Subaru Impreza WRX (2014 year). Instruction - part 4

1-22

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

properly secured in the vehicle. When
installing the child restraint system, care-
fully follow 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 infants and small children be
restrained in an approved child restraint
system at all times while the vehicle is
moving.

WARNING

Never let a passenger hold a child
on his or her lap or in his or her
arms while the vehicle is moving.
The passenger cannot protect the

child from injury in a collision,
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.

WARNING

Children should be properly re-
strained 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 accident and can be injured
seriously.

Additionally, children standing up or
kneeling on or in front of the front
seat are exposed another 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 re-
straint system

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

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

B: Rear seat, window-side seating
positions
Recommended positions for all types of
child restraint systems.
In these positions, Automatic/Emergency
Locking Retractor (A/ELR) seatbelts and
lower anchorages (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 restraint system that has a
bottom base that fits snugly against the
contours of the seat cushion and can be
securely retained using the seatbelt.

C: Rear seat, center seating position
Installing a child restraint system is not
recommended, although the A/ELR seat-
belt and an upper anchorage (tether
anchorage) (except in Latin American
models) are provided in this position.
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 restraint system that has a
bottom base that fits snugly against the
contours of the seat cushion and can be
securely retained using the seatbelt.
If it is unavoidable to install a child
restraint system in the rear seat’s center
seating position, lower the center head
restraint to the lowest position and install
the child restraint system by correctly
passing the rear center seatbelt through
the belt guide.

WARNING

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,
especially if they are 12 years of age
and under and are not restrained or
improperly restrained. Because chil-
dren are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured
from deployment is greater.

For that reason, be sure to secure
ALL types of child restraint devices
(including forward facing child
seats) in the REAR seats at all times.
You should choose a restraint de-
vice which is appropriate for the
child’s age, height and weight. Ac-
cording to accident statistics, chil-
dren are safer when properly re-
strained in the rear seating posi-
tions than in the front seating posi-
tions.

WARNING

S I N C E

Y O U R

V E H I C L E

I S

EQUIPPED WITH A PASSENGER’S
SRS AIRBAG, NEVER INSTALL A
R E A R W A R D

F A C I N G

C H I L D

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

1-23

– CONTINUED –

1-24

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

SAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT PAS-
SENGER’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
restraint system should meet all applic-
able requirements of Federal Motor Vehi-
cle Safety Standards for the United States
or of Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards for Canada. It can be identified by

looking for the label on the child restraint
system or the manufacturer’s statement of
compliance in the document attached to
the system.
Also it is important for you to make sure
that the child restraint system is compa-
tible with the vehicle in which it will be
used.

Installing child restraint sys-
tems with A/ELR seatbelt

WARNING

. Child restraint systems and seat-

belts can become 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.

. Do not leave an unsecured child

restraint system in your vehicle.
Unsecured child restraint sys-
tems can be thrown around in-
side of the vehicle in a sudden
stop, turn or accident; they can
strike and injure vehicle occu-
pants as well as result in serious
injuries or death to the child.

CAUTION

When you install a child restraint
system, follow the manufacturer’s
instructions supplied with it. After
installing the child restraint system,
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 in-
creased.

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.

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 Locking Retractor (ELR)
to the Automatic Locking Retractor (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 secured
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).

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

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FA-
CING 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.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

1-25

– CONTINUED –

1-26

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

NOTE

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

Installing forward facing child re-
straint

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.

6. Before having a child sit in the child
restraint system, try to move it back and
forth and right and left to check if it is firmly
secured. Sometimes a child restraint can
be more firmly secured 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).

4-door models

5-door models

8. If the child restraint system requires a
top tether, latch the hook onto the top
tether anchorage and tighten the top
tether. For additional instructions, refer to

“Top tether anchorages” F1-31.

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

NOTE

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

Installing a booster seat

WARNING

. Child restraint systems and seat-

belts can become 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.

. Do not leave an unsecured child

CAUTION

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

1-27

– CONTINUED –

1-28

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

creased.

1. Place the booster seat in the rear
seating position and sit the child on it. The
child should sit well back on the booster
seat.
2. Run the lap and shoulder belt through
or around the booster seat and the child
following the instructions provided by its
manufacturer.
3. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle
until you hear a click. Take care not to
twist the seatbelt.
Make sure the shoulder belt is positioned
across the center of child’s shoulder and
that the lap belt is positioned as low as
possible on the child’s hips.

4. To remove the booster seat, press the
release button on the seatbelt buckle and
allow the belt to retract.

WARNING

. Never use a belt that is twisted or

reversed. In an accident, this can
increase the risk or severity of
injury to the child.

. Never place the shoulder belt

under the child’s arm or behind
the child’s back. If an accident
occurs, this can increase the risk
or severity of injury to the child.

. The seatbelt should fit snugly in

order to provide full restraint.
Loose fitting belts are not as

effective in preventing or redu-
cing injury.

. Place the lap belt as low as

possible on the child’s hips. A
high-positioned lap belt will in-
crease the risk of sliding under
the lap belt and of the lap belt
sliding up over the abdomen, and
both can result in serious inter-
nal injury or death.

. Make sure the shoulder belt is

positioned across the center of
child’s shoulder. Placing the
shoulder belt over the neck may
result in neck injury during sud-
den braking or in a collision.

Installation of child restraint
systems by use of lower and
tether anchorages (LATCH)

WARNING

. Child restraint systems and seat-

belts can become 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.

. Do not leave an unsecured child

CAUTION

tight and secure, the danger of your
child suffering personal injury in the
event of an accident may be in-
creased.

Some types of child restraint systems can
be installed on the rear seat of your
vehicle without use of the seatbelts. Such
child restraint systems are secured to the
designated anchorages provided on the
vehicle body. The lower and tether an-
chorages are sometimes referred to as the
LATCH system (Lower Anchors and
Tethers for CHildren).

Your vehicle is equipped with four lower
anchorages (bars) and two or three upper
anchorages (tether anchorages) for ac-
commodating such child restraint sys-
tems.

The lower anchorages (bars) are used for

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

1-29

– CONTINUED –

1-30

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

installing a child restraint system only on
the rear seat window-side seating posi-
tions. For each window-side seating posi-
tion, two lower anchorages are provided.
Each lower anchorage is located where
the seat cushion meets the seatback.

*: For the Latin American models, a tether

anchorage is not provided in this center
location.

The tether anchorages (upper an-
chorages) are provided at the locations
shown in the above illustration.

You will find marks “ ” at the bottom of
the rear seat seatbacks. These marks
indicate the positions of the lower an-
chorages (bars).

Each lower anchorage is located where
the seat cushion meets the seatback.

1. Use the “ ” marks to locate the two
lower anchorages (bars) for the position
where you want to install the child restraint
system.

2. While following the instructions sup-
plied by the child restraint system manu-
facturer, connect the lower hooks onto the
lower anchorages located at “ ” marks on
the bottom of the rear seatback. When the
hooks are connected, make sure the
adjacent seatbelts are not caught.

3. [If your child restraint system is of a
flexible attachment type (which uses
tether belts to connect the child restraint
system properly to the lower anchorages)]
While pushing the child restraint into the
seat cushion, pull both left and right lower
tether belts up to secure the child restraint
system firmly by taking up the slack in the
belt.
4. Connect the top tether hook to the
tether anchorage and firmly tighten the
tether. For information on how to set the
top tether, refer to “Top tether anchorages”
F1-31.

5. Before seating a child in the child
restraint system, try to move it back and
forth and right and left to verify that it is
held securely in position.
6. To remove the child restraint system,
follow the reverse procedures of installa-
tion.

If you have any question concerning this
type of child restraint system, ask your
SUBARU dealer.

Top tether anchorages

Your vehicle is equipped with two or three
top tether anchorages so that a child
restraint system having a top tether can
be installed in the rear seat. When
installing a child restraint system using
top tether, proceed as follows, while
observing the instructions by the child
restraint system manufacturer.

Since a top tether can provide additional
stability by offering another connection
between a child restraint system and the
vehicle, we recommend that you use a top
tether whenever one is required or avail-
able.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

1-31

– CONTINUED –

1-32

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

Anchorage location

4-door models

For left seat

For center seat (for the Latin American
models, a tether anchorage is not pro-
vided in this center location.)

For right seat

Two or three upper anchorages are
installed on the rear shelf behind the rear
seat.

5-door models

For left seat

For center seat (for the Latin American
models, a tether anchorage is not pro-
vided in this center location.)

For right seat

There are two or three anchorages on the
rear wall of the cargo area.

To hook the top tether

1. Remove the head restraint at the
window-side seating position where the
child restraint system has been installed
with the lower anchorages or seatbelt; lift
up the head restraint while pressing the
release button. Store the head restraint in
the trunk (4-door) or cargo area (5-door).
Avoid placing the head restraint in the
passenger compartment to prevent it from
being thrown around in the passenger
compartment in a sudden stop or a sharp
turn.

4-door models

5-door models

2. Open or remove the cover for the
appropriate upper anchorage.

4-door models

5-door models

3. Attach the child restraint top tether
hook to the appropriate upper anchorage.
4. Tighten the top tether securely.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/Child restraint systems

1-33

– CONTINUED –

1-34

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Please contact your SUBARU dealer if
you have any question regarding the
installation of a child restraint system.

CAUTION

Always remove the head restraint
when mounting a child restraint
system with a top tether. Otherwise,
the top tether cannot be fastened
tightly.

*SRS airbag (Supplemental
Restraint System airbag)

*SRS: This stands for supplemental re-
straint system. This name is used be-
cause the airbag system supplements the
vehicle’s seatbelts.

Your vehicle is equipped with a crash
sensing and diagnostic module, which will
record the use of the seatbelt by the front
passenger when any of the SRS frontal,
side and curtain airbags deploys.

Your vehicle is equipped with a supple-
mental restraint system in addition to a
lap/shoulder belt at each front seating
position and each rear window-side seat-
ing positions. The supplemental restraint
system (SRS) consists of six airbags.
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)

These SRS airbags are designed only
to be a supplement to the primary
protection provided by the seatbelt.

The system also controls front seatbelt
pretensioners. For operation instructions
and precautions concerning the seatbelt
pretensioner, refer to “Front seatbelt pre-
tensioners” F1-19.

General precautions regard-
ing SRS airbag system

WARNING

. To obtain maximum protection in

the event of an accident, the
driver and all passengers in the
vehicle should always wear seat-
belts when the vehicle is moving.
The SRS airbag is designed only
to be a supplement to the primary
protection provided by the seat-
belt. It does not eliminate the
need to fasten seatbelts. In com-
bination with the seatbelts, it
offers the best combined protec-
tion in case of a serious accident.

Not wearing a seatbelt increases
the chance of severe injury or
death in a crash even when the
vehicle has the SRS airbag.

For instructions and precautions
concerning the seatbelt system,
refer to “Seatbelts” F1-11.

. The SRS side airbag and SRS

curtain airbag 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 your seatbelt
to help avoid injuries that can
result when an occupant is not
seated in a proper upright posi-
tion.

WARNING

The SRS airbags deploy 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.

WARNING

. Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

close to either front door. The
SRS side airbag is stored in both
front seat seatbacks next to the
door, and it provides protection
by deploying rapidly (faster than
the blink of an eye) in the event of

a side impact collision. However,
the force of SRS side airbag
deployment may cause injuries
if your head or other parts of the
body are too close to the SRS
side airbag.

. Since your vehicle is equipped

with SRS curtain airbags, do not
sit or lean unnecessarily close to
the front or rear door on either
side. Also, do not put your head,
arms and hands out of the win-
dow. 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), and it provides protection
by deploying rapidly (faster than
the blink of an eye) in the event of
a side impact. However, the force
of its deployment may cause
injuries if your head is too close
to it.

. Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

close to the SRS airbag. Because
the SRS airbag deploys with
considerable speed (faster than
the blink of an eye) and force to
protect the occupant in high
speed collisions, the force of an
airbag can injure an occupant
whose body is too close to the

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

1-35

– CONTINUED –

1-36

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

SRS airbag.

It is also important to wear your
seatbelt to help avoid injuries
that can result when the SRS
airbag contacts an occupant not
in proper position such as one
thrown forward during pre-acci-
dent braking.

Even when properly positioned,
there remains a possibility that
an occupant may suffer minor
injuries such as abrasions and
bruises to the face or arms
because of the SRS airbag de-
ployment force.

WARNING

. Do not rest your arm on either

front door or its internal trim. You
could be injured in the event of
SRS side airbag deployment.

. Do not place any objects over or

near the SRS airbag cover or
between you and the SRS airbag.
If the SRS airbag deploys, those
objects could interfere with its
proper operation and could be
propelled inside the vehicle and
cause injury.

WARNING

Do not put any objects over the
steering wheel pad and dashboard.
If the SRS frontal airbag deploys,
these objects could interfere with its
proper operation and could be pro-
pelled inside the vehicle, causing
injury.

WARNING

Do not attach accessories to the
windshield, or fit an extra-wide mir-
ror over the rear view mirror. If the
SRS airbag deploys, those objects
could become projectiles that could
seriously injure vehicle occupants.

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.

. Do not attach a hands-free micro-

phone or any other accessory to
a front pillar, a center pillar, a rear
pillar, the windshield, a side win-
dow, an assist grip, or any other
cabin surface that would be near
a deploying SRS curtain airbag.
A hands-free microphone or

other accessory in such a 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.

Before hanging clothing on the
coat hooks, make sure there are
no sharp objects in the pockets.
Hang clothing directly on the
coat hooks without using hang-
ers.

WARNING

Do 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.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags/*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

1-37

– CONTINUED –

Content .. 2 3 4 5 ..