2003 SUBARU BAJA switchback

Keys and doors2-27
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CONTINUED –
To open the switchback door:
HB1112BA
1. Pull up the rear seat cushion. Refer to “Rear seats ” section in Chapter
1 for operating details.
HB1113BA
HB1112CB
2. Unlock the rear seatback by pulling up on the knob and fold down the
rear seatback. Confirm that the pins located at the bottom of the seat
cushion is inserted into the slots at the top of the seatback.

2-28
HB1115BA
HB1114BA
3. Fold down the switchback door by releasing the lock knob. Then you can have a flat and larger cargo space.
4. Place the long object on the cargo bed through the switchback dooropening.
Be sure all items are secured in place. NOTE When opening the switchback door in snow, accumulated snow
in the cargo bed may enter the passenger compartment which could result in dampness in the passenger compartment. Prior to opening
of the switchback door, brush off the snow completely. Close the switchback door whenever you leave the vehicle to pre-
vent unauthorized entry.
WARNING
The switchback door should be kept completely shut when the
vehicle is idling in an enclosed or partially enclosed area to avoidthe possibility of exhaust gas entering the passenger compart-ment. Engine exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorlessand odorless gas which is extremely dangerous, or even lethal if
inhaled. To ensure that exhaust gas cannot penetrate the switch-
back door, make certain that there are no obstructions betweenthe door and the vehicle body that prevent the door from fully
closing or that crimp the weather strip around the door.

Keys and doors2-29
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CONTINUED –
To close the switchback door, firmly push it upward until it latches.
Return the seatback and seat cushion to their original positions and
make sure they are securely locked.
CAUTION
After returning the seatback to its original position, make sure
that the rear seatback has been securely locked. When securely
locked, the red marks on the locking knobs are no longer visible.
Switchback door indicator light
HB4010JA
While the ignition switch is in the “ON” position, the switchback door indi-
cator light comes on when the switchback door is open.
While the ignition switch is in the “LOCK” or “ACC” position, the switch-
back door indicator light flashes for about 20 seconds and goes offwhen the switchback gate is open.

3
Instruments and controls Ignition switch3-3
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Key reminder chime 3-5
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Ignition switch light 3-5
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Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard warning flasher 3-6
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Meters and gauges 3-7
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Speedometer 3-7
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Odometer/Trip meter 3-7
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Tachometer 3-8
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Outside temperature indicator (if equipped) 3-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel gauge 3-9
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Temperature gauge 3-9
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Warning and indicator lights 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatbelt warning light and chime 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airbag system warning light 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-11
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Charge warning light 3-12
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Oil pressure warning light 3-12
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AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS warning light 3-13
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Brake system warning light 3-14
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Door ajar warning lights 3-15
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Switchback door indicator light 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Low fuel warning light 3-15
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Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security system status indicator light (if equipped) 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift position indicator (for AT vehicles) 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signal indicator lights 3-16
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High beam indicator light 3-16
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Cargo lamp indicator light 3-16
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Clock 3-17
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Light control switch 3-17
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Daytime running light system 3-19
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Turn signal lever 3-19
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Illumination brightness control 3-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking light switch 3-21
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Fog light switch (if equipped) 3-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper and washer 3-22
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Windshield wiper and washer switches 3-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Instruments and controls3-15
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CONTINUED –
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-
tioned in “ON”), it could be an indication of leaking of brake fluid or
worn brake pads. Have your vehicle checked by a SUBARU dealer
immediately.
Door ajar warning lights
The specific door ajar warning light comes on if any door is not fully closed.
Always make sure this light is out before you start to drive. Switchback door indicator light
While the ignition switch is in the “ON” position, the switchback door indi-
cator light comes on when the switchback door is open.
While the ignition switch is in the “LOCK” or “ACC” position, the switch-
back door indicator light flashes for about 20 seconds and goes offwhen the switchback door is open. Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light comes on when the tank is nearly empty about 2.6 U.S. gal. (10.0 liters, or 2.2 Imp. gal.). It only operates when the igni-
tion switch is in “ON” position.
NOTE This light does not go out unless the tank is replenished up to an internal fuel quantity of about 3.7 U.S. gal. (14 liters, 3.1 Imp. gal.). Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles)
This light comes on when All Wheel Drive is disengaged and the drive
mechanism is switched to Front Wheel Drive for maintenance or similar

Driving tips8-9
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CONTINUED –
After driving through tall grass, mud, rock, sand, rivers, etc., check
that there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stones, sand, etc. adhering to
or trapped on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the under-
body. If the vehicle is used with these materials trapped or adhering to
the underbody, a mechanical breakdown or fire could occur. Secure all cargo carried inside the vehicle and make certain that it is
not piled higher than the seatbacks. During sudden stops or jolts, unse-
cured cargo could be thrown around in the vehicle and cause injury. Do not pile heavy loads on the roof. Those loads raise the vehicle ’s
center of gravity and make it more prone to tip over. Cargo should be evenly distributed over the cargo bed. Keep heavier
items as low and far forward as possible. Loading the vehicle improperly
can deteriorate handling capability and contribute to loss of vehicle con-
trol. Be sure the cargo is secured properly. Unsecured cargo in the cargo
bed can be thrown around when driving on off-road. To prevent loose
cargo from entering the passenger compartment, always close the
switchback door while driving off-road. Always close the tailgate while driving off-road. Also remove the bed
extender (if so equipped) to avoid damage. If you must rock the vehicle to free it from sand or mud, depress the
accelerator pedal slightly and move the selector lever back and forth be-tween “D” and “R” repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For the best pos-
sible traction, avoid spinning the wheels when trying to free the vehicle. When the road surface is extremely slippery, you can obtain better
traction by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st (both
for MT and AT). Never equip your vehicle with tires larger than those specified in this
manual. Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle under hard-driving conditions such
as rough roads or off roads will necessitate more frequent replacement of
engine oil, brake fluid and transmission oil than that specified in the main-
tenance schedule described in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Remember that damage done to your Subaru while operating it off-road
and not using common sense precautions such as those listed above is

14-8
SRS airbag system monitors1-50
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SRS airbag system servicing 1-51
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SRS airbag system warning light 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS frontal airbag 1-43
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Starting a flooded engine 7-11
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Starting the engine 7-9
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Starting the engine during cold weather below –4°F ( –20 °C) 7-10 . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine for automatic transmission vehicle 7-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine for manual transmission vehicle 7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State emission testing (U.S. only) 7-6
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Stopping the engine 7-11
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Storage compartment 6-4
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Sun visors 6-3
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Switchback door 2-26
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Switchback door indicator light 2-29, 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
T
Tachometer 3-8
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Tailgate 2-23
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Tail light (on the tailgate) 11-59
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Temperature A, B, C 13-3
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Temperature gauge 3-9
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Temporary spare tire 9-9
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Tilting/sliding moonroof 2-30
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Tilt steering wheel 3-32
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Tire chains 8-14
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Tire inspection 11-37
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Tire pressures and wear 11-37
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Tire replacement 11-42
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Tire rotation 11-42
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Tires 12-3
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Tires and wheels 11-36
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Towing 9-22
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Traction AA, A, B, C 13-2
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Trailer hitch (if equipped) 8-19
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Trailer towing (for OUTBACK) 8-24
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