Chest chamber

Lumbar
chamber
4-8

4-9

Side Airbag Design

Side Airbag

The airbag is provided with two paths for the expanding gas to flow as the airbag deploys. The
lower chamber of the airbag is stitched at a height that allows a tighter protection zone to form. The
upper chamber has a potentially higher volume area and forms a softer zone during deployment.
Both chambers are filled at the same time and from the same inflator.

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Seat Cushion Airbag
The driver and passenger front seat are equipped with a seat cushion airbag.
If a frontal crash occurs, the inflation of the airbag inside the seat gives backward pressure to
the chest and reduces chest compression from the seatbelt. Moreover, the airbag prevents the
waist from sinking in a frontal collision and reduces abdominal compression by the seatbelt, thus
enhancing the restraining force of the seatbelt.

4-10
Seat Cushion Airbag Location

4-11

4-12

Normal

Note:

Front Collision

Seatbelts must be buckled before Seat Cushion Airbags will deploy. Input
signals from the seatbelt switch carry the “buckled” signal to the SRS control
unit.

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The construction of the Seat Cushion Airbag provides lift to the forward section of the airbag
and allows for expansion in a separate chamber to the rear of the airbag. No exhaust ports are
provided which allows for an extended inflation time.

4-13
Seat Cushion Airbag

The Seat Cushion Airbag can be replaced on the driver seat after deployment without replacing
any other seat components. If the Seat Cushion Airbag deploys on the passenger side, the entire
lower seat assembly must be replaced.

4-15

4-14
Normal Seat

Note:

Deployed Seat Cushion Airbag

The photographs above have been staged to show the airbag inflation shape.
The final shape will be determined by the weight of the driver which will displace
more of the expanding gas towards the front of the seat cushion.

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NOTES:

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Curtain Airbag
The protection area of the airbag has been expanded to improve protection of front and rear seat
occupants. The inflator is now located in the center of the B pillar and provides faster deployment
of the airbag.

4-16
Curtain Airbag Shape

A new clip is utilized to secure the Curtain Airbag to the vehicle body. The clip must be removed in
a precise method to avoid damage to the airbag and vehicle body. The inside of the clip is made
with 2 chambers that guide a locking tab expander into the lock position.

4-18

4-17
Curtain Airbag Clip

2 Chambers

The locking tab expander itself is constructed with positioning tabs that permanently lock the
locking tab expander to the body of the Curtain Airbag Clip.

4-20

4-19
Positioning Tabs

New Curtain Airbag Clip

New Curtain Airbag Clips are assembled and delivered in an unlocked position. Do not push the
locking tab expander inward until all parts are properly installed to the vehicle.
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The Curtain Airbag Clips secure fabric and plastic hangers of the Curtain Airbag to the vehicle body.
The clips must not be re-used. Always replace a Curtain Airbag clip once it has been removed.

4-21

4-22

Close-up, Installed Clip

Wide View, Curtain Airbag

The thickness of the vehicle body at the Curtain Airbag attachment point is thin and can be
deformed if the Curtain Airbag Clip is removed incorrectly. Care must also be taken to prevent
damage to fabric hangers of the Curtain Airbag.

4-23
Fabric Hanger

Replace the Curtain Airbag if a fabric hanger is torn or damaged.
Note:

Refer to the appropriate Subaru Service Manual for safe and proper Curtain
Airbag removal.

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Begin removal of the Curtain Airbag clip by cutting a “V” shaped notch deep into the top and bottom
side of the clip. This takes away the locking points of the locking tab expander.
Next, remove the locking tab expander by gripping the expander with a thin pair of needle nose
pliers and pulling outward gently.

4-24

4-25

Cutting “V” Shaped Notch

Note:

Removing Locking Tab Expander

Do not re-use a locking tab expander after it has been removed.

The next step is to compress the locking tabs of the Curtain Airbag Clip, one at a time, sliding
each one past the vehicle body.

4-26

4-27

Locking Tab Expander

Compressing Locking Tab

A thin screwdriver or a similar tool is required to fit in the small groove made onto each locking
tab. The “V” shaped notch, cut into the Curtain Airbag Clip in an early step, allows the screwdriver
to be moved upward and downward to compress the locking tab.

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While compressing the locking tabs, slightly pry outward on Curtain Airbag Clip on the side that
is being compressed. Perform this procedure on the top and bottom side of the clip.

4-28
Removing Clip

Install new Curtain Airbag Clips only after all Curtain Airbag hangers have been double checked
for proper position. Press the new clip into place until the locking tabs are correctly positioned.

4-29

4-30

Installing New Clip

Seating Locking Tab Expander

Next, place a screwdriver over the locking tab expander.

4-31
Locking Tab Expander Installed

Push the expander inward until the positioning tabs of the expander lock into place.
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Occupant Detection System
The occupant detection system consists of a sensor mat (bladder) installed under the passenger
seat cushion, seatbelt buckle and seatbelt tension sensor attached to the passenger seat seatbelt
anchor. Based on the sensor output and information of the passenger seat belt buckle switch, the
system judges the state of the occupant in the passenger seat.
Based on the information on the occupant in the passenger seat, the airbag ECU controls the
deployment / non-deployment of the passenger seat airbag and the lighting of the passenger seat
airbag ON/OFF indicator, and transmits to the ODS Operation Light information as to whether the
occupant in the passenger seat is wearing his/her seat belt.
Note:

If the Seat Belt Tension Sensor detects high tension, the Seat Cushion Airbag
and Passenger Front Airbag will not deploy.

The ODS operation light has been relocated to headliner trim, near the rear view mirror.

(1)

(2)
(3)

(5)

(4)

(1) Airbag ON/OFF indicator
(2) Buckle switch (Passenger seat)
(3) Occupant detection control unit

(4) Belt tension sensor
(5) Occupant detection control unit
4-32

ODS Operation Light and ODS Sensors

NOTES:

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Front Passenger Seat Construction

Cushion pad and cover
(Option: with seat heater)

Seat cushion airbag

Occupant detection sensor
(Bladder type)

4-33
Passenger Seat Construction

Note:

The seat cover, seat cushion and heater can be serviced. If problems with the
ODS sensor, or cushion airbag exist, replace the lower seat assembly.

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Deployment Logic
The SRS and ODS control unit uses input from all of the SRS sensors to determine individual
and group control deployment of all SRS components. The new mounting positions and design
of the SRS sensors provide very precise impact detection, allowing the best deployment control
for occupant protection.
The following examples show possible deployment combinations, but do not show all possible
combinations.
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)

Driver front airbag
Passenger front airbag
Driver seat cushion airbag
Passenger seat cushion
airbag
Driver side airbag
Passenger side airbag
Driver shoulder
belt pretensioner
Passenger shoulder
belt pretensioner
Left curtain airbag
Right curtain airbag

1

2

5

6
3

9

7

4
8

10

4-34
SRS Component Layout

4-35

4-36

Frontal center collision

Frontal offset collision
(With or without ODS Input, excluding Tension Sensor)

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4-37

(Module 926)

4-38

Side collision towards front with small diameter object

Side collision towards front with large surface area
object

4-39

4-40

Side collision towards rear

Rollover

4-41
Frontal center collision with front seat passenger

Note:

Seatbelts, Seatbelt Tension Sensors, and ODS must be at the correct values for
deployment of the SRS components pictured above.

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Additional Information

1. Control of curtain airbag and pretensioner operation in a roll-over:
Rollover sensing has been applied to the Legacy. This control meets the requirements for
preventing the occupants from being ejected outside the vehicle under FMVSS 226 in North
America.
2. Fuel cut control
In addition to frontal and side collisions, rear end collisions were added to the conditions
of fuel cut signal output.
When a frontal, side, or rear end collision has been judged, the crash detection signal is sent
to the ECU via the CAN. Triggered by this signal, the ECU instructs the fuel cut operation.

4-42
SRS Control Unit

Note:

The SRS control unit is located more towards the center of gravity of the vehicle,
(between the front seat belt buckles), under the center console.

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NOTES:

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Chassis

Introduction
The front and rear suspension for the 2015 Legacy and Outback have been improved to provide
enhanced handling, durability, vibration reduction and a more comfortable experience for the driver.
Front Suspension Key Changes include:
– Front strut mounts thickened and springs optimized
– Front struts redesigned
– Front stabilizer link layout changed
– Front control arm width and rigidity increased
– Control arm bushings (rear) sealed and new bracket used
Front strut mounts thickened
and optimized springs

Front strut redesigned

Front Stabilizer link layout
changed

Front Control arm width
and rigidity increased

Control arm bushings
(rear) sealed and
new bracket used

5-1

Front Suspension

Front Stabilizer Link
The front Stabilizer link location has been moved from the control arm to the strut housing. This
increases roll stiffness and improves handling.

5-2
Front Stabilizer Link

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June 2014

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Control Arm Bushings Rear
The rear control arm bushing layout has been changed and a sealed style bushing is used to
reduce vibration. The movement of the rear bushing now allows for front-to-back movement as
compared to vertical movement of previous models. A new aluminum bracket is now used for
weight reduction.

5-3
Front Control Arm

5-5

5-4
2014MY Rear Bushing

Note:

2015MY Rear Bushing

Verify the orientation of the bushing and the grooves on the control arm bracket
before installation.

Front Arm Left Hand

Front Arm Right Hand

Grooves

Grooves

Bushing
orientation

Bushing
orientation

5-6

5-7

Rear Bracket and Bushing Orientation

Rear Bracket Grooves