2004 SUBARU OUTBACK controls

2
How to use this owner’s manual „Using your Owner’s manual
Before you operate your vehicle, carefully read this
manual. To protect yourself and extend the service life
of your vehicle, follow the instructions in this manual.
Failure to observe these instructions may result in se-
rious injury and damage to your vehicle.
This manual is composed of fourteen chapters. Each
chapter begins with a brief table of contents, so you
can usually tell at a glance if that chapter contains the
information you want.
Chapter 1: Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
This chapter informs you how to use the seat and seat-
belt and contains precautions for the SRS airbags.
Chapter 2: Keys and doors
This chapter informs you how to operate the keys,
locks and windows.
Chapter 3: Instruments and controls
This chapter informs you about the operation of instru-
ment panel indicators and how to use the instruments
and other switches.
Chapter 4: Climate control
This chapter informs you how to operate the climate
control.
Chapter 5: Audio This chapter informs you how to operate your audiosystem.
Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate interior
equipment.
Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and operate your SUBARU.
Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your SUBARU
in various conditions and explains some safety tips on
driving.
Chapter 9: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you have a prob-
lem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine over-
heating.
Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARU
looking good.
Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need to take your
SUBARU to the dealer for scheduled maintenance
and informs you how to keep your SUBARU running
properly.
Chapter 12: Specifications
This chapter informs you about dimension and capac-
ities of your SUBARU.

14
9
12
8
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
13
10
11
Table of contentsSeat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Keys and doors
Instruments and controls
Climate control Audio
Interior equipment
Starting and operating
Driving tips
In case of emergency
Appearance care
Maintenance and service
Specifications
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Index

1-57
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
2. Fasten the top tether hook of the child restraint sys-
tem to the appropriate upper anchorage.
3. Tighten the top tether securely.
Always remove the headrest when mounting a
child restraint system with a top tether. Other-
wise, it may happen that the top tether cannot
be fastened tightly. *SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint
System airbag) *SRS: This stands for supplemental restraint system.
This name is used because the airbag system supple- ments the vehicle’s seatbelts. „
Vehicle with driver’s and front passen-
ger’s SRS airbags and lap/shoulder re-
straints
Your vehicle is equipped with a supplemental restraint
system in addition to a lap/shoulder belt at each front
seating position.
The supplemental restraint system (SRS) consists of
two airbags (driver’s and front passenger’s frontal air-
bags) or four airbags (driver’s and front passenger’sfrontal airbags and driver’s and front passenger’s
side airbags).
These SRS airbags are designed only as a supple-
ment to the primary protection provided by the
seatbelt.
The system also controls front seatbelt pretensioners.
For operation, instructions are precautions concerning
the seatbelt pretensioner, see the “Front seatbelt pre-
tensioners” section in this chapter.
UG1090BA

3-1
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .............................................. 3-3 LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
ACC .................................................................... 3-4
ON ....................................................................... 3-5
START ................................................................ 3-5
Key reminder chime .......................................... 3-5
Ignition switch light .......................................... 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) ........ 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ................................ 3-6
Meters and gauges ....................................... 3-7 Speedometer ..................................................... 3-7
Odometer/Trip meter ........................................ 3-7
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-8
Outside temperature indicator (if equipped) .. 3-8
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-8
Temperature gauge ........................................... 3-9
Warning and indicator lights ....................... 3-10 Seatbelt warning light and chime .................... 3-10
SRS airbag system warning light .................... 3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................. 3-11
Charge warning light ........................................ 3-12
Oil pressure warning light ................................ 3-12
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) ............................................. 3-12
ABS warning light ............................................. 3-13
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) warning light (if equipped) ........................................... 3-13
Brake system warning light ............................. 3-14
Door open warning lights ................................. 3-15
Low fuel warning light ...................................... 3-15 Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT
vehicles except GT and vehicle with VDC) .. 3-15
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) operation indicator light (if equipped) ........................... 3-15
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) OFF indicator light (if equipped) ........................... 3-16
Security system status indicator light
(if equipped) .................................................... 3-16
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) ................................................... 3-17
Gear position indicator (AT vehicle with SPORTSHIFT) ................................................. 3-17
Turn signal indicator lights .............................. 3-17
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-18
Cruise control set indicator light .................... 3-18
Clock .............................................................. 3-18
Light control switch ...................................... 3-19 Headlights ......................................................... 3-19
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................... 3-20
Headlight flasher ............................................... 3-20
Daytime running light system ......................... 3-21
Turn signal lever ........................................... 3-21
Illumination brightness control ................... 3-22
Parking light switch ...................................... 3-23
Fog light switch (if equipped) ...................... 3-24
Wiper and washer ......................................... 3-24 Windshield wiper and washer switches ......... 3-26
Rear window wiper and washer switch (if equipped) .................................................... 3-27
Rear window defogger switch ..................... 3-28

3-2
Instruments and controls
For vehicles with manual heating and air conditioning systems .................................... 3-29
For vehicles with automatic climate control .. 3-29
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) ........ 3-30
Mirrors ........................................................... 3-31 Inside mirror ...................................................... 3-31
Auto-dimming mirror/compass (if equipped) 3-31
Outside mirrors ................................................. 3-33
Tilt steering wheel ........................................ 3-35
Horn ............................................................... 3-36

3-3
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
Instruments and controlsIgnition switch
Never turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” while
the vehicle is being driven or towed because
that will lock the steering wheel, preventing
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.
NOTE y Keep the ignition switch in the “LOCK” position
when the engine is not running. y Using electrical accessories for a long time with
the ignition switch in the “ON” or “ACC” position
can cause the battery to go flat.
If the ignition switch will not move from the “LOCK” position to the “ACC” position, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the left and right as youturn the ignition switch. y If the key is attached to a keyholder or to a large
bunch of other keys, centrifugal force may act on
it as the vehicle moves, resulting in unwanted
turning of the ignition switch. Also, if a large key-
holder is attached to the key, your knees or hands
may accidentally touch it in a way that turns the ig-
nition switch. „ LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed in this posi-
tion. 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.
UB4000CA

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