2010 Subaru Legacy Owners Manual

transmission in neutral, release the clutch pedal momentarily, and then try again.

& Shifting speeds ! Recommended shifting speeds The best compromise between fuel econ- omy and vehicle performance during normal driving is ensured by shifting up at the speeds listed in the following table.

Shift up

1st to 2nd

2nd to 3rd

3rd to 4th

4th to 5th

5th to 6th

mph (km/h)

15 (24)

25 (40)

40 (64)

45 (72) 50 (80)

! Maximum allowable speeds

WARNING

When shifting down a gear, ensure that the vehicle is not travelling at a speed exceeding the Maximum Al- lowable Speed for the gear which is about to be selected. Failure to observe this precaution can lead to engine over-revving and this in turn can result in engine damage. In addition, sudden application of

engine brakes when the vehicle is travelling on a slippery surface can lead to wheel locking; as a conse- quence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of an accident increased.

The following table shows the maximum speeds that are possible with each differ- ent gear. The tachometer’s needle will enter the red area if these speeds are exceeded. With the exception of cases where sudden acceleration is required, the vehicle should not be driven with the tachometer’s needle inside the red area. Failure to observe this precaution can lead to excessive engine wear and poor fuel economy.

Legacy

Non-turbo

models

32 (52)

57 (92)

Turbo models

35 (56)

62 (100)

86 (139)

94 (151)

114 (184)

125 (201)

Gear

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

mph (km/h)

Outback

32 (52)

57 (92)

86 (139) 115 (185)

Starting and operating 7-17

NOTE Never exceed posted speed limits.

& Driving tips Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill on an upgrade. Either of those actions may cause clutch damage. Do not drive with your hand resting on the shift lever. This may cause wear on the transmission components.

When it is necessary to reduce vehicle speed due to slow traffic, turning corners, or driving up steep hills, downshift to a lower gear before the engine starts to labor.

On steep downgrades, downshift the transmission to 5th, 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as necessary; this helps to maintain a safe speed and to extend brake pad life. In this way, the engine provides a braking effect. Remember, if you “ride” (over use) the brakes while descending a hill, they may overheat and not work properly.

The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the vehicle rapidly accelerates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This phenomenon does not indicate a problem.

7-18 Starting and operating

Automatic transmission/Con- tinuously variable transmis- sion

The automatic transmission is electroni- cally controlled and provides 5 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. The con- tinuously variable transmission is electro- nically controlled and provides an infinite number of forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. Both the automatic transmission and continuously variable transmission have a manual mode.

WARNING

Do not shift from the “P” or “N” position into the “D” or “R” position while depressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause the vehicle to jump forward or backward.

CAUTION

. Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after the vehicle is comple- tely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause damage to the transmission.

. Do not race the engine for more

than 5 seconds in any position except the “N” or “P” position when the brake is applied or when chocks are used in the wheels. This may cause the transmission fluid to overheat.

. Avoid shifting from one of the forward driving positions into the “R” position or vice versa until the vehicle has completely stopped. Such shifting may cause damage to the transmis- sion.

. When parking the vehicle, first securely apply the parking brake and then place the select lever in the “P” position. Avoid parking for a long time with the select lever in any other position as doing so could result in a dead battery.

temperature is still

NOTE . For AT models, when the engine coolant the transmission will upshift to higher engine speeds than when the coolant temperature is sufficiently high in order to shorten the warm-up time and improve driveability. The gearshift tim- ing will automatically shift to the nor-

low,

that

mal timing after the engine has warmed up. . Immediately after transmission fluid is replaced, you may feel the transmission operation is somewhat unusual. This results from invalidation of data which the on-board computer has collected and stored in memory to allow the transmission to shift at the most appropriate times for the current condition of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be restored as the vehicle continues to be driven for a while. . When driving a vehicle that is equipped with CVT under continuous heavy load conditions such as towing a camper or climbing a long, steep hill, the engine speed or the vehicle speed may automatically be reduced. This is not a malfunction. This phenomenon results from the engine control func- tion maintaining the cooling perfor- mance of the vehicle. The engine and vehicle speed will return to a normal speed when the engine is able to maintain the optimum cooling perfor- mance after the heavy load decreases. Driving under a heavy load must be performed with extreme care. Do not try to pass a vehicle in front when driving on an uphill slope while towing. . The continuously variable transmis- sion is a chain type system that

provides superior transmission effi- ciency for maximum fuel economy. At times, depending on varying driving conditions, a chain operating sound may be heard that is characteristic of this type of system.

& Select lever

: With the brake pedal depressed, shift

while pressing the button in

: Shift while pressing the button in : Shift without pressing the button

The select lever has four positions, “P”, “R”, “N”, “D” and also has a manual gate for using the manual mode. ! P (Park) This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine.

In this position, the transmission is me- chanically locked to prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.

When you park the vehicle, first apply the parking brake fully, then shift into the “P” position. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmission. To shift the select lever from the “P” to any other position, you should depress the brake pedal fully then move the select lever. This prevents the vehicle from lurching when it is started. NOTE To protect the engine while the “P” position is selected, the engine is controlled such that the engine speed may not become too high even if the accelerator pedal is depressed hard. ! R (Reverse) This position is for backing the vehicle. To shift from the “N” to “R” position, stop the vehicle completely then move the lever to the “R” position. ! N (Neutral) This position is for restarting a stalled engine. In this position the wheels and transmis- sion are not locked. In this position, the

Starting and operating 7-19

transmission is neutral; the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is applied. Avoid coasting with the transmission neutral. During coasting, there is no engine brak- ing effect. NOTE . To protect the engine while the “N” position is selected, the engine is controlled such that the engine speed may not become too high even if the accelerator pedal is depressed hard. . If lever is in the “N” position when you stop the engine for parking, you may not subsequently be able to move it to the “R” and “P” positions. turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position. You will then be able to move the select lever to the “P” position.

this happens,

the select

If

WARNING

Do not drive the vehicle with the lever in the “N” (neutral) select position. Engine braking has no effect in this condition and the risk of an accident is consequently in- creased.

– CONTINUED –

7-20 Starting and operating

! D (Drive) This position is for normal driving. The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.

When more acceleration is required in this position, depress the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatically downshift. When you release the pedal, the transmis- sion will return to the original gear posi- tion. To use the manual mode, move the lever from this position into the manual gate. NOTE (AT models only) Automatic downshifts to 4th or 3rd may occur even when driving on a level road depending on conditions, such as how hard you depress the brake pedal. ! While climbing a grade When driving up a hill, undesired upshift is prevented from taking place when the accelerator is released. This minimizes the chance of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerating again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting resulting in a smoother op- eration of the vehicle.

NOTE The transmission may downshift, de- pending on the way the accelerator pedal is depressed to accelerate the vehicle again.

& Shift lock function The shift lock function helps prevent the improper operation of the select lever. . The select lever cannot be operated unless the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and the brake pedal is depressed. . The select lever cannot be moved from the “P” position to any other position before the brake pedal is depressed. Depress the brake pedal first, and then operate the select lever. . Only the “P” position allows you to turn the key from the “Acc” position to the “LOCK” position and remove the key from the ignition key cylinder. . If the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK” position while the select lever is in the “N” position, the select lever may not be moved to the “P” position after a period of time. Therefore, move the select lever to the “P” position with the brake pedal depressed soon after the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK” position.

! Shift lock release If the select lever cannot be operated, turn the ignition switch back to the “ON” position then move the select lever to the “P” position with the select lever button pressed and brake pedal depressed.

the select

lever cannot be

If lever does not move after performing the above procedure, perform the following steps. . When the select shifted from “P” to “N”: Refer to “Shift lock release using the shift lock release button” F7-21. . When the select shifted from “N” to “R”, “P”: Within 60 seconds after placing the igni- tion switch in the “Acc” position, move the select lever to the “P” position with the select lever button pressed and brake pedal depressed.

lever cannot be

If you must perform the above procedure, the shift lock system (or the vehicle control system) may be malfunctioning. Contact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

the select

If lever does not move after performing the above procedure, refer to “Shift lock release button” F7-21.

lock release using the shift

! Shift lock release using the shift

lock release button

Perform the following procedure to release the shift lock. 1. Apply the parking brake and stop the engine.

2. Remove the shift lock cover using a flat-head screwdriver.

Starting and operating 7-21

& Selection of manual mode

With the vehicle either moving or station- ary, move the select lever from the “D” position to the “M” position to select the manual mode.

– CONTINUED –

3. While depressing the brake pedal, insert the electronic parking brake release tool lock release button using the tool, and then move the select lever.

into the hole, press the shift

NOTE To prevent damage to the shift lock cover, cover the tip of the flat-head screwdriver with vinyl tape or a cloth before removing the cover. If lever does not move after performing the above procedure, the shift lock system may be malfunctioning. Con- tact a SUBARU dealer for an inspection as soon as possible.

the select

7-22 Starting and operating

turns off. Gearshifts can be performed using the paddle shift switch behind the steering wheel.

1) Upshift indicator 2) Downshift indicator 3) Gear position indicator

When the manual mode is selected, the gear position indicator and upshift indica- tor and/or downshift indicator on the combination meter illuminate. The gear position indicator shows the currently selected gear in the 1st-to-5th-gear range (AT models) or 1st-to-6th gear range (CVT models). The upshift and downshift indi- cators show when a gearshift is possible. When the upshift is on, upshifting is possible. When the downshift indicator “ ” is on, downshifting is possi- ble. When both indicators are on, upshift- ing and downshifting are both possible. When the vehicle stops (for example, at traffic signals), indicator

the downshift

indicator

“

”

Pull the “+” of the paddle shift to upshift one level. Also pull the “−” of the paddle shift to downshift one level.

To deselect the manual mode, return the select lever to the “D” position from the “M” position. While driving with the select lever in the “D” position, if you change gears by paddle shifting, the gear position indicator light illuminates and shows the current gear condition.

CAUTION

Do not place or hang anything on the paddle shift levers. Doing so may result in accidental gear shift- ing.

NOTE Please read the following points care- fully and bear them in mind when using the manual mode. . If you attempt to shift down when the engine speed is too high, i.e., when a downshift would push the tachometer needle beyond the red zone, beeps will be emitted to warn you that the down- shift is not possible. . If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed is too low, the transmis- sion will not respond. . You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating the paddle switch twice in rapid suc- cession. . The transmission automatically se- lects 1st gear when the vehicle stops moving. . If the temperature of the transmis- sion fluid becomes too high, the “AT OIL TEMP” warning light will illuminate. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe

place and let the engine idle until the warning light turns off.

Power steering

& Driving tips . On a road surface where there is a risk of wheelspin (for example, a snow- or gravel-covered road), you can pull away from a standstill safely and easily by first selecting the 2nd gear of the manual mode. . Always apply the foot or parking brake when the vehicle is stopped in the “D” or “R” position. . Always apply the parking brake when parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmission. . Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary position on an uphill grade by using the “D” position. Use the brake instead. . The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the vehicle rapidly acceler- ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This phenomenon does not indicate a fault. . A slight reduction in output torque may occur in the models with a 2.5 L turbo or 3.6 L engine before the engine warms up.

CAUTION

Do not hold the steering wheel at the fully locked position left or right for more than 5 seconds. This may damage the power steering pump.

it will

The power steering system operates only when the engine is running. If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but take much more effort. NOTE Right after the engine has been started and before it has warmed up, you may hear a noise coming from areas adja- cent to the power steering pump which is located at the right-front area of the engine compartment. This noise is normal. indicate power steering system trouble.

It does not

Starting and operating 7-23

Braking & Braking tips

WARNING

Never rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This can cause dangerous overheating of the brakes and needless wear on the brake pads and linings.

! When the brakes get wet When driving in rain or after washing the vehicle, the brakes may get wet. As a result, brake stopping distance will be longer. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed while lightly depressing the brake pedal to heat up the brakes. ! Use of engine braking Remember to make use of engine braking in addition to foot braking. When descend- ing a grade, if only the foot brake is used, the brakes may start working improperly because of brake fluid overheating, caused by overheated brake pads. To help prevent this, shift into a lower gear to get stronger engine braking. ! Braking when a tire is punctured Do not depress the brake pedal suddenly when a tire is punctured. This could cause – CONTINUED –

7-24 Starting and operating

a loss of control of the vehicle. Keep driving straight ahead while gradually reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place.

If one circuit of

& Brake system ! Two separate circuits Your vehicle has a dual circuit brake system. Each circuit works diagonally across the vehicle. the brake system should fail, the other half of the system still works. If one circuit fails, the brake pedal will go down much closer to the floor than usual and you will need to press it down much harder. And a much longer distance will be needed to stop the vehicle. ! Brake booster The brake booster uses engine manifold vacuum to assist braking force. Do not turn off the engine while driving because that will turn off the brake booster, result- ing in poor braking power. The brakes will continue to work even when the brake booster completely stops functioning. If this happens, however, you will have to depress the pedal much harder than normal and the braking dis- tance will increase.

! Brake assist system

WARNING

Do not be overconfident about the brake assist. It is not a system that brings more braking ability to the vehicle beyond its braking capabil- ity. Always use the utmost care when driving regarding vehicle speed and safe distance.

cate any malfunctions, and the brake assist system is operating properly. . You might feel that the brake pedal is applied by lighter force and gener- ates a greater braking force. . You might hear the sound of ABS operating from the engine compart- ment.

& Disc brake pad wear warning

indicators

CAUTION

When you need to brake suddenly, continue depressing the brake pedal strongly to bring the effect of the brake assist.

Brake assist is a driver assistance system. It assists the brake power when the driver cannot depress the brake pedal strongly and the brake power is insufficient. Brake assist generates the brake power according to the speed at which the driver depresses the brake pedal. NOTE When you depress the brake pedal strongly or suddenly, the following phenomena occur. However, even though these occur, they do not indi-

The disc brake pad wear warning indica- tors on the disc brakes give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn. If a squeaking or scraping noise is heard from the disc brakes while braking, im- mediately have your vehicle inspected by the nearest SUBARU dealer.

ABS (Anti-lock Brake Sys- tem)

WARNING

Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving with an ABS equipped vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident.

CAUTION

. The ABS system does not always decrease stopping distance. You should always maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles.

. When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel roads, icy road, or over deep newly fallen snow, stopping distances may be long- er for a vehicle with the ABS system than one without. When driving under these conditions, therefore, reduce your speed and leave ample distance from other vehicles.

. When you feel the ABS system operating, you should maintain

constant brake pedal pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal since doing so may defeat the operation of the ABS system.

The ABS system prevents the lock-up of wheels which may occur during sudden braking or braking on slippery road sur- faces. This helps prevent the loss of steering control and directional stability caused by wheel lock-up.

When the ABS system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal when the ABS operates.

The ABS system will not operate when the vehicle speed is below approximately 6
mph (10 km/h).

& ABS system self-check You may feel a slight shock in the brake pedal and hear the operating sound of ABS from the engine compartment just after the vehicle is started. This is caused by an automatic functional test of the ABS system being carried out and does not indicate any abnormal condition.

Starting and operating 7-25

& ABS warning light

The ABS warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and turns off after approximately 2
seconds. This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly.

CAUTION

the warning light behaves as If follows, the ABS system may not be working properly. When the warning light is on, the ABS function shuts down; however, the conventional brake system con- tinues to operate normally. . The warning light does not illu-

– CONTINUED –

voltage such as when the engine is jump started, the ABS warning light may illumi- nate. This is due to the low battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction. When the battery becomes fully charged, the light will turn off.

Electronic Brake Force Dis- tribution (EBD) system

The EBD system maximizes the effective- ness of the brakes by allowing the rear brakes to supply a greater proportion of the braking force. It functions by adjusting the distribution of braking force to the rear wheels in accordance with the vehicle’s loading condition and speed. The EBD system is an integral part of the ABS system and uses some of the ABS system’s components to perform its func- tion of optimizing the distribution of brak- ing force. If any of the ABS components used by the EBD function fails, the EBD system also stops working.

When the EBD system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction.

7-26 Starting and operating

minate when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.

. The warning light

illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, but it does not turn off even when the vehicle speed exceeds approxi- mately 8 mph (12 km/h).

. The warning light illuminates dur-

ing driving.

If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at the first available oppor- tunity by your SUBARU dealer.

the warning light behavior is as the ABS

NOTE If described in the following, system may be considered normal. . The warning light illuminates right after the engine is started but turns off immediately, remaining off. . The warning light remains illumi- nated after the engine has been started, but it turns off when the vehicle speed reaches approximately 8 mph (12
km/h). . The warning light illuminates during driving, but it turns off immediately and remains off. When driving with an insufficient battery

Starting and operating 7-27

the light remains on, have the brakes inspected by a SUBARU dealer immediately.

. If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating prop- erly, do not drive the vehicle. Have your vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for re- pair.

& Steps to take if EBD system

malfunctions

If a malfunction occurs in the EBD system, the system stops working and the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously.

The EBD system may be malfunctioning if the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously during driving. Even if the EBD system fails, the conven- tional braking system will still function. However, the rear wheels will be more prone to locking when the brakes are applied harder than usual and the vehi- cle’s motion may therefore become some- what harder to control. If the brake system warning light and ABS

illuminate simultaneously,

warning light take the following steps. 1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat place. 2. Shut down the engine, then restart it. 3. Release the parking brake. If both warning lights turn off, the EBD system may be malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected. 4. If both warning lights illuminate again and remain illuminated after the engine has been restarted, shut down the engine again, apply the parking brake, and check the brake fluid level. If the brake fluid level is not below the 5. “MIN” mark, the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected. 6. is below the “MIN” mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.

the brake fluid level

If

WARNING

. Driving with the brake system warning light on is dangerous. This indicates your brake system may not be working properly. If

7-28 Starting and operating

Vehicle Dynamics Control system

WARNING

Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving with a Vehicle Dy- namics Control system equipped vehicle could easily lead to a ser- ious accident.

CAUTION

. Even if your vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control system, winter tires should be used when driving on snow-cov- ered or icy roads; in addition, vehicle speed should be reduced considerably. Simply having a Vehicle Dynamics Control sys- tem does not guarantee that the vehicle will be able to avoid accidents in any situation.

. Activation of

the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system is an indication that the road being travelled on has a slippery sur- face; since having Vehicle Dy- namics Control is no guarantee

that full vehicle control will be maintained at all times and under all conditions, its activation should be seen as a sign that the speed of the vehicle should be reduced considerably.

. Whenever suspension compo- nents, steering components, or an axle are removed from a vehicle equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control, have an authorized SUBARU dealer per- form an inspection of that sys- tem.

. The following precautions should be observed in order to ensure that the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system is operating properly. – All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size, type, and brand. Further- more, the amount of wear should be the same for all four tires.

– Keep the tire pressure at the proper level as shown on the vehicle placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar.

– Use only the specified tem- porary spare tire to replace a flat tire. With a temporary

spare tire, the effectiveness of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is reduced and this should be taken into account when driving the vehicle in such a condition.

In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding on a slippery road surface and/or during cornering and/or an evasive maneuver, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system adjusts the engine’s output and the wheels’ respective braking forces to help maintain traction and directional control. . Traction Control Function The traction control function is designed to prevent spinning of the driving wheels on slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to maintain traction and directional control. Activation of this function is indicated by flashing of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light. . Skid Suppression Function The skid suppression function is designed to help maintain directional stability by suppressing the wheels’ tendency to slide sideways during steering operations. Acti- vation of this function is indicated by flashing of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light.

NOTE . Slight twitching of the brake pedal may be felt when the Vehicle Dynamics Control system operates; a small de- gree of vehicle or steering wheel shak- ing may also be noticed in this situa- tion. These are normal characteristics of Vehicle Dynamics Control operation and are no cause for alarm. . When driving off immediately after starting the engine, a short-lived opera- tion noise may be noticed coming from the engine compartment. This noise is generated as a result of a check being performed on the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and is normal. . Depending on the timing of activa- tion of the brakes, the brake pedal may seem to jolt when you drive off after starting the engine. This is a conse- quence of the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol operational check and is normal. . In the circumstances shown in the following list, the vehicle may be more unstable than it feels to the driver. The Vehicle Dynamics Control System may therefore operate. Such operation does not indicate a system fault.

– on gravel-covered or roads – on unfinished roads – when the vehicle is towing a

rutted

trailer – when the vehicle is fitted with snow tires or winter tires

is always important

. Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system will cause operation of the steering wheel to feel slightly different compared to that for normal conditions. . Even if the vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Dynamics Control system, it is important that winter tires be used when driving on snow-covered or icy roads. (All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size and brand.) . It to reduce speed when approaching a corner, even if the vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control. . All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size, type, and brand; furthermore, the amount of wear should be the same for all four tires. If these precautions are not observed and non-matching tires are used, it is quite possible that the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system will be unable to operate correctly as intended. . Always turn off the engine before replacing a tire as failure to do so may render the Vehicle Dynamics Control system unable to operate correctly.

Starting and operating 7-29

& Vehicle Dynamics Control

system monitor

! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control op- eration indicator light

The light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and turns off several seconds after the engine has started. This lighting pattern indicates that the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is operating normally. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning

light

CAUTION

Because the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system controls each brake – CONTINUED –

7-30 Starting and operating

through the ABS, whenever the ABS stops operating due to a malfunc- tion in that electrical system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control will also become unable to control all four brakes. Thus Vehicle Dynamics Control system operation halts and the warning light illuminates. Although both the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the ABS will be inoperable in this situation, it will still be possible to stop the vehicle using normal braking. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the ABS do not adversely affect opera- tion of the vehicle in any way when they are inoperable. However should such a situation occur, drive with care and have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspec- tion of those systems at the first available opportunity.

NOTE . When a malfunction has occurred in the Vehicle Dynamics Control electrical system, only the warning light will illuminate. In such an event, the ABS will still be operating normally. . The warning light will also illuminate when a problem occurs with the ABS or Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic

control systems. The warning light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and turns off several seconds after the engine has started. This lighting pattern indicates that the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system is operating nor- mally.

The following situations could indicate a malfunction of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. If any of these situations occur, have an authorized SUBARU deal- er carry out an inspection of the system at the first available opportunity. . The warning light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. . The warning light illuminates while the vehicle is being driven. NOTE When the warning light turns on and off in the following way, it indicates that the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is operating normally. . Although illuminating after the en- gine has been started, the warning light quickly turns off and remains off. . The warning light illuminates when the vehicle is being driven, it then turns off and remains off.

! Vehicle Dynamics Control operation

indicator light

The indicator light flashes during activa- tion of the skid suppression function and during activation of the traction control function. NOTE . The indicator light may remain illu- minated for a while after the engine has been started, especially in cold weath- er. This occurs because the engine has not yet warmed up and is completely normal. The light will turn off when the engine has reached a suitable operat- ing temperature. . When an engine problem occurs and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/ malfunction indicator lamp illuminates, the indicator light will also illuminate. The following two situations could indicate malfunction of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. If either of these situa- tions occurs, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of the first available opportunity. . The indicator light does not illuminate when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. . The indicator light fails to turn off after the engine is started, even when several

that system at

minutes have passed to allow the engine to heat up sufficiently. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF in-

dicator light

when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. . The indicator light does not turn off approximately 2 seconds after the ignition switch has been turned to the ON position.

& Vehicle Dynamics Control

OFF switch

The light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and turns off after approximately 2 seconds. The light illuminates when the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch is pressed to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system.

The following two situations could indicate the Vehicle Dynamics a malfunction of Control system. If either should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of that system at the first available opportunity. . The indicator light does not illuminate

Pressing the switch to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system can facilitate the following operations. . a standing start on a steeply sloping road with a snowy, gravel-covered, or otherwise slippery surface . extrication of wheels are stuck in mud or deep snow

the vehicle when its

When the switch is pressed during engine operation, the Vehicle Dynamics Control

Starting and operating 7-31

OFF indicator light on the combination meter illuminates. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system will be deactivated. When the switch is pressed again to reactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light turns off. You should not deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except under the above-mentioned situations.

CAUTION

The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys- tem helps prevent unstable vehicle motion such as skidding using con- trol of the brakes and engine power. Do not turn off the Vehicle Dynamics Control system unless it is abso- lutely necessary. If you must turn off the Vehicle Dynamics Control sys- tem, drive very carefully based on the road surface condition.

NOTE . When the switch has been pressed to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system automatically reacti- vates itself the next time the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK” position and the engine is restarted.

– CONTINUED –

7-32 Starting and operating

. If the switch is held down for 10
seconds or longer, the indicator light turns off, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is activated, and the system ignores any further pressing of the switch. To make the switch usable again, turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position and restart the en- gine. . When the switch is pressed to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system, the vehicle’s running per- formance is comparable with that of a vehicle that does not have a Vehicle Dynamics Control system. Do not de- activate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except when absolutely neces- sary. . Even when the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is deactivated, compo- nents of the brake control system may still activate. When the brake control system is activated, the Vehicle Dy- namics Control operation indicator light illuminates.

Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped)

The tire pressure monitoring system pro- vides the driver with a warning message by sending a signal from a sensor that is installed in each wheel when tire pressure is severely low. The tire pressure monitoring system will activate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h). Also, this system may not react immediately to a sudden drop in tire pressure (for example, a blow-out caused by running over a sharp object).

WARNING

If the low tire pressure warning light illuminates while driving, never brake suddenly and keep driving straight ahead while gradually redu- cing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place. Otherwise an accident involving serious vehicle damage and serious personal injury could occur. Check the pressure for all four tires and adjust the pressure to the COLD tire pressure shown on the tire placard on the door pillar on the driver’s side. Even when the vehicle is driven a very short distance, the tires get warm and their pressures increase accordingly. Be sure to let the tires cool thoroughly before adjusting their pressures to the standard values shown on the tire placard. Refer to “Tires and wheels” F11-35. The tire pressure monitoring system does not function when the vehicle is stationary. After adjusting the tire pressures, increase the vehicle speed to at least 20 mph (32 km/h) to start the TPMS re-checking of the tire inflation pressures. If the tire pressures are now above the severe

this light still

low pressure threshold, the low tire pressure warning light should turn off a few minutes later. If illuminates while driving after adjusting the tire pres- sure, a tire may have significant damage and a fast leak that causes the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible. When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel rim is replaced without the original pressure sensor/transmitter being transferred, the low tire pres- sure warning light will illuminate steadily after blinking for approxi- mately one minute. This indicates the TPMS is unable to monitor all four road wheels. Contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible for tire and sensor replacement and/ or system resetting. Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a malfunction of the tire pressure sensors. If the light illuminates steadily after blinking for approximately one minute, promptly contact a SUBARU dealer to have the system inspected.

Starting and operating 7-33

CAUTION

Parking your vehicle

Do not place metal film or any metal parts under the driver’s seat. This may cause poor reception of the signals from the tire pressure sen- sors, and the tire pressure monitor- ing system will not function prop- erly.

NOTE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful inter- this device must ference, and (2) accept any interference received, in- cluding interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not ex- pressly approved by the party respon- sible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equip- ment.

WARNING

. Never leave unattended children or pets in the vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent op- eration of the vehicle. Also, on hot or sunny days, the tempera- ture in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possibly fatal injuries to them.

. Do not park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags, as they may burn easily if they come near hot engine or exhaust sys- tem parts.

. Be sure to stop the engine if you take a nap in the vehicle. If engine exhaust gas enters the passenger compartment, occu- pants in the vehicle could die from carbon monoxide (CO) con- tained in the exhaust gas.

– CONTINUED –

7-34 Starting and operating

& Electronic parking brake

1) Parking brake switch 2) Hill Holder switch 3)

Indicator light

WARNING

. Before exiting the vehicle, make sure that you turn off the engine. Otherwise, the parking brake may be released and an accident may occur.

. If the brake system warning light flashes, the electronic parking brake system may be malfunc- tioning. Immediately stop your vehicle in a safe location, use tire stops under the tires to prevent the vehicle from moving

and contact your SUBARU deal- er.

CAUTION

. When the electronic parking brake system has a malfunction and the parking brake cannot be applied, contact your SUBARU dealer immediately for an inspec- tion. If you have to park your vehicle in such conditions, per- form the following procedure. – Stop your vehicle in a flat

location.

– Shift the shift lever in the “1” or reverse position (MT mod- els).

– Shift the select lever in the “P” position (AT or CVT models). When the select lever cannot be shifted into the “P” posi- tion, you must release shift lock. Refer to “Shift lock func- tion” F7-20.

– Use tire stops under the tires the vehicle from

to prevent moving.

. Never drive while the parking brake is applied because this will

cause unnecessary wear on the brake linings. Before starting to drive, always make sure that the parking brake has been released and the brake system warning light has turned off.

Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic parking brake. You can apply/release the parking brake by operating the parking brake switch.

To apply: Depress the brake pedal and press the parking brake switch firmly. To release: Pull the parking brake switch toward you while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position and the brake pedal (all models) and the clutch pedal (MT models) are depressed.

When the parking brake is applied while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position, the brake system warning light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch illuminate. Refer to “Brake system warning light” F3-17. NOTE . If the parking brake switch is pulled with the ignition switch in the “Acc” or “LOCK” position, the parking brake is not released. . If the parking brake switch is pulled

without depressing the brake pedal or the clutch pedal, the parking brake is not released. . When the parking brake is being applied or released, noise may be noticed. However, this is not a malfunc- tion. . When the electronic parking brake system has a malfunction or the elec- tronic parking brake operation is pro- hibited temporarily, if the parking brake switch is operated, a chirp sound is heard and the brake system warning light flashes. . When you cannot release the park- ing brake due to, for example, a system malfunction, you can release it by using the parking brake release tool. Refer to “Electronic parking brake – if the electronic parking brake cannot be released” F9-16. ! Automatic release function by gas

pedal

The electronic parking brake system has an automatic release function. The park- ing brake will be automatically released by depressing the accelerator pedal. How- ever, the automatic release function does not operate under the following conditions. . Any door (other than the trunk lid or rear gate) is open.

. The driver’s seatbelt is not fastened.

the parking brake is automatically If released, the brake system warning light and the indicator on the parking brake switch turn off. NOTE Even if you have applied the parking brake by pressing the parking brake switch, the parking brake will be auto- matically released when the accelera- tor pedal is depressed. ! Hill Holder function The electronic parking brake system has a If Hill Holder function. the Hill Holder function is activated, the parking brake will be automatically applied when stop- ping on an uphill slope with the brake pedal depressed. In this case, the brake system warning light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch illuminate. NOTE . The Hill Holder function may not activate on a gentle uphill slope. In this case, manually apply the electronic parking brake. . If you do not depress the brake pedal sufficiently, the Hill Holder func- tion may not operate properly. How- ever, this is not a malfunction. When

Starting and operating 7-35

stopping on an uphill slope, depress the brake pedal firmly and release it after the brake system warning light illuminates. . Depending on the condition of the road surface and braking force, the brakes operate temporarily and feel different than usual. . When the electronic parking brake system has a malfunction while the Hill Holder function is activated, a chirp sound is heard, the Hill Holder indica- tor light turns off and the brake system warning light flashes. . The Hill Holder function does not reactivate when parking with the elec- tronic parking brake released after the Hill Holder function is activated. If necessary, manually apply the electro- nic parking brake. . If the seatbelt is not fastened when the Hill Holder function is activated, the vehicle may not start moving smoothly from a stop, or a noise may be heard from the brake components. ! Hill Holder switch

WARNING

When stopping on an uphill slope with the Hill Holder function acti- vated, release the brake pedal after – CONTINUED –

7-36 Starting and operating

the brake system warning light has illuminated. Otherwise, the Hill Holder function may not operate properly and an accident may occur.

1) Parking brake switch 2) Hill Holder switch 3)

Indicator light

You can activate/deactivate the Hill Holder function by pressing the Hill Holder switch.

To activate: Press the Hill Holder switch. To deactivate: Press the Hill Holder switch again.

Deactivate the Hill Holder function under the following conditions. . When towing a trailer . When carrying a heavy load

turns off,

. When you do not frequently use the parking brake when stopping on an uphill slope NOTE . If the Hill Holder switch is pressed the Hill for more than 30 seconds, Holder indicator light the brake system warning light flashes and the system ignores any further pressing of the switch. To activate the switch again, turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position and restart the engine. . When the Hill Holder function is deactivated while the Hill Holder func- tion has a malfunction, if you press the Hill Holder switch, a chirp sounds. ! Hill Holder indicator light

When the Hill Holder function is activated, the Hill Holder indicator light illuminates. Refer to “Hill Holder indicator light” F3-19. ! Emergency brake

CAUTION

Use the emergency brake only in case of an emergency. If the emer- gency brake is excessively used, the brake parts will wear down faster or the brake may not work sufficiently due to rear wheel brake overheating.

NOTE While using the emergency brake, the brake system warning light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch illuminate and a chirp sounds. If the foot brake has a malfunction, you can stop the vehicle by pressing the parking brake switch continuously. While applying the emergency brake, the brake system warning light and the in- dicator on the parking brake switch illumi- nate and a chirp sounds.

! Electronic parking brake system

warning

CAUTION

If the brake system warning light flashes, the electronic parking brake system may be malfunctioning. Im- mediately stop your vehicle in the nearest safe location and contact your SUBARU dealer.

If a malfunction occurs in the electronic parking brake system, the brake system warning light flashes. Refer to “Electronic parking brake system warning” F3-19.

& Parking tips When parking your vehicle, always per- form the following items. . Apply the parking brake firmly. . For MT models, put the shift lever in the “1” (1st) for upgrade or “R” (Reverse) for a downgrade. . For AT and CVT models, put the select lever in the “P” (Park) position.

Never rely on the transmission alone to hold the vehicle.

Starting and operating 7-37

When facing downhill, should be turned into the curb.

the front wheels

When parking on a hill, always turn the steering wheel as described here. When the vehicle is headed up the hill, the front wheels should be turned away from the curb.

7-38 Starting and operating

Cruise control

Cruise control enables you to maintain a constant vehicle speed without holding your foot on the accelerator pedal and it is operative when the vehicle speed is 25
mph (40 km/h) or more.

WARNING

Do not use the cruise control under any of the following conditions. These may cause loss of vehicle control. . driving up or down a steep grade . driving on slippery or winding

roads

. driving in heavy traffic . When towing a trailer

NOTE . If you press the “CRUISE” main switch button while turning the ignition switch “ON”, the cruise control func- tion is deactivated and the cruise indicator light flashes. To re- control activate the cruise control function, turn the ignition switch back to the “Acc” or “LOCK” position, and then turn it again to the “ON” position. . Make sure the “CRUISE” main

switch is turned off when the cruise control is not in use to avoid uninten- tionally setting of the cruise control.

& To set cruise control

indicator light on the

The cruise control combination meter will illuminate. 2. Depress the accelerator pedal until the vehicle reaches the desired speed.

1. Press the “CRUISE” main switch button.

3. Press the “RES/SET” switch to the “SET” side and release it. Then release

the accelerator pedal.

& To temporarily cancel the

cruise control

The cruise control can be temporarily canceled in the following ways.

Starting and operating 7-39

At this time, the cruise control set indicator light is illuminated in the combination meter. The vehicle will maintain the desired speed.

Vehicle speed can be temporarily in- creased while driving with the cruise control activated. Simply depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehi- cle. When the accelerator pedal is re- leased, return to and maintain the previous cruising speed.

the vehicle will

the select

. Press the “CANCEL” button. . Depress the brake pedal. . Depress the clutch pedal (MT models only). . Shift position (AT and CVT models). . Shift position (MT models only). The cruise control set indicator light in the combination meter turns off when the cruise control is canceled.

lever into the neutral

into the “N”

the shift

lever

To resume the cruise control after it has been temporarily canceled and with vehi- cle speed of approximately 20 mph (32
km/h) or more, press the “RES/SET” switch to the “RES” side to return to the original cruising speed automatically. The cruise control set indicator light in the combination meter will automatically illu- minate at this time.

& To turn off the cruise control There are two ways to turn off the cruise control: . Press the “CRUISE” main switch but- ton again. . Turn the ignition switch to the “Acc” or “LOCK” position (but only when the vehicle is completely stopped).

– CONTINUED –

7-40 Starting and operating

& To change the cruising speed ! To increase the speed (by the “RES/

SET” switch)

Press the “RES/SET” switch to the “RES” side and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then, release the switch. The vehicle speed at that moment will be memorized and treated as the new set speed.

When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set speed is less than 4 mph (6.8 km/h), the set speed can be increased 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time by pressing the “RES/SET” switch to the “RES” side quickly.

! To increase the speed (by accel-

erator pedal)

! To decrease the speed (by the

“RES/SET” switch)

1. Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle to the desired speed. 2. Press the “RES/SET” switch to the “SET” side once. Now the desired speed is set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without depressing the accel- erator pedal.

NOTE If the difference between the actual vehicle speed when the button is pressed and the speed last time you set is less than 4 mph (6.8 km/h), the vehicle speed will be lowered by 1 mph (1.6 km/h). This occurs because the cruise control system unit regards this operation as that intended to decrease the vehicle speed.

Press the “RES/SET” switch to the “SET” side and hold it until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. Then, release the switch. The vehicle speed at that moment will be memorized and treated as the new set speed.

When the difference between the actual vehicle speed and the set speed is less than 4 mph (6.8 km/h), the set speed can be lowered 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time by pressing the “RES/SET” switch to the “SET” side quickly.

! To decrease the speed (by brake

pedal)

to release

1. Depress the brake pedal cruise control temporarily. 2. When the speed decreases to the desired speed, press the “RES/SET” switch to the “SET” side once. Now the desired speed is set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without de- pressing the accelerator pedal.

& Cruise control indicator light

Starting and operating 7-41

ENGINE warning light/malfunction in- dicator lamp flash simultaneously dur- ing driving, have the vehicle checked by your nearest SUBARU dealer.

& Cruise control set indicator

light

indicator light

The cruise control illumi- nates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and turns off after approximately 3 seconds. The light illuminates when the “CRUISE” main switch is pressed. NOTE . If you press the “CRUISE” main switch button while turning the ignition switch “ON”, the cruise control func- tion is deactivated and the cruise indicator light flashes. To re- control activate the cruise control function, turn the ignition switch back to the “Acc” or “LOCK” position, and then turn it again to the “ON” position. . If this indicator light and the CHECK

indicator

The cruise control set light illuminates when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and turns off after approximately 3 seconds. The light illuminates when vehicle speed has been set.

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New vehicle break-in driving – the first

8-2
1,000 miles (1,600 km) ..................................... 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)............ 8-3
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-4
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-5
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ............................ 8-6
Off road driving ................................................... 8-6
Legacy................................................................ 8-6
Outback .............................................................. 8-8
Winter driving ...................................................... 8-8
Operation during cold weather............................. Driving on snowy and icy roads .......................... 8-9
Corrosion protection .......................................... 8-10
Snow tires ......................................................... 8-10
8-11
Tire chains.........................................................

Driving tips

Rocking the vehicle ........................................... Loading your vehicle......................................... Vehicle capacity weight...................................... GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................

Roof rails with integrated crossbars

(Outback) ........................................................ Trailer hitch (Outback — if equipped) .............. Connecting a trailer ........................................... When you do not tow a trailer ............................ Trailer towing ..................................................... Warranties and maintenance .............................. Maximum load limits .......................................... Trailer hitches.................................................... Connecting a trailer ........................................... Trailer towing tips ..............................................

8-11
8-12
8-13

8-13

8-14
8-16
8-17
8-18
8-19
8-19
8-19
8-22
8-23
8-24

8-2 Driving tips

New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600
km)

The performance and long life of your vehicle are dependent on how you handle and care for your vehicle while it is new. Follow these instructions during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km): . Do not race the engine. And do not allow engine speed to exceed 4,000 rpm except in an emergency. . Do not drive at one constant engine or vehicle speed for a long time, either fast or slow. . Avoid starting suddenly and rapid acceleration, except in an emergency. . Avoid hard braking, except emergency.

in an

The same break-in procedures should be applied to a newly installed or overhauled engine or when brake pads or brake linings are replaced with new ones.

Fuel economy hints

The following suggestions will help to save your fuel. . Select the proper gear position for the speed and road conditions. . Avoid sudden acceleration or decelera- tion. Always accelerate gently until you reach the desired speed. Then try to maintain that speed for as long as possible. . Do not pump the accelerator and avoid racing the engine. . Avoid unnecessary engine idling. . Keep the engine properly tuned. . Keep the tires inflated to the correct pressure shown on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driver’s side. Low pressure will increase tire wear and fuel consumption. . Use the air conditioner only when necessary. . Keep the front and rear wheels in proper alignment. . Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or cargo. . The indication of the ECO gauge shows a reference for saving fuel. For details, refer to “ECO gauge” F3-8.

Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)

WARNING

. Never inhale engine exhaust gas. Engine exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is dan- gerous, or even lethal, if inhaled. . Always properly maintain the en- gine exhaust system to prevent engine exhaust gas from enter- ing the vehicle.

. 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.

. Avoid remaining in a parked vehicle for a lengthy time while the engine is running. If that is unavoidable, then use the venti- lation fan to force fresh air into the vehicle.

. Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille free from snow, leaves or other obstructions to ensure that the ventilation system al- ways works properly.

. If at any time you suspect that

Driving tips 8-3

exhaust 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. . Keep the trunk lid (Legacy) or rear gate (Outback) closed while driving to prevent exhaust gas from entering the vehicle.

NOTE Due to the expansion and contraction of the metals used in the manufacture of the exhaust system, you may hear a crackling sound coming from the ex- haust system for a short time after the engine has been shut off. This sound is normal.

Catalytic converter

WARNING

. Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive or park the vehicle anywhere near flammable materials (e.g. grass, paper, rags or leaves), because the catalytic converter operates at very high tempera- tures.

. Keep everyone and flammable materials away from the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust gas is very hot.

2.5 L turbo models

2.5 L non-turbo models

3.6 L models

The catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system. It serves as catalyst to reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust.

– CONTINUED –

Periodic inspections

Driving in foreign countries

To keep your vehicle in the best condition at all times, always have the recom- mended maintenance services listed in the maintenance schedule in the “War- ranty and Maintenance Booklet” per- formed at the specified time or mileage intervals.

When planning to use your vehicle in another country: . Confirm the availability of the correct fuel. Refer to “Fuel requirements” F7-2. . Comply with all quirements of each country.