Subaru Forester (2023 year). Manual in english

(77,1)

9. 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 system can be more firmly
secured by pushing it down into the
seat cushion. It should not be possible
to move the child restraint system
more than 1 in (2.5 cm).

10. To remove the child restraint system,

follow the reverse procedures of in-
stallation.

National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration (NHTSA) website. In Canada,
check with Transport Canada.

Top tether anchorages

Your vehicle is equipped with 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.

Anchorage location

For left seat

For center seat

For right seat

Three upper anchorages are installed on
the back side of the rear seatback.

– CONTINUED –

Child restraint systems

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(78,1)

To hook the top tether

CAUTION

Remove the head restraint when

mounting a child restraint sys-
tem. Otherwise, the top tether
cannot be fastened tightly.

Store the head restraint that has

been removed in the cargo area.
Do not place the head restraint in
the passenger compartment to
prevent it from being thrown
around in the passenger com-
partment in a sudden stop or a
sharp turn.

1. Attach the top tether hook to the

appropriate upper anchorage.

2. Tighten the top tether securely.

SUBARU recommends that you check
with a certified Child Passenger Safety
Technician to ensure the proper installa-
tion of your child restraint system. For
more information, and to locate the closest
inspection location in the U.S., refer to the
National Highway Traffic Safety Adminis-
tration (NHTSA) website. In Canada,
check with Transport Canada.

1-9. SRS airbag (Supplemen-
tal Restraint System airbag)

Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)
name is used because the airbag system
supplements the vehicle’s seatbelts.

This vehicle is equipped with a supple-
mental restraint system which consists of
seven 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)

Knee airbag

for driver

These SRS airbags are designed only
as a supplement to the primary protec-
tion provided by the seatbelt.

The system also controls seatbelt preten-
sioners. For operation instructions and
precautions concerning the seatbelt pre-
tensioner, refer to “Seatbelt pretensioners”

�

P57.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

(79,1)

General precautions regard-
ing SRS airbag system

WARNING

To obtain maximum protection in

the event of an accident, the
driver and all passengers must
always wear seatbelts when in
the vehicle. The SRS airbag is
designed only to be a supplement
to the primary protection pro-
vided by the seatbelt. It does not
eliminate the need to fasten seat-
belts. In combination with the
seatbelts, it offers the best pro-
tection in case of a serious acci-
dent.

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

For instructions and precautions
concerning the seatbelt system,
refer to “Seatbelts”

�

P48.

The SRS side airbags and SRS

curtain airbags are designed only
to be a supplement to the primary
protection provided by the seat-
belt. They do not eliminate the
need to fasten seatbelts. It is also
important to wear a seatbelt to

help avoid injuries that can result
when an occupant is not seated
in a proper upright position.

WARNING

The SRS airbags deploy with con-
siderable speed and force. Occu-
pants who are not seated in proper
upright position when the SRS air-
bag deploys could suffer serious
injury. Because the SRS airbag
needs enough space for deploy-
ment, the driver should always sit
upright and back in the seat as far
from the steering wheel as practical
while still maintaining full vehicle
control, and the front passenger
should move the seat as far back

as possible and sit upright and well
back in the seat.

WARNING

Do not sit or lean close to either

front door. The SRS side airbags
are stored in both front seat
seatbacks next to the door, and
they provide protection by de-
ploying rapidly in the event of a
side impact collision. However,
the force of SRS side airbag
deployment can injure an occu-
pant whose body is too close to
an SRS airbag.

Since your vehicle is equipped

with SRS curtain airbags, do not

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(80,1)

sit or lean close to the front or
rear door on either side. Do not
put body parts out of the window.
The SRS curtain airbags on both
sides of the cabin are stored in
the roof side (between the front
pillar and a point behind the rear
quarter glass), and they provide
protection by deploying rapidly
in the event of a side impact,
rollover or an offset frontal colli-
sion. However, the force of its
deployment can injure an occu-
pant whose body is too close to
an SRS airbag.

Do not sit or lean unnecessarily

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

It is also important to wear seat-
belts to help avoid injuries that
can result when the SRS airbag
contacts an occupant not in their
proper position.

Even when properly positioned,
there remains a possibility that
an occupant may suffer minor
injury, such as abrasions and

bruises to the face or arms,
because of the SRS airbag de-
ployment force.

WARNING

Keep arms away from either front

door or its internal trim. They
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, these
objects could interfere with its
proper operation and could be
propelled inside the vehicle,
causing injury.

CAUTION

When the SRS airbag deploys,

some smoke will be released.
This smoke could cause breath-
ing problems for people with a
history of asthma or other breath-
ing trouble. If you or your pas-
sengers have breathing pro-
blems after SRS airbag deploys,
get fresh air promptly.

A deploying SRS airbag releases

hot gas. Occupants could get
burned if they come into direct
contact with the hot gas.

NOTE

When you sell your vehicle, we urge
you to inform the buyer that the
vehicle is equipped with SRS air-
bags. Also, notify the buyer of the
applicable section in this Owner’s
Manual.

If the SRS airbag deploys, fuel
supply will be cut off to reduce the
risk of fire caused by leaking fuel.
For details about restarting of the
engine, refer to “If your vehicle is
involved in an accident”

�

P436.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

(81,1)

General precautions regard-
ing SRS airbag system for
accessories and any objects

WARNING

Do not put any objects (including

straps or cords) over the steering
wheel pad, column cover, or
dashboard.

– These objects could be en-

tangled with the steering
wheel, preventing the SRS
frontal airbag, etc. from oper-
ating properly.

– If the SRS frontal airbag de-

ploys, these objects could be
propelled inside the vehicle,
causing injury.

Do not put any objects under the

driver’s side of the instrument
panel. If the SRS knee airbag
deploys, those objects could in-
terfere with its proper operation
and could be propelled inside the
vehicle, causing injury.

The key must not be attached to

heavy, sharp or hard acces-
sories, or another key. If the SRS
knee airbag deploys, those ob-
jects could interfere with its
proper operation and could be
propelled inside the vehicle and
cause injury.

WARNING

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

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(82,1)

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 location
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.

WARNING

Do not put any kind of clothes or

other objects over either front
seatback and do not attach labels
or stickers to the front seat sur-
face on or near the SRS side
airbag. They could prevent prop-
er deployment of the SRS side
airbag, reducing protection avail-
able to the front seat’s occupant.

Do not install a seat cover unless

it is a genuine SUBARU seat
cover exclusively designed for
use with the SRS airbag. Even
when using a genuine SUBARU
seat cover, the SRS side airbag
system may not function nor-
mally if the seat cover is not
installed correctly.

General precautions regard-
ing SRS airbag system and
children

WARNING

Seat children in the rear seat prop-
erly restrained at all times. The SRS

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

(83,1)

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 recom-
mend that ALL children (including
those in child seats and those that
have outgrown child restraint sys-
tems) sit in the REAR seat properly
restrained at all times in a child
restraint device or in a seatbelt,
whichever is appropriate for the
child’s age, height and weight.

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

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

For instructions and precautions
concerning the child restraint sys-
tem, refer to “Child restraint sys-
tems”

�

P60.

WARNING

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.

WARNING

Never allow a child to stand up or
kneel on the front passenger’s seat.
The SRS airbag deploys with con-
siderable force and can injure or
even kill the child.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(84,1)

WARNING

Never hold a child on your lap or in
your arms. The SRS airbag deploys
with considerable force and can
injure or even kill the child.

WARNING

Never allow a child to do the

following.

– Kneel on any passenger’s seat

facing the side window.

– Wrap his/her arms around the

front seat seatback.

– Put his/her head, arms or

other parts of the body out of
the window.

In the event of an accident, the

force of SRS side airbag and/or
SRS curtain airbag deployment
could injure the child seriously
because his/her head, arms or
other parts of the body are too
close to the SRS side airbag and/
or SRS curtain airbag.

Since your vehicle is also
equipped with a front passen-
ger’s SRS frontal airbag, children
should be placed in the rear seat
anyway and should be properly
restrained at all times.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

(85,1)

Components

SRS frontal airbag

SRS side airbag

SRS curtain airbag

SRS knee airbag

The SRS airbags are stowed in the
following locations.

Driver’s SRS frontal airbag

: in the center

portion of the steering wheel
An “SRS AIRBAG” mark is located at the
pad of the airbag.

Front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag

near the top of the dashboard
An “SRS AIRBAG” mark is located on the
dashboard.

SRS side airbag

: in the door side of each

front seat seatback which bears an “SRS
AIRBAG” label

SRS curtain airbag

: in the roof side

(between the front pillar and a point behind
the rear quarter glass)
“SRS AIRBAG” marks are located at the
top of each center pillar.

SRS knee airbag

: under the steering

column
An “SRS AIRBAG” mark is located at the
door of the airbag.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(86,1)

Airbag control module (including impact
sensor and rollover sensor)

Frontal airbag module (driver’s side)

Frontal airbag module (front passenger’s
side)

Front impact sensor (left-hand side)

Front impact sensor (right-hand side)

Side airbag module (driver’s side)

Side airbag module (front passenger’s
side)

Side impact sensor (center pillar left-
hand side)

Side impact sensor (center pillar right-
hand side)

Airbag wiring

Seatbelt pretensioner and adaptive force
limiter (driver’s side)

Seatbelt pretensioner and adaptive force
limiter (front passenger’s side)

Side impact sensor (rear wheel house
right-hand side)

Side impact sensor (rear wheel house
left-hand side)

Curtain airbag module (right-hand side)

Curtain airbag module (left-hand side)

Seatbelt buckle switch (front passenger’s
side)

Knee airbag module (driver’s side)

Front passenger’s occupant detection
system sensor

Front passenger’s occupant detection
control module

Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and
OFF indicator

SRS airbag system warning light

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

(87,1)

Side impact sensor (under the rear center
seat)

Side impact sensor (front door left-hand
side)

Side impact sensor (front door right-hand
side)

Lap belt pretensioner (front passenger’s
side)

Lap belt pretensioner (driver’s side)

Driver’s seat position sensor

Passenger’s seat position sensor

Rear seatbelt pretensioner (front passen-
ger’s side)

Rear seatbelt pretensioner (driver’s side)

SUBARU advanced frontal
airbag system

Your vehicle is equipped with a SUBARU
advanced frontal airbag system that com-
plies with the new advanced frontal airbag
requirements in the amended Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)
No. 208.
The SUBARU advanced frontal airbag
system automatically determines the de-
ployment force of the driver’s SRS frontal
airbag at the time of deployment as well as
whether or not to activate the front
passenger’s SRS frontal airbag and, if
activated, the deployment force of the SRS
frontal airbag at the time of deployment.

Your vehicle has warning labels on the
driver’s and front passenger’s sun visors
beginning with the phrase “EVEN WITH

ADVANCED AIR BAGS” and a tag at-
tached to the glove box lid beginning with
the phrase “Even with Advanced Air
Bags”. Make sure that you carefully read
the instructions on the warning labels and
tag.
Always wear your seatbelt. The SUBARU
advanced frontal airbag system is a
supplemental restraint system and must
be used in combination with a seatbelt. All
occupants should wear a seatbelt or be
seated in an appropriate child restraint
system.
For the locations of the SRS airbags, refer
to “Components”

�

P83.

In a moderate to severe frontal collision,
the following components deploy.

SRS frontal airbag for driver

SRS frontal airbag for front passenger

SRS knee airbag for driver

SRS curtain airbag*

*1: When an offset frontal collision that is severe

enough to deploy the front airbag occurs.

These components supplement the seat-
belts by reducing the impact to the
occupant’s head, chest and knees.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(88,1)

Driver’s SRS frontal airbag

The driver’s SRS frontal airbag uses a dual
stage inflator. The inflator operates in
different ways depending on the severity
of impact.

SRS airbag system warning light

Have the system inspected by your
SUBARU dealer immediately if the SRS
airbag system warning light illuminates.

NOTE

The driver’s SRS side airbag and SRS
curtain airbag are not controlled by the
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag sys-
tem.

Front passenger’s SRS frontal air-
bag

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
uses a dual stage inflator. The inflator
operates in different ways depending on
the severity of impact.

Occupant detection system sensors

The occupant detection system sensors
are installed between the seat and seat
rails, and monitor the physique and pos-
ture of the front passenger. Using this
information, the occupant detection sys-
tem determines whether the front passen-
ger’s SRS frontal airbag should be de-
ployed or not.

The occupant detection system may not
inflate the front passenger’s SRS frontal
airbag even when the driver’s SRS frontal

airbag deploys. This is normal. In this
case, although the front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag does not operate, the front
passenger’s seatbelt pretensioner oper-
ates with the driver’s seatbelt preten-
sioner. For details about the seatbelt
pretensioner, refer to “Seatbelt preten-
sioners”

�

P57.

CAUTION

Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may prevent the
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag
system from functioning correctly
or cause the system to fail.

Do not apply any strong impact to

the front passenger’s seat, such
as by kicking.

Do not let rear passengers rest

their feet between the front seat-
back and seat cushion.

Do not spill liquid on the front

passenger’s seat. If liquid is
spilled, wipe it off immediately.

Do not remove or disassemble

the front passenger’s seat.

Do not install any accessory

(such as an audio amplifier) other
than a genuine SUBARU acces-
sory under the front passenger’s

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

(89,1)

seat.

Do not place anything (shoes,

umbrella, etc.) under the front
passenger’s seat.

Do not place any objects (books,

etc.) around the front passen-
ger’s seat.

Do not use the front passenger’s

seat with the head restraint re-
moved.

Do not leave any articles on the

front passenger’s seat or the
seatbelt tongue and buckle en-
gaged when you leave your vehi-
cle.

Do not put sharp object(s) on the

seat or pierce the seat uphols-
tery.

Do not place a magnet near the

seatbelt buckle and the seatbelt
retractor.

Do not use front seats with their

forward-backward position and
seatback not being locked into
place securely. If any of them are
not locked securely, adjust them
again. For adjusting procedure,
refer to “Forward and backward
adjustment”

�

P33 and “Reclin-

ing the seatback”

�

P33.

SRS airbag system warning light

If the seatbelt buckle switch and/or front
passenger’s occupant detection system
have failed, the SRS airbag system warn-
ing light will illuminate. Have the system
inspected by your SUBARU dealer imme-
diately if the SRS airbag system warning
light illuminates.
If your vehicle has sustained impact, this
may affect the proper function of the
SUBARU advanced frontal airbag system.
Have your vehicle inspected at your
SUBARU dealer. Do not use the front
passenger’s seat while driving the vehicle
to your SUBARU dealer.

NOTE

The front passenger’s SRS side airbag
and SRS curtain airbag are not con-
trolled by the SUBARU advanced fron-
tal airbag system.

Passenger’s frontal airbag ON and
OFF indicators

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

Refer to “Front passenger’s frontal airbag
ON and OFF indicators”

�

P170.

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(90,1)

Occupant detection system

Occupant detection system sensors

WARNING

Do not kick the front passenger seat
or subject it to severe impact. Other-
wise, the SRS airbag system warn-
ing light may illuminate to indicate a
malfunction of the front passenger
occupant detection system. In this

case, contact your SUBARU dealer
immediately.

CAUTION

Electrical devices, such as cell
phones, laptops, portable music
players, or electronic games, espe-
cially when connected to the acces-
sory power outlet and placed on the
front passenger’s seat or used by
the person sitting in the front pas-
senger’s seat, may affect the opera-
tion of the occupant detection sys-
tem. If either of the following situa-
tions occurs when using an electro-
nic device in the vehicle, at first try
to relocate that device to avoid it
creating any interference.

The SRS airbag system warning

light illuminates.

The front passenger’s frontal air-

bag ON and OFF indicators oper-
ate erratically.

If the device continues to cause
interference, the use of that device
in the vehicle should be discontin-
ued.

SRS airbag system warning light

If the front passenger’s seat cushion is
wet, this may adversely affect the ability of
the system to determine deployment.
Wipe off liquid from the seat, let the seat
dry naturally and then check the SRS
airbag system warning light.

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

(91,1)

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

If the front passenger’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicators do not work properly
even when the front passenger’s seat is
dry, do not allow anyone to sit on the front
passenger’s seat and have the occupant
detection system checked by your
SUBARU dealer.

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

Also, if luggage or electronic devices are
placed on the front passenger’s seat, this
may adversely affect the ability of the
system to determine deployment. This
may prevent the front passenger’s frontal
airbag ON and OFF indicators from work-
ing properly. Check that the indicators
work properly.
When the OFF indicator turns off and the
ON indicator illuminates, the front passen-
ger’s frontal airbag may deploy during a
collision. Remove luggage and electronic
devices from the front passenger’s seat.

Conditions in which front passen-
ger’s SRS frontal airbag is not
activated

The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
will not be activated when any of the
following conditions are met regarding
the front passenger’s seat:

The seat is empty.

The seat is equipped with an appro-
priate child restraint system and an
infant or a child is restrained in it. (See
WARNING that follows.)

The front passenger’s occupant detec-
tion system is malfunctioning.

WARNING

NEVER INSTALL A CHILD RE-
STRAINT SYSTEM IN THE FRONT
PASSENGER’S SEAT EVEN IF THE
FRONT PASSENGER’S SRS FRON-
TAL AIRBAG IS DEACTIVATED. Be
sure to install it in the REAR seat in a
correct manner. Also, it is strongly
recommended that any forward fa-
cing child seat or booster seat be
installed in the REAR seat, and that
even children who have outgrown a
child restraint system be also seated
in the REAR seat. This is because
children sitting in the front passen-
ger’s seat may be killed or severely

– CONTINUED –

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Seat,

seatbelt

and

SRS

airbags

(92,1)

injured should the front passenger’s
SRS frontal airbag deploy. REAR
seats are the safest place for chil-
dren.

CAUTION

When the front passenger’s seat is
occupied by an infant in an appro-
priate child restraint system, ob-
serve the following precautions.
Failure to do so may interfere with
the proper operation of the occupant
detection system, activating the
front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
even though that seat is occupied by
the infant in the child restraint
system.

Do not place any article (includ-

ing electronic devices) on the
seat other than the infant in the
child restraint system.

Do not place more than one infant

in the child restraint system.

If the front passenger’s frontal
airbag ON indicator illuminates
and the OFF indicator turns off
even when an infant or a small
child is in a child restraint sys-
tem (including booster seat)

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON

indicator

: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF

indicator

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

“OFF” position.

2. Remove the child restraint system from

the seat.

3. By referring to the child restraint

manufacturer’s recommendations as
well as the child restraint system
installation procedures in “Child re-
straint systems”

�

P60, correctly install

the child restraint system.

4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”

position and make sure that the front
passenger’s frontal airbag ON indica-
tor turns off and the OFF indicator
illuminates.

If the ON indicator still remains illuminated
while the OFF indicator turns off, take the
following actions.

Ensure that no article is placed on the
seat other than the child restraint
system and the child occupant.

Ensure that the backward-forward po-
sition and seatback of the front pas-
senger’s seat are locked into place
securely by moving the seat back and
forth.

If the ON indicator still remains illuminated
while the OFF indicator turns off after
taking the relevant corrective actions
described above, relocate the child re-
straint system to the rear seat and im-
mediately contact your SUBARU dealer
for an inspection.

NOTE

When a child who has outgrown a child
restraint system or a small adult is
seated in the front passenger’s seat,
the SUBARU advanced frontal airbag

SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)

Subaru Forester (2023 year). Manual in english - page 5