
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 

3-27
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. 

7-21
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED  –
goes off. 
Gearshifts can be performed using the selector lever. 
Using the selector lever 
Shift to the next-higher gear by briefly pushing the se- 
lector lever toward the “+” end of the manual gate. 
Shift to the next-lower gear by briefly pulling the selec-
tor lever toward the “–” end of the manual gate.
NOTE 
Please read the following points carefully and bear 
them in mind when using the manual mode. "Automatic gearshifts do not take place in the
manual mode. Perform gearshifts in accordance 
with road conditions so that the tachometer nee- dle does not enter the red zone. If the engine
speed reaches a predetermined level, a fuel-cut
function will operate. Shift up if this happens. "
If you attempt to shift down when the engine
speed is too high, i.e., when a downshift would 
push the tachometer needle beyond the red zone, 
beeps will be emitted to warn you that the down- 
shift is not possible." If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed
is too low, the transmission will not respond." You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from
4th to 2nd) by operating the selector lever twice in 
rapid succession. " The transmission automatically selects 1st gear
when the vehicle stops moving.  " If the temperature of the automatic transmission
fluid becomes too high, the “AT OIL TEMP” warn- 
ing light will come on and upshifts to 4th gear will 
not be possible. Immediately stop the vehicle in a 
safe place and let the engine idle until the warning
light goes off. ! Maximum speeds
When down shifting, ensure that the vehicle is
UB7206BA 

7-32
Starting and operating
If you subsequently ease off the accelerator pedal and 
then accelerate again, the transmission will automati-
cally switch back from manual mode to normal mode.
NOTE 
Please read the following points carefully and bear 
them in mind when using the manual mode. "
When the temperature of the automatic trans-
mission fluid is higher than normal, warning 
beeps are emitted and the shift position indicator 
shows “–”. If these warnings are issued, deselect 
the manual mode to protect the automatic trans-
mission from damage. " When the temperature of the engine oil is higher
than normal, warning beeps are emitted and the 
shift position indicator shows “–”. If these warn- 
ings are issued, deselect the manual mode to pro- 
tect the engine from damage. (3.0-liter models
only) " Automatic gearshifts do not take place in the
manual mode. Perform gearshifts in accordance 
with road conditions so that the tachometer nee- 
dle does not enter the red zone. If the engine 
speed reaches a predetermined level, a fuel-cut
function will operate. Shift up if this happens. " If you attempt to shift down when the engine
speed is too high, i.e., when a downshift would 
push the tachometer needle beyond the red zone, beeps will be emitted to warn you that the down-
shift is not possible."
If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed
is too low, the transmission will not respond." You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from
4th to 2nd) by operating the selector lever or a 
steering-wheel switch twice in rapid succession. " The transmission automatically selects 1st gear
when the vehicle stops moving.  " If the temperature of the automatic transmission
fluid becomes too high, the “AT OIL TEMP” warn- 
ing light will come on and upshifts to 5th gear will 
not be possible. Immediately stop the vehicle in a 
safe place and let the engine idle until the warning
light goes off. ! Maximum speeds
When down shifting, ensure that the vehicle is 
not travelling at a speed exceeding the Maxi-
mum Allowable Speed for the gear which is 
about to be selected. Failure to observe this 
precaution can lead to engine over-revving and
this in turn can result in engine damage. 
In addition, sudden application of engine brak-