2012 Subaru Impreza Owner's Manual - Page 129

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-53 The airbag control module causes both the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag on the impacted side to inflate if both of the following sensors together sense an impact force above a predetermined level in a side collision. . One of the center pillar impact sensors . Impact sensor that is located under the rear center seat The airbag control module causes only the SRS curtain airbag on the impacted side to inflate if both of the following sensors together sense an impact force above a predetermined level in a side collision. . One of the rear wheel house impact sensors . Impact sensor that is located under the rear center seat After the deployment, the SRS side airbag immediately starts to deflate. The time required from detection of an impact to deflation of an SRS side airbag after deployment is shorter than the blink of an eye. The SRS curtain airbag remains inflated for a while following deployment then slowly deflates. The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deploy even when no one occupies the seat on the side on which an impact is applied. The SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag are designed to deploy in the event of an accident involving a moderate to severe side impact collision. They are basically not designed to deploy in a lesser side impact. Also, they are basically not designed to deploy in frontal or rear impacts because SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deployment would not help the occupant in those situations. Each SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag are designed to function on a onetime-only basis. SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag deployment depend on the level of force experienced in the passenger compartment during a side impact collision. That level differs from one type of collision to another, and it may have no bearing on the visible damage done to the vehicle itself. ! Example of the type of accident in which the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag will most likely deploy. A severe side impact near the front seat activates the SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag. - CONTINUED -