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Subaru Crew Problems & Solutions

19283 messages,  Last post on May 01, 2013 at 9:15 AM

You are in the Subaru Crew Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Impreza, Subaru Outback, Subaru Forester, Subaru Legacy, Coupe, Sedan, Wagon, SUV


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Messages Page 464 of 1929

#4630 of 19283 Re: '05 Outback Seatbelt Tone Disable! [subden] by kev_xt_owner

Jan 26, 2005 (10:10 pm)

Replying to: subden (Jan 26, 2005 9:01 pm)
Owning a 2004 Forester XT and not a 2005 Outback, I'll admit I'm biased based on lack of experience.
 
But it seems as though some of the annoyance can be removed through behavior modifications: place your bag/briefcase on the floor in front of the seat & walk to the mailbox instead of driving to it.
 
I'm able to retrieve my wallet (back right pocket of pants) without undoing my seat belt. I've also carried a backpack with approximately 20 pounds of weight on the passenger seat with no chime (or warning light), so maybe the passenger seat chime is exclusive to certain Subaru lines.
 
Seat belts are great lifesavers in accidents. The problem is not everybody wears them while driving. Car manufacturers are required to give an audible warning that must last between 4 and 8 seconds (but can actually continue beyond the 8 seconds). Some evidence has shown the 8 seconds to be insufficient for those already tending not to wear seat belts. Unfortunately it sounds like Subaru made the alarm so annoying that people are disabling/desiring to disable it, thus preventing its potential effectiveness.

#4631 of 19283 Re: '05 Outback Seatbelt Tone Disable! [kev_xt_owner] by jam05

Jan 27, 2005 (7:22 am)

Replying to: kev_xt_owner (Jan 26, 2005 10:10 pm)
Thank you SubDen for adding some common sense / real world examples here on the topic. Also thank you Imtreetop for the info., I will check it out.
 
Kev XT Owner - I don't think anyone is disputing the effectiveness of seat belts in saving lives and no one here has said we don't wear them regularly. However, there are certain circumstances where they are simply not needed. Modifying your behavior to justify putting a repetitive, annoying chime in a vehicle is non-sense quite honestly. It's the same as saying people cannot be trusted to do the right thing for themselves. Seatbelts are clearly good and useful. However, no one should have the right to dictate or mandate to others how they should behave in order to protect themselves. One thing I enjoy about living in New Hampshire is the fact that common sense typically rules in governmental legislation. For instance - it is not illegal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet (unlike many states). Hundreds of bikers do, but would I? Heck no, but neither do I have the right to tell some woman or man I don't know from Adam that they have to in order to protect themselves from themself!
 
I agree with you that since Subaru made the alarm so annoying that people are disabling it. But I don't agree that in the absence of such an alarm people wouldn't wear their seatbelts regularly.
 
Safe and peaceful driving!

#4632 of 19283 chimes by c_hunter

Jan 27, 2005 (9:38 am)

I always buckle my seatbelt when driving (by habit) but the chimes on the 05 are annoying in all sorts of non-driving situations. Fortunately, they can be disable by the repetitive clicking procedure mentioned above.
 
Craig

#4633 of 19283 Re: chimes [c_hunter] by jam05

Jan 27, 2005 (10:01 am)

Replying to: c_hunter (Jan 27, 2005 9:38 am)
Agreed.
Thanks for the confirmation Craig - I will try it tonight. I assume it worked for you?

#4634 of 19283 Re: chimes [c_hunter] by xwesx

Jan 27, 2005 (10:18 am)

Replying to: c_hunter (Jan 27, 2005 9:38 am)
I have one question about that: does it disable the feature indefinitely, or just until the vehicle is shut off?
 
I would venture to guess that people who tend not to wear their seatbelts will not do so, even with the chime. If nothing else, they are going to latch the seatbelt then get in the seat, or just wedge something into the latch to shut off the chime. The chime is only helpful for those folks who want to wear the belt, but are forgetful. In those cases, a short chime will typically work. The only chiming any of my cars make is in my '96 when I have the key in the ignition and I open the driver's door. If it was supposed to chime for the seatbelt, then it has fallen victim to Subaru's unreliable electrical system. Yet, I've not once failed to wear my belt when on the road, though if it did chime nonstop while I was working it like pulling stumps, recovering a vehicle, etc., I'd be justifiably annoyed.
 
Disabling other safety features like DRLs, now there I can see why someone would be potentially baffled about a request to disable....

#4635 of 19283 Re: '05 Outback Seatbelt Tone Disable! [jam05] by p0926

Jan 27, 2005 (10:30 am)

Replying to: jam05 (Jan 27, 2005 7:22 am)
It's the same as saying people cannot be trusted to do the right thing for themselves
 
And your point is?!?! People are constantly doing things that are stupid and bad for them. Not wearing a motorcycle helmet for one, I have no problem with someone choosing not to wear a helmet, but I think they should sign a medical waiver stating that no public funds will be wasted on them in the case of a head trauma.
 
-Frank

#4636 of 19283 Re: synthetic oil - recommended? [dbpubs] by mnf

Jan 27, 2005 (10:58 am)

Replying to: dbpubs (Jan 25, 2005 9:25 pm)
I had it Done at 10,000 on my 2004 as said below to get everything sealed first is why to wait a little... Good Luck... Matt

#4637 of 19283 Re: chimes [jam05] by c_hunter

Jan 27, 2005 (11:40 am)

Replying to: jam05 (Jan 27, 2005 10:01 am)
It worked, but then I had to disconnect the battery during a stereo upgrade and it came back. One of these days I will do it again. I have to confess, I forget the exact procedure and it is kind of important to have the details, otherwise you will waste your time. So make sure you research it and find the instructions!
 
Craig

#4638 of 19283 Re: '05 Outback Seatbelt Tone Disable! [p0926] by jam05

Jan 27, 2005 (12:20 pm)

Replying to: p0926 (Jan 27, 2005 10:30 am)
Point well taken Frank, I can only agree! That's a good idea actually.

#4639 of 19283 Re: '05 Outback Seatbelt Tone Disable! [jam05] by xwesx

Jan 27, 2005 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: jam05 (Jan 27, 2005 12:20 pm)
Yeah, but here we go down the slippery slope:
 
<begin silly rant>
Pretty soon waivers will be signed for smoking, drinking alcohol, using chewing tobacco.... then what? Oh, how about red meat? How about eating non-organic foods that contain trace amounts of known carcinogens that could cause cancer? Oh, well, while we're at it, better ban extreme sports because it is better to prevent the possibility of injury than to treat it. Heck, let's just ban all sports. Oops. I forgot to tell you that driving increases your risk of injury. We don't do that any more. Wait wait! Where are you going? Didn't you hear that it is more dangerous to leave your house than to stay at home? There's a standing order that you may only travel outside the home for 1 hour of each day. Hello! You have a newborn! Please have your infant sign here stating that due to accepting the terminal condition of life, it holds the rest of the world harmless for any injury, affliction, or illness it may receive regardless of cause or intent. Thank you. Have a good life and stay well. ;-D
 
Ridiculous, yes, but once choices begin to be limited, there's always a good justification for taking away another one. Then again, we are not talking about disallowing the choice, merely requesting the person sign a waiver for it, but where would it end?
 
Hahahaha. Who knows, but darn it, let's start with seatbelts!
</end silly rant>
 
Seriously, though, at least Subaru designed a disable mode to prevent the endless chime from being a customer retention problem. It is just too bad that it is all-or-nothing.
 
Just out of curiosity, how many of you allow passengers in your car the option of not buckling up? What are your reasons for your choice?

Messages Page 464 of 1929

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