Content .. 1 2 3 ..

Subaru Solterra (2023 year). Manual in english - page 2

1-1. For safe use

■

Replacing the belt after the pre-

tensioner has been activated

If the vehicle is involved in multiple

collisions, the pretensioner will acti-

vate for the first collision, but will not

activate for the second or subse-

quent collisions.

■

PCS-linked seat belt preten-

sioner control

If the PCS (Pre-Collision System)

determines that the possibility of a

collision with a vehicle is high, the

seat belt pretensioners will be pre-

pared to operate.

WARNING

■

Seat belt pretensioners

Observe the following precautions

to reduce the risk of injury in the

event of sudden braking, sudden

swerving or an accident.

Failure to do so may cause death

or serious injury.

●

Do not place anything, such as

a cushion, on the front passen-

ger’s seat.

Doing so will disperse the pas-

senger’s weight, which prevents

the sensor from detecting the

passenger’s weight properly. As

a result, the seat belt preten-

sioner for the front passenger’s

seat may not activate in the

event of a collision.

●

If the pretensioner has acti-

vated, the SRS warning light will

come on. In that case, the seat

belt cannot be used again and

must be replaced at your SUB-

ARU dealer.

1-1. For safe use

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

■

Location of the SRS airbags



SRS front airbags

SRS driver airbag/front passenger airbag

Can help protect the head and chest of the driver and front passenger from
impact with interior components

SRS knee airbags

Can help provide driver and front passenger protection



SRS side and curtain shield airbags

SRS front side airbags

Can help protect the torso of the front seat occupants

SRS curtain shield airbags

• Can help protect primarily the head of occupants in the outboard seats

SRS airbags

The SRS airbags inflate when the vehicle is subjected to cer-
tain types of severe impacts that may cause significant injury
to the occupants. They work together with the seat belts to
help reduce the risk of death or serious injury.

SRS airbag system

1-1. For safe use

• Can help prevent the occupants from being thrown from the vehicle in the

event of vehicle rollover

■

SRS airbag system components

Front impact sensors

Knee airbag

Front passenger airbag

Side impact sensors (front door)

Curtain shield airbags

Side impact sensors (front)

Seat belt pretensioners and force limiters

Side airbags

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF” indicator lights

Front passenger’s seat belt buckle switch

Side impact sensors (rear)

Driver’s seat position sensor

Driver’s seat belt buckle switch

Driver airbag

1-1. For safe use

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

Front passenger occupant classification sensors

SRS warning light

Airbag sensor assembly

Your vehicle is equipped with ADVANCED AIRBAGS designed
based on the US motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS208). The
airbag sensor assembly (ECU) controls airbag deployment based on
information obtained from the sensors etc. shown in the system
components diagram above. This information includes crash sever-
ity and occupant information. As the airbags deploy, a chemical
reaction in the inflators quickly fills the airbags with non-toxic gas to
help restrain the motion of the occupants.

■

If the SRS airbags deploy

(inflate)

●

Slight abrasions, burns, bruising

etc., may be sustained from SRS

airbags, due to the extremely high

speed deployment (inflation) by

hot gases.

●

A loud noise and white powder will

be emitted.

●

Parts of the airbag module (steer-

ing wheel hub, airbag cover and

inflator) as well as the front seats,

parts of the front and rear pillars,

and roof side rails, may be hot for

several minutes. The airbag itself

may also be hot.

●

The windshield may crack.

●

The EV system will be stopped.

(



P.78)

●

All of the doors will be unlocked.

(



P.166)

●

The brakes and stop lights will be

controlled automatically. (



P.391)

●

The interior lights will turn on auto-

matically. (



P.419)

●

The emergency flashers will turn

on automatically. (



P.508)

●

For SUBARU SOLTERRA CON-

NECT subscribers, if any of the

following situations occur, the sys-

tem is designed to send an emer-

gency call to the response center,

notifying them of the vehicle’s

location (without needing to push

the “SOS” button) and an agent

will attempt to speak with the

occupants to ascertain the level of

emergency and assistance

required. If the occupants are

unable to communicate, the agent

automatically treats the call as an

emergency and helps to dispatch

the necessary emergency ser-

vices. (



P.61)

• An SRS airbag is deployed.

• A seat belt pretensioner is acti-

vated.

• The vehicle is involved in a severe

rear-end collision.

■

SRS airbag deployment condi-

tions (SRS front airbags)

●

The SRS front airbags will deploy

in the event of an impact that

exceeds the set threshold level

(the level of force corresponding

to an approximately 12 - 18 mph

[20 - 30 km/h] frontal collision with

a fixed wall that does not move or

deform).

However, this threshold velocity will
be considerably higher in the follow-
ing situations:
• If the vehicle strikes an object,

such as a parked vehicle or sign

pole, which can move or deform

on impact

• If the vehicle is involved in an

1-1. For safe use

underride collision, such as a colli-

sion in which the front of the vehi-

cle underrides, or goes under, the

bed of a truck

●

Depending on the type of collision,

it is possible that only the seat belt

pretensioners will activate.

●

The SRS front airbags for the front

passenger will not activate if there

is no passenger sitting in the front

passenger seat. However, the

SRS front airbags for the front

passenger may deploy if luggage

is put in the seat, even if the seat

is unoccupied.

■

SRS airbag deployment condi-

tions (SRS side and curtain

shield airbags)

●

The SRS side and curtain shield

airbags will deploy in the event of

an impact that exceeds the set

threshold level (the level of force

corresponding to the impact force

produced by an approximately

3300 lb. [1500 kg] vehicle colliding

with the vehicle cabin from a

direction perpendicular to the

vehicle orientation at an approxi-

mate speed of 12 - 18 mph [20 -

30 km/h]).

●

Both SRS curtain shield airbags

will deploy in the event of a side

collision on either side.

●

Both SRS curtain shield airbags

will deploy in the event of vehicle

rollover.

●

Both SRS curtain shield airbags

may also deploy in the event of a

severe frontal collision.

■

Conditions under which the

SRS airbags may deploy

(inflate), other than a collision

The SRS front airbags and SRS cur-

tain shield airbags may also deploy

if a serious impact occurs to the

underside of your vehicle. Some

examples are shown in the illustra-

tion.

●

Hitting a curb, edge of pavement

or hard surface

●

Falling into or jumping over a deep

hole

●

Landing hard or falling

The SRS curtain shield airbags may

also deploy under the situations

shown in the illustration.

●

The angle of vehicle tip-up is mar-

ginal.

●

The vehicle skids and hits a curb

stone.

■

Types of collisions that may not

deploy the SRS airbags (SRS

front airbags)

The SRS front airbags do not gener-

ally inflate if the vehicle is involved

in a side or rear collision, if it rolls

over, or if it is involved in a low-

speed frontal collision. But, when-

ever a collision of any type causes

sufficient forward deceleration of the

vehicle, deployment of the SRS

front airbags may occur.

●

Collision from the side

●

Collision from the rear

●

Vehicle rollover

1-1. For safe use

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

■

Types of collisions that may not

deploy the SRS airbags (SRS

side and curtain shield airbags)

The SRS side and curtain shield air-

bags may not activate if the vehicle

is subjected to a collision from the

side at certain angles, or a collision

to the side of the vehicle body other

than the passenger compartment.

●

Collision from the side to the vehi-

cle body other than the passenger

compartment

●

Collision from the side at an angle

The SRS side airbags do not gener-

ally inflate if the vehicle is involved

in a frontal or rear collision, if it rolls

over, or if it is involved in a low-

speed side collision.

●

Collision from the front

●

Collision from the rear

●

Vehicle rollover

The SRS curtain shield airbags do

not generally inflate if the vehicle is

involved in a rear collision, if it

pitches end over end, or if it is

involved in a low-speed side or low-

speed frontal collision.

●

Collision from the rear

●

Pitching end over end

■

When to contact your SUBARU

dealer

In the following cases, the vehicle

will require inspection and/or repair.

Contact your SUBARU dealer as

soon as possible.

●

Any of the SRS airbags have

been inflated.

●

The front of the vehicle is dam-

aged or deformed, or was

involved in an accident that was

not severe enough to cause the

SRS front airbags to inflate.

●

A portion of a door or its surround-

ing area is damaged, deformed or

has had a hole made in it, or the

vehicle was involved in an acci-

dent that was not severe enough

to cause the SRS side and curtain

shield airbags to inflate.

1-1. For safe use

●

The pad section of the steering

wheel, dashboard near the front

passenger airbag or lower portion

of the instrument panel is

scratched, cracked, or otherwise

damaged.

●

The surface of the seats with the

SRS side airbag is scratched,

cracked, or otherwise damaged.

●

The portion of the front pillars, rear

pillars or roof side rail garnishes

(padding) containing the SRS cur-

tain shield airbags inside, is

scratched, cracked, or otherwise

damaged.

WARNING

■

SRS airbag precautions

Observe the following precautions

regarding the SRS airbags.

Failure to do so may cause death

or serious injury.

●

The driver and all passengers in

the vehicle must wear their seat

belts properly.

The SRS airbags are supple-

mental devices to be used with

the seat belts.

●

The SRS driver airbag deploys

with considerable force, and

can cause death or serious

injury especially if the driver is

very close to the airbag. The

National Highway Traffic Safety

Administration (NHTSA)

advises:

Since the risk zone for the driver’s
airbag is the first 2 - 3 in. (50 - 75
mm) of inflation, placing yourself
10 in. (250 mm) from your driver
airbag provides you with a clear
margin of safety. This distance is
measured from the center of the
steering wheel to your breast-
bone. If you sit less than 10 in.
(250 mm) away now, you can
change your driving position in
several ways:

• Move your seat to the rear as

far as you can while still reach-

ing the pedals comfortably.

1-1. For safe use

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

WARNING

• Slightly recline the back of the

seat.

Although vehicle designs vary,

many drivers can achieve the

10 in. (250 mm) distance, even

with the driver seat all the way

forward, simply by reclining the

back of the seat somewhat. If

reclining the back of your seat

makes it hard to see the road,

raise yourself by using a firm,

non-slippery cushion, or raise

the seat if your vehicle has that

feature.

• If your steering wheel is adjust-

able, tilt it downward. This

points the airbag toward your

chest instead of your head and

neck.

The seat should be adjusted as

recommended by NHTSA above,

while still maintaining control of

the foot pedals, steering wheel,

and your view of the instrument

panel controls.

●

The SRS front passenger air-

bag also deploys with consider-

able force, and can cause death

or serious injury especially if the

front passenger is very close to

the airbag. The front passenger

seat should be as far from the

airbag as possible with the seat-

back adjusted, so the front pas-

senger sits upright.

●

Improperly seated and/or

restrained infants and children

can be killed or seriously injured

by a deploying airbag. An infant

or child who is too small to use

a seat belt should be properly

secured using a child restraint

system. SUBARU strongly rec-

ommends that all infants and

children be placed in the rear

seats of the vehicle and prop-

erly restrained. The rear seats

are safer for infants and children

than the front passenger seat.

(



P.47)

●

Do not sit on the edge of the

seat or lean against the dash-

board.

●

Do not allow a child to stand in

front of the SRS front passenger

airbag unit or sit on the knees of

a front passenger.

●

Do not allow the front seat occu-

pants to hold items on their

knees.

1-1. For safe use

WARNING

●

Do not lean against the door,

the roof side rail or the front,

side and rear pillars.

●

Do not allow anyone to kneel on

the passenger seat toward the

door or put their head or hands

outside the vehicle.

●

Do not attach anything to or

lean anything against areas

such as the dashboard, steering

wheel pad and lower portion of

the instrument panel.

These items can become pro-

jectiles when the SRS driver,

front passenger and knee air-

bags deploy.

●

Do not attach anything to areas

such as a door, windshield, side

window, front or rear pillar, roof

side rail and assist grip.

●

Do not hang coat hangers or

other hard objects on the coat

hooks. All of these items could

become projectiles and may

cause death or serious injury,

should the SRS curtain shield

airbags deploy.

●

If a vinyl cover is put on the area

where the SRS knee airbag will

deploy, be sure to remove it.

●

Do not use seat accessories

which cover the parts where the

SRS side airbags inflate as they

may interfere with inflation of

the SRS airbags. Such acces-

sories may prevent the SRS

side airbags from activating cor-

rectly, disable the system or

cause the SRS side airbags to

inflate accidentally, resulting in

death or serious injury.

●

Do not strike or apply significant

levels of force to the area of the

SRS airbag components or the

front doors.

Doing so can cause the SRS

airbags to malfunction.

●

Do not touch any of the compo-

nent parts immediately after the

SRS airbags have deployed

(inflated) as they may be hot.

1-1. For safe use

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

WARNING

●

If breathing becomes difficult

after the SRS airbags have

deployed, open a door or win-

dow to allow fresh air in, or

leave the vehicle if it is safe to

do so. Wash off any residue as

soon as possible to prevent skin

irritation.

●

If the areas where the SRS air-

bags are stored, such as the

steering wheel pad and front

and rear pillar garnishes, are

damaged or cracked, have

them replaced by your SUB-

ARU dealer.

●

Do not place anything, such as

a cushion, on the front passen-

ger’s seat. Doing so will

disperse the passenger’s

weight, which prevents the sen-

sor from detecting the passen-

ger’s weight properly. As a

result, the SRS front airbags for

the front passenger may not

deploy in the event of a colli-

sion.

■

Modification and disposal of

SRS airbag system compo-

nents

Do not dispose of your vehicle or

perform any of the following modi-

fications without consulting your

SUBARU dealer. The SRS air-

bags may malfunction or deploy

(inflate) accidentally, causing

death or serious injury.

●

Installation, removal, disassem-

bly and repair of the SRS air-

bags

●

Repairs, modifications, removal

or replacement of the steering

wheel, instrument panel, dash-

board, seats or seat upholstery,

front, side and rear pillars, roof

side rails, front door panels,

front door trims or front door

speakers

●

Modifications to the front door

panel (such as making a hole in

it)

●

Repairs or modifications of the

front fender, front bumper, or

side of the occupant compart-

ment

●

Installation of a grille guard (bull

bars, kangaroo bar, etc.), snow

plows, winches or roof luggage

carrier

●

Modifications to the vehicle’s

suspension system

●

Installation of electronic devices

such as mobile two-way radios

and CD players

●

Modifications to your vehicle for

a person with a physical disabil-

ity

1-1. For safe use

SRS warning light

Driver’s and front passenger’s seat belt reminder light

“AIR BAG OFF” indicator light

“AIR BAG ON” indicator light

Front passenger occupant classification system

Your vehicle is equipped with a front passenger occupant
classification system. This system detects the conditions of
the front passenger seat and activates or deactivates the
front passenger airbag and front passenger knee airbag.

System components

WARNING

■

Front passenger occupant

classification system precau-

tions

Observe the following precautions

regarding the front passenger

occupant classification system.

Failure to do so may cause death

or serious injury.

●

Wear the seat belt properly.

●

Make sure the front passenger’s

seat belt plate has not been left

inserted into the buckle before

someone sits in the front pas-

senger seat.

●

Do not apply a heavy load to the

front passenger seat or equip-

ment (e.g. seatback pocket).

●

Do not put weight on the front

passenger seat by putting your

hands or feet on the front pas-

senger seat seatback from the

rear passenger seat.

1-1. For safe use

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

WARNING

●

Do not let a rear passenger lift

the front passenger seat with

their feet or press on the seat-

back with their legs.

●

Do not put objects under the

front passenger seat.

●

Do not recline the front passen-

ger seatback so far that it

touches a rear seat. This may

cause the “AIR BAG OFF” indi-

cator light to be illuminated,

which indicates that the SRS

airbags for the front passenger

will not activate in the event of a

severe accident. If the seatback

touches the rear seat, return the

seatback to a position where it

does not touch the rear seat.

Keep the front passenger seat-

back as upright as possible

when the vehicle is moving.

Reclining the seatback exces-

sively may lessen the effective-

ness of the seat belt system.

●

If an adult sits in the front pas-

senger seat, the “AIR BAG ON”

indicator light is illuminated. If

the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator is

illuminated, ask the passenger

to sit up straight, well back in

the seat, feet on the floor, and

with the seat belt worn correctly.

If the “AIR BAG OFF” indicator

still remains illuminated, either

ask the passenger to move to

the rear seat, or if that is not

possible, move the front pas-

senger seat fully rearward.

●

When it is unavoidable to install

a forward-facing child restraint

system on the front passenger

seat, install the child restraint

system on the front passenger

seat in the proper order.

(



P.49)

●

Do not modify or remove the

front seats.

●

Do not kick the front passenger

seat or subject it to severe

impact. Otherwise, the SRS

warning light may come on to

indicate a malfunction of the

front passenger occupant clas-

sification system. In this case,

contact your SUBARU dealer

immediately.

●

Child restraint systems installed

on the rear seat should not con-

tact the front seatbacks.

●

Do not use a seat accessory,

such as a cushion and seat

cover, that covers the seat

cushion surface.

●

Do not modify or replace the

upholstery of the front seat.

●

Adjust the front passenger seat

so that the head restraint does

not touch the ceiling. If the head

restraint is left in contact with

the ceiling, the system may not

detect the front passenger prop-

erly, leading to improper opera-

tion of the airbags.

1-1. For safe use

■

Adult

■

Child

■

Child restraint system with infant

Condition and operation in the front passenger occupant
classification system

Indicators/warn-

ing lights

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”

indicator lights

“AIR BAG ON”

SRS warning light

Off

Driver’s and front passenger’s seat

belt reminder light

Off

or flashing

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Activated

Front passenger knee airbag

Activated

Indicators/warn-

ing lights

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”

indicator lights

“AIR BAG OFF”

or “AIR BAG

ON”

SRS warning light

Off

Driver’s and front passenger’s seat

belt reminder light

Off

or flashing

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Deactivated or

activated

Front passenger knee airbag

Deactivated or

activated

Indicators/warn-

ing lights

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”

indicator lights

“AIR BAG OFF”

SRS warning light

Off

Driver’s and front passenger’s seat

belt reminder light

Off

or flashing

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Deactivated

Front passenger knee airbag

1-1. For safe use

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

■

Unoccupied

■

There is a malfunction in the system

:The system judges a person of adult size as an adult. When a smaller

adult sits in the front passenger seat, the system may not recognize
him/her as an adult depending on his/her physique and posture.

:In the event the front passenger is wearing a seat belt.

:In the event the front passenger does not wear a seat belt.

:For some children, child in seat, child in booster seat or child in convert-

ible seat, the system may not recognize him/her as a child. Factors
which may affect this can be the physique or posture.

:Never install a rear-facing child restraint system on the front passenger

seat. A forward-facing child restraint system should only be installed on
the front passenger seat when it is unavoidable. (



P.49)

:In case the indicator light is not illuminated, consult this manual on how

to install the child restraint system properly. (



P.47)

Indicators/warn-

ing lights

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”

indicator lights

“AIR BAG OFF”

SRS warning light

Off

Driver’s and front passenger’s seat

belt reminder light

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Deactivated

Front passenger knee airbag

Indicators/warn-

ing lights

“AIR BAG ON” and “AIR BAG OFF”

indicator lights

“AIR BAG OFF”

SRS warning light

Driver’s and front passenger’s seat

belt reminder light

Devices

Front passenger airbag

Deactivated

Front passenger knee airbag

1-2. Child safety

1-2.Child safety

Riding with children

Observe the following pre-
cautions when children are
in the vehicle.
Use a child restraint system
appropriate for the child,
until the child becomes
large enough to properly
wear the vehicle’s seat belt.



It is recommended that chil-
dren sit in the rear seats to
avoid accidental contact
with the steering wheel,
wiper switch, etc.



Use the rear door child-pro-
tector lock or the window
lock switch to avoid children
opening the door while driv-
ing or operating the power
window accidentally.
(



P.168, 208)



Do not let small children
operate equipment which
may catch or pinch body
parts, such as the power
window, hood, back door,
seats, etc.

WARNING

■

When children are in the vehi-

cle

Never leave children unattended

in the vehicle, and never allow

children to have or use the key.
Children may be able to start the

vehicle or shift the vehicle into

neutral. There is also a danger

that children may injure them-

selves by playing with the side

windows or other features of the

vehicle. In addition, heat build-up

or extremely cold temperatures

inside the vehicle can be fatal to

children.

1-2. Child safety

Fo
r s

nd
s

rity

Points to remember: P.47
Child restraint system: P.49
When using a child restraint sys-
tem: P.49
Child restraint system installa-
tion method
• Fixed with a seat belt: P.51
• Fixed with a child restraint

LATCH anchor: P.56

• Using an anchor bracket (for

top tether strap): P.58

The laws of all 50 states of the
U.S.A. as well as Canada now
require the use of child restraint
systems.



Prioritize and observe the
warnings, as well as the laws
and regulations for child
restraint systems.



Use a child restraint system
until the child becomes large
enough to properly wear the
vehicle’s seat belt.



Choose a child restraint sys-
tem that suits your vehicle
and is appropriate to the age
and size of the child.

Child restraint sys-

tems

Before installing a child
restraint system in the vehi-
cle, there are precautions
that need to be observed,
different types of child
restraint systems, as well
as installation methods,
etc., written in this manual.

Use a child restraint system
when riding with a small child
that cannot properly use a
seat belt. For the child’s
safety, install the child
restraint system to a rear seat.
Be sure to follow the installa-
tion method that is in the oper-
ation manual enclosed with
the restraint system.

Table of contents

Points to remember

WARNING

■

When a child is riding

Observe the following precau-

tions.

Failure to do so may result in

death or serious injury.

●

For effective protection in auto-

mobile accidents and sudden

stops, a child must be properly

restrained, using a seat belt or

child restraint system which is

correctly installed. For installa-

tion details, refer to the opera-

tion manual enclosed with the

child restraint system. General

installation instructions are pro-

vided in this manual.

Content .. 1 2 3 ..