2005 SUBARU LEGACY check engine

11
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CONTINUED –
!Driving with pets
Unrestrained pets can interfere with your driving and
distract your attention from driving. In a collision or
sudden stop, unrestrained pets or cages can be
thrown around inside the vehicle and hurt you or your
passengers. Besides, the pets can be hurt under
these situations. It is also for their own safety that pets
should be properly restrained in your vehicle. Restrain
a pet with a special traveling harness which can be se-
cured to the rear seat with a seatbelt or use a pet car-
rier which can be secured to the rear seat by routing a
seatbelt through the carrier’s handle. Never restrain
pets or pet carriers in the front passenger’s seat. For
further information, consult your veterinarian, local an-
imal protection society or pet shop. ! Tire pressures
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. Check and, if necessary, adjust the pressure of each
tire (including the spare) at least once a month and be-
fore any long journey.
Check the tire pressure when the tires are cold.
Use a pressure gauge to adjust the tire pressures to
the values shown on the tire placard.
Refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in chapter 11
for detailed information. !
California proposition 65 warning
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and
certain vehicle components contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other repro-
ductive harm. In addition, certain fluids in vehi-
cles and certain components of product wear
contain or emit chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm.

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!Warning and indicator light
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-21
SRS airbag system warning light 3-24
CHECK ENGINE warning
light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-25
Charge warning light 3-26
Oil pressure warning light 3-26
AT OIL temperature warn-
ing light (if equipped) 3-27
or ABS warning light 3-28
or Brake system warning light 3-29
Door open warning light 3-31
Low fuel warning light 3-30
All-wheel drive warning light (if equipped) 3-31
Vehicle Dynamics Control
operation indicator light (if equipped) 3-31
Vehicle Dynamics Control
warning light/Vehicle Dy-
namics Control OFF indica-tor light (if equipped) 3-32
Security indicator light 3-33
Turn signal indicator lights 3-34
High beam indicator light 3-35
Cruise control indicator light (if equipped) 3-35
Cruise control set indicator
light (if equipped) 3-35
Mark Name Page

3-1
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .............................................. 3-3 LOCK .................................................................. 3-4
ACC .................................................................... 3-4
ON ....................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-5
Key reminder chime .......................................... 3-6
Ignition switch light .......................................... 3-6
Hazard warning flasher ................................ 3-7
Meters and gauges (Turbo models) ............ 3-7 Combination meter illumination ...................... 3-7
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement and combination meter
sequential illumination upon turning on the
ignition switch ................................................ 3-8
Speedometer ..................................................... 3-9
Odometer ........................................................... 3-9
Double trip meter .............................................. 3-10
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-11
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-11
Temperature gauge ........................................... 3-13
Meters and gauges (Non-turbo models) ..... 3-14 Combination meter illumination ...................... 3-14
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement upon turning on the
ignition switch ................................................ 3-15
Speedometer ..................................................... 3-15
Odometer ........................................................... 3-16
Double trip meter .............................................. 3-16
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-17
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-18
Temperature gauge ........................................... 3-19 Warning and indicator lights ....................... 3-20
Seatbelt warning light and chime .................... 3-21
SRS airbag system warning light .................... 3-24
Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicators ........................................................ 3-24
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................. 3-25
Charge warning light ........................................ 3-26
Oil pressure warning light ............................... 3-26
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (AT vehicles) ................................................... 3-27
Low tire pressure warning light (if equipped) .................................................... 3-27
ABS warning light ............................................. 3-28
Brake system warning light ............................. 3-29
Low fuel warning light ...................................... 3-30
Door open warning light .................................. 3-31
All-wheel drive warning light (AT vehicles) .... 3-31
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light (if equipped) ........................................... 3-31
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light (if equipped)/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
indicator light (if equipped) ........................... 3-32
Security indicator light ..................................... 3-33
SPORT mode indicator light (AT vehicles) ..... 3-34
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) ................................................... 3-34
Gear position indicator (AT vehicles) ............. 3-34
Turn signal indicator lights .............................. 3-34
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-35
Cruise control indicator light ........................... 3-35
Cruise control set indicator light .................... 3-35

3-20
Instruments and controls
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.
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating
range, safely stop the vehicle as soon as possi-
ble.
See the “In case of emergency” in chapter 9.
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
(The seatbelt warning light goes out only when you
fasten the seatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
: CHECK ENGINE warning light / Malfunction in-
dicator lamp
: Charge warning light: Oil pressure warning light
: AT OIL temperature warning light (AT vehicles)
/ : ABS warning light

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Instruments and controls
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“ ”: Front passenger’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator
The front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indi-
cators show you the status of the front passenger’s
SRS frontal airbag.
The indicators are located next to the clock in the cen-
tral portion of the instrument panel.
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position,
both the ON and OFF indicators illuminate for 6 sec- onds during which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators extinguish for 2
seconds. After this, one of the indicators illuminates
depending on the status of the front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag reached by the Subaru advanced frontal airbag system monitoring.
If the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is activated,
the passenger’s frontal airbag ON indicator will illumi-
nate while the OFF indicator will remain extinguished.
If the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is deacti-
vated, the passenger’s frontal airbag ON indicator will
remain extinguished while the OFF indicator will illumi-
nate.
If both the ON and OFF indicators remain lit or extin-
guished simultaneously, the system is faulty. Contact
your SUBARU dealer immediately for an inspection. !
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. ! 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.
OFF or

3-26
Instruments and controls
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. !
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:" Reduce vehicle speed.
" Avoid hard acceleration.
" Avoid steep uphill grades.
" Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
" Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on steadily after several driving trips. You
should have your vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately. !
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the charging system is not working
properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but the
light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately. ! Oil pressure warning light
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on. This may cause serious en-
gine damage.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the engine oil pressure is low and the

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Instruments and controls
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lubricating system is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the engine oil level. If the oil lev-
el is low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is at the
proper level but the light remains on, contact your
nearest SUBARU dealer immediately. !AT OIL TEMPerature warning
light (AT vehicles)
The AT oil temperature warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and
goes out after about two seconds.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the automatic transmission fluid tem-
perature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is unnecessary to
stop the vehicle, but avoid driving up steep grades or
in stop and go traffic. ! Automatic transmission control system warn- ing
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it may indi-cate that the automatic transmission control system is
not working properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer for service immediately. !
Low tire pressure warning light (if
equipped)
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position,
the low tire pressure warning light will come on for
about 2 seconds to check that the tire pressure moni-
toring system (TPMS) is functioning properly. If there
is no problem and all tires are properly inflated, the
light will go out.
When the tire pressure monitoring system warning
light is lit, one or more of your tires is significantly un-
der-inflated. You should stop and check your tires as
soon as possible, and inflate them to the proper pres-
sure as indicated on the vehicle’s tire information plac- ard.
Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the
tire to overheat and can lead to tire failure. Under-in-
flation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping
ability. Each tire, including the spare, should be
checked monthly when cold and set to the recom-
mended inflation pressure as specified in the vehicle
placard and owner’s manual.
If this light does not come on briefly after the ig-
nition switch is turned ON or the light is flash-

3-30
Instruments and controls
!
Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has
dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid res-
ervoir with the ignition switch in the “ON” position and
with the parking brake fully released. If the brake system warning light should come on while
driving (with the parking brake fully released and with
the ignition switch positioned in “ON”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn brake pads.
If this occurs, immediately stop the vehicle at the near-
est safe place and check the brake fluid level. If the flu-
id level is below the “MIN” mark in the reservoir, do not
drive the vehicle. Have the vehicle towed to the near-
est SUBARU dealer for repair. ! Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) sys-
tem warning
The brake system warning light also illuminates if a
malfunction occurs in the EBD system. In that event, it
comes on together with the ABS warning light.
The EBD system may be faulty if the brake system
warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simulta-
neously during driving.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conventional braking
system will still function. However, the rear wheels will
be more prone to locking when the brakes are applied
harder than usual and the vehicle’s motion may there- fore become somewhat harder to control.
If the brake system warning light and ABS warning
light illuminate simultaneously, take the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat place.
2. Shut down the engine, then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. If both warning lights go
out, the EBD system may be faulty.
Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and
have the system inspected.
4. If both warning lights come on again and stay illu-
minated after the engine has been restarted, shut
down the engine again, apply the parking brake, and
check the brake fluid level.
5. If the brake fluid level is not below the “MIN” mark,
the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the
nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspect-
ed.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the “MIN” mark, DO
NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed
to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair. !
Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light comes on when the tank is
nearly empty about 2.6 US gal (10.0 liters, or 2.2 Imp
gal). It only operates when the ignition switch is in the“ON” position.