2002 SUBARU OUTBACK tow

3-16
while driving with this condition, but you should have your vehicle checked at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below, the VDC system may be considered normal.The warning light comes on right after the engine is started but
goes out immediately, remaining off. The warning light remains on after the engine has been started,
but it goes out when the vehicle speed reaches 8 mph about (12km/h). The warning light comes on during driving, but it goes out im-
mediately and remains off. Brake system warning light
WARNING
Driving with the brake system warning light on is dangerous.
This indicates your brake system may not be working properly. If 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 repair.
This light has the following two functions: Parking brake warning
The light comes on with the parking brake applied while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. It goes out when the parking brake is
fully released. Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition switch in
the “ON” position and with the parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should come on while driving (with
the parking brake fully released and with the ignition switch posi- (U.S.)
(Canada)

Instruments and controls3-21
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CONTINUED –
To flash the headlights, pull the lever toward you and then release it.
The high beam will stay on for as long as you hold the lever. The
headlight flasher works even though the lighting switch is in the “OFF”
position.
When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indicator light “ a ” on the instrument panel also comes on.
Daytime running light system
WARNING
The tail lights, parking lights, and side marker lights are notturned on by the daytime running light system. The light switchmust always be turned to the “a ” position when it is dark out-
side.
The low beam headlights will automatically come on at reduced bright-
ness when the engine has started, under the following conditions: The parking brake is fully released.
The light switch is in the “OFF” or “p ” position.
Turn signal lever
HB2015BB
Right turn Left turn
To activate the right turn signal, push the turn signal lever up. To activate
the left turn signal, push the turn signal lever down. When the turn is fin-

Instruments and controls3-27
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CONTINUED –
Wiper intermittent time control (if equipped)
HB2023BA
When the wiper switch is in the “” position, turn the dial to adjust
the operating interval of the wiper.
The operating interval can be adjusted continuously from the shortestinterval to the longest.
Two click stop positions of the dial may help you to aim at your de-
sired interval. Mist (for a single wipe)
For a single wipe of the wipers, pull the lever toward you. The wipers
operate until you release the lever. Washer
HB2020BA
To wash the windshield, push the washer button at the end of the wip-

Instruments and controls3-31
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CONTINUED –
The windshield wiper deicer operates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
Before turning on the windshield wiper deicer, remove any snow from the
windshield. To turn on the windshield wiper deicer, push the switch. The
indicator light located on the switch lights up while the windshield wiper
deicer is operating.
The windshield wiper deicer will automatically shut off after about 15 min-
utes. If the wiper blades have been deiced completely before that time,
push the switch to turn it off. It also turns off when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. If deicing is not complete when
you restart your vehicle, you have to push the switch to turn the deiceron again. Mirrors
Always check that the inside and outside mirrors are properly adjusted
before you start driving. Inside mirror
HB4003BB
The inside mirror has a day and night position. Pull the tab at the bottom
of the mirror toward you for the night position. Push it away for the day
position. The night position reduces glare from headlights.

4-2
VentilatorCenter and side ventilators
HB5001BB
Adjustable side defroster grille (for driver ’s side only)
HB5003BB
HB5002BB
Normal position
Side defroster grilleFin
Windshield defrost assist position
The driver ’s side defroster grille is adjustable. The normal position as
shown in the diagram directs warm air to the side glass. When more
rapid defrosting of the windshield is desired, the air flow can be
directed temporarily toward the windshield to assist the windshield
defroster. If this is done, the driver ’s side grille should always be
returned to its normal position so that the warm air flow can then be
used to defrost the driver ’s side window.

4-8
To direct warm air toward the floor and the windshield:
1. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the most comfortable level.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left air outlets. To
stop warm air flow from these outlets, turn the correspondingthumb-wheel to the “
” position.
Heating
HB5013AA
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the “OFF” position
2 Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left air outlets. To
stop warm air flow from these outlets, turn the correspondingthumb-wheel to the “
” position.

Climate control4-15
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CONTINUED –
nOUT.TEMP switch
To check the outside air temperature, push the “OUT.TEMP” switch.
The outside air temperature will be displayed for five seconds, and
then the display automatically changes back to the inside air temper-
ature.
The display changes over from the inside air temperature to the out-
side air temperature as its normal indication if you keep the switch
pressed for more than 2 seconds. NOTE You can check the outside air temperature even when the Au-
tomatic Climate Control is off. (The ignition switch should be in the “ON” position.)
In the following cases, the display can indicate a higher tem-
perature than the actual outside air temperature: – In direct sunlight
– When the vehicle is parked for a long period of time with the
engine kept running.– During stop and go driving
n
— Defroster switch
To defrost or dehumidify the windshield and side window, push the
defroster switch “
”. When the “” switch is pushed, re-
gardless whether the air conditioner is operating or not, outside air is
drawn into the passenger compartment, the air conditioner compres-
sor turns on, air flow is directed towards the windshield and side win-dows, and the indicator light “
” on the control panel comes on.
After eliminating the fogging from the windshield, set the air condition- er back in the AUTO mode by pushing the “AUTO” switch or turn off
by pushing the “OFF” switch or “
” switch.

8
Driving tips New vehicle break-in driving –
the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel economy hints 8-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) 8-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Catalytic converter 8-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic inspections 8-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in foreign countries 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips for AWD vehicles 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off road driving 8-7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving 8-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow tires 8-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire chains 8-16
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Rocking the vehicle 8-16
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading your vehicle 8-17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle capacity weight 8-18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) 8-19
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Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) 8-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer hitch (if equipped) 8-24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 8-28
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