2003 SUBARU BAJA Owners Manual

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and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or smell. SUBARU recom-
mends that you try a different brand of unleaded gasoline having low-
er sulfur to determine if the problem is fuel related before returningyour vehicle to an authorized dealer for service. Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help prevent depos-
its from forming in your engine and fuel system. This helps keep your
engine in tune and your emission control system working properly,
and is a way of doing your part for cleaner air. If you continuously use
a high quality fuel with the proper detergent and other additives, youshould never need to add any fuel system cleaning agents to your
fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called oxygenates.
Use of these fuels can also help keep the air cleaner. Oxygenated
blend fuels, such as MTBE (Methyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol(ethyl or grain alcohol) may be used in your vehicle, but should con-
tain no more than 15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the proper operationof your SUBARU.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated
gasoline, which is designed to reduce vehicle emissions. SUBARU
approves the use of reformulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains, you should ask your service station operators if their gasoline contains detergents and oxygenates
and if they have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions. As additional guidance, only use fuels suited for your vehicle as ex-
plained below. Fuel should be unleaded and have an octane rating no lower than
that specified in this manual. Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is sometimes mixed with un-
leaded gasoline. Methanol can be used in your vehicle ONLY if it
does not exceed 5% of the fuel mixture AND if it is accompanied by
sufficient quantities of the proper cosolvent and corrosion inhibitors
required to prevent damage to the fuel system. Do not use fuel con-

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taining methanol EXCEPT under these conditions.
If undesirable drivability problems are experienced and you sus-
pect they may be fuel related, try a different brand of gasoline before
seeking service at your SUBARU dealer. Fuel system damage or drivability problems which result from the
use of improper fuel are not covered under the SUBARU Limited War-
ranty.
Fuel filler door and cap Refueling
WARNING
Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. Before refueling, always
first stop the engine and make sure that there are no lighted ciga- rettes, open flames or electrical sparks in the adjacent area. When opening the cap, do not remove the cap quickly. Fuel
may be under pressure and spray out of the fuel filler neck espe-
cially in hot weather, which may cause injury. Never fill gasoline containers on the cargo bed. Static electric-
ity may ignite gasoline vapor when filling portable containers.
Approved containers must be removed from the vehicle and
placed on the ground when filling.Do not fill any portable container on a vehicle.
CAUTION
Never add any cleaning agents to the fuel tank. The addition of
a cleaning agent may cause damage to the fuel system. Make sure that the cap is tightened until it clicks to prevent
fuel spillage in the event of an accident. Do not let fuel spill on the exterior surfaces of the vehicle.
Fuels may cause paint damage, which is not covered under the
SUBARU Limited Warranty. Always use a genuine SUBARU fuel filler cap. If you use the
wrong cap, it may not fit or have proper venting, and your fuel

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tank and emission control system might be damaged.
HB7034BA
1. To open the fuel filler door, pull it outward.
HB7030BB
2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it slowly counterclockwise.
3. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler pump automatically clicks off.
Do not add any more fuel.
4. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise until you hear a clicking
sound. Be certain not to catch the tether under the cap while tighten-ing.
5. Close the fuel filler door completely.
If you spill any fuel on the painted surface, rinse it off immediately.
Otherwise, the painted surface could be damaged.

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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.

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At state inspection time, remember to tell your inspection or service
station in advance not to place your Subaru AWD vehicle on a two-
wheel dynamometer. Otherwise, serious transmission damage willresult.
Some states have started using dynamometers in their state inspection
programs in order to meet their obligation under federal law to implement
stricter vehicle emission standards to reduce air pollution from cars. A
dynamometer is a treadmill or roller-like testing device that allows your
car’s wheels to turn while the car remains in one place. Depending on
the severity of a state ’s air pollution problems, the states must adopt
either a “basic” or “enhanced” vehicle emission inspection test. Nor-
mally, a portion of the basic emission test consists of an emission
inspector inserting an analyzer probe into the exhaust pipe of an idling
vehicle for a short period of time. States with more severe air pollution
problems are required to adopt an enhanced vehicle emission test. This
test simulates actual driving conditions on a dynamometer and permits
more accurate measurement of tailpipe emitted pollution than the basic emission test.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and states using two-
wheel dynamometers in their emission testing programs haveEXEMPTED Subaru AWD vehicles from the portion of the testing pro-
gram that involves a two-wheel dynamometer.
There are some states that use four-wheel dynamometers in their testing
programs. When properly used, that equipment will not damage an AWD Subaru vehicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear wheels be jacked off the
ground, nor should the drive shaft be disconnected for state emission testing.
The EPA has issued regulations for inspecting the On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) system as part of the state emissions inspection. The OBD sys-
tem is designed to detect engine and transmission problems that mightcause vehicle emissions to exceed allowable limits. These inspectionsapply to all 1996 model year and newer passenger cars and light trucks. The inspection of the OBD system consists of a visual operational

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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.

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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.

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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.