Subaru Forester 2.5x 2007 Owner's Manual

Foreword

Congratulations on choosing a SUBARU vehicle. This Owner’s Manual has all the information necessary to keep your SUBARU in excellent condition and to properly maintain the emission control system for minimizing emission pollutants. We urge you to read this manual carefully so that you may understand your vehicle and its operation. For information not found in this Owner’s Manual, such as details concerning repairs or adjustments, please contact the dealer from whom you purchased your SUBARU or the nearest SUBARU dealer.

The information, specifications and illustrations found in this manual are those in effect at the time of printing. FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD. reserves the right to change specifications and designs at any time without prior notice and without incurring any obligation to make the same or similar changes on vehicles previously sold. This Owner’s Manual applies to all models and covers all equipment, including factory installed options. Some explanations, therefore may be for equipment not installed in your vehicle.

Please leave this manual in the vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need the information found herein.

FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD., TOKYO, JAPAN

is a registered trademark of FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.

This manual describes the following vehicle types.

* The illustrated vehicle is one of the FORESTER series.

000135

Warranties

 Warranties for U.S.A.

All SUBARU vehicles distributed by Subaru of America, Inc. and sold at retail by an authorized SUBARU dealer in the United States come with the following warranties:

y SUBARU Limited Warranty y Emission Control Systems Warranty y Emissions Performance Warranty

All warranty information, including details of coverage and exclusions, is in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Please read these warranties carefully.

 Warranties for Canada

All SUBARU vehicles distributed by Subaru Canada, Inc. and sold at retail by an authorized SUBARU dealer in Canada come with the following warranties:

y SUBARU Limited Warranty y Anti-Corrosion Warranty y Emission Control Warranty

All warranty information, including details of coverage and exclusions, is in the Warranty and Service Booklet. Please read these warranties carefully.

T 2.5XT (Canada model only)

2.5XT models are equipped with High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights that contain mercury. For that reason, it is necessary to remove HID headlights before vehicle disposal. Once removed, please reuse, recycle or dispose of the HID headlights as hazardous waste.

T All models except Canada model

2.5XT

This vehicle does not contain mercury devices or parts.

How to use this Owner’s Manual

 Using your Owner’s Manual

Before you operate your vehicle, carefully read this manual. To protect yourself and extend the service life of your vehicle, follow the instructions in this manual. Failure to observe these instructions may result in serious injury and damage to your vehicle.

This manual is composed of fourteen chapters. Each chapter begins with a brief table of contents, so you can usually tell at a glance if that chapter contains the information you want.

Chapter 1: Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

This chapter informs you how to use the seat and seatbelt and contains precautions for the SRS airbags.

Chapter 2: Keys and doors

This chapter informs you how to operate the keys, locks and windows.

Chapter 3: Instruments and controls

This chapter informs you about the operation of instrument panel indicators and how to use the instruments and other switches.

Chapter 4: Climate Control

This chapter informs you how to operate

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the climate control.

Chapter 5: Audio

This chapter informs you how to operate your audio system.

Chapter 6: Interior equipment

This chapter informs you how to operate interior equipment.

Chapter 7: Starting and operating

This chapter informs you how to start and operate your SUBARU.

Chapter 8: Driving tips

This chapter informs you how to drive your SUBARU in various conditions and explains some safety tips on driving.

Chapter 9: In case of emergency

This chapter informs you what to do if you have a problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine overheating.

Chapter 10: Appearance care

This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARU looking good.

Chapter 11: Maintenance and service

This chapter informs you when you need to take your SUBARU to the dealer for scheduled maintenance and informs you how to keep your SUBARU running properly.

Chapter 12: Specifications

This chapter informs you about dimension and capacities of your SUBARU.

Chapter 13: Consumer information and Reporting safety defects

This chapter informs you about Uniform tire quality grading standards and Reporting safety defects.

Chapter 14: Index

This is an alphabetical listing of all that’s in this manual. You can use it to quickly find something you want to read.

 Safety warnings

You will find a number of WARNINGs, CAUTIONs and NOTEs in this manual. These safety warnings alert you to potential hazards that could result in injury to you or others. Please read these safety warnings as well as all other portions of this manual carefully in order to gain a better understanding of how to use your SUBARU vehicle safely.

A WARNING indicates a situation in which serious injury or death could result if the warning is ignored.

A CAUTION indicates a situation in which injury or damage to your vehicle, or both, could result if the caution is ignored.

NOTE

A NOTE gives information or suggestions how to make better use of your vehicle.

 Safety symbol

000013

You will find a circle with a slash through it in this manual. This symbol means “Do not”, “Do not do this”, or “Do not let this happen”, depending upon the context.

Vehicle symbols

There are some of the symbols you may see on your vehicle.

Mark Name

WARNING

CAUTION

Power door lock

Passenger’s windows lock

Fuel

Front fog lights

Parking lights

Hazard warning flasher

Mark Name

Child restraint top tether anchorages

Child restraint lower anchorages

Horn

Windshield wiper deicer

Wiper intermittent

Windshield washer

Windshield wiper mist (for single wipe)

Rear window wiper

Rear window washer

Mark Name

Parking lights, tail lights, license plate light and instrument panel illumination

Head lights

Headlight beam leveler

Illumination brightness

Fan speed

Instrument panel outlets

Instrument panel outlets and foot outlets

Foot outlets

Windshield defroster and foot outlets

Windshield defroster

Engine hood

Seat heater

Lights

Outside mirror defogger

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Mark Name

Rear window defogger

Air recirculation

Engine oil

Washer

Door lock (Transmitter)

Door unlock (Transmitter)

Safety precautions when driving

 Seatbelt and SRS airbag

y All persons in the vehicle should

fasten their seatbelts BEFORE the vehicle starts to move. Otherwise, the possibility of serious injury becomes greater in the event of a sudden stop or accident.

y To obtain maximum protection in

the event of an accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle should always wear seatbelts when the vehicle is moving. The SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) airbag does not do away with the need to fasten seatbelts. In combination with the seatbelts, it offers the best combined protection in case of a serious accident.

y The SRS airbags deploy with con-

siderable speed and force. Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag deploys could suffer very serious injuries. Because the SRS airbag needs enough space for deployment, the driver should always 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.

Carefully read the sections “Seatbelts” and “*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)” in chapter 1 of this Owner’s Manual for instructions and precautions concerning the seatbelt system and SRS airbag system.

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

 Child safety

y Never hold a child on your lap or

in your arms while the vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from injury in a collision, because the child will be caught between the passenger and objects inside the vehicle.

y While riding in the vehicle, infants

and small children should always be placed in the REAR seat in an infant or child restraint system which is appropriate for the child’s age, height and weight. 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.

y Put children aged 12 and under in

the REAR seat properly restrained at all times in a child restraint device or in a seatbelt. 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 improperly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than adults, their risk being injured from deployment is greater.

y NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD

FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG.

y Always use the child safety locks

whenever a child rides in the rear seat. Serious injury could result if a child accidentally opened the door and fell out. Refer to the “Child safety locks” section in chapter 2.

y Always lock the passenger’s win-

dows using the lock switch when children are riding in the vehicle. Failure to follow this procedure could result in injury to a child operating the power window. Refer to the “Windows” section in chapter 2.

y Never leave unattended children

in the vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent operation of the vehicle. Also, on hot or sunny days, temperature in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possibly fatal injuries to them.

Carefully read the sections “Child restraint systems”,“*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)”, and “Seatbelts” in chapter 1 of this Owner’s Manual for instructions and precautions concerning the child restraint system, seatbelt system and SRS airbag system.

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 Engine exhaust gas (carbon

monoxide)

y Never inhale engine exhaust gas.

Engine exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.

y Always properly maintain the en-

gine exhaust system to prevent engine exhaust gas from entering the vehicle.

y Never run the engine in a closed

space, such as a garage, except for the brief time needed to drive the vehicle in or out of it.

y Avoid remaining in a parked vehi-

cle for a lengthy time while the engine is running. If that is unavoidable, then use the ventilation fan to force fresh air into the vehicle.

y Always keep the front ventilator

inlet grille free from snow, leaves or other obstructions to ensure that the ventilation system always works properly.

y If at any time you suspect that ex-

haust fumes are entering the vehicle, have the problem checked and corrected as soon as possible. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with all windows fully open.

y Keep the rear gate closed while

driving to prevent exhaust gas from entering the vehicle.

 Drinking and driving

Drinking and then driving is very dangerous. Alcohol in the bloodstream delays your reaction and impairs your perception, judgment and attentiveness. If you drive after drinking – even if you drink just a little – it will increase the risk of being involved in a serious or fatal accident, injuring or killing yourself, your passengers and others. In addition, if you are injured in the accident, alcohol may increase the severity of that injury.

Please don’t drink and drive.

Drunken driving is one of the most fre-

quent causes of accidents. Since alcohol affects all people differently, you may have consumed too much alcohol to drive safely even if the level of alcohol in your blood is below the legal limit. The safest thing you can do is never drink and drive. However if you have no choice but to drive, stop drinking and sober up completely before getting behind the wheel.

 Drugs and driving

There are some drugs (over the counter and prescription) that can delay your reaction time and impair your perception, judgment and attentiveness. If you drive after taking them, it may increase your, your passengers’ and other persons’ risk of being involved in a serious or fatal accident.

If you are taking any drugs, check with your doctor or pharmacist or read the literature that accompanies the medication to determine if the drug you are taking can impair your driving ability. Do not drive after taking any medications that can make you drowsy or otherwise affect your ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. If you

have a medical condition that requires you to take drugs, please consult with your doctor.

Never drive if you are under the influence of any illicit mind-altering drugs. For your own health and well-being, we urge you not to take illegal drugs in the first place and to seek treatment if you are addicted to those drugs.

 Driving when tired or sleepy

When you are tired or sleepy, your reaction will be delayed and your perception, judgment and attentiveness will be impaired. If you drive when tired or sleepy, your, your passengers’ and other persons’ chances of being involved in a serious accident may increase.

Please do not continue to drive but instead find a safe place to rest if you are tired or sleepy. On long trips, you should make periodic rest stops to refresh yourself before continuing on your journey. When possible, you should share the driving with others.

 Modification of your vehicle

Your vehicle should not be modified other than with genuine Subaru parts and accessories. Other types of modifications could affect its performance, safety or durability, and may even violate governmental regulations. In addition, damage or performance problems resulting from modification may not be covered under warranties.

 Car phone/cell phone and

driving

Do not use a car phone/cell phone while driving; it may distract your attention from driving and can lead to an accident. If you use a car phone/ cell phone, pull off the road and park in a safe place before using your phone. In some States/Provinces, only hands-free phones may legally be used while driving.

 Driving with pets

Unrestrained pets can interfere with your driving and distract your attention from driving. In a collision or sudden stop, unrestrained pets or cages can be thrown around inside the vehicle and hurt you or your passengers. Besides, the pets can be hurt under these situations. It is also for their own safety that pets should be properly restrained in your vehicle. Restrain a pet with a special traveling harness which can be secured to the rear seat with a seatbelt or use a pet carrier which can be secured to the rear seat by routing a seatbelt through the carrier’s handle. Never restrain pets or pet carriers in the front passenger’s seat. For further information, consult your veterinarian, local animal protection society or pet shop.

 Tire pressures

Check and, if necessary, adjust the pressure of each tire (including the spare) at least once a month and before any long journey.

Check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjust the tire pressures to the values shown on the tire placard.

Refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in

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chapter 11 for detailed information.

Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire pressures can cause the tires to deform severely and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase in temperature could cause tread separation, and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss of vehicle control could lead to an accident.

 California proposition 65

warning

Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. In addition, certain fluids in vehicles and certain components of product wear contain or emit chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Table of contents

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Keys and doors

Instruments and controls

Climate control

Audio

Interior equipment

Starting and operating

Driving tips

In case of emergency

Appearance care

Maintenance and service

Specifications

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects

Index

Illustrated index

 Exterior

1) Headlight switch (page 3-17)

2) Replacing bulbs (page 11-44)

3) Engine hood (page 11-4)

4) Wiper switch (page 3-22)

5) Roof rails (page 8-13)

6) Door locks (page 2-4)

7) Tire pressure (page 11-31)

8) Flat tires (page 9-3)

9) Tire chains (page 8-10)

10) Front fog light button (page 3-20)

11) Tie-down/Towing hooks (page 9-11)

67891011

000194

12 3

1) Rear window defogger button (page 3-24)

2) Rear gate (page 2-20)

3) Child safety locks (page 2-17)

4) Fuel filler lid and cap (page 7-3)

5) Tie-down/Towing hook (page 9-11)

000121

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 Interior

T Passenger compartment area

123

1) Lower anchorage for child restraint system (page 1-32)

2) Seatbelt (page 1-10)

3) Moonroof (page 2-21)

4) Parking brake lever (page 7-20)

5) Front seat (page 1-2)

6) Rear seat (page 1-7)

456

000122

1) Cup holder (page 6-7)

2) Center console (page 6-4)

3) Glove box (page 6-4)

4) Front power supply socket (page 6-8)

5) Pocket (if equipped) (page 6-7) AUX unit (if equipped) (page 6-8)

000123

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 Instrument panel

12 3 4 5 67

1) Door locks (page 2-4)

2) Outside mirror switch (page 3-27)

3) Light control lever (page 3-17)

4) Combination meter (page 3-6)

5) Wiper control lever (page 3-21)

6) Hazard warning flasher switch (page 3-6)

7) Audio (page 5-1)

8) Gear shift lever (MT) (page 7-9) Selector lever (AT) (page 7-10)

9) Climate control (page 4-1)

10) Cruise control (page 7-22)

11) Horn (page 3-29)

12) SRS airbag (page 1-36)

13) Tilt steering (page 3-28)

14) Fuse (page 11-41)

15) Hood lock release knob (page 11-4)

16) Power windows (page 2-18)

89101112141516 13

000223

 Light control and wiper control levers/switches

1) Parking light switch (page 3-20)

2) Windshield wiper (page 3-22)

3) Mist (page 3-23)

4) Windshield washer (page 3-23)

5) Rear window wiper and washer switch (page 3-23)

6) Wiper control lever (page 3-22)

7) Illumination brightness control (page 3-19)

8) Light control lever (page 3-17)

9) Headlight ON/OFF (page 3-17)

10) Headlight flasher High/Low beam change (page 3-17)

11) Turn signal (for lane change) (page 3-

19)

12) Turn signal (page 3-19)

000020

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 Combination meter

T U.S.-spec. models

V AT vehicles

123 4

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

8) Select lever position indicator (page 3-15)

5867

000248

123 4

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

8) Select lever position indicator (page 3-15)

X, XS, L.L.Bean

5786

000227

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V MT vehicles

123 4

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

000126

123 4

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

X, XS, L.L.Bean

765

000228

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T Canada-spec. models

V AT vehicles

123 4

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

8) Select lever position indicator (page 3-15)

5867

000247

123 4

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

8) Select lever position indicator (page 3-15)

X, XS, L.L.Bean

7865

000129

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V MT vehicles

123 4

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

765

000130

1) Fuel gauge (page 3-7)

2) Temperature gauge (page 3-8)

23 4

3) Speedometer (page 3-6)

4) Tachometer (page 3-7)

5) Trip meter A/B selection and trip meter reset knob (page 3-6)

6) Odometer and trip meter (page 3-6)

7) Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)

X, XS, L.L.Bean

76 5

000131

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T Warning and indicator light

Mark Name Page

Seatbelt warning light 3-9

SRS airbag system warning light

Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON indi-

cator light

Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF indicator light

CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp

Charge warning light 3-12

Oil pressure warning light

AT OIL temperature warning light (AT vehicles)

3-10

3-11

3-12

Mark Name Page

Brake system warning light

Door open warning light

All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles)

Low fuel warning light 3-14

Turn signal indicator lights

High beam indicator light

Security indicator light (if equipped)

Cruise control indicator light (if equipped)

Cruise control set indicator light (if equipped)

3-13

3-14

3-15

2-3

3-15

3-16

ABS warning light 3-13

 Tire changing tools

1) Jack (page 9-14)

2) Jack handle (page 9-14)

3) Spare tire (page 9-3)

000132

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 Cargo area cover

1) Cargo area cover (page 6-13)

2) Cargo tie-down hook (page 6-14)

3) Accessory power outlet (page 6-8)

4) Shopping bag hook (page 6-14)

000195

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Front seats .......................................................... 1-2

Manual seat ............................................................. 1-3

Power seat (if equipped) ........................................ 1-4

Lumbar support (Driver’s seat only) ..................... 1-5

Head restraint adjustment ..................................... 1-6

Active head restraint .............................................. 1-6

Seat heater (if equipped) ................................... 1-7

Rear seats ........................................................... 1-7

Head restraint adjustment ..................................... 1-8

Folding down the rear seatback ............................ 1-9

Armrest (if equipped) ......................................... 1-10

Seatbelts ............................................................. 1-10

Seatbelt safety tips ................................................. 1-10

Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) .................... 1-11

Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor

(A/ELR) .................................................................. 1-12

Seatbelt warning light and chime .......................... 1-12

Fastening the seatbelt ............................................ 1-13

Seatbelt maintenance ............................................. 1-19

Seatbelt extender ............................................... 1-20

Installing a booster seat ......................................... 1-30

Installation of child restraint systems by use of

lower and tether anchorages (LATCH) ............... 1-32

Top tether anchorages ........................................... 1-34

*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System

airbag) .............................................................. 1-36

Vehicle with driver’s and front passenger’s

SRS airbags and lap/shoulder restraints ........... 1-36

Subaru advanced frontal airbag system .............. 1-40

SRS side airbag (if equipped) ................................ 1-52

SRS airbag system monitors ................................. 1-57

SRS airbag system servicing ................................ 1-58

Precautions against vehicle modification ............ 1-59

Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................. 1-21

System monitors .................................................... 1-22

System servicing .................................................... 1-23

Precautions against vehicle modification ............ 1-23

Child restraint systems ..................................... 1-24

Where to place a child restraint system ............... 1-25

Choosing a child restraint system ........................ 1-26

Installing child restraint systems with A/ELR

seatbelt .................................................................. 1-27

1-2

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags

Front seats

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airb ags

y Never adjust the seat while driv-

ing to avoid the possibility of loss of vehicle control and of personal injury.

y Before adjusting the seat, make

sure the hands and feet of rear seat passengers are clear of the adjusting mechanism.

y 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 position 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.

y The SRS airbags deploy with con-

100082

Put children aged 12 and under in the rear seat properly restrained 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 improperly restrained. Because children are lighter and weaker than adults, their risk of being injured from deployment is greater. Consequently, we strongly recommend that ALL children (including those in child seats and those that have outgrown child restraint devices) 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 devices (including forward facing child seat) in the REAR seats at all times.

NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S HEAD TOO CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG.

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