Get Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags -> SRS airbag Guide for Subaru Forester SUV 2024

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

76

2. Tighten the top tether securely.

! To hook the top tether

1-9. SRS airbag (Supplemen-

tal Restraint System airbag)

SUBARU recommends that you check

with a certified Child Passenger Safety

Technician to ensure the proper installa-

tion of your child restraint system. For

more information, and to locate the closest

inspection location in the U.S., refer to the

National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-

tration (NHTSA) website. In Canada,

check with Transport Canada.

CAUTION

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)

name is used because the airbag system

supplements the vehicle’s seatbelts.

.

Remove the head restraint when

mounting a child restraint sys-

tem. Otherwise, the top tether

cannot be fastened tightly.

This vehicle is equipped with a supple-

mental restraint system which consists of

seven airbags.

Store the head restraint that has

been removed in the cargo area.

Do not place the head restraint in

the passenger compartment to

prevent it from being thrown

around in the passenger com-

partment in a sudden stop or a

sharp turn.

The configurations are as follows.

.

Driver’s and front passenger’s frontal

airbags

Driver’s and front passenger’s side

airbags

Curtain airbags (for driver, front pas-

senger, and window-side rear passen-

gers)

.

Knee airbag for driver

These SRS airbags are designed only

as a supplement to the primary protec-

tion provided by the seatbelt.

The system also controls seatbelt preten-

sioners. For operation instructions and

precautions concerning the seatbelt pre-

tensioner, refer to “Seatbelt pretensioners”

�P57.

1. Attach the top tether hook to the

appropriate upper anchorage.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 77

help avoid injuries that can result

when an occupant is not seated

in a proper upright position.

as possible and sit upright and well

back in the seat.

& General precautions regard-

ing SRS airbag system

WARNING

.

To obtain maximum protection in

the event of an accident, the

driver and all passengers must

always wear seatbelts when in

the vehicle. The SRS airbag is

designed only to be a supplement

to the primary protection pro-

vided by the seatbelt. It does not

eliminate the need to fasten seat-

belts. In combination with the

seatbelts, it offers the best pro-

tection in case of a serious acci-

dent.

WARNING

Not wearing a seatbelt increases

the chance of severe injury or

death in a crash even when the

vehicle has the SRS system.

.

Do not sit or lean close to either

front door. The SRS side airbags

are stored in both front seat

seatbacks next to the door, and

they provide protection by de-

ploying rapidly in the event of a

side impact collision. However,

the force of SRS side airbag

deployment can injure an occu-

pant whose body is too close to

an SRS airbag.

The SRS airbags deploy with con-

siderable speed and force. Occu-

pants who are not seated in proper

upright position when the SRS air-

bag deploys could suffer serious

injury. Because the SRS airbag

needs enough space for deploy-

ment, the driver should always sit

upright and 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

For instructions and precautions

concerning the seatbelt system,

refer to “Seatbelts” �P48.

.

The SRS side airbags and SRS

curtain airbags are designed only

to be a supplement to the primary

protection provided by the seat-

belt. They do not eliminate the

need to fasten seatbelts. It is also

important to wear a seatbelt to

.

Since your vehicle is equipped

with SRS curtain airbags, do not

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

78

sit or lean close to the front or

rear door on either side. Do not

put body parts out of the window.

The SRS curtain airbags on both

sides of the cabin are stored in

the roof side (between the front

pillar and a point behind the rear

quarter glass), and they provide

protection by deploying rapidly

in the event of a side impact,

rollover or an offset frontal colli-

sion. However, the force of its

deployment can injure an occu-

pant whose body is too close to

an SRS airbag.

bruises to the face or arms,

because of the SRS airbag de-

ployment force.

CAUTION

.

When the SRS airbag deploys,

some smoke will be released.

This smoke could cause breath-

ing problems for people with a

history of asthma or other breath-

ing trouble. If you or your pas-

sengers have breathing pro-

blems after SRS airbag deploys,

get fresh air promptly.

A deploying SRS airbag releases

hot gas. Occupants could get

burned if they come into direct

contact with the hot gas.

.

Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

close to the SRS airbag. Because

the SRS airbag deploys with

considerable speed and force to

protect in high speed collisions,

the force of an airbag can injure

an occupant whose body is too

close to SRS airbag.

NOTE

WARNING

.

When you sell your vehicle, we urge

you to inform the buyer that the

vehicle is equipped with SRS air-

bags. Also, notify the buyer of the

applicable section in this Owner’s

Manual.

If the SRS airbag deploys, fuel

supply will be cut off to reduce the

risk of fire caused by leaking fuel.

For details about restarting of the

engine, refer to “If your vehicle is

involved in an accident” �P442.

.

Keep arms away from either front

door or its internal trim. They

could be injured in the event of

SRS side airbag deployment.

It is also important to wear seat-

belts to help avoid injuries that

can result when the SRS airbag

contacts an occupant not in their

proper position.

Do not place any objects over or

near the SRS airbag cover or

between you and the SRS airbag.

If the SRS airbag deploys, these

objects could interfere with its

proper operation and could be

propelled inside the vehicle,

causing injury.

.

Even when properly positioned,

there remains a possibility that

an occupant may suffer minor

injury, such as abrasions and

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 79

& General precautions regard-

ing SRS airbag system for

accessories and any objects

WARNING

.

Do not put any objects (including

straps or cords) over the steering

wheel pad, column cover, or

dashboard.

–

These objects could be en-

tangled with the steering

wheel, preventing the SRS

frontal airbag, etc. from oper-

ating properly.

–

If the SRS frontal airbag de-

ploys, these objects could be

propelled inside the vehicle,

causing 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 ob-

jects could become projectiles that

could seriously injure vehicle occu-

pants.

.

Do not put any objects under the

driver’s side of the instrument

panel. If the SRS knee airbag

deploys, those objects could in-

terfere 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 SRS

knee airbag deploys, those ob-

jects could interfere with its

proper operation and could be

propelled inside the vehicle and

cause injury.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

80

accessory in such a location

tain airbags.

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.

Before hanging clothing on the coat

hooks, make sure there are no sharp

objects in the pockets. Hang cloth-

ing directly on the coat hooks with-

out using hangers.

WARNING

.

Do not attach accessories to the

door trim or near either SRS side

airbags and do not place objects

near the SRS side airbags. In the

event of SRS side airbag deploy-

ment, they could be propelled

dangerously toward the vehicle’s

occupants and cause injuries.

WARNING

.

Do not put any kind of 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 prop-

er deployment of the SRS side

airbag, reducing protection avail-

able to the front seat’s occupant.

Do not hang coat hangers or other

hard or pointed objects on the coat

hook. If such items were hanging on

the coat hooks during deployment

of the SRS curtain airbags, they

could cause serious injuries by

coming off the coat hooks and being

thrown through the cabin or by

preventing deployment of the cur-

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

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 81

airbag deploys with considerable

speed and force and can injure or

even kill children, especially if they

are not restrained or improperly

restrained. Because children are

lighter and weaker than adults, their

risk of being injured from deploy-

ment is greater.

.

Do not install a seat cover unless

it is a genuine SUBARU seat

cover exclusively designed for

use with the SRS airbag. Even

when using a genuine SUBARU

seat cover, the SRS side airbag

system may not function nor-

mally if the seat cover is not

installed correctly.

For that reason, we strongly recom-

mend that ALL children (including

those in child seats and those that

have outgrown child restraint sys-

tems) sit in the REAR seat properly

restrained at all times in a child

restraint device or in a seatbelt,

whichever is appropriate for the

child’s age, height and weight.

& General precautions regard-

ing SRS airbag system and

children

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A CHILD RE-

STRAINT SYSTEM IN THE FRONT

PASSENGER’S SEAT. DOING SO

RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH

TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE

CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE

SRS AIRBAG.

Secure ALL types of child restraint

systems (including forward facing

child seats) in the REAR seats at all

times.

According to accident statistics,

children are safer when properly

restrained in the rear seating posi-

tions than in the front seating posi-

tions.

For instructions and precautions

concerning the child restraint sys-

tem, refer to “Child restraint sys-

tems” �P60.

WARNING

Seat children in the rear seat prop-

erly restrained at all times. The SRS

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

82

WARNING

Never allow a child to stand up or

kneel on the front passenger’s seat.

The SRS airbag deploys with con-

siderable force and can injure or

even kill the child.

Never 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.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 83

WARNING

.

Never allow a child to do the

following.

–

Kneel on any passenger’s seat

facing the side window.

Wrap his/her arms around the

front seat seatback.

Put his/her head, arms or

other parts of the body out of

the window.

In the event of an accident, the

force of SRS side airbag and/or

SRS curtain airbag deployment

could injure the child seriously

because his/her head, arms or

other parts of the body are too

close to the SRS side airbag and/

or SRS curtain airbag.

.

Since your vehicle is also

equipped with a front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag, children

should be placed in the rear seat

anyway and should be properly

restrained at all times.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

84

& Components

The SRS airbags are stowed in the

following locations.

1

2

3

4

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

SRS side airbag: in the door side of each

front seat seatback

SRS curtain airbag: in the roof side

(between the front pillar and a point

behind the rear quarter glass)

SRS knee airbag: under the steering

column

5

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 85

1

Airbag control module (including impact

sensor and rollover sensor)

2

3

Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)

Frontal airbag module (front passenger’s

side)

4

5

6

7

Front impact sensor (left-hand side)

Front impact sensor (right-hand side)

Side airbag module (driver’s side)

Side airbag module (front passenger’s

side)

8

9

Side impact sensor (center pillar left-

hand side)

Side impact sensor (center pillar right-

hand side)

10 Airbag wiring

11 Seatbelt pretensioner and adaptive force

limiter (driver’s side)

12 Seatbelt pretensioner and adaptive force

limiter (front passenger’s side)

13 Side impact sensor (rear wheel house

right-hand side)

14 Side impact sensor (rear wheel house

left-hand side)

15 Curtain airbag module (right-hand side)

16 Curtain airbag module (left-hand side)

17 Seatbelt buckle switch (front passenger’s

side)

18 Knee airbag module (driver’s side)

19 Front passenger’s occupant detection

system sensor

20 Front passenger’s occupant detection

control module

21 Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and

OFF indicator

22 SRS airbag system warning light

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

86

23 Side impact sensor (under the rear center

seat)

24 Side impact sensor (front door left-hand

side)

25 Side impact sensor (front door right-hand

side)

ADVANCED AIR BAGS” and a tag at-

tached 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.

& SUBARU advanced frontal

airbag system

Your 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 deployment.

26 Lap belt pretensioner (front passenger’s

side)

27 Lap belt pretensioner (driver’s side)

28 Driver’s seat position sensor

29 Passenger’s seat position sensor

30 Rear seatbelt pretensioner (front passen-

ger’s side)

31 Rear seatbelt pretensioner (driver’s side)

For the locations of the SRS airbags, refer

to “Components” �P84.

In a moderate to severe frontal collision,

the following components deploy.

.

SRS frontal airbag for driver

SRS frontal airbag for front passenger

SRS knee airbag for driver

1

SRS curtain airbag*

*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.

Your vehicle has warning labels on the

driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors

beginning with the phrase “EVEN WITH

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 87

airbag deploys. This is normal. In this

case, although the front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag does not operate, the front

passenger’s seatbelt pretensioner oper-

ates with the driver’s seatbelt preten-

sioner. For details about the seatbelt

pretensioner, refer to “Seatbelt preten-

sioners” �P57.

! Driver’s SRS frontal airbag

! Front passenger’s SRS frontal air-

bag

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag uses a dual

stage inflator. The inflator operates in

different ways depending on the severity

of impact.

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

uses a dual stage inflator. The inflator

operates in different ways depending on

the severity of impact.

CAUTION

Observe the following precautions.

Failure to do so may prevent the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system from functioning correctly

or cause the system to fail.

.

Do not apply any strong impact to

the front passenger’s seat, such

as by kicking.

SRS airbag system warning light

Do not let rear passengers rest

their feet between the front seat-

back and seat cushion.

1

Occupant detection system sensors

Have the system inspected by your

SUBARU dealer immediately if the SRS

airbag system warning light illuminates.

The occupant detection system sensors

are installed between the seat and seat

rails, and monitor the physique and pos-

ture of the front passenger. Using this

information, the occupant detection sys-

tem determines whether the front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag should be de-

ployed or not.

Do not spill liquid on the front

passenger’s seat. If liquid is

spilled, wipe it off immediately.

NOTE

The driver’s SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag are not controlled by the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag sys-

tem.

.

Do not remove or disassemble

the front passenger’s seat.

Do not install any accessory

(such as an audio amplifier) other

than a genuine SUBARU acces-

sory under the front passenger’s

The occupant detection system may not

inflate the front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag even when the driver’s SRS frontal

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

88

seat.

NOTE

.

Do not place anything (shoes,

umbrella, etc.) under the front

passenger’s seat.

The front passenger’s SRS side airbag

and SRS curtain airbag are not con-

trolled by the SUBARU advanced fron-

tal airbag system.

Do not place any objects (books,

etc.) around the front passen-

ger’s seat.

! Passenger’s frontal airbag ON and

OFF indicators

Do not use the front passenger’s

seat with the head restraint re-

moved.

Do not leave any articles on the

front passenger’s seat or the

seatbelt tongue and buckle en-

gaged when you leave your vehi-

cle.

SRS airbag system warning light

If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or front

passenger’s occupant detection system

have failed, the SRS airbag system warn-

ing light will illuminate. Have the system

inspected by your SUBARU dealer imme-

diately if the SRS airbag system warning

light illuminates.

If your vehicle has sustained impact, this

may affect the proper function of the

SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system.

Have your vehicle inspected at your

SUBARU dealer. Do not use the front

passenger’s seat while driving the vehicle

to your SUBARU dealer.

.

Do not put sharp object(s) on the

seat or pierce the seat uphols-

tery.

Do not place a magnet near the

seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt

retractor.

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

Do not use front seats with their

forward-backward position and

seatback not being locked into

place securely. If any of them are

not locked securely, adjust them

again. For adjusting procedure,

refer to “Forward and backward

adjustment” �P33 and “Reclin-

ing the seatback” �P33.

Refer to “Front passenger’s frontal airbag

ON and OFF indicators” �P172.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 89

case, contact your SUBARU dealer

immediately.

! Occupant detection system

CAUTION

Electrical devices, such as cell

phones, laptops, portable music

players, or electronic games, espe-

cially when connected to the acces-

sory power outlet and placed on the

front passenger’s seat or used by

the person sitting in the front pas-

senger’s seat, may affect the opera-

tion of the occupant detection sys-

tem. If either of the following situa-

tions occurs when using an electro-

nic device in the vehicle, at first try

to relocate that device to avoid it

creating any interference.

SRS airbag system warning light

If the front passenger’s seat cushion is

wet, this may adversely affect the ability of

the system to determine deployment.

Wipe off liquid from the seat, let the seat

dry naturally and then check the SRS

airbag system warning light.

1

Occupant detection system sensors

The occupant detection system sensors

are installed between the seat and seat

rails, and monitor the physique and pos-

ture of the front passenger. Using this

information, the occupant detection sys-

tem determines whether the front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag should be de-

ployed or not.

.

The SRS airbag system warning

light illuminates.

.

The front passenger’s frontal air-

bag ON and OFF indicators oper-

ate erratically.

WARNING

If the device continues to cause

interference, the use of that device

in the vehicle should be discontin-

ued.

Do not kick the front passenger seat

or subject it to severe impact. Other-

wise, the SRS airbag system warn-

ing light may illuminate to indicate a

malfunction of the front passenger

occupant detection system. In this

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

90

! Conditions in which front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag is not

activated

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

will not be activated when any of the

following conditions are met regarding

the front passenger’s seat:

.

The seat is empty.

The seat is equipped with an appro-

priate child restraint system and an

infant or a child is restrained in it. (See

WARNING that follows.)

.

The front passenger’s occupant detec-

tion system is malfunctioning.

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

WARNING

If the front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

and OFF indicators do not work properly

even when the front passenger’s seat is

dry, do not allow anyone to sit on the front

passenger’s seat and have the occupant

detection system checked by your

SUBARU dealer.

Also, if luggage or electronic devices are

placed on the front passenger’s seat, this

may adversely affect the ability of the

system to determine deployment. This

may prevent the front passenger’s frontal

airbag ON and OFF indicators from work-

ing properly. Check that the indicators

work properly.

When the OFF indicator turns off and the

ON indicator illuminates, the front passen-

ger’s frontal airbag may deploy during a

collision. Remove luggage and electronic

devices from the front passenger’s seat.

NEVER INSTALL A CHILD RE-

STRAINT SYSTEM IN THE FRONT

PASSENGER’S SEAT EVEN IF THE

FRONT PASSENGER’S SRS FRON-

TAL AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED. Be

sure to install it in the REAR seat in a

correct manner. Also, it is strongly

recommended that any forward fa-

cing child seat or booster seat be

installed in the REAR seat, and that

even children who have outgrown a

child restraint system be also seated

in the REAR seat. This is because

children sitting in the front passen-

ger’s seat may be killed or severely

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 91

the child restraint system.

! If the front passenger’s frontal

airbag ON indicator illuminates

and the OFF indicator turns off

even when an infant or a small

child is in a child restraint sys-

tem (including booster seat)

injured should the front passenger’s

SRS frontal airbag deploy. REAR

seats are the safest place for chil-

dren.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position and make sure that the front

passenger’s frontal airbag ON indica-

tor turns off and the OFF indicator

illuminates.

CAUTION

If the ON indicator still remains illuminated

while the OFF indicator turns off, take the

following actions.

When the front passenger’s seat is

occupied by an infant in an appro-

priate child restraint system, ob-

serve the following precautions.

Failure to do so may interfere with

the proper operation of the occupant

detection system, activating the

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

even though that seat is occupied by

the infant in the child restraint

system.

.

Ensure that no article is placed on the

seat other than the child restraint

system and the child occupant.

.

Ensure that the backward-forward po-

sition and seatback of the front pas-

senger’s seat are locked into place

securely by moving the seat back and

forth.

.

Do not place any article (includ-

ing electronic devices) on the

seat other than the infant in the

child restraint system.

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

If the ON indicator still remains illuminated

while the OFF indicator turns off after

taking the relevant corrective actions

described above, relocate the child re-

straint system to the rear seat and im-

mediately contact your SUBARU dealer

for an inspection.

.

Do not place more than one infant

in the child restraint system.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Remove the child restraint system from

the seat.

3. By referring to the child restraint

manufacturer’s recommendations as

well as the child restraint system

installation procedures in “Child re-

straint systems” �P60, correctly install

NOTE

When a child who has outgrown a child

restraint system or a small adult is

seated in the front passenger’s seat,

the SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

92

system may or may not activate the

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

depending on the occupant’s seating

posture. Children should always wear a

seatbelt when sitting in the seat irre-

spective of whether the airbag is deac-

tivated or activated. If the front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag is activated

(the ON indicator remains illuminated

while the OFF indicator turns off), take

the following action.

! If the passenger’s frontal airbag

OFF indicator illuminates and the

ON indicator turns off even when

the front passenger’s seat is

occupied by an adult

! Conditions in which front passen-

ger’s SRS frontal airbag is activated

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

will be activated for deployment upon

impact when any of the following condi-

tions are met regarding the front passen-

ger’s seat.

.

When the seat is occupied by an adult.

When certain items (e.g. jug of water)

are placed on the seat.

.

Ensure that no article is placed on

the seat other than the occupant.

If the ON indicator still remains illumi-

nated while the OFF indicator turns off

despite the fact that the actions noted

above have been taken, seat the child/

small adult in the rear seat and imme-

diately contact your SUBARU dealer for

an inspection. Even if the system has

passed the dealer inspection, it is

recommended that on subsequent trips

the child/small adult always take the

rear seat.

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

This can be caused by the adult incorrectly

sitting in the front passenger’s seat.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Ask the front passenger to set the

seatback to the upright position, sit up

straight in the center of the seat

cushion, correctly fasten the seatbelt,

position his/her legs out forward, and

adjust the seat to the rearmost posi-

Children who have outgrown a child

restraint system should always wear the

seatbelt irrespective of whether the airbag

is deactivated or activated.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 93

tion.

3. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position.

If the OFF indicator remains illuminated

while the ON indicator remains off, take the

following actions.

1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/

“OFF” position.

2. Make sure that the front passenger

does not use a blanket, seat cushion,

seat cover, seat heater or massager,

etc.

3. If wearing excessive layers of clothing,

the front passenger should remove any

unnecessary items before sitting in the

front passenger’s seat, or should sit in

a rear seat.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position and wait 6 seconds to allow

the system to complete self-checking.

Following the system check, both

indicators turn off for 2 seconds. Now,

the ON indicator should illuminate

while the OFF indicator remains off.

If the OFF indicator still remains illumi-

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.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

94

! Operation

The SRS airbags can function only when

the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.

The SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

system is designed to determine the

activation or deactivation condition of the

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag de-

pending on the characteristic of item(s) or

person on the front passenger’s seat

monitored by the front passenger’s occu-

pant detection system sensor. For this

reason, only the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag may deploy in the event of a

collision, but this does not mean failure of

the system.

If the following sensors detect a predeter-

mined amount of force during a frontal

collision, the control module sends signals

to the airbag module(s) (only driver’s

module or both driver’s and front passen-

ger’s modules) instructing the module(s) to

inflate the SRS frontal airbag(s).

.

The front impact sensors

The impact sensors in the airbag

control module

A

B

1

2

Driver’s side

On the driver’s side, the SRS knee airbag

also inflates with the SRS frontal airbag.

Passenger’s side

SRS AIRBAGs deploy as soon as a collision occurs.

After deployment, SRS AIRBAGs start to deflate immediately so that the driver’s vision is not

obstructed.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 95

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 air-

bag.

would not protect the occupant in those

situations.

CAUTION

Do 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.

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

! Example of the type of accident

! After deployment

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag are de-

signed as follows.

After deployment, the SRS airbag imme-

diately starts to deflate so that the driver’s

vision is not obstructed and the driver’s

ability to maintain control of the vehicle is

not impaired. The time required from

detecting impact to the deflation of the

SRS airbag after deployment is shorter

than the blink of an eye.

.

To deploy in the event of an accident

involving a moderate to severe frontal

collision

.

To function on a one-time-only basis

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbag are not

designed as follows.

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.

.

To deploy in most lesser frontal im-

pacts*¹

To deploy in most side or rear impacts

or in most rollover accidents*²

.

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-

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.

*1: Because the necessary protection can be

achieved by the seatbelt alone.

*2: Because deployment of only the driver’s

SRS frontal airbag or both the driver’s and

front passenger’s SRS frontal airbags

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

96

vated when the vehicle is exposed to a

frontal impact similar in fashion and

magnitude to the collision described

above.

Only the driver’s SRS frontal airbag or both

driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbags may be activated when the vehicle

sustains a hard impact in the undercar-

riage area from the road surface (such as

when the vehicle plunges into a deep ditch,

is severely impacted or knocked hard

against an obstacle on the road such as

a curb).

! Examples of the types of acci-

dents in which it is possible that

the driver’s/driver’s and front

passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag(s) will deploy

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 97

! Examples of the types of accidents in which deployment of the driver’s/driver’s and front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag(s) is unlikely to occur

1

2

3

4

5

The vehicle strikes an object, such as a

telephone pole or sign pole.

The vehicle slides under the load bed of a

truck.

The vehicle sustains an oblique offset

frontal impact.

The vehicle sustains an offset frontal

collision.

The vehicle strikes an object that can

move or deform, such as a parked

vehicle.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require deployment

of driver’s/driver’s and front passenger’s

SRS frontal airbag(s). In the event of

accidents like those illustrated, the dri-

ver’s/driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag(s) may not deploy depend-

ing on the level of accident forces involved.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

98

frontal airbags are not designed to deploy

in most of the following cases.

once either or both of the driver’s and front

passenger’s SRS frontal airbags is/are

activated on the first impact, it/they will

not be activated on the second impact.

! Examples of the types of acci-

dents in which the driver’s/dri-

ver’s and front passenger’s SRS

frontal airbag(s) are not de-

.

If the vehicle is struck from the side or

from behind.

signed to deploy in most cases

.

If the vehicle rolls onto its side or roof.

If the vehicle is involved in a low-speed

frontal collision.

& SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag

! SRS side airbag

1

2

First impact

Second impact

The SRS side airbag is stored in the door

side of each front seat seatback, which

bears an “SRS AIRBAG” label.

In an accident where the vehicle is

impacted more than once, the driver’s

and/or front passenger’s SRS frontal

airbag(s) will deploy only once on the first

impact.

In a moderate to severe side impact

collision, the SRS side airbag on the

impacted side of the vehicle deploys

between the occupant and the door panel

and supplements the seatbelt by reducing

the impact on the occupant’s chest and

waist. The SRS side airbag operates only

Example: In the case of a double collision,

first with another vehicle, then against a

concrete wall in immediate succession,

The driver’s and front passenger’s SRS

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 99

for front seat occupants.

for a while following deployment then

slowly deflates.

! Operation

! SRS curtain airbag

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag can function only when the ignition

switch is in the “ON” position.

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag deploy even when no one occupies

the seat on the side on which an impact is

applied.

Your vehicle is equipped with a SUBARU

SRS curtain airbag system that complies

with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

Standard (FMVSS) No. 226.

The following airbags deploy indepen-

dently of each other since each has its

own impact sensor.

When the SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag deploy, a sudden, fairly loud

inflation noise will be heard and some

smoke will be released. These occur-

rences are a normal result of the deploy-

ment. This smoke does not indicate a fire

in the vehicle.

The SRS curtain airbag on each side of the

cabin is stored in the roof side (between

the front pillar and a point over the rear

seat). An “SRS AIRBAG” mark is located

at the top of each center pillar.

.

Driver’s SRS side airbag

Front passenger’s SRS side airbag

SRS curtain airbag (right-hand side)

SRS curtain airbag (left-hand side)

In a moderate to severe side impact

collision, the SRS curtain airbag on the

impacted side of the vehicle deploys

between the occupant and the side win-

dow and supplements the seatbelt by

reducing the impact on the occupant’s

head.

Therefore, they may not both deploy in the

same accident. Also, the SRS side airbag

and SRS curtain airbag deploys indepen-

dently of the driver’s and front passenger’s

SRS frontal airbags in the steering wheel

and instrument panel.

CAUTION

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.

For the locations of the sensors and

control modules, refer to “Components”

�P84.

In a rollover, SRS curtain airbags on both

sides of the vehicle deploy between the

occupant and the side window and supple-

ment the seatbelt by reducing the impact to

the occupant’s head.

! After 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.

After the deployment, the SRS side airbag

immediately starts to deflate. The time

required from detection of an impact to

deflation of an SRS side airbag after

deployment is shorter than the blink of an

eye.

In an offset frontal collision, SRS curtain

airbags on both sides of the vehicle deploy

between the occupant and the side win-

dow and supplement the seatbelt by

reducing the impact to the occupant’s

head and chest.

The SRS curtain airbag remains inflated

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

100

! Example of the type of accident in

! Example of the type of accident

which the SRS side airbag will

most likely deploy

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are designed as follows:

.

To deploy in the event of an accident

involving a moderate to severe side

impact collision

.

To function on a one-time-only basis

The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag are not designed to deploy in the

following cases:

.

In most lesser side impacts

In most frontal or most rear impacts

(because the SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag deployment would not

protect the occupant in those situa-

tions)

1

A severe side impact near the front seat.

The SRS curtain airbags are also de-

signed to deploy when the vehicle is in an

extremely inclined state such as during a

rollover. They are not designed to deploy in

most lesser inclined state.

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 itself.

^{SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)}101

! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS curtain airbag will most likely deploy

1

The vehicle is involved in a severe side

impact near the front seat or the rear seat.

The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

The angle of vehicle tip-up is marginal or

the skidding vehicle’s tires hit a curbstone

laterally.

2

3

4

An offset frontal collision that is severe

enough to deploy the front airbag.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

102

! Examples of the types of accidents in which it is possible that the SRS side airbag and the SRS curtain airbag will deploy

1

Hitting a curb, edge of pavement or hard

surface

2

3

Falling into or jumping over a deep hole

Landing hard or vehicle falling

It is possible that the SRS side and curtain

airbags will deploy if a serious impact

occurs to the underside of your vehicle.

Some examples are shown in the illustra-

tion.

^{SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)}103

! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS side airbag is unlikely to deploy

1

The vehicle is involved in an oblique side-

on impact.

2

The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3

4

5

The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

The vehicle rolls onto its side or the roof.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS side

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS side

airbag may not deploy depending on the

level of accident forces involved.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

104

! Examples of the types of accidents in which the SRS curtain airbag is unlikely to deploy

1

2

The vehicle is involved in an oblique side-

on impact.

The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact in an area outside the vicinity of

the passenger compartment.

3

4

The vehicle strikes a telephone pole or

similar object.

The vehicle is involved in a side-on

impact from a motorcycle.

There are many types of collisions which

might not necessarily require SRS curtain

airbag deployment. In the event of acci-

dents like those illustrated, the SRS

curtain airbag may not deploy depending

on the level of accident forces involved.

^{SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)}105

ary).

same direction, once the SRS side airbag

! Examples of the types of acci-

dents in which the SRS side

airbag and SRS curtain airbag

are not designed to deploy in

most cases

2

3

The vehicle is struck from behind.

The vehicle pitches end over end.

and SRS curtain airbag are activated on

the first impact, they will not be activated

on the second.

In the event of accidents like those

illustrated, the SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag are not designed to deploy

in most cases.

& SRS airbag system monitors

SRS airbag system warning light

1

2

A

B

First impact

A diagnostic system continually monitors

the readiness of the SRS airbag system

(including front seatbelt pretensioners)

with the ignition switch in the “ON” position.

The SRS airbag system warning light will

show normal system operation by illumi-

nating for approximately 6 seconds when

the ignition switch is turned to the “ON”

position.

Second impact

SRS curtain airbag

SRS side airbag

In an accident where the vehicle is struck

from the side more than once, the SRS

side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deploy

only once on the first impact.

Example: In the case of a double side

impact collision, first with one vehicle and

immediately followed by another from the

1

The vehicle is involved in frontal collision

with another vehicle (moving or station-

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

106

The following components are monitored

by the SRS airbag system warning light:

– Driver’s side

.

No illumination of the warning

light when the ignition switch is

first turned to the “ON” position

– Front passenger’s side

Seatbelt buckle switch (front passen-

ger’s side)

Front passenger’s occupant detection

system sensor

Front passenger’s occupant detection

control module

Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

and OFF indicator

.

Front impact sensor

.

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

.

Continuous illumination of the

warning light

.

Airbag control module (including im-

pact sensor and rollover sensor)

Frontal airbag module

Illumination of the warning light

while driving

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

Knee airbag module (driver’s side)

Side impact sensor

& SRS airbag system servicing

.

All related wiring

.

Driver’s seat position sensor

Passenger’s seat position sensor

Rear seatbelt pretensioner

– Right-hand side

WARNING

– Center pillar right-hand side

– Center pillar left-hand side

– Front door right-hand side

– Front door left-hand side

– Rear wheel house right-hand side

– Rear wheel house left-hand side

– Under the rear center seat

Side airbag module

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

Curtain airbag module

– Right-hand side

– Left-hand side

.

When discarding an airbag mod-

ule or scrapping the entire vehi-

cle damaged by a collision, con-

sult your SUBARU dealer.

– Left-hand side

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, consult your

nearest SUBARU dealer. Tamper-

ing with or disconnecting the

system’s wiring could result in

accidental inflation of the SRS

airbag or could make the system

inoperative, which may result in

serious injury.

WARNING

If the warning light exhibits any of

the following conditions, immedi-

ately stop the vehicle in a safe place,

and consult a SUBARU dealer. Un-

less a technician checks and repairs

the system as needed, the seatbelt

pretensioners and/or the SRS airbag

will not operate properly in the event

of a collision, which may result in

injury.

.

Seatbelt pretensioner and adaptive

force limiter

– Driver’s side

– Front passenger’s side

Lap belt pretensioner

.

Flashing or flickering of the warn-

ing light

.

^{SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)}107

.

The rear part of the vehicle was

involved in an accident in which no

SRS airbag was deployed.

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.

CAUTION

If you need service or repair in areas

indicated in the following list, have

the work performed by an author-

ized SUBARU dealer. The SRS air-

bag control module, impact sensors

and airbag modules are stored in

these areas.

& Precautions against vehicle

modification

WARNING

NOTE

In the following cases, contact your

SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

.

Under the center of the instru-

ment panel

.

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.

.

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’s

SRS 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 otherwise damaged.

The center pillar, front door, rear

wheel house or rear sub frame, or

an area near these parts, was in-

volved in an accident in which the

SRS side airbag and SRS curtain

airbag did not deploy.

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

This includes following modifica-

tions.

Top of the dashboard on front

passenger’s side and nearby

areas

–

Installation of custom steering

wheels

–

Attachment of additional trim

materials to the dashboard

.

Each front seat and nearby area

Inside each center pillar

Inside each front door

.

–

Installation of custom seats

Replacement of seat fabric or

leather

In each roof side (from the front

pillar to a point over the rear seat)

–

Installation of additional fabric

or leather on the front seat

.

Between the rear seat cushion

and rear wheel house on each

side

The fabric or leather of either front

seatback is cut, frayed, or otherwise

damaged.

Attachment of a hands-free

microphone or any other ac-

cessory to a front pillar, a

Under the rear center seat

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

108

center pillar, a rear pillar, the

windshield, a side window, an

assist grip, or any other cabin

surface that would be near a

deploying SRS curtain airbag.

& How to contact the vehicle

manufacturer concerning

modifications for persons

with disabilities that may af-

fect 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.

CAUTION

Do not perform any of the following

modifications. Such modifications

can interfere with proper operation

of the SRS airbag system.

–

Installation of additional elec-

trical/electronic equipment

such as a mobile two-way

radio on or near the SRS air-

bag system components and/

or wiring is not advisable. This

could interfere with proper

operation of the SRS airbag

system.

.

Attachment of any equipment

(bush bar, winches, snow plow,

skid plate, etc.) other than genu-

ine SUBARU accessory parts to

the front end.

.

Modification of the suspension

system or front end structure.

Installation of a tire of different

size and construction from the

tires specified on the vehicle

placard attached to the driver’s

door pillar or specified for indivi-

dual vehicle models in this Own-

er’s Manual.

–

Modifications on or inside the

front door panels for the pur-

pose of a speaker replace-

ment or sound insulation.

<Continental U.S., Alaska and the District

of Columbia>

Subaru of America, Inc.

Customer Advocacy Department

One Subaru Drive

P.O. Box 9103

Camden, NJ 08101-9877

1-800-SUBARU3 (1-800-782-2783)

.

The impact sensors, which detect

the pressure of an impact, are

located in the doors. Do not

modify any components of the

doors or door trims, such as the

addition of door speakers for

example. Any modifications to

the doors create a risk of the

airbag system becoming inop-

erative or unintended airbag de-

ployment.

.

Attachment of any equipment

(side steps or side sill protectors,

etc.) other than genuine SUBARU

accessory parts to the side body.

Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you

want to install any accessory parts on your

vehicle.

Subaru Hawaii

2850-A Pukoloa St.,

Honolulu, HI 96819

877-215-0338

^{SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)}109

<Guam>

Shen’s Corporation dba Prestige Automo-

biles

491 East Marine Corps Drive,

Dededo, Guam 96929

671-633-2698

Trebol Motors

296 Marginal JF Kennedy, San Juan,

Puerto Rico

787-793-2828

Subaru Canada, Inc.

Consumer Support Department

560 Suffolk 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 for Your Subaru Forester SUV 2024

Popular Manuals