injuries. They
could also prevent proper opera-
tion of the SRS curtain airbags. WARNINGDo 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
surface on or near the SRS side
airbag. They could prevent proper
deployment of the SRS side airbag,
reducing protection available to the
front seat ’ s occupant.
! Operation
The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain
airbag 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
deploy 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, which senses impact
force, is located in each of the following
locations.
. In the left and right front doors . In the left and right center pillars
. In the left and right rear wheel houses
. Under the rear center seat
If the impact sensor that is located under
the rear center seat and one of the center
pillar impact sensors or front door impact
sensors together sense an impact force
above a predetermined 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 the impact sensor that is located under
the rear center seat and one of the rear
wheel house impact sensors together
sense an impact force above a predeter-
mined level in a side collision, the control
module causes only the SRS curtain
airbag on the impacted side to inflate.
Even if a frontal collision occurs, the SRS
curtain airbags will deploy when the front
sensor and the control unit determine that
the impact results from an offset frontal
collision.
The SRS curtain airbags are designed to
deploy when the driver ’ s SRS frontal
airbag deploys or the driver ’ s and pas-
senger ’ s SRS frontal airbags deploy in aSeat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
– CONTINUED –1-53

ized SUBARU dealer. The SRS air-
bag control module, impact sensors
and airbag modules are stored in
these areas.
. Under the center of the instru-
ment panel
. On both the right and left sides at
the front of the vehicle
. Steering wheel and column and
nearby areas
. Bottom of the steering column
and nearby areas
. Top of the dashboard on front
passenger ’ ssideandnearby
areas
. Each front seat and nearby area
. Inside each center pillar
. Inside each front door
. In each roof side (from the front
pillar to a point over the rear seat)
. Between the rear seat cushion
and rear wheel house on each
side
. Under the rear center seat
In the event that the SRS airbag is
deployed, replacement of the system
should be performed only by an author-
ized SUBARU dealer. When the compo- nents 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.
. The front part of the vehicle was
involved in an accident in which only
the driver ’ s SRS frontal airbag or both
driver ’ s and front passenger ’ sSRS
frontal airbags did not deploy.
. 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.
. The center pillar, front door, rear
wheel house or rear sub frame, or an
area near these parts, was involved in
an accident in which the SRS side
airbag and SRS curtain airbag did not
deploy.
. The fabric or leather of either the
front seatback and seat cushion is cut,
frayed, or otherwise damaged.
. The rear part of the vehicle was
involved in an accident. & Precautions against vehicle
modification WARNING. To avoid accidental activation of
the system or rendering the sys-
tem inoperative, which may re-
sult in serious injury, no modifi-
cations should be made to any
components or wiring of the SRS
airbag system.
This includes following modifica-
tions.
– Installation of custom steering
wheels
– Attachment of additional trim
materials to the dashboard
– Installation of custom seats
– Replacement of seat fabric or
leather
– Installation of additional fabric
or leather on the front seat
– Attachment of a hands-free
microphone or any other ac-
cessory to a front pillar, a
center pillar, a rear pillar, the
windshield, a side window, an
assist grip, or any other cabin
surface that would be near aSeat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
– CONTINUED –1-59

Keys and doors/Keyless access with push – button start system
of the access key from being
pressed.
NOTE . The operational/non-operational
setting for the keyless access function
can be changed. For the setting proce-
dure, refer to “ Disabling keyless ac-
cess function ” F 2-16. The setting can
also be changed by a SUBARU dealer.
For more details, contact a SUBARU
dealer.
. For detailed information about the
operation method for the push-button
ignition switch while the keyless ac-
cess function is switched to the non-
operational mode, refer to “ Access key
– if access key does not operate
properly ” F 9-16.
. The keyless access with push-but-
ton start system uses weak radio
waves. The status of the access key
and environmental conditions may in-
terfere with the communication be-
tween the access key and the vehicle
under the following conditions, and it
may not be possible to lock or unlock
the doors or start the engine.
– When operating near a facility
where strong radio waves are trans-
mitted, such as a broadcast station and power transmission lines
– When products that transmit
radio waves are used, such as an
access key or a remote transmitter
key of another vehicle
– When the access key is placed
near wireless communication
equipment such as a cell phone
– When the access key is placed
near a metallic object
– When metallic accessories are
attached to the access key
– When carrying the access key
with electronic appliances such as
a laptop computer
– When the battery of the access
key is discharged
. The access key is always commu-
nicating with the vehicle and is con-
tinuously using the battery. Although
the life of the battery varies depending
on the operating conditions, it is ap-
proximately 1 to 2 years. If the battery
becomes fully discharged, replace it
with a new one.
. If an access key is lost, it is
recommended that the remaining ac-
cess key be reregistered. For reregis-
tration of an access key, contact a
SUBARU dealer.
. For a spare access key, contact a
SUBARU dealer. . Up to 7 access keys can be regis-
tered for one vehicle.
. Carefully store the key number plate
supplied with the access key. It is
necessary for vehicle repair.
. Do not leave the access key in the
storage spaces inside the vehicle, such
as the door pocket, dashboard and the
rear shelf. Vibrations may damage the
key or turn on the switch, possibly
resulting in a lockout.
. After the vehicle battery is dis-
charged or replaced, initialization of
the steering lock system may be re-
quired to start the engine. In this case,
perform the following procedure to
initialize the steering lock.
(1) Turn the push-button ignition
switch to the “ OFF ” position. For
details, refer to “ Switching power ”
F 3-7.
(2) Open and close the driver ’ s
door.
(3) Wait for approximately 10 sec-
onds.
When the steering is locked, the initi-
alization is completed.2-12

Ignition switch (models without push-
button start system) ......................................... 3-4LOCK .................................................................. 3-4
ACC.................................................................... 3-5
ON...................................................................... 3-5
START ................................................................ 3-5
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-5
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-6
Push-button ignition switch (models with
push-button start system) ............................... 3-6Safety precautions .............................................. 3-6
Operating range for push-button start system ...... 3-6
Switching power ................................................. 3-7
When access key does not operate properly ........ 3-8
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-8
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-8Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-8
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle
movement upon turning on the ignition
switch ............................................................... 3-9
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-9
Odometer ............................................................ 3-9
Double trip meter ................................................ 3-9
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-10
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-10
Temperature gauge ............................................ 3-11
ECO gauge ........................................................ 3-12
REV indicator light and buzzer (STI). ................ 3-12
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-13
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-14
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-15 Front passenger ’ s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ........................................................ 3-16
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator light .................................................. 3-16
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-17
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-17
Engine low oil level warning indicator (except
STI) ................................................................. 3-17
Windshield washer fluid warning indicator .......... 3-18
AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models) ........... 3-18
Rear differential oil temperature warning light
(STI) ................................................................ 3-18
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec.
models) ........................................................... 3-19
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-20
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-21
Electronic parking brake indicator light (models
with electronic parking brake system) .............. 3-23
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-24
Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF
indicator light (models without electronic
parking brake system) ..................................... 3-24
Hill Holder indicator light (models with electronic
parking brake system) ..................................... 3-24
Door open warning light .................................... 3-25
All-Wheel Drive warning light (if equipped) ......... 3-25
Power steering warning light (except STI) ........... 3-25
LED headlight warning light (if equipped) ........... 3-25
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle
Dynamics Control operation indicator light .. ..... 3-26
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light/
Traction mode indicator light.. .......................... 3-27Instruments and controls 3