Those are side airbags for the front-seat passengers. The intent is to
keep you from crashing into the door in a side impact, as they expand
forward to get between the driver/passenger and the door panel. As VF
notes, some cars also have 'side curtain' airbags, which expand down
from the headliner above the door windows to cover the windows and
prevent your head from slamming into the window. My 2004 Audi A4 has
both - side airbags and curtain airbags. Basically, I'd be surrounded
by puffy pillows in an accident! Again, wherever there is an airbag in
your car, it will have a tag or imprint telling you that there is an
airbag present.

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's)
Central NJ USA

Both front seats have tags "SRS Airbags" on their back seam, closest
to the door.  Are these "side" airbags?  Or, are they air bags for
some sitting in back?

-T

There is probably a little tag somewhere on the side of the seat that
says 'Airbag'. As long as the seat cover doesn't cover that area, you
would be okay (i.e., something that only covers the front side of the
seat, not the sides). 'SRS' stands for Supplemental Restraint System
and doesn't necessarily mean you have side airbags..

Dan D
'99 Impreza 2.5 RS (son's)
Central NJ USA

Hi All,

   My 2006 Forrester has "SRS Airbags".  As I understand
it, when they trigger, they explode out the side of
my seats.

   Hmmmmmmmm.  This probably means that I should not get a seat cover
that covers the side of the seats.  I presume you don't want to
obstruct the air bags.  Am I right on this? Or, are the air bags
somewhere in the door?

   Any thoughts?

Many thanks,
-T