2004 SUBARU OUTBACK Instrument

3-4
Instruments and controls
T
Automatic transmission vehicles The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only
when the selector lever is in the “P” position. TManual transmission vehicles
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only
when the key is pushed in while turning it. „ ACC
In this position the electrical accessories (radio, ac-
cessory power outlet, etc.) can be used.
HS3015BA
HS2020CA
OM-U0144

3-5
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
„ON
This is the normal operating position after the engine
is started. „ START
Do not turn the ignition switch to the “START”position while the engine is running.
The engine is started in this position. The starter
cranks the engine to start it. When the key is released
(after the engine has started), the key automatically
returns to the “ON” position. „ Key reminder chime
The reminder chime sounds when the driver’s door
opens and the key is in the “LOCK” or “ACC” positions.
The chime stops when the key is removed from the ig- nition switch. „ Ignition switch light
For easy access to the ignition switch in the dark, the
ignition switch light comes on when driver’s door is opened. The light remains on for 10 seconds and goes
out after driver’s door is closed or if the key is turned
to the “ON” position. „
Key interlock release (AT vehicles
only)
If the key can not be turned to the “LOCK” position
even when the selector lever is in the “P” position:
1. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bag.
2. Remove the cover under the steering column using
a phillips screwdriver.
HS3016BA

3-6
Instruments and controls
3. Turn the ignition key while pressing the key inter-
lock release lever.
Take your vehicle to the nearest SUBARU dealer im-
mediately to have the key interlock system repaired.
Hazard warning flasher
The hazard warning flasher is used to warn other driv-
ers when you have to park your vehicle under emer-
gency conditions. The hazard warning flasher works with the ignition switch in any position.
To turn on the hazard warning flasher, push the haz-
ard 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.
UG3025BA
UB8002BA

3-7
Instruments and controls
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Meters and gauges „Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed. „ Odometer/Trip meter
1) Trip meter
2) Odometer
To ensure safety, do not attempt to change the
function of the indicator during driving, as an
accident could result.
T Odometer
The odometer shows the total distance that the vehicle
has been driven. T Double trip meter
1) A trip meter
2) B trip meter
The trip meter shows the distance that the vehicle has
been driven since you last set it to zero.
To change the mode indication, briefly push the knob.
Each press of the knob changes the function alter-
1
2
UB3026BB
1 2
UB3027BB

3-8
Instruments and controls
nately.
To set the trip meter to zero, select either the A trip or
B trip meter and push the knob and keep it pushed for
more than 1 second.
NOTE
If the connection between the combination meter
and battery is broken for any reason such as vehi-
cle maintenance or fuse replacement, the data re-
corded on the trip meter will be lost. „
Tachometer
Do not operate the engine with the pointer of
the tachometer in the red zone. In this range,
fuel injection will be cut by the engine control
module to protect the engine from overrevving.
The engine will resume running normally after
the engine speed is reduced below the red
zone.
The tachometer shows the engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute. „
Outside temperature indicator (if
equipped)
The outside temperature indicator shows the outside
temperature in a range from –22 to 122 °F (–30 to
50 °C).
The indicator can give a false reading under any of the
following conditions:y When there is too much sun.
y During idling; while running at low speeds in a traffic
jam; when the engine is restarted immediately follow-
ing a shutdown. y When the actual outside temperature falls outside
the specified indicator range.
For vehicles with an automatic climate control,
outside temperature can be displayed on the cli-
mate control display panel. Refer to the “Automat-
ic climate control system (if equipped)” in chapter 4. „ Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge shows the approximate amount of fuel
remaining in the tank.
The gauge does not return to “E” even though the ig-
A trip meter B trip meter

3-9
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
nition switch is in the “ACC” or “LOCK” position.
The gauge may move slightly during braking, turning
or acceleration due to fuel level movement in the tank. „Temperature gauge
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating
range, safely stop the vehicle as soon as possi-
ble.
See “In case of emergency” in chapter 9.
1) Normal operating range
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant temper-
ature when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
The coolant temperature will vary in accordance with
the outside temperature and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately until the
pointer of the temperature gauge reaches near the
middle of the range. Engine operation is optimum with
the engine coolant at this temperature range and high
revving operation when the engine is not warmed up
enough should be avoided.
1
UB2012BB

3-10
Instruments and controls
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
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 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
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 auto- matically after six seconds. „ SRS airbag system warning light
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 illuminat-
ed 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 system
(if equipped) or seatbelt pretensioner system is not
working properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer immediately.

3-11
Instruments and controls
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„CHECK ENGINE warning light/
Malfunction indicator lamp
If the CHECK ENGINE light comes on while you
are driving, have your vehicle checked/repaired
by your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
Continued vehicle operation without having the
emission control system checked and repaired
as necessary could 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 po-
tential problem somewhere in the emission control system. T 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 sys-
tem malfunction has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by an autho-
rized 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 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. T 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:y Reduce vehicle speed.
y Avoid hard acceleration.
y Avoid steep uphill grades.
y Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
y Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking