2003 SUBARU BAJA fuel system

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

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If this light comes on while driving or remains illuminated even after a
period of about 6 seconds from when the ignition has been turned on, it
may indicate that the SRS frontal airbag system or seatbelt pretensioner
system is not working properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU dealer im-
mediately. CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE light comes on while you are driving, have
your vehicle checked/repaired by your SUBARU dealer as soonas possible. Continued vehicle operation without having the
emission control system checked and repaired as necessarycould cause serious damage, which may not be covered by your
vehicle’ s warranty.
If this light comes on steadily or blinks while the engine is running, it may
indicate that there is a problem or potential problem somewhere in the
emission control system. If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving or does not go out after the
engine starts, an emission control system malfunction has been de-tected.
You should have your vehicle checked by an authorized SUBARU
dealer immediately. NOTE This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause of the CHECK
ENGINE warning light/malfunction indicator lamp coming on could be a
loose or missing fuel filler cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering with the sealing of the cap.
Tightening the cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE warning light

Instruments and controls3-15
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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

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
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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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7-2
FuelCAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in quality or use of an inappropriate fuel additive may cause engine damage.
Fuel requirements
The 2.5 Liter engine is designed to operate using unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher.
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the Research Octane and Motor
Octane numbers and is commonly referred to as the Anti Knock Index(AKI).Using a gasoline with a lower octane rating can cause persistent and
heavy knocking, which can damage the engine. Do not be concerned
if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or
when you accelerate. See your dealer or a qualified service techni-
cian if you use a fuel with the specified octane rating and your vehicle
knocks heavily or persistently. Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed to accept only an unleaded
gasoline filler nozzle. Under no circumstances should leaded gaso-
line be used because it will damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy. Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California ’s low emission vehicle (LEV)
standards as indicated on the underhood tune-up label. It is designed
to optimize engine and emission control system performance with
gasoline that meets the clean burning low-sulfur California gasoline
specifications. If you live in any other state than California, your ve-hicle will operate on gasoline meeting Federal specifications. Gaso-
line sold outside California is permitted to have higher sulfur levels,
which may affect the performance of your vehicle ’s catalytic converter

Starting and operating7-3
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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-