2003 SUBARU OUTBACK warning

2-26

Internal trunk lid release handle
The internal trunk lid release handle is a device designed to open the
trunk lid from inside the trunk. In the event children or adults become
locked inside the trunk, the handle allows them to open the lid. The han-dle is located on the inside of the trunk lid.
WARNING
Never allow any child to get in the trunk and play with the releasehandle. If the driver starts the vehicle without knowing that achild is inside the trunk and the child opens the lid using the re-
lease handle, the child could fall out and be killed or seriously in-jured.
CAUTION
Do not close the lid while gripping the release handle. The
handle may be damaged. Do not use the handle as a hook to fasten straps or ropes to
secure your cargo in the trunk. Such use may result in damage ofthe handle. Load the trunk so that cargo can not strike the release handle.
If the cargo hits the handle while the vehicle is being driven, thehandle may be pushed down and the trunk lid may open. Thatmay cause cargo to fall out of the trunk, which could create a traf-fic safety hazard.

2
Keys and doors2-29
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CONTINUED –
Rear gate (Station wagon)
WARNING
To prevent dangerous exhaust gas from entering the vehicle, always keep the rear gate closed while driving.
CAUTION
Do not jam a plastic bag in or place cellophane tape on the reargate stays or scratch the stays while loading or unloading cargo.That could cause leakage of gas from the stays, which may resultin their inability to hold the rear gate open.
HB2022BB
To unlock the rear gate, insert the key in the keyhole and turn it clock-
wise. To lock the rear gate, insert the key in the keyhole and turn it coun-
terclockwise. If your vehicle is equipped with power door locking
switches, the rear gate can also be locked and unlocked through use ofthe power door locking switches. Refer to “Power door locking switches ”
section in this chapter.
To open the rear gate, first unlock the rear gate lock then pull the outside
handle up. To close the rear gate, lower it slowly and push down firmly
until the latch engages.

2-30
Moonroof (if equipped)
WARNING
Never let anyone ’s hands, arms, head or any objects protrude
from the moonroof. He/she could be seriously injured if the
vehicle stops suddenly or turns sharply or if the vehicle is in-
volved in an accident.
To avoid serious personal injury caused by entrapment, you must observe the following warnings: Before closing the moonroof, make sure that no one ’s hands,
arms, head or other objects will be accidentally caught in themoonroof. Before leaving the vehicle, always remove the key from the
ignition switch for safety and never allow an unattended child toremain in the vehicle. Failure to follow this procedure could resultin injury to a child operating the moonroof.
CAUTION
Do not sit on the edge of the open moonroof.
Do not operate the moonroof if falling snow or extremely cold
conditions have caused it to freeze shut.
Tilting/sliding moonroof (Sedan)
The moonroof has both tilting and sliding functions.
The moonroof operates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” posi-
tion.

3
Instruments and controls Ignition switch3-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key reminder chime 3-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch light 3-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hazard warning flasher 3-7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Meters and gauges 3-7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Speedometer 3-7
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Odometer/Trip meter 3-7
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Tachometer 3-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Outside temperature indicator (if equipped) 3-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel gauge 3-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Temperature gauge 3-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warning and indicator lights 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatbelt warning light and chime 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airbag system warning light 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charge warning light 3-13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil pressure warning light 3-13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS warning light 3-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) warning light (if equipped) 3-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system warning light 3-16
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door open warning lights 3-17
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Low fuel warning light 3-17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles
except GT and vehicle with VDC) 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) operation indicator
light (if equipped) 3-17
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) OFF indicator light
(if equipped) 3-18
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Security system status indicator light (if equipped) 3-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift position indicator (for AT vehicles) 3-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signal indicator lights 3-19
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High beam indicator light 3-19
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock 3-19
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Light control switch 3-20
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Daytime running light system 3-21
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Turn signal lever 3-22
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illumination brightness control 3-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3
Instruments and controls3-3
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CONTINUED –
Ignition switch
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” while the vehicle is be-
ing driven or towed because that will lock the steering wheel, pre- venting steering control. And when the engine is turned off, it
takes a much greater effort than usual to steer.
The ignition switch has four positions: LOCK, ACC, ON and START.
HB4000CA
LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed in this position. The ignition
switch will lock the steering wheel when you remove the key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the steering wheel slightly to the right
and left as you turn the key.

3
Instruments and controls3-7
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CONTINUED –
Hazard warning flasher
HB8002BA
The hazard warning flasher is used to warn other drivers when you have
to park your vehicle under emergency conditions. The hazard warningflasher works with the ignition switch in any position.
To turn on the hazard warning flasher, push the hazard warning button
on the instrument panel. To turn off the flasher, push the button again. NOTE When the hazard warning flasher is on, the turn signals do not work.
Meters and gauges
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed. Odometer/Trip meter
CAUTION
To ensure safety, do not attempt to change the function of the in- dicator during driving, as an accident could result.

3-10
Temperature gauge
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
See “ In case of emergency ” in chapter 9.
HB2012BB
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant temperature when the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
The coolant temperature will vary in accordance with the outside temper-
ature and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately until the pointer of the temper-
ature gauge reaches near the middle of the range. Engine operation is
optimum with the engine coolant at this temperature range and high rev-
ving operation when the engine is not warmed up enough should beavoided.
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:

3
Instruments and controls3-11
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CONTINUED –
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
VDC warning light (if equipped)VDC operation indicator light (if equipped)VDC OFF indicator light (if equipped)
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 SRS side airbag (if equipped) and
seatbelt pretensioners are in normal operation.
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 SRS side airbag sys-
tem (if equipped) or seatbelt pretensioner system is not working proper-
ly. Contact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately.