
3-1
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .............................................. 3-3 LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
ACC .................................................................... 3-4
ON ....................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime .......................................... 3-4
Ignition switch light (if equipped) .................... 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) ........ 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ................................ 3-6
Meters and gauges (WRX-STi) .................... 3-7 Combination meter illumination ...................... 3-7
Cancelling sequential illumination of the combination meter ......................................... 3-7
Speedometer ..................................................... 3-7
Odometer/Trip meter ........................................ 3-8
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-9
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-9
Temperature gauge ........................................... 3-10
Ambient temperature gauge ............................ 3-11
REV indicator light and buzzer (WRX-STi) . 3-12 Setting the alarm-level engine speed .............. 3-13
Deactivating the REV alarm system ................ 3-14
Meters and gauges (Except WRX-STi) ........ 3-15 Speedometer ..................................................... 3-15
Odometer/Trip meter ........................................ 3-15
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-16
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-16
Temperature gauge ........................................... 3-17
Ambient temperature gauge (if equipped) ...... 3-18
Warning and indicator lights ....................... 3-19 Seatbelt warning light and chime .................... 3-19 SRS airbag system warning light .................... 3-20
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ................................................. 3-20
Charge warning light ........................................ 3-21
Oil pressure warning light ............................... 3-21
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) ............................................. 3-22
Rear differential oil temperature warning light
(WRX-STi) ........................................................ 3-22
ABS warning light ............................................. 3-23
Brake system warning light ............................. 3-24
Door open warning lights ................................ 3-25
Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT vehicles – if equipped) ...................... 3-25
Intercooler water spray warning light
(WRX-STi) ........................................................ 3-25
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) 3-26
Turn signal indicator lights .............................. 3-26
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-26
Cruise control indicator light ........................... 3-26
Cruise control set indicator light .................... 3-26
Driver’s control center differential auto indicator light (WRX-STi) ............................... 3-26
Driver’s control center differential indicator
lights (WRX-STi) ............................................. 3-27
Headlight indicator light (WRX-STi) ................ 3-27
REV indicator light (WRX-STi) ......................... 3-27
Clock .............................................................. 3-28
Light control switch ...................................... 3-29 Headlights ......................................................... 3-29
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................... 3-30
Headlight flasher ............................................... 3-30

3-19
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
ing a shutdown. "When the actual ambient temperature falls outside
the specified indicator range.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” position. 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 indica- tor 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 malfunction 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 remind-
er chime will sound for about six seconds to remind the

3-21
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
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 indica-
tor lamp coming on could be a loose or missing fuel fill-
er 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 EN-
GINE warning light turn off immediately. It may take
several driving trips. If the light does not go out, take
your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer im-
mediately. !If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire
condition has been detected which may damage the
emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control
system, you should do the following: "Reduce vehicle speed.
" Avoid hard acceleration.
" Avoid steep uphill grades.
" Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
" Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on steadily after several driving trips. You
should have your vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately. !
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the charging system is not working
properly.
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 alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but the
light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately. ! Oil pressure warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the engine oil pressure is low and the
lubricating system is not working properly.
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 lev-
el 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.

11 - 4
Maintenance and service
the materials in the vehicle may be hazardous if
improperly used or handled, for example, bat- tery acid."
Your vehicle should only be serviced by per-
sons fully competent to do so. Serious person-
al injury may result to persons not experienced
in servicing vehicles. " Always use the proper tools and make certain
that they are well maintained. " Never get under the vehicle supported only
by a jack. Always use a safety stands to sup-
port the vehicle. " Never keep the engine running in a poorly
ventilated area, such as a garage or other
closed areas. " Do not smoke or allow open flames around
the fuel or battery. This will cause a fire. " Because the fuel system is under pressure,
replacement of the fuel filter should be per-
formed only by your SUBARU dealer. " Wear adequate eye protection to guard
against getting oil or fluids in your eyes. If
something does get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water. " Do not tamper with the wiring of the SRS air-
bag system or seatbelt pretensioner system, or
attempt to take its connectors apart, as that may activate the system or it can render it inop-
erative. The wiring and connectors of these
systems are yellow for easy identification. NEV-
ER use a circuit tester for these wiring.
If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pretensioner
needs service, consult your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
! Before checking or servicing in the en-
gine compartment
"Always stop the engine and set the parking
brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. " Always let the engine cool down. Engine
parts become very hot when the engine is run-
ning and remain hot for some time after the en-
gine is stopped. " Do not spill engine oil, engine coolant, brake
fluid or any other fluid on hot engine compo-
nents. This may cause a fire. " Always remove the key from the ignition
switch. When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, the cooling fan may operate suddenly

11 - 1 8
Maintenance and service
!
Recommended grade and viscosity
under severe driving conditions
If the vehicle is used in desert areas, in areas with very
high temperatures, or used for heavy-duty applica-
tions such as towing a trailer, use of oil with the follow-
ing grade and viscosities is recommended.
API classification SL (or SJ):
SAE viscosity No.: 30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50
! Synthetic oil
You can use synthetic engine oil that meets the same
requirements given for conventional engine oil. When
using synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same clas-
sification, viscosity and grade shown in this owner’s
manual, and must follow the oil and filter changing in-
tervals shown in the maintenance schedule.
Cooling system
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
" The cooling system has been filled at the fac-
tory with a high quality, corrosion-inhibiting,
year-around coolant which provides protection
against freezing down to –33 °F (–36 °C). For
adding, use genuine SUBARU coolant or an
equivalent: a mixture of 50% soft water and 50%
ethylene-glycol basis coolant. Use of improper
coolants may result in corrosion in the cooling
system. It is important to maintain protection
against freezing and corrosion, even if freezing
temperatures are not expected. Never mix dif-
ferent kinds of coolant. " Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-

11 -2 1
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
4. Install the under cover.
Non-turbo models
1) Filler neck
2) Fill up to this level Turbo models
1) Filler neck
2) Fill up to this level
5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill to the radiator filler
neck. Do not pour the coolant too quickly, as this may
lead to insufficient air bleeding and trapped air in the system.
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