Subaru Forester (2023 year). Manual in english

(45,1)

WARNING

To prevent the passenger from slid-
ing under the seatbelt in the event of
a collision, observe the following
precautions:

Keep the seatback in the upright

position while the vehicle is in
motion.

Do not place objects such as

cushions between the passenger
and the seatback.

Otherwise, the risk of sliding under
the lap belt and of the lap belt sliding
up over the abdomen will increase,
and both can result in serious inter-
nal injury or death.

CAUTION

If your vehicle is equipped with a
cargo area cover, observe the fol-
lowing precautions.

Be careful not to pinch your hand

between the head restraint and
the cargo area cover when you
recline the rear seat.

Move the front cover of the cargo

area cover backward so that the
cover is not damaged by the

reclined seatback. Refer to “Car-
go area cover”

�

P287.

Pull the strap and adjust the seatback to
the desired position.
Then release the strap and move the
seatback back and forth to confirm that it
is securely fixed in place.

1-3. Head restraints

WARNING

The front seat head restraints are
designed to be installed into the
front seats only. The rear seat head
restraints are designed to be in-
stalled into the rear seats only. Do
not attempt to install the front seat
head restraints into the rear seats, or
the rear seat head restraints into the
front seats.

NOTE

It is possible to adjust the angle of the
front seat head restraints only. When
installing the front seat head restraints,
make sure that the angle of the head
restraints can be adjusted.

– CONTINUED –

Head restraints

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(46,1)

Front seats

Both the driver’s seat and the front
passenger’s seat are equipped with head
restraints. Both head restraints are adjus-
table in the following ways.

Height adjustment

Head restraint

Release button

Remove button

To release:

Lowermost to the 1st step

Pull the head restraint up to the 1st step.

To raise:

1st step to the 3rd step

Pull the head restraint up while pressing
the release button on the top of the
seatback.

To lower:

Push the head restraint down while press-
ing the release button on the top of the
seatback.

To remove:

Use a key or other hard, pointed object to
press the remove button, then pull out the
head restraint.

To install:

Push the head restraint into the holes on
the top of the seatback until it locks.

Each head restraint should be adjusted so
that the center is closest to the top of the
occupant’s ears.

NOTE

When the head restraint cannot be
pulled out or installed due to insuffi-
cient clearance, tilt the seat and then

perform the installation and removal
tasks.

Angle adjustment

The angle of the head restraint can be
adjusted in several steps. While maintain-
ing a suitable driving posture, adjust the
head restraint to a position where the back
of your head is as close to the head
restraint as possible.

To tilt:

Tilt the head restraint by hand to the
preferred position. A click will sound when
the head restraint is locked.

To return:

Tilt the head restraint as far forward as it
can go. The head restraint will automati-
cally return to the fully upright position.

Head restraints

(47,1)

Then, adjust the head restraint to the
preferred angle.

Rear seats

Head restraints are installed in all second-
row seats and can be adjusted as de-
scribed below.

Window side seating position

Head restraint

Release button

To remove:

Press the release button, and pull out the
head restraint.

To install:

Push the head restraint into the holes on
the top of the seatback until it locks. Press
and hold the release button to lower the
head restraint.

After installing the head restraint, make
sure it is securely locked.

Center seating position

When not used (retracted position)

When used (extended position)

CAUTION

The head restraint is not intended to
be used in the retracted position.
Before sitting in the seat, raise the
head restraint to the extended posi-
tion.

Head restraint

Release button

To raise:

Pull the head restraint up.

To lower:

Press the release button then push the
head restraint down.

To remove:

Press the release button, and pull out the
head restraint.

To install:

Push the head restraint into the holes on
the top of the seatback until it locks. Press
and hold the release button to lower the
head restraint.

When the rear center seating position is
occupied, raise the head restraint to the

– CONTINUED –

Head restraints

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(48,1)

extended position. When it is not occupied,
lower it to improve rearward visibility.

1-4. Seat heater (if equipped)

The seat heater is equipped in the front
seats or rear seats (window side seating
position).

The seat heater operates when the ignition
switch is either in the “ACC” or “ON”
position.

Safety precautions

CAUTION

People with delicate skin may

suffer slight burns even at low
temperatures if they use the seat
heater for a long period of time.
When using the heater, always be
sure to warn the persons con-
cerned.

Do not put anything on the seat

which insulates against heat,
such as a blanket, cushion, or
similar items. This may cause the
seat heater to overheat.

When the seat is warmed enough

or before you leave the vehicle,
be sure to turn off the seat heater.

NOTE

Use of the seat heater for a long period
of time while the engine is not running
can cause battery discharge.

Seat heater

(49,1)

Front seat heater

Front seats

– Rapid heating

– Normal heating

Off

Left-hand side

Right-hand side

To turn on the seat heater, push the “LO” or
“HI” position on the switch, as desired,
depending on the temperature.
Selecting the “HI” position will cause the
seat to heat up quicker.

To turn off the seat heater, lightly press the
opposite side of the current position.

The indicator located on the switch illumi-
nates when the seat heater is in operation.

Rear seat heater (if equipped)

CAUTION

Do not open and close the center
console lid while operating the rear
seat heater switch. There is the risk
of fingers being caught in the lid.

The seat heater operates when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.

Rear seat heater switch

HIGH mode indicators

LOW mode indicators

Left-hand side

Right-hand side

Press the rear seat heater switch. Each
time you press the switch, the mode will
change as follows.

When LOW mode is selected, the LOW
mode indicator on the rear seat heater
switch illuminates. When HIGH mode is
selected, both the LOW and HIGH mode
indicators illuminate. When the OFF mode
is selected, all the indicators turn off.

– CONTINUED –

Seat heater

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(50,1)

Selecting “HIGH” mode will cause the seat
to heat up quicker.

NOTE

Only the front seat heater switches
retain the previous switch position
even if the vehicle has restarted. The
rear seat heater switch will reset.

1-5. Seatbelts

Seatbelt safety tips

WARNING

All persons in the vehicle should

fasten their seatbelts BEFORE
the vehicle starts to move. Other-
wise, the possibility of serious
injury becomes greater in the
event of a sudden stop or acci-
dent.

All belts should fit snugly in order

to provide full restraint. Loose
fitting belts are not as effective in
preventing or reducing injury.

Each seatbelt is designed to sup-

port only one person. Never use a
single belt for two or more per-
sons – even children. Otherwise,
in an accident, serious injury or
death could result.

Replace all seatbelt assemblies

including retractors and attach-
ing hardware worn by occupants
of a vehicle that has been in a
serious accident. The entire as-
sembly should be replaced even
if damage is not obvious.

Never use a belt that is twisted or

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

Keep the lap belt as low as

possible on your hips. In a colli-
sion, this spreads the force of the
lap belt over stronger hip bones
instead of across the weaker
abdomen.

Seatbelts provide maximum re-

straint when the occupant sits
well back and upright in the seat.
To reduce the risk of sliding
under the seatbelt in a collision,
the front seatbacks should be
always used in the upright posi-
tion while the vehicle is running.
If the front seatbacks are not
used in the upright position in a
collision, the risk of sliding under
the lap belt and of the lap belt
sliding up over the abdomen will
increase, and both can result in
serious internal injury or death.

Do not put cushions or any other

materials between occupants
and seatbacks or seat cushions.
If you do so, the risk of sliding
under the lap belt and of the lap
belt sliding up over the abdomen
will increase, and both can result

Seatbelts

(51,1)

in serious internal injury or death.

WARNING

Never place the shoulder belt under
the arm or behind the back. If an
accident occurs, this can increase
the risk or severity of injury.

CAUTION

Metallic parts of the seatbelt can
become very hot in a vehicle that has
been closed up in sunny weather;
they could burn an occupant. Do not
touch such hot parts until they cool.

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 deploy.

Infants or small children

Use a child restraint system that is suitable
for your vehicle. Refer to “Child restraint
systems”

�

P60.

Children

WARNING

Place children in the rear seat prop-
erly restrained at all times. The SRS
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. For that reason, we
strongly recommend that ALL chil-
dren (including those in child re-
straint systems and those that have
outgrown child restraint devices) sit
in the REAR seat properly restrained
at all times in a child restraint
system or in a seatbelt, whichever
is appropriate for the child’s height
and weight.

Secure ALL types of child restraint
devices (including forward facing
child restraint systems) in the REAR
seats at all times.

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.

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 precau-
tions concerning the child restraint
system, refer to “Child restraint
systems”

�

P60.

If a child is too big for a child restraint
system, the child should sit in the rear seat
and be restrained using the seatbelts.
According to accident statistics, children
are safer when properly restrained in the
rear seating positions than in the front
seating positions. Never allow a child to
stand up or kneel on the seat.

If the shoulder portion of the belt crosses
the face or neck, move the child closer to
the belt buckle to help provide a good

– CONTINUED –

Seatbelts

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(52,1)

shoulder belt fit. Care must be taken to
securely place the lap belt as low as
possible on the hips and not on the child’s
waist. If the shoulder portion of the belt
cannot be properly positioned, a child
restraint system should be used. Never
place the shoulder belt under the child’s
arm or behind the child’s back.

Expectant mothers

Expectant mothers also need to use the
seatbelts. They should consult their doctor
for specific recommendations. The lap belt
should be worn securely and as low as
possible over the hips, not over the waist.

Emergency Locking Retrac-
tor (ELR)

The driver’s seatbelt has an Emergency
Locking Retractor (ELR).
The emergency locking retractor allows
normal body movement but the retractor
locks automatically during a sudden stop,
impact or if you pull the belt very quickly
out of the retractor.

Automatic Locking Retractor/
Emergency Locking Retrac-
tor (ALR/ELR)

Each passenger’s seatbelt has an Auto-
matic Locking Retractor/Emergency Lock-
ing Retractor (ALR/ELR). The Automatic
Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking
Retractor normally functions as an Emer-
gency Locking Retractor (ELR). The ALR/
ELR has an additional locking mode
“Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR)
mode” intended to secure a child restraint
system. When the seatbelt is once drawn
out completely and is then retracted even
slightly, the retractor locks the seatbelt in
that position and the seatbelt cannot be
extended. As the belt is rewinding, clicks
will be heard which indicate the retractor
functions as an ALR. When the seatbelt is
retracted fully, the ALR mode is released.

When securing a child restraint system on
the rear seats by the use of the seatbelt,
the seatbelt must be changed over to the
Automatic Locking Retractor (ALR) mode.

When the child restraint system is re-
moved, make sure that the seatbelt re-
tracts fully and the retractor returned to the
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)
mode.
For instructions on how to convert the
retractor to the ALR mode and restore it to
the ELR mode, refer to “Installing child
restraint systems with ALR/ELR seatbelt”

�

P65.

Seatbelt warning light
and chime

Refer to “Seatbelt warning light and chime”

�

P166.

Fastening the seatbelt

Front seatbelts

1. Adjust the seat position according to

the following procedure.

Driver’s seat:

Adjust the seatback to

the upright position. Move the seat as
far from the steering wheel as practical
while still maintaining full vehicle con-
trol.

Front passenger’s seat:

Adjust the

Seatbelts

(53,1)

seatback to the upright position. Move
the seat as far back as possible.

2. Sit well back in the seat.
3. Pick up the tongue plate and pull the

belt out slowly. Do not let it get twisted.

If the belt stops before reaching the
buckle, return the belt slightly and
pull it out more slowly.

If the belt still cannot be unlocked, let
the belt retract slightly after giving it a
strong pull, then pull it out slowly
again.

4. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle

until you hear a click.

5. To tighten the lap part, pull up on the

shoulder belt.

6. Place the lap belt as low as possible on

the hips, not on the waist.

Adjusting the front seat shoulder
belt anchor height

The shoulder belt anchor height should be
adjusted to the position best suited for the
driver/front passenger. Always adjust the
anchor height so that the shoulder belt
passes over the middle of the shoulder
without touching the neck.

To raise:

Slide the anchor up.

To lower:

Pull the release knob and slide the anchor
down.

Pull down the anchor to make sure that it is
locked in place.

– CONTINUED –

Seatbelts

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(54,1)

WARNING

When wearing the seatbelts, make
sure the shoulder portion of the
webbing does not pass over your
neck. If it does, adjust the seatbelt
anchor to a lower position. Placing
the shoulder belt over the neck may
result in neck injury during sudden
braking or in a collision.

Unfastening the seatbelt

Button

1. Push the button on the buckle.
2. Retract the seatbelt slowly to prevent it

from getting tangled or twisted.

Before closing the door, make sure that the
belts are retracted properly to avoid
catching the belt webbing in the door.

Rear seatbelts (except rear center
seatbelt)

1. Sit well back in the seat.
2. Pick up the tongue plate and pull the

belt out slowly. Do not let it get twisted.

If the belt stops before reaching the
buckle, return the belt slightly and
pull it out more slowly.

If the belt still cannot be unlocked, let
the belt retract slightly after giving it a
strong pull, then pull it out slowly
again.

3. Insert the tongue plate into the buckle

until you hear a click.

4. To tighten the lap part, pull up on the

shoulder belt.

5. Place the lap belt as low as possible on

the hips, not on the waist.

Seatbelts

(55,1)

Unfastening the seatbelt

Button

1. Push the button on the buckle.
2. Retract the seatbelt slowly to prevent it

from getting tangled or twisted.

Before closing the door, make sure that the
belts are retracted properly to avoid
catching the belt webbing in the door.

Rear center seatbelt

Center seatbelt tongue plate

Anchor tongue plate

Anchor buckle

Center seatbelt buckle

WARNING

Fastening the seatbelt with the web-
bing twisted can increase the risk or
severity of injury in an accident.
When fastening the belt after it is
pulled out from the retractor, espe-
cially when inserting the anchor
tongue plate into the mating buckle
(on right-hand side), always check
that the webbing is not twisted.

– CONTINUED –

Seatbelts

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(56,1)

WARNING

Be sure to fasten both tongue

plates to the respective buckles.
If the seatbelt is used only as a
shoulder belt (with the anchor
tongue plate not fastened to the
connector’s buckle on the right-
hand side), it cannot properly
restrain the wearer in position in
an accident, possibly resulting in
serious injury or death.

The head restraint is not intended

to be used at the lowest position.
Before sitting on the seat, raise
the head restraint to the extended
position. Otherwise, in an acci-
dent, serious injury or death
could result.

Rear center seatbelt is stowed in the
recess of the ceiling.
1. Retrieve the anchor tongue plate from

the slot in the recess by pulling the
anchor tongue plate, then pull out the
seatbelt slowly.

2. Pass the seatbelt through the belt

guide.

3. After confirming that the webbing is not

twisted, insert the anchor tongue plate
attached at the webbing end into the
buckle on the right-hand side until a

Seatbelts

(57,1)

click sounds.

If the belt stops before reaching the
buckle, return the belt slightly and
pull it out more slowly.

If the belt still cannot be unlocked,
give it a strong pull and let it retract
slightly, then pull it out slowly again.

4. Insert the center seatbelt tongue plate

into the center seatbelt buckle marked
“CENTER” on the left-hand side until it
clicks.

5. To tighten the lap part, pull up on the

shoulder belt.

6. Place the lap belt as low as possible on

the hips, not on the waist.

Unfastening the seatbelt

Button

1. Push the release button of the center

seatbelt buckle (on the left-hand side)
to unfasten the seatbelt.

NOTE

When the seatback is folded down, it is
necessary to disconnect the connector.

– CONTINUED –

Seatbelts

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(58,1)

2. Insert a tongue plate or other hard

pointed object into the slot in the
anchor buckle on the right-hand side
and push it in. The anchor tongue plate
will then disconnect from the buckle.

3. With the belt held by hand, allow the

retractor to roll up the belt slowly. You
should hold the webbing end and guide
it back into the retractor while it is
rolling up. Neatly store the tongue plate
in the recess on the ceiling and then
insert the anchor tongue plate into the
slot located at the front of the recess.

CAUTION

Do not allow the retractor to roll

up the seatbelt too quickly. Other-
wise, the metal tongue plates
may hit against the trim, resulting
in damaged trim.

Have the seatbelt fully rolled up

so that the tongue plates are
neatly stored. A hanging tongue
plate can swing and hit against

the trim during driving, causing
damage to the trim.

Seatbelt maintenance

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.

CAUTION

Keep the belts free of polishes,

oils, chemicals and particularly
battery acid.

Never attempt to make modifica-

tions or changes that will prevent
the seatbelt from operating prop-
erly.

Seatbelts

(59,1)

1-6. Seatbelt pretensioners

The following seatbelts have a seatbelt
pretensioner.

Driver’s seatbelt

Front passenger’s seatbelt

Rear passenger’s seatbelt (window-
side)

The seatbelt pretensioners are designed
to be activated in the event of an accident
involving a moderate to severe frontal and
side collision and rollover accident.

WARNING

To obtain maximum protection,

the occupants should sit in an
upright position with their seat-
belts properly fastened. Refer to
“Seatbelts”

�

P48.

Do not modify, remove or strike

the seatbelt retractor assemblies
equipped with seatbelt preten-
sioners or surrounding area. This
could result in accidental activa-
tion of the seatbelt pretensioners
or could make the system inop-
erative, possibly resulting in ser-
ious injury. Seatbelt preten-
sioners have no user-serviceable
parts. For required servicing of

seatbelt retractors equipped with
seatbelt pretensioners, consult
your SUBARU dealer.

When discarding seatbelt retrac-

tor assemblies equipped with
seatbelt pretensioners or scrap-
ping the entire vehicle due to
collision damage or for other
reasons, consult your SUBARU
dealer.

NOTE

Seatbelt pretensioners are not de-
signed to activate in minor impacts
or in rear impacts.

Pretensioners are designed to func-
tion on a one-time-only basis. In the
event that a pretensioner is acti-
vated, both the driver’s and front
passenger’s seatbelt retractor as-
semblies should be replaced only
by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
When replacing seatbelt retractor
assemblies, use only genuine
SUBARU parts.

If a seatbelt that has a seatbelt
pretensioner does not retract or
cannot be pulled out due to a mal-
function or activation of the preten-
sioner, contact your SUBARU dealer
as soon as possible.

If the seatbelt retractor assembly or
surrounding area has been da-
maged, contact your SUBARU deal-
er as soon as possible.

When you sell your vehicle, we urge
you to inform the buyer that the
vehicle is equipped with seatbelt
pretensioners. Also, notify the buyer
of the contents in this section.

Seatbelt with shoulder belt
pretensioner

NOTE

This section is applicable to the follow-
ing components.

Rear passenger’s seatbelt (window-
side)

The pretensioner sensor also serves as

– CONTINUED –

Seatbelt pretensioners

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(60,1)

follows.

SRS frontal impact sensor

Side impact sensor

Rollover sensor

If the sensor detects a certain predeter-
mined amount of force during frontal or
side collisions or rollover accidents, any
seatbelt that has a seatbelt pretensioner is
quickly drawn back in by the retractor to
take up the slack so that the belt more
effectively restrains the seat occupant.

The rear passenger’s seatbelt (window-
side) pretensioner includes a tension
reducing device which limits the peak
forces exerted by the seatbelt on the
occupant in the event of a collision.

When a seatbelt pretensioner is activated,
an operating 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.

Seatbelt with shoulder belt
and lap belt pretensioners

NOTE

This section is applicable to the front
seatbelt.

Seatbelt retractor assembly (shoulder
belt pretensioner and adaptive force
limiter)

Lap belt pretensioner

The shoulder belt pretensioner is supple-
mented by a lap belt pretensioner, which is
located at the base of the center pillar. Like
the shoulder belt pretensioner, the lap belt
pretensioner instantaneously pulls in the
belt to eliminate slack if a certain level of
frontal collision force is detected. As a
result, the seatbelt restrains the front seat
occupant more effectively.

The front seatbelt pretensioner includes a
tension reducing device which limits the
peak forces exerted by the seatbelt on the
occupant in the event of a collision.
The adaptive force limiter will select a
reducing load to the suit body size of
occupant as detected by the occupant
detection system sensors.

Once the seatbelt pretensioner has been
activated, the seatbelt pretensioner re-
mains locked. Consequently, the seatbelt
cannot be pulled out and retracted and
therefore must be replaced.

System monitors

A diagnostic system continually monitors
the readiness of the seatbelt pretensioner
with the ignition switch in the “ON” position.
The seatbelt pretensioners share the
control module with the SRS airbag
system. Therefore, if any malfunction
occurs in a seatbelt pretensioner, the
SRS airbag system warning light will
illuminate. For details, refer to “SRS airbag
system monitors”

�

P104.

Seatbelt pretensioners

Subaru Forester (2023 year). Manual in english - page 3