Subaru Baja (2006 year). Instruction - part 3

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

changes that will prevent the seatbelt from op-
erating properly.

To clean the seatbelts, use a mild soap and lukewarm
water. Never bleach or dye the belts because this
could seriously affect their strength.

Inspect the seatbelts and attachments including the
webbing and all hardware periodically for cracks, cuts,
gashes, tears, damage, loose bolts or worn areas. Re-
place the seatbelts even if only minor damage is
found.

Seatbelt extender

If the front seatbelts are not long enough to permit the
tongue plate to engage with the seatbelt buckle, an
optional seatbelt extender is available from your
SUBARU dealer. When ordering an extender, only or-
der one particularly designed for your vehicle. Several
different types of extenders are available to match var-
ious varieties of front seatbelt designs. See your
SUBARU dealer for assistance.

The extender adds approximately 8 in (200 mm) of
length and it can be used for either the driver or front
passenger seating position.

Be sure to observe the following when using
the seatbelt extender.
Failure to follow these instructions and warn-
ings could reduce the effectiveness of the seat-
belt and result in more serious injury in the
event of a collision.
y Never use the extender when the belt itself is
long enough to permit it to be buckled properly.
If removal of heavy clothing is all that is needed
to permit the seatbelt to be buckled properly,
remove the heavy clothing and do not use the

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extender.
y Do not use the extender if the buckle of the
extender rests over the abdomen.
y Do not let someone else use the extender.
Use of an extender when it is not needed could
reduce the effectiveness of the seatbelt and re-
sult in more serious injury in the event of a col-
lision.
y Use the extender only for the front seatbelts
and only for the model for which it was original-
ly provided. Never use the extender for the rear
seatbelts or for a different model.

NOTE

When the seatbelt extender is used by a pregnant
passenger, consult a doctor to get approval in ad-
vance.

To connect the extender to the seatbelt, insert the
tongue plate into the seatbelt buckle so that the
“PRESS” signs on the buckle-release buttons of the
extender and the seatbelt are both facing outward as
shown in the diagram. You will hear a click when the
tongue plate locks into the buckle.

When releasing the seatbelt, press on the buckle-re-
lease button on the extender, not on the seatbelt. This
helps to prevent damage to the vehicle interior and ex-
tender itself.

For the safety of others, the extender should be re-
moved after each use, especially if the next person us-
ing the seatbelt does not need one.

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Front seatbelt pretensioners

The driver’s and front passenger’s seatbelts have a
seatbelt pretensioner. The seatbelt pretensioners are
designed to be activated in the event of an accident in-
volving a moderate to severe frontal collision.

The pretensioner sensor also serves as a SRS frontal
airbag sensor. If the sensor detects a certain predeter-
mined amount of force during a frontal collision, the
front seatbelt is quickly drawn back in by the retractor
to take up the slack so that the belt more effectively re-
strains the front seat occupant.

When a seatbelt pretensioner is activated, an operat-

ing noise will be heard and a small amount of smoke
will be released. These occurrences are normal and
not harmful. This smoke does not indicate a fire in the
vehicle.

Once the seatbelt pretensioner has been activated,
the seatbelt retractor remains locked. Consequently,
the seatbelt can not be pulled out and retracted and
therefore must be replaced.

NOTE

y Seatbelt pretensioners are not designed to acti-
vate in minor frontal impacts, in side or in rear im-
pacts or in roll-over accidents.
y The driver’s seat and passenger’s seat preten-
sioners and frontal airbag operate simultaneous-
ly.
y Pretensioners are designed to function on a
one-time-only basis. In the event that a preten-
sioner is activated, both the driver’s and front pas-
senger’s seatbelt retractor assemblies must be re-
placed and only by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
When replacing seatbelt retractor assemblies, use
only genuine SUBARU parts.
y If either front seatbelt does not retract or cannot
be pulled out due to a malfunction or activation of
the pretensioner, contact your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.

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y If the front seatbelt retractor assembly or sur-
rounding area has been damaged, contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
y When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to ex-
plain to the buyer that it has seatbelt pretension-
ers by alerting the buyer to the contents of this
section.

y To obtain maximum protection, occupants
should sit in an upright position with their seat-
belts properly fastened. Refer to “Seatbelts”
section in this chapter.
y Do not modify, remove or strike the front
seatbelt retractor assemblies or surrounding
area. This could result in accidental activation
of the seatbelt pretensioners or could make the
system inoperative, possibly resulting in seri-
ous injury. Seatbelt pretensioners have no
user-serviceable parts. For required servicing
of front seatbelt retractors equipped with seat-
belt pretensioners, see your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
y When discarding front seatbelt retractor as-
semblies or scrapping the entire vehicle due to
collision damage or for other reasons, consult

your SUBARU dealer.

„ System monitors

SRS airbag system warning light

A diagnostic system continually monitors the readi-
ness of the seatbelt pretensioner while the vehicle is
being driven. The seatbelt pretensioners share the
control module with the airbag system. Therefore, if
any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt pretensioner, the
SRS airbag system warning light will illuminate. The
SRS airbag system warning light will show normal sys-
tem operation by lighting for approximately 6 seconds

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when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.

The following components are monitored by the indi-
cator: 
y Front sub sensor (Right-hand side)
y Front sub sensor (Left-hand side)
y Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger’s side)
y All related wiring

If the warning light exhibits any of the following
conditions, there may be a malfunction in the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS airbag sys-
tem. Immediately take your vehicle to your
nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system
checked. Unless checked and properly re-
paired, the seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbag will not operate properly in the event of
a collision, which may increase the risk of inju-
ry.
y Flashing or flickering of the warning light.
y No illumination of the warning light when the
ignition switch is first turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
y Continuous illumination of the warning light.

y Illumination of the warning light while driv-
ing.

„ System servicing

y When discarding a seatbelt retractor assem-
bly or scrapping the entire vehicle damaged by
a collision, consult your SUBARU dealer.
y Tampering with or disconnecting the sys-
tem’s wiring could result in accidental activa-
tion of the seatbelt pretensioner and/or airbag
or could make the system inoperative, which
may result in serious injury. The wiring har-
nesses of the seatbelt pretensioner and SRS
airbag systems are covered with yellow insula-
tion and the connectors of the system are yel-
low for easy identification. Do not use electrical
test equipment on any circuit related to the
seatbelt pretensioner and airbag systems. For
required servicing of the seatbelt pretensioner,
see your nearest SUBARU dealer.

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The front sub sensors are located in both front
fenders and the airbag control module includ-
ing the impact sensors is located under the
center console. If you need service or repair in
those areas or near the front seatbelt retrac-
tors, have an authorized SUBARU dealer per-
form the work.

NOTE

If the front part of the vehicle is damaged in an ac-
cident to the extent that the seatbelt pretensioner
does not operate, contact your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.

„ Precautions against vehicle modifica-

tion

Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you want to in-
stall any accessory parts to your vehicle.

Do not perform any of the following modifica-
tions. Such modifications can interfere with
proper operation of the seatbelt pertensioners.

y Attachment of any equipment (bush bar,
winches, snow plow, skid plate, etc.) other than
genuine SUBARU accessory parts to the front
end.
y Modification of the suspension system or
front end structure.
y Installation of a tire of different size and con-
struction from the tires specified on the vehicle
placard attached to the door pillar or specified
for individual vehicle models in this Owner’s
Manual.

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Child restraint systems

Infants and small children should always be placed in
an infant or child restraint system in the rear seat while
riding in the vehicle. You should use an infant or child
restraint system that meets Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards or Canada Motor Vehicle Safety
Standards, is compatible with your vehicle and is ap-
propriate for the child’s age and size. All child restraint
systems are designed to be secured in vehicle seats
by lap belts or the lap belt portion of a lap/shoulder belt
(except those covered under the section in this manu-
al, entitled “Installation of child restraint systems by
use of lower and tether anchorages (LATCH)”).

Children could be endangered in an accident if their
child restraints are not properly secured in the vehicle.
When installing the child restraint system, carefully fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions.

According to accident statistics, children are safer
when properly restrained in the rear seating positions
than in the front seating positions.

All U.S. states and Canadian provinces require that in-
fants and small children be restrained in an approved
child restraint system at all times while the vehicle is
moving.

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Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her
lap while the vehicle is moving. The passenger
cannot protect the child from injury in a colli-
sion, because the child will be caught between
the passenger and objects inside the vehicle.
Additionally, holding a child in your lap or arms
in the front seat exposes that child to another
serious danger. Since the SRS airbag deploys
with considerable speed and force, the child
could be injured or even killed.

Children should be properly restrained at all
times. Never allow a child to stand up, or to
kneel on any seat. Unrestrained children will be
thrown forward during sudden stop or in an ac-
cident and can be injured seriously.
Additionally, children standing up or kneeling
on or in front of the front seat are exposed an-
other serious danger. Since the SRS airbag de-
ploys with considerable speed and force, the
child could be injured or even killed.

„ Where to place a child restraint system

The following are SUBARU’s recommendations on
where to place a child restraint system in your vehicle.

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A: Front passenger’s seat
You should not install a child restraint system (includ-
ing a booster seat) due to the hazard to children posed
by the passenger’s airbag.

B: Rear seat
Recommended positions for all types of child restraint
systems.
In these positions, Automatic/Emergency Locking Re-
tractor (A/ELR) seatbelts and lower anchorage bars
are provided for installing a child restraint system.
Some types of child restraints might not be able to be
secured firmly due to projection of the seat cushion.
In this seating position, you should use only a child re-

straint system that has a bottom base that fits snugly
against the contours of the seat cushion and can be
securely retained using the seatbelt.

y Put children aged 12 and under in the rear
seat properly restrained at all times. The SRS
airbag deploys with considerable speed and
force and can injure or even kill children, espe-
cially if they are 12 years of age and under and
are not restrained or improperly restrained. Be-
cause children are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured from deploy-
ment is greater.
For that reason, be sure to secure ALL types of
child restraint devices (including forward fac-
ing child seats) in the REAR seats at all times.
You should choose a restraint device which is
appropriate for the child’s age, height and
weight. According to accident statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front seating
positions.

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SINCE YOUR VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A
PASSENGER’S SRS AIRBAG, DO NOT IN-
STALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD SAFETY
SEAT 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.

„ Choosing a child restraint system

Choose a child restraint system that is appropriate for
the child’s age and size (weight and height) in order to
provide the child with proper protection. The child re-
straint system should meet all applicable requirements
of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for United
States or Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for
Canada. It can be identified by looking for the label on
the child restraint system or the manufacture’s state-
ment of compliance in the document attached to the
system. Also it is important for you to make sure that
the child restraint system is compatible with the vehi-
cle in which it will be used.

HS1072BA

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„ Installing child restraint systems with 

A/ELR seatbelt

y Child restraint systems and seatbelts can be-
come hot in a vehicle that has been closed up
in sunny weather; they could burn a small child.
Check the child restraint system before you
place a child in it.
y Do not leave an unsecured child restraint
system in your vehicle. Unsecured child re-
straint systems can be thrown around inside of
the vehicle in a sudden stop, turn or accident;
they can strike and injure vehicle occupants as
well as result in serious injuries or death to the
child.

When you install a child restraint system, fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions supplied
with it. After installing the child restraint sys-
tem, check to ensure that it is held securely in
position. If it is not held tight and secure, the
danger of your child suffering personal injury in

the event of an accident may be increased.

T Installing a rearward facing child restraint

1. Place the child restraint system in the rear seating
position.
2. Run the lap and shoulder belt through or around
the child restraint system following the instructions
provided by its manufacturer.
3. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle until you
hear a click.

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4. Take up the slack in the lap belt.
5. Pull out the seatbelt fully from the retractor to
change the retractor over from the Emergency Lock-
ing Retractor (ELR) to the Automatic Locking Retrac-
tor (ALR) function. Then, allow the belt to rewind into
the retractor. As the belt is rewinding, clicks will be
heard which indicate the retractor functions as ALR.

6. Push and pull the child restraint system forward
and from side to side to check if it is firmly secured.
Sometimes a child restraint can be more firmly se-
cured by pushing it down into the seat cushion and
then tightening the seatbelt.
7. Pull at the shoulder portion of the belt to confirm
that it cannot be pulled out (ALR properly functioning).

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8. To remove the child restraint system, press the re-
lease button on the seatbelt buckle and allow the belt
to retract completely. The belt will return to the ELR
mode.

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD
SEAT 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.

NOTE

When the child restraint system is no longer in
use, remove it and restore the ELR function of the
retractor. The function is restored by retracting
the seatbelt fully.

T Installing forward facing child restraint sys-

tems with seatbelt and tether anchorages

When you install a child restraint system, fol-
low the manufacturer’s instructions supplied
with it. After installing the child restraint sys-
tem, check to ensure that it is held securely in

UG1089BA

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position. If it is not held tight and secure, the
danger of your child suffering personal injury in
the event of an accident may be increased.

1. Place the child restraint system in the seating posi-
tion on the rear seat cushion.

2. Pull the seatback locking knob and fold the seat-
back forward to see the tether anchorage on the back-
side of the seatback.

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3. Connect the tether belt hook onto the tether an-
chorage on the backside of the seatback. Take up any
slack in the tether belt after connecting it to the tether
anchorage.

4. Put the other end of the tether belt through under
the headrest.
5. Return the seatback to the locked position. Confirm
that the red mark on the locking knob is no longer vis-
ible and check that the seatback is securely locked by
moving it back and forth.
6. Run the lap and shoulder belt through the child re-
straint system following the instructions provided by its
manufacturer.

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7. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle.

8. Take up the slack in the lap belt.
9. Pull out the seatbelt fully from the retractor to
change the retractor over from the Emergency Lock-
ing Retractor (ELR) to the Automatic Locking Retrac-
tor (ALR) function. Then allow the belt to rewind into
the retractor. As the belt is rewinding, clicks will be
heard which indicate the retractor function as ALR.

10.While pushing the child restraint into the seat cush-
ion and moving it back and forth and right and left,
tighten the seatbelt securely by taking up the slack in
the belt.

UB1145BA

UB1155BA

UB1156CA