2004 SUBARU OUTBACK Defrost

3-24
Instruments and controls
Fog light switch (if equipped)
The fog lights operate only when the headlights are on
low beam. Push the fog light switch to turn the fog
lights on.
Press the switch again to turn them off.
The indicator light located on the switch will illuminate
when the fog lights are on.Wiper and washer
In freezing weather, do not use the windshield
washer until the windshield is sufficiently
warmed by the defroster.
Otherwise the washer fluid can freeze on the
windshield, blocking your view.
y
Do not operate the washer continuously for
more than ten seconds, or when the washer flu-
id tank is empty. This may cause overheating of
the washer motor. Check the washer fluid level
frequently, such as at fuel stops. y Do not operate the wipers when the wind-
shield or rear window is dry. This may scratch
the glass, damage the wiper blades and cause
the wiper motor to burn out. Before operating
the wiper on a dry windshield or rear window,
always use the windshield washer.y In freezing weather, be sure that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear
window before switching on the wipers. At-
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Instruments and controls
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tempting to operate the wiper with the blades
frozen to the window glass could cause not
only the wiper blades to be damaged but also
the wiper motor to burn out. If the wiper blade
is frozen to the window glass, be sure to oper-ate the defroster, wiper deicer (if equipped) or
rear window defogger before turning on the
wiper.yIf the wipers stop during operation because
of ice or some other obstruction on the window,
the wiper motor could burn out even if the wiper
switch is turned off. If this occurs, promptly
stop the vehicle in a safe place, turn the ignition
switch to the “LOCK” position and clean the
window glass to allow proper wiper operation. y Use clean water if windshield washer fluid is
unavailable. In areas where water freezes in
winter, use SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluid
or the equivalent. (See “Windshield washer flu-
id” section in chapter 11.)
Also, when driving the vehicle when there are
freezing temperatures, use non-freezing type
wiper blades.y Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline
or a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.
This will cause deterioration of the wiperblades.
NOTE y The wiper operates only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position. y Clean your wiper blades and window glass peri-
odically with a washer solution to prevent streak-
ing, and to remove accumulations of road salt or
road film. Keep the washer button depressed at
least for 1 second so that washer solution will be
sprinkled all over the windshield or rear window. y Grease, wax, insects or other material on the
windshield or the wiper blades results in jerky wip-
er operation and streaking on the glass. If you can-
not remove those streaks after operating the
washer or if the wiper operation is jerky, clean the
outer surface of the windshield or rear window
and the wiper blades using a sponge or soft cloth
with a neutral detergent or mild-abrasive cleaner.
After cleaning, rinse the window glass and wiper
blades with clean water. The glass is clean if no
beads form on the glass when you rinse with wa-ter. y If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after
following this procedure, replace the wiper blades
with new ones. Refer to the “Replacement of wiper

3-28
Instruments and controls
ating, turn the knob on the end of the wiper control le-
ver upward to the “ ” position. The washer fluid
sprays until you release the knob.
To wash the rear window when the rear wiper is not in
use, turn the knob on the end of the wiper control lever
downward to the “ ” position. The washer fluid
sprays and the wiper operates until you release the
knob.Rear window defogger switch
y
Do not use sharp instruments or window
cleaner containing abrasives to clean the inner
surface of the rear window. They may damage
the conductors printed on the window. y To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not operate the defogger continu-
ously for any longer than necessary.
The rear window defogger operates only when the ig-
nition switch is in the “ON” position.
The rear window defogger switch is located on the cli-
mate control panel.
The defogger will automatically shut off after about 15
minutes. If the window clears before that time, push
the switch to turn it off. It also turns off when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
If defrosting or defogging is desired when you restart
your vehicle, you have to push the switch to turn it on
again.

4-5
Climate control
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Manual heating and air conditioning
system „Control panel
1) Temperature control dial
2) Fan speed control dial
3) Air flow control dial
4) Air conditioner button
5) Air inlet selection button
6) Rear window defogger button (Refer to “Rear window defogger switch” in chapter 3.)
T Temperature control dial
This dial regulates the temperature of air flow from the air outlets over a range from the blue area (cool) to red
area (warm). T
Fan speed control dial
The fan operates only when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position. The fan speed control dial
is used to select four fan speeds. T Air flow control dial
This dial has the following five positions:
: Air flows through the instrument panel outlets.: Air flows through the instrument panel outlets
and the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the foot outlets and some
through the windshield defroster outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield defroster outlets
and foot outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield defroster out-
lets.
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Climate control
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ON position (Recirculation): Interior air is recirculat-
ed inside the vehicle. Push the air inlet selection but-
ton to the ON position. The indicator light will come on.
Push the air inlet selection button to the ON position
for fast cooling with the air conditioner or when driving
on a dusty road.
OFF position (Outside Air): Outside air is drawn into
the passenger compartment. Push the air inlet selec-
tion button again to the OFF position. The indicator
light will go off.
Push the air inlet selection button to the OFF position
when the interior has cooled to a comfortable temper-
ature and the road is no longer dusty. „
Heater operation
T Defrosting or defogging the windshield
To direct warm air to the windshield and front door win-
dows:
1. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
2. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the right.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the highest speed.
NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left air
outlets. To stop warm air flow from these outlets,
turn the corresponding thumb-wheel to the
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Climate control
“”
posit io n.
T Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the windshield:
1. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left air
outlets. To stop warm air flow from these outlets,
turn the corresponding thumb-wheel to the“” posit io n. T
Heating
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the “OFF” posi- tion.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left air
outlets. To stop warm air flow from these outlets,
turn the corresponding thumb-wheel to the
“ ” position.
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4-10
Climate control
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the “OFF” posi- tion.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the way left.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
When driving on a dusty road, set the air inlet control
lever to the “ON” position. „
Air conditioner operation
T Cooling or dehumidifying
1) ON position
For cooling and dehumidification of the passenger compartment, performing the following steps will allow
air to flow through the instrument panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the “OFF” posi- tion.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ” position.
3. Set the air conditioner button to the “ON” position.
4. Set the temperature control dial to the blue area.
5. Set the fan speed control dial at the highest speed. T
Defrosting or defogging
1) ON position
To direct warm air to the windshield and front door win-
dows:
1. Set the air outlet control dial to the “ ” position.
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Climate control
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2. Set the temperature control dial to the red area.
3. Set the fan speed control dial at the highest speed. Automatic climate control system (if
equipped)
NOTE y
Operate the automatic climate control system
when the engine is running. y When the engine coolant is cold, for instance in
cold weather, the air flows through the windshield
defroster outlets and the blower runs at the lowest
speed to prevent cold air from blowing directly
against the driver and front passenger.y In the “AUTO” mode, if the air temperature in the
passenger compartment is cooled down to the
specified temperature, the air conditioner com-
pressor stops automatically. For efficient defog-
ging or dehumidifying in cold weather, press the
“A/C” switch on.y Even when cooling is not necessary, setting the
temperature much lower than the current outlet air
temperature turns on the air conditioner compres-
sor automatically and the “A/C” indicator light on
the control panel comes on.
The automatic climate control system automatically
controls outlet air temperature, fan speed, air flow dis-
tribution air-inlet control, and air conditioner compres-
sor operation. It activates when the “AUTO” switch is