2005 SUBARU LEGACY Low ratio

11 - 5 4
Maintenance and service
"
Abnormally high tire pressure (tread worn in cen-
ter)
Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tire magnifies the ef-
fects of road-surface bumps and dips, possibly result-
ing in vehicle damage.
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire
pressures can cause the tires to deform severe-
ly and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase
in temperature could cause tread separation,
and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss
of vehicle control could lead to an accident.
! Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced when your vehicle
was new, but the wheels will become unbalanced as
the tires become worn during use. Wheel imbalance
causes the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at certain
vehicle speeds and detracts from the vehicle’s
straight-line stability. It can also cause steering and
suspension system problems and abnormal tire wear.
If you suspect that the wheels are not correctly bal-
anced, have them checked and adjusted by your SUB-
ARU dealer. Also have them adjusted after tire repairs
and after tire rotation.
NOTE
Loss of correct wheel alignment* causes the tires
to wear on one side and reduces the vehicle’s run-
ning stability. Contact your SUBARU dealer if you
notice abnormal tire wear.
*: The suspension system is designed to hold each wheel at
a certain alignment (relative to the other wheels and to the
road) for optimum straight-line stability and cornering perfor-
mance.
HSB054AA

11 -5 9
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Remove the washer tank filler cap, then check the fluid
level indicated by the level gauge (attached to the in-
side of the cap). If the level is near the “Low” mark, add
fluid until it reaches the “Hi” level on the level gauge or
the “Full” mark on the tank.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield washer fluid
is unavailable use clean water.
In areas where water freezes in winter, use an anti-
freeze type windshield washer fluid. SUBARU Wind-
shield Washer Fluid contains 58.5% methyl alcohol
and 41.5% surfactant, by volume. Its freezing temper-
ature varies according to how much it is diluted, as in-
dicated in the following table.
UBB522CA
Washer Fluid Concentration Freezing Temperature
30% 10.4 °F (–12 °C)
50% –4 °F (–20 °C)
100% –49 °F (–45 °C)

11 - 6 0
Maintenance and service
Replacement of wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other materials on the wind-
shield or the wiper blade results in jerky wiper opera-
tion and streaking on the glass. If you cannot remove
the streaks after operating the windshield 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 wind-
shield and wiper blades with clean water. The wind-
shield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the
windshield with water.
"
Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline
or a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.
This will cause deterioration of the wiper
blades. " When you wish to raise the passenger-side
wiper arm, first raise the driver-side wiper arm.
Otherwise, the passenger-side wiper assembly
and driver-side wiper assembly will touch each
other, possibly resulting in scratches." Return the passenger-side wiper arm to its
original position before returning the driver- side wiper arm to its original position. Other-
wise, the passenger-side wiper assembly and
driver-side wiper assembly will touch each oth-
er, possibly resulting in scratches.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after follow-
ing this method, replace the wiper blades using the fol-
lowing procedures: ! Windshield wiper blades assembly
1. Raise the windshield wiper arm on the driver’s side.
2. Next, raise the windshield wiper arm on the pas-
senger’s side.

13-2
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsFor U.S.A.
The following information has been compiled accord-
ing to Code of Federal Regulations “Title 49, Part
575”.
Tire information !
Tire labeling
Many markings (e.g. Tire size, Tire Identification
Number or TIN) are placed on the sidewall of a
tire by tire manufacturers. These marking can
provide you with useful information on the tire. ! Tire size
Your vehicle comes equipped with P-Metric tire
size. It is important to understand the sizing sys-
tem in selecting the proper tire for your vehicles.
Here is a brief review of the tire sizing system
with a breakdown of its individual elements. " P Metric
With the P-Metric system, Section Width is mea-
sured in millimeters. To convert millimeters into
inches, divide by 25.4. The Aspect Ratio (Sec-
tion Height divided by Section Width) helps pro- vide more dimensional information about the tire
size. Example:
(1) P = Certain tire type used on light duty vehi-
cles such as passenger cars
(2) Section Width in millimeters
(3) Aspect Ratio (= section height
÷ section
width).
(4) R = Radial Construction
(5) Rim diameter in inches
(6) ZR = Speed category above 149 mph (240
km/h) " Load and Speed Rating Descriptions
The load and speed rating descriptions will ap-
pear following the size designation.
They provide two important facts about the tire.P 225 / 60 R 16
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)
215 / 45 ZR 17
(2) (3) (6) (5)

13-7
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
– CONTINUED –
!Vehicle placard
The vehicle placard is affixed to the driver’s side
B-pillar. Example:
The vehicle placard shows original tire size, rec-
ommended cold tire inflation pressure on each
tire at maximum loaded vehicle weight, seating
capacity and loading information. !
Adverse safety consequences of under-in-
flation
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire
pressures can cause the tires to flex severely
and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase in
temperature could cause tread separation, and
failure of the tire(s). Possible resulting loss of ve-
UB8201BAWG
TIRE AND LOADING INFORMATIONSEATING CAPACITY : TOTAL 5
ORIGINAL TIRE SIZE
SEE OWNER’S MANUAL FOR
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
COLD TIRE
INFLATION PRESSRE
COLD TIRE
INFLATION PRESSRE
FRONT
REAR220kPa,32PSI 210kPa,30PSIP225/60R16
T155/70D17
420kPa, 60PSI
COMPACT SPARE TIRE
The combined weight of occupants andcargo should never exceed 408kg or 900lbs.
FRONT 2 : REAR 3
UBD200AA

13-10
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
left hand side of the vehicle. (Each tire must be
kept on its original side of the vehicle.) Replace
any damaged or unevenly worn tire at the time of
rotation. After tire rotation, adjust the tire pres-
sures and make sure the wheel nuts are correct-
ly tightened. A tightening torque specification
and a tightening sequence specification for the
wheel nuts can be found “Flat tires” in Chapter 9. !
Vehicle load limit – how to determine
The load capacity of your vehicle is determined
by weight, not by available cargo space. The
load limit of your vehicle is shown on the vehicle
placard attached to the driver’s side B-pillar. Lo-
cate the statement “The combined weight of oc-
cupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg
or XXX lbs” on your vehicle’s placard.
The vehicle placard also shows seating capacity
of your vehicle.
The total load capacity includes the total weight
of driver and all passengers and their belong-
ings, any cargo, any optional equipment such as
a trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and
the tongue load of a trailer. Therefore cargo ca- pacity can be calculated by the following method.
Cargo capacity = Load limit – (total weight of oc-
cupants + total weight of optional equipment +
tongue load of a trailer (if applicable))
For towing capacity information and weight lim-
its, refer to “Trailer towing” in Chapter 8. !
Calculating total and load capacities vary-
ing seating configurations
Calculate the available load capacity as shown in
the following examples:
Example 1A
UBD201BA

13-15
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
– CONTINUED –
!Adverse safety consequences of over-
loading on handling and stopping and on tires
Overloading could affect vehicle handling, stop-
ping distance, vehicle and tire as shown below.
This could lead to an accident and possibly result
in severe personal injury. " Vehicle stability will deteriorate.
" Heavy and/or high-mounted loads could in-
crease the risk of rollover." Stopping distance will increase.
" Brakes could overheat and fail.
" Suspension, bearings, axles and other body
parts could break or experience accelerated
wear that will shorten vehicle life. " Tires could fail.
" Tread separation could occur.
" Tire could separate from its rim.
! Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The combined weight
of occupants and cargo should never exceed
XXX pounds” on your vehicle’s placard. 2. Determine the combined weight of the driver
and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
3. Subtract the combined weight of the driver
and passengers from XXX kilograms or XXX
pounds.
4. The resulting figure equals the available
amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For
example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1,400 lbs
(635kg). and there will be five- 150 lbs (68 kg)
passengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs.
(1,400 – 750 (5 x 150) = 650 lbs.)
5. Determine the combined weight of luggage
and cargo being loaded on the vehicle. That
weight may not safely exceed the available car-
go and luggage load capacity calculated in Step 4.
6. If your vehicle will be towing a trailer, load
from your trailer will be transferred to your vehi-
cle. Consult this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and luggage load
capacity of your vehicle.

14-2
Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ........................... 7-38
Warning light ........................................ 3-28, 7-39
Accessories ..................................................... 11-72
Accessory power outlet ..................................... 6-14
Active head restraint ............................................ 1-8
Air cleaner element ......................................... 11-24
Air conditioner ..................................................... 4-9
Air filtration system ............................................ 4-19
Air flow selection ................................................. 4-2
Alarm system ..................................................... 2-23
All-wheel drive warning light (AT vehicles) ........ 3-31
Aluminum wheels ............................................ 11-57
Antenna system .................................................. 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ........................... 7-38
Arming the system ............................................. 2-24
Armrest .............................................................. 1-14
Ashtray .............................................................. 6-19
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light ................... 3-27
Audio control button .......................................... 5-56
Audio set ............................................................. 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass .......................... 3-59
Automatic climate control system ...................... 4-10
Automatic transmission 4 speed ......................................................... 7-16
5 speed ......................................................... 7-25
Capacities ..................................................... 12-4 Fluid ............................................................ 11-33
Manual mode ....................................... 7-20, 7-30
Selector lever ...................................... 7-17, 7-26
Shift lock release ................................. 7-24, 7-35
Temperature warning light (AT OIL TEMP) .. 3-27
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) .......................................................... 1-18
B
Battery ............................................................. 11-67 Jump starting ................................................ 9-17
Replacement (Remote keyless entry system) ...................................................... 2-16
Brake Booster ....................................................... 11-44
Fluid ............................................................ 11-42
Pad and lining ............................................. 11-47
Pedal .......................................................... 11-45
Brake pedal
Free play .................................................... 11-45
Reserve distance ........................................ 11-45
Brake system .................................................... 7-37
Warning light ................................................ 3-29
Braking .............................................................. 7-37
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....................................................... 11-47
Tips ............................................................... 7-37