
6
Safety precautions when driving !Seatbelt and SRS airbag
"All persons in the vehicle should fasten their
seatbelts BEFORE the vehicle starts to move. 
Otherwise, the possibility of serious injury be- 
comes greater in the event of a sudden stop or 
accident." To obtain maximum protection in the event of
an accident, the driver and all passengers in the
vehicle should always wear seatbelts when the
vehicle is moving. The SRS (Supplemental Re- 
straint System) airbag does not do away with 
the need to fasten seatbelts. In combination
with the seatbelts, it offers the best combined 
protection in case of a serious accident. 
Not wearing a seatbelt increases the chance of
severe injury or death in a crash even when the 
vehicle has the SRS airbag. " The SRS airbags deploy with considerable
speed and force. Occupants who are out of 
proper position when the SRS airbag deploys 
could suffer very serious injuries. Because the
SRS airbag needs enough space for deploy-
Windshield defroster 
Rear window defogger/Outside mirror  
defogger 
Air recirculation 
Outside air 
Night illumination dimness cancella- tion 
Engine oil Washer 
Door lock (Transmitter) 
Door unlock (Transmitter) 
Trunk lid (Sedan) or rear gate (Station  
wagon) (Transmitter)
Mark Name 

23
–
 CONTINUED  –
!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 

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 

3-27
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED  –
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- 

4-1
4
Climate control
Ventilator ....................................................... 4-2 Air flow selection  .............................................. 4-2 
Center and side ventilators .............................. 4-3
Manual climate control system  (if equipped)  ............................................... 4-4Control panel ..................................................... 4-4 
Heater operation  ............................................... 4-7
Air conditioner operation  ................................. 4-9
Automatic climate control system  (if equipped)  ............................................... 4-10Temperature sensors  ....................................... 4-16
Operating tips for heater and  air conditioner  ........................................... 4-17Cleaning ventilator grille  .................................. 4-17 
Efficient cooling after parking in direct  sunlight ........................................................... 4-18
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant 
circuit .............................................................. 4-18
Checking air conditioning system  before summer season  .................................. 4-18
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity  and low temperature weather condition  ...... 4-18
Air conditioner compressor shut-off 
when engine is heavily loaded ...................... 4-18
Refrigerant for your climate control system  .. 4-18
Air filtration system (if equipped)  ................ 4-19 

4-18
Climate control
!
Efficient cooling after parking in direct  
sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with the windows 
open for a few minutes to allow outside air to circulate 
into the heated interior. This results in quicker cooling
by the air conditioner. Keep the windows closed during 
the operation of the air conditioner for maximum cool- ing efficiency. ! Lubrication oil circulation in the refrig- 
erant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at a low en- 
gine speed (at idle or low driving speeds) a few min- 
utes each month during the off-season to circulate its 
oil. ! Checking air conditioning system be- 
fore summer season
Check the air conditioner unit for refrigerant leaks, 
hose conditions, and proper operation each spring. 
Have your SUBARU dealer perform this check. !
Cooling and dehumidifying in high hu- 
midity and low temperature weather  condition
Under certain weather conditions (high relative humid- 
ity, low temperatures, etc.) a small amount of water 
vapor emission from the air outlets may be noticed.
This condition is normal and does not indicate any 
problem with the air conditioning system. ! Air conditioner compressor shut-off  
when engine is heavily loaded
To improve acceleration and gas mileage, the air con- 
ditioner compressor is designed to temporarily shut off
during air conditioner operation whenever the acceler- 
ator is fully depressed such as during rapid accelera- 
tion or when driving on a steep upgrade. ! Refrigerant for your climate control  system
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly refrigerant 
HFC134a. Therefore, the method of adding, changing 
or checking the refrigerant is different from the method 
for CFC12 (freon). Consult your SUBARU dealer for
service. Repairs needed as a result of using the wrong 
refrigerant are not covered under warranty.