2003 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 40

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags ! Seatbelt warning light and chime Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt warning device at the driver's seat, as required by current safety standards. This device causes the seatbelt warning light on the instrument panel to light up for about six seconds when the ignition switch is turned to "ON" to remind the driver to wear the seatbelt. If the driver's seatbelt is not fastened, a warning chime sounds at the same time. ! Fastening the seatbelt backs 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 in serious internal injury or death. " 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 collision, this spreads the force of the lap belt over stronger hip bones instead of across the weaker abdomen. " Seatbelts provide maximum restraint 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 position while the vehicle is running. If the front seat- HS1049BA - CONTINUED - 1-15