2003 SUBARU BAJA ABS

xx
Combination meter Overview
HBF054BB
1 SRS airbag system warning light (page 3-10)
2 Brake system warning light (page 3-14)
3 Seatbelt warning light (page 3-10)
4 Turn signal indicator light (page3-16)
5 Door ajar warning light (page 3-15)
6 High beam indicator light (page 3-16)
7 CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp (page 3-11)
8 Charge warning light (page 3-12)
9 OIL pressure warning light (page 3-12)
Q AT OIL temperature warning light(page 3-13)
W Front-wheel drive warning light (page 3-15) E
Temperature gauge (page 3-9)
R Clock setting knob (page 3-17)
T Clock (page 3-17)
Y Outside temperature indicator (page 3-8)
U Tachometer (page 3-8)
I Switchback door indicator (page3-15)
O Security system indicator lamp(page 3-16)
P Shift position indicator (page 3-16)
A Cargo lamp indicator (page 3-16)
S Trip meter A/B selection and trip
meter reset knob (page 3-7)
D Trip meter (page 3-7)
F Odometer (page 3-7)
G Speedometer (page 3-7)
H Low fuel warning light (page 3-15)
J Fuel gauge (page 3-9)
K ABS warning light (page 3-13)

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CONTINUED –
Warning and indicator light
Mark
NamePage
Seatbelt warning light3-10
AIRBAGSRS airbag system warning light3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning light/ Malfunction indicator lamp3-11
Charge warning light3-12
Oil pressure warning light3-12
AT OIL temperature warning light (if equipped)3-13
orABS warning light3-13
orBrake system warning light3-14
Door ajar warning light3-15
Low fuel warning light3-15
Front-wheel drive warning light (if equipped)3-15
Switchback door indicator3-15
Security system indicator light (if equipped)3-16
Cargo lamp indicator3-16
Turn signal indicator lights3-16
High beam indicator light3-16

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
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3-10
avoided.
Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights come on momentarily and
then go out when the ignition switch is initially turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. This permits checking the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
The following lights come on:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
CHECK ENGINE warning light / Malfunction indicator lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL temperature warning light (AT vehicles)
ABS warning light
Brake system warning light
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out bulb or a malfunc-
tion of the corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer for repair. Seatbelt warning light and chime
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the seatbelt
warning light will come on and the reminder chime will sound for about
six seconds to remind the driver to fasten the seatbelt.
The seatbelt warning light remains on for about six seconds and turns off
automatically after six seconds.
The seatbelt reminder chime will turn off when the driver ’s side seatbelt is
buckled or it will turn off automatically after six seconds. SRS airbag system warning light AIRBAG
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position, the SRS airbag
system warning light will come on for about six seconds and go out. This
shows the SRS frontal airbag and seatbelt pretensioners are in normaloperation.

Instruments and controls3-13
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CONTINUED –
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out after the engine
starts, stop the engine at the first safe opportunity and check the engine
oil level. If the oil level is low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is at
the proper level but the light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer immediately. AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
(for AT vehicles)
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
automatic transmission fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is unnecessary to stop the vehicle,
but avoid driving up steep grades or in stop and go traffic.
Automatic transmission control system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it may indicate that the auto-
matic transmission control system is not working properly. Contact
your nearest SUBARU dealer for service immediately.
ABS warning light
The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes out after about two seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly.
CAUTION
If the warning light behaves as follows, the ABS system may not
work properly.When the warning light is on, the ABS function shuts down; how-
ever, the conventional brake system continues to operate normal-
ly. The warning light does not come on when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON” position.
The warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position, but it does not go out even when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately 8 mph (12 km/h).
(U.S.) (Canada)

3-14
The warning light comes on during driving.
If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at the first available
opportunity by your SUBARU dealer.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below, the ABS 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 about 8 mph (12km/h). The warning light comes on during driving, but it goes out
immediately and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when the en-
gine is jump started, the ABS warning light may come on. This is due to
the low battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction. When the
battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out. 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
(U.S.)
(Canada)

7
Starting and operating Fuel7-2
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Fuel requirements 7-2
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Fuel filler door and cap 7-4
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State emission testing (U.S. only) 7-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preparing to drive 7-8
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Starting the engine 7-9
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Starting the engine for manual transmission vehicle 7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine for automatic transmission vehicle 7-10 . . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine during cold weather below –4
°F (–20°C) 7-10 . . .
Starting a flooded engine 7-11
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Stopping the engine 7-11
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Manual transmission 7-11
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Automatic transmission 7-14
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Selector lever 7-15
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Shift lock release 7-20
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Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) 7-21 . . .
Power steering 7-21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 7-22
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Braking tips 7-22
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Brake system 7-22
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Disc brake pad wear warning indicators 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) 7-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking your vehicle 7-26
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Cruise control 7-28
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7-24
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)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 othervehicles. 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 driv-ing 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 surfaces. This helps prevent
the loss of steering control and directional stability caused by wheellock-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 ABSoperates. 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