Subaru Solterra 2023-2026 Owner's Manual: Seat belts

Before driving your Subaru Solterra, always confirm that every occupant is properly secured with a seat belt. Correct usage of seat belts is one of the most critical safety measures in preventing serious injuries.

WARNING

Carefully follow the precautions below to minimize the risk of injury during sudden braking, sharp maneuvers, or collisions while operating your Subaru Solterra.

Failure to comply with these instructions may result in severe injury or even fatal consequences.

■ Wearing a seat belt

• Ensure that every passenger in the Subaru Solterra is wearing a seat belt at all times.
• Always fasten the seat belt correctly and adjust it to fit securely.
• Each seat belt is designed for a single occupant only. Never attempt to share one belt between multiple passengers, including children.
• Subaru strongly recommends that children travel in the rear seats of the Subaru Solterra and are always secured with a seat belt and/or an appropriate child restraint system.
• Maintain an upright seating position. Excessive reclining reduces the effectiveness of the seat belt and increases injury risk.
• Never place the shoulder belt under your arm, as this can significantly reduce its protective capability.
• Position the lap belt low and snug across your hips to ensure maximum protection in your Subaru Solterra.

■ Pregnant women

Pregnant occupants should consult a medical professional and always wear the seat belt correctly when traveling in a Subaru Solterra.

The lap belt should be placed as low as possible across the hips, avoiding pressure on the abdomen, while the shoulder belt should pass securely over the shoulder and chest. Proper positioning helps protect both the mother and the unborn child.

Improper use of the seat belt can result in serious injury or fatal consequences for both the pregnant occupant and the fetus during sudden stops or collisions.

■ People suffering illness

Occupants with medical conditions should seek professional medical advice to ensure the seat belt is worn safely and appropriately within the Subaru Solterra.

■ Seat belt damage and wear

• Prevent damage to seat belts by ensuring that the belt, latch plate, and buckle are not caught or pinched in doors or moving parts.
• Regularly inspect all seat belts in your Subaru Solterra for signs of wear, including cuts, fraying, or loose components. Replace any damaged belts immediately.
• Always confirm that the belt locks securely into the buckle and that it is not twisted.

  If any malfunction is detected, contact your authorized Subaru dealer without delay.

• After a serious accident involving your Subaru Solterra, replace the entire seat assembly, including seat belts, even if no visible damage is present.
• Do not attempt to repair, modify, disassemble, or dispose of seat belt components yourself.

  Improper handling may compromise system integrity and lead to failure during an accident.

Correct use of the seat belts

• Pull the shoulder belt across your chest so that it rests comfortably over the shoulder without touching the neck or slipping off.
• Ensure the lap belt sits low across the hips rather than the abdomen.
• Adjust the seatback angle appropriately.

  Sit upright with your back fully supported by the seat when driving the Subaru Solterra.

• Make sure the seat belt is not twisted, as this can reduce its effectiveness.

■ Child seat belt usage

The seat belt system in the Subaru Solterra is primarily designed for adults. Special care must be taken when transporting children.

• Always use a child restraint system that is appropriate for the child's size and age until they can safely use the standard seat belt in the Subaru Solterra.
• Once the child is large enough, ensure that the seat belt fits properly and follow all standard seat belt usage guidelines.

Additional safety note: Consistent and correct use of seat belts in the Subaru Solterra significantly enhances the effectiveness of advanced safety systems, helping to protect all occupants in both everyday driving and emergency situations.

Fastening and releasing the seat belt

1. To securely fasten the seat belt in your Subaru Solterra, insert the latch plate into the buckle until you hear a clear and distinct click, confirming that the belt is properly locked in place.
2. To release the seat belt, press the release button A firmly. The belt will retract smoothly into its housing, ensuring convenience and readiness for the next use.

Always verify that the seat belt is properly latched before driving your Subaru Solterra, as an improperly fastened belt may significantly reduce protection during sudden stops or collisions.

■ Emergency locking retractor (ELR)

The Emergency Locking Retractor system in the Subaru Solterra is designed to enhance occupant safety by instantly locking the seat belt during sudden braking, sharp maneuvers, or impact situations. This mechanism may also engage if you lean forward too abruptly. Under normal conditions, the belt extends and retracts smoothly, allowing natural movement and comfort for occupants.

■ Automatic locking retractor (ALR)

The Automatic Locking Retractor function activates when the seat belt is fully extended and then allowed to retract slightly. Once engaged, the belt locks in position and cannot be extended further, ensuring a secure hold. This feature is especially important for properly securing child restraint systems (CRS) in your Subaru Solterra. To disengage the ALR mode, fully retract the belt and then pull it out again.

Adjusting the seat belt shoulder anchor height (front seats)

1. Press and hold the release button A while gently moving the shoulder anchor downward to adjust its position.
2. Slide the shoulder anchor upward as needed to achieve a comfortable and safe belt alignment for your Subaru Solterra driving position.

Adjust the height of the shoulder anchor until it locks into place with an audible click, ensuring that the seat belt sits correctly across your shoulder.

WARNING

■ Adjustable shoulder anchor

Always position the shoulder belt across the center of your shoulder when driving the Subaru Solterra. The belt should never rest against your neck or slip off your shoulder.

Incorrect positioning can significantly reduce the effectiveness of the restraint system and may lead to serious injury or fatal consequences in the event of sudden braking, evasive maneuvers, or a collision.

Seat belt pretensioners

The Subaru Solterra is equipped with advanced seat belt pretensioners designed to enhance occupant protection. In the event of a severe frontal or side collision, or a rollover, these systems automatically tighten the seat belts of the front seats and rear outer seats, helping to secure occupants firmly in place.

Pretensioners are calibrated to activate only during significant impacts and will not operate during minor collisions or rear-end impacts, ensuring optimal performance and system longevity.

■ Replacing the belt after the pretensioner has been activated

If your Subaru Solterra is involved in multiple collisions, the pretensioner system will activate during the initial impact only. It will not reactivate for subsequent impacts, making inspection and replacement essential after any deployment.

■ PCS-linked control

The seat belt pretensioners in the Subaru Solterra are integrated with the Pre-Collision System (PCS). When the system detects a high likelihood of a collision, it prepares the pretensioners to activate, further enhancing occupant protection even before impact occurs.

WARNING

■ Seat belt pretensioners

Follow these important precautions to minimize injury risk when driving your Subaru Solterra.

Failure to follow these instructions may result in serious injury or death.

• Do not place any objects, such as cushions, on the front passenger seat.

  Additional items may interfere with weight detection sensors, preventing accurate passenger recognition. This may cause the seat belt pretensioner system in the Subaru Solterra to fail to activate properly during a collision.

• If a pretensioner has been activated, the SRS warning light will illuminate.

  In this case, the affected seat belt system must not be used and should be replaced immediately by an authorized SUBARU dealer to restore full safety functionality.

Additional note: Proper understanding and use of the seat belt systems in the Subaru Solterra, including ELR, ALR, and pretensioners, significantly enhances passenger protection and works in combination with other advanced safety technologies.