2003 SUBARU BAJA warning lights

7-6
NOTE
HG3016AA
You will see the “FUEL DOOR p” sign in the combination
meter. This indicates that the fuel filler door (lid) is located on the right side of the vehicle. If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks or if the tether
is caught under the cap, the CHECK ENGINE warning light maycome on. Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights ” section lo-
cated in chapter 3.
State emission testing (U.S. only)
WARNING
Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle must NEVER be performed
on a single two-wheel dynamometer. Attempting to do so willresult in uncontrolled vehicle movement and may cause an acci-
dent or injuries to persons nearby.
CAUTION
Resultant vehicle damage due to improper testing is not covered
under the SUBARU Limited Warranty and is the responsibility ofthe state inspection program or its contractors or licensees.

7-8
check of the “CHECK ENGINE ” warning light/malfunction indicator lamp
(MIL) and an examination of the OBD system with an electronic scan tool while the engine is running. A vehicle passes
the OBD system inspection if proper the “CHECK
ENGINE” warning light/MIL illumination is observed, there is no stored
diagnostic trouble codes, and the OBD system readiness monitors are complete. A vehicle fails
the OBD inspection if the “CHECK ENGINE ” warning
light/MIL is not properly operating or there is one or more diagnostic
trouble codes stored in vehicle ’s computer with the “CHECK ENGINE ”
warning light/MIL illuminated. A state emission inspection may reject (not pass or fail) a vehicle if
the number of OBD system readiness monitors “Not Ready ” is greater
than three. Under this condition, the vehicle operator should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few days to set the monitors and
return for an emission re-inspection. Owners of rejected or failing vehicles should contact their Subaru
Dealer for service.
Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks and adjustments every day be-
fore you start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and lights are clean and unob- structed.
2. Check the appearance and condition of the tires. Also check tires for
proper inflation.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
4. Check that the hood is fully closed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mirrors.
7. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your passengers have fastened theirseatbelts.
8. Check the operation of the warning and indicator lights when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position.

Starting and operating7-9
–
CONTINUED –
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warning lights after starting the en- gine. NOTE Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, washer fluid and other fluid
levels should be checked daily, weekly or at fuel stops.
Starting the engine
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter motor continuously for more than ten
seconds. If the engine fails to start after operating the starter forfive to ten seconds, wait for ten seconds or more before tryingagain.
Starting the engine for manual transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the shift lever into neutral.
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting the engine. The starter
motor will only operate when the clutch pedal is pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and check the operation
of the warning and indicator lights. Refer to the “Warning and indicator
light” section (Chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position without depressing
the accelerator pedal. Release the key immediately after the engine has
started.
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait a while and then turn the ignition switch to the “START” position again while depressing the ac-
celerator pedal half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have gone off after the
engine has started. The fuel injection system automatically lowers the
idle speed as the engine warms up.

7-10
Starting the engine for automatic transmission ve- hicle
CAUTION
If you restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, shift the se- lector lever into the “N” position. Do not attempt to place the se-
lector lever of a moving vehicle into the “P” position.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Shift the selector lever to the “P” or “N” position (preferably “P” posi-
tion). The starter will only operate when the select lever is at the “P” or
“N” position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and check the operation
of the warning and indicator lights. Refer to the “Warning and indicator
lights” section (Chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position without depressing
the accelerator pedal. Release the key immediately after the engine has
started.
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait a while and then turnthe ignition switch to the “START” position again while depressing the ac-
celerator pedal half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have gone out after the
engine has started. The fuel injection system automatically lowers the
idle speed as the engine warms up.
While the engine is warming up, make sure that the selector lever is at the “P” or “N” position and that the parking brake is applied.
Starting the engine during cold weather below –4°F
(–20 °C)
If the engine is difficult to start using the normal method (without de-
pressing the accelerator pedal), turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position while slightly depressing the accelerator pedal.

Starting and operating7-27
–
CONTINUED –
CAUTION
Never drive while the parking brake is set because this will cause
unnecessary wear on the brake linings. Before starting to drive,always make sure that the parking brake has been fully released.
To set the parking brake, press the brake pedal firmly and hold it down
while fully pulling up the parking brake lever.
HB4001BA
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release
button, then lower the lever while keeping the button pressed.
When the parking brake is set while the engine is running, the parking
brake warning light comes on. After starting the vehicle, be sure that the
warning light has gone out before the vehicle is driven. Refer to the“ Warning and indicator lights ” section (Chapter 3).
When parking your vehicle, always set the parking brake firmly and putthe shift lever in the “1” (1st) for an upgrade or “R” (Reverse) for a down-
grade for manual transmission vehicles, or in the “P” (Park) position for
automatic transmission vehicles. Always set the parking brake firmly
when parking your vehicle. Never rely on the transmission alone to holdthe vehicle.

Driving tips8-35
–
CONTINUED –
gauge pointer approaches the OVERHEAT zone or the AT OIL TEMP
warning light illuminates, immediately switch off the air conditioner
and stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place. Refer to the “Engine
overheat” section in Chapter 9, and “Warning and indicator lights ”
section in Chapter 3. If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, avoid using the
accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an uphill slope instead of usingthe parking brake or foot brake. That may cause the transmission fluidto overheat. Also, if your vehicle is equipped with an automatic trans-mission, avoid driving with the gear selector lever in “D” when towing
a heavy trailer to prevent fluid overheating. A lower gear should beused. n Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both vehicle and trailer when parking.
Apply the parking brake firmly. You should not park on a hill or slope.But if parking on a hill or slope cannot be avoided, you should takethe following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the vehicle and
trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release the regular brakes
slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then apply the parking brake; slowly
release the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual transmission) or “P” (auto-
matic transmission) and shut off the engine.

Index14-3
Catalytic converter 8-4
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Center console 6-5
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Changing a flat tire 9-11
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Charge warning light 3-12
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CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . .
Child restraint systems 1-26
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Child safety locks 2-20
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Cigarette lighter socket 6-9
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Cleaning aluminum wheels 10-4
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Cleaning fog light lens 10-4
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Cleaning the interior 10-6
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Clock 3-17
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Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) 11-30
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Clutch pedal (Manual transmission vehicles) 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coat hook 6-12
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Coin compartment 6-6
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Convenience hook 6-12
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Convenient tie-down hooks (if equipped) 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system 11-13
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Corrosion protection 10-5
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Cruise control 7-28
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Cup holder 6-7
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D Daytime running light system 3-19
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Dimensions 12-2
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Disc brake pad wear warning indicators 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dome light 6-2
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Door ajar warning lights 3-15
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Door locks 2-3
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Drive belts 11-20
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Driving in foreign countries 8-5
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Driving tips for AWD vehicles 8-6
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E
Electrical system 12-2
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Index14-7
R Rear center console 6-6
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Rear combination lights 11-57
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Rear differential gear oil 11-25
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Rear headrest 1-10
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Rear quarter storage box 6-7
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Rear seats 1-8
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Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear window defogger switch 3-26
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Remote keyless entry system (if equipped) 2-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of brake pad and lining 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of windshield wiper blades 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing bulbs 11-52
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Reporting safety defects (USA) 13-4
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Rocking the vehicle 8-15
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Roof rail and crossbar 6-23
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S
Seatbelt maintenance 1-21
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Seatbelts 1-14
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Seatbelt safety tips 1-14
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Seatbelt warning light and chime 1-16, 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seat heater (if equipped) 1-7
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Security system (if equipped) 2-13
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Security system status indicator light (if equipped) 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selector lever 7-15
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Shift lock release 7-20
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Shift position indicator (for AT vehicles) 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow tires 8-13
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Spare tire 9-6
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Spark plugs 11-19
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Specifications 12-2
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Speedometer 3-7
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Sport activity lights (if equipped) 6-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spotlight (if equipped) 6-3
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SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) 1-39 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .