
4-1
4
Climate control
Ventilator ....................................................... 4-2 Air flow selection .............................................. 4-2
Center and side ventilators .............................. 4-3
Manual climate control system (if equipped) 4-4 Control panel ..................................................... 4-4
Heater operation ............................................... 4-6
Air conditioner operation (if equipped) .......... 4-9
Semi-automatic climate control system (if equipped) ............................................... 4-11Control panel ..................................................... 4-11
Operating method ............................................. 4-14
Temperature sensors ....................................... 4-18
Operating tips for heater and air conditioner 4-19 Cleaning ventilation grille ................................ 4-19
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight ........................................................... 4-19
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant
circuit .............................................................. 4-19
Checking air conditioning system before summer season .............................................. 4-19
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperature weather conditions .... 4-20
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when
engine is heavily loaded ................................ 4-20
Refrigerant for your climate control system .. 4-20
Air filtration system (if equipped) ................ 4-20 Replacing an air filter ....................................... 4-21

4-5
Climate control
– CONTINUED –
NOTE "You will find the notation “USE WITH ”
on the air flow control dial plate.
This is intended to remind you to set the air inlet
selection lever in the “ ” position when de-
fogging the windshield.
Defogging with the air inlet selection lever set in
the “ ” position provides better defogging
performance than in the “ ” position. " When the dial is placed in the “ ” or “ ”
position, the air conditioner compressor operates
automatically regardless of the position of the air
conditioner button to defog the windshield quick-ly.
However the indicator on the air conditioner but-
ton will not come on.
Also, you cannot stop the air conditioner com-
pressor by pressing the air conditioner button. !
Air conditioner button (if equipped)
The air conditioner operates only when the engine is
running.
Push the air conditioner button while the fan is in op-
eration to turn on the air conditioner. The indicator light
will come on.
Push it again to turn off the air conditioner. ! Air inlet selection lever
(Recirculation): Interior air is recirculated inside
the vehicle.
Place the air inlet selection lever in the “ ” posi-
UG4507BA

4-12
Climate control
functions are as follows:
OFF:
The fan does not operate.
AUTO: The fan speed is adjusted automatically in ac-
cordance with the air temperature inside and outside
the passenger compartment, the intensity of sunlight,
and other factors. Subaru recommends using the
AUTO position.
Other positions: The fan speed can be adjusted in
four steps.
NOTE
With the fan speed control dial in the AUTO posi-
tion and the air flow control dial in the “ ”,
“ ”, or “ ” position, the fan does not oper-
ate during engine warmup until the engine coolant
temperature exceeds approx. 122 °F (50 °C).
! Temperature control dial
This dial is used to set the desired interior tempera-
ture. With the dial set to your desired temperature, the
system automatically adjusts the temperature of air
supplied from the outlets such that the desired temper-
ature is achieved and maintained.
If the dial is turned fully counterclockwise, the system
gives maximum cooling performance. If the dial is
turned fully clockwise, the system gives maximum
heating performance. !
Air flow control dial
This dial has the following five positions. The outlets
from which air is supplied in each position are as fol-
lows:
: Instrument panel outlets: Instrument panel outlets and foot outlets
: Foot outlets and windshield defroster outlets (rel-
atively little air from windshield defroster outlets)
: Windshield defroster outlets and foot outlets
: Windshield defroster outlets
NOTE
When the dial is placed in the “ ” or “ ” po-
sition, the air conditioner compressor operates
automatically to defog the windshield quickly. At
the same time, the air inlet selection is automati-
cally set to “outside air” mode.

6-9
Interior equipment
– CONTINUED –
Accessory power outlet !In the cargo area (if equipped)
Electrical power (12V DC) from the battery is on tap at
the socket when the ignition switch is either in the
“ACC” or “ON” position.
You can use an in-car use electrical appliance by con-
necting it to the accessory power outlet.
" Do not attempt to use a cigarette lighter in the
accessory power outlet. " Do not place any foreign objects, especially metal ones such as coins or aluminum foil, into
the accessory power outlet. That could cause a
short circuit. Always put the cap on the acces-
sory power outlet when it is not in use. "
Use only electrical appliances which are de-
signed for 12V DC and which consume less
than 120W. Overloading the accessory power
outlet can cause a short circuit. Do not use dou-
ble adapters or more than one electrical appli-
ance." If the plug on your electric appliance is either
too loose or too tight for the accessory power
outlet, this can result in a poor contact or cause
the plug to get stuck. Only use plugs that fit
properly. " Use of an electric appliance in the accessory
power outlet for a long period of time while the
engine is not running can cause battery dis-
charge.
UG6020BA

6-12
Interior equipment
"
Use of an electric appliance in the socket for
a long period of time while the engine is not
running can cause battery discharge." Before driving your vehicle, make sure that
the plug and the cord on your electrical appli-
ance will not interfere with your shifting gears
and operating the accelerator and brake pedals.
If they do, do not use the electrical appliance
while driving.
If the socket has been used for electrical appliances,
damage may have been done to the internal mecha-
nism that causes a cigarette lighter to “pop out” after
its element has been heated. For that reason, a ciga-
rette lighter, even if it is a genuine part, should not be
used in the socket. If you want to use the socket for a
cigarette lighter again, or to protect your purchaser be-
fore you sell your car, have your SUBARU dealer re-
place the socket with a new one.
Ashtray
1) Push
2) Pull
To open the ashtray, pull the lid out.
Fully close the ashtray after using it to help reduce re-
sidual smoke.
To remove the ashtray for cleaning, open it and pull it
out while pushing the inner plate down.
2 1
UG6509CB

7-1
7
Starting and operating
F uel .. ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 7-2
F uel re quire ments ..................... ..................... ... 7-2
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................ 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) ............... 7-7
Preparing to drive ......................................... 7-9
Starting the engine ....................................... 7-9 Manual transmission vehicle ........................... 7-9
Automatic transmission vehicle ...................... 7-10
Starting the engine during cold weather below −4 °F ( −20 °C) ......................................... 7-10
Starting a flooded engine ................................. 7-11
Stopping the engine ..................................... 7-11
Manual transmission – 6 speed (WRX-STi) 7-12 Selecting reverse gear ...................................... 7-12
Shifting speeds ................................................. 7-13
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-14
Manual transmission – 5 speed (except WRX-STi) ...................................... 7-15Shifting speeds ................................................. 7-15
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-17
Driver’s Control Center Differential (DCCD) (WRX-STi) ..................................... 7-18Auto mode ......................................................... 7-18
Manual mode ..................................................... 7-19
Temporary release ............................................ 7-21
Automatic transmission ............................... 7-21 Selector lever for automatic transmission ..... 7-22
Shift lock release .............................................. 7-26
Limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) 7-27 Power steering .............................................. 7-28
Braking ........................................................... 7-28
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-28
Brake system .................................................... 7-29
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........ 7-29
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................... 7-30 ABS system self-check .................................... 7-30
ABS warning light ............................................. 7-31
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........................................................ 7-32Steps to take if EBD system fails .................... 7-33
Parking your vehicle ..................................... 7-34 Parking brake .................................................... 7-34
Parking tips ....................................................... 7-35
Cruise control ................................................ 7-37 To set cruise control ........................................ 7-37
To temporarily cancel the cruise control ....... 7-39
To turn off the cruise control ........................... 7-40
To change the cruising speed ......................... 7-40

7-2
Starting and operating
Starting and operatingFuel
Use of a fuel which is low in quality or use of an
inappropriate fuel additive may cause engine
damage.
! Fuel requirements
! 2.5 Liter models
The 2.5 Liter engine is designed to operate using un-
leaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or
higher. ! 2.0 Liter (turbo) models
The 2.0 Liter turbo engine is designed to operate using
premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
91 AKI or higher. If premium unleaded gasoline is not
available, regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 AKI or higher may be temporarily used.
For optimum engine performance and driveability, it is
recommended that you use premium grade unleaded
gasoline. !
2.5 Liter (turbo) model
The 2.5 Liter turbo engine is designed to operate using
super-premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rat-
ing of 93 AKI or higher. If super-premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI or higher is
not available, premium unleaded gasoline with an oc-
tane rating of 91 AKI or higher can be used. For opti-
mum engine performance and driveability, it is recom-
mended that you use super-premium grade unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI or higher. ! Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the Research Oc-
tane and Motor Octane numbers and is commonly re-
ferred 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 some-
times knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. See your dealer or a qualified service
technician 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 cir-
cumstances should leaded gasoline be used because
it will damage the emission control system and may

7-5
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid release lever
up. 1) Open
2) Close
2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it slowly coun-
terclockwise.
" Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. Before
refueling, always first stop the engine and make
sure that there are no lighted cigarettes, 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 especially in hot
UG7502BA
1 2
HS7007BB