Subaru 2003 Legacy - Manual (Page 68)

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Not wearing a seatbelt increases the chance of severe injury or
death in a crash even when the car has the SRS airbag.
For instructions and precautions concerning the seatbelt system,
see the “Seatbelts” sections in this chapter.
D
Do not sit or lean unnecessarily close to the SRS airbag. Be-
cause the SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed – faster
than the blink of an eye – and force to protect in high speed colli-
sions, the force of an airbag can injure an occupant whose body
is too close to 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-accident
braking.
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 deploy-
ment force.
D
The SRS airbags deploy with considerable speed and force.
Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag
deploys could suffer very serious injuries. Because the SRS air-
bag needs enough space for deployment, the driver should al-
ways 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.
D
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 car and cause injury.
D
Put children aged 12 and under in the rear seat properly re-
strained 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 im-
properly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than
adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater.
For that reason, we strongly recommend that ALL children