2006 SUBARU BAJA steering wheel

3-1
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .............................................. 3-2 LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
ACC .................................................................... 3-4
ON ....................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime .......................................... 3-4
Ignition switch light (if equipped) .................... 3-4
Key interlock release (AT vehicles) ................. 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ................................ 3-6
Meters and gauges ....................................... 3-6 Speedometer ..................................................... 3-6
Odometer/Trip meter ........................................ 3-6
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-8
Outside temperature indicator (if equipped) .. 3-8
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-8
Temperature gauge ........................................... 3-9
Warning and indicator lights ....................... 3-11 Seatbelt warning light and chime .................... 3-11
SRS airbag system warning light .................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................. 3-12
Charge warning light ........................................ 3-13
Oil pressure warning light ................................ 3-13
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (AT vehicles) ................................................... 3-13
ABS warning light ............................................. 3-14
Brake system warning light ............................. 3-15
Door ajar warning lights ................................... 3-15
Switchback door indicator light ...................... 3-15
Low fuel warning light ...................................... 3-16
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) ... 3-16 Security system status indicator light
(if equipped) .................................................... 3-17
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) ................................................... 3-17
Gear position indicator (Turbo-AT vehicles) .. 3-17
Turn signal indicator lights .............................. 3-17
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-18
Cargo lamp indicator light ............................... 3-18
Cruise control set indicator light .................... 3-18
Clock .............................................................. 3-19
Light control switch ...................................... 3-19 Headlights ......................................................... 3-20
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................... 3-20
Headlight flasher ............................................... 3-21
Daytime running light system ......................... 3-21
Turn signal lever ........................................... 3-22
Illumination brightness control ................... 3-23
Parking light switch ...................................... 3-23
Front fog light button ................................... 3-24
Wiper and washer ......................................... 3-25 Windshield wiper and washer switches ......... 3-26
Rear window defogger button ..................... 3-28
Windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) ........ 3-29
Mirrors ............................................................ 3-30 Inside mirror ...................................................... 3-30
Outside mirrors ................................................. 3-32
Tilt steering wheel ......................................... 3-34
Horn ................................................................ 3-35

3-2
Instruments and controls
Instruments and controlsIgnition switchIgnition switch
y
Never turn the igniti on switch to “LOCK”
while the vehicle is being driven or towed be-
cause that will lock the steering wheel, prevent-
ing steering control. And when the engine is
turned off, it takes a much greater effort than
usual to steer. y Before leaving the vehicle, always remove
the key from the ignition switch for safety and
never allow an unattended child to remain in
the vehicle. Failure to follow this procedure
could result in injury to a child or others. Chil-
dren could operate the power windows, the
sunroof or other controls or even make the ve-
hicle move.
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 th e “ON” or “ACC” position
can cause the battery to go dead.
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 you
turn 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-
UB4000CA

3-3
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
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.
T Automatic transmission vehicles
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only
when the selector lever is in the “P” position.
HS3015BA
HS2020CA

3-34
Instruments and controls
The indicator light located on the button will come on
when the outside mirror defogger heater in operation.
To turn it off, push the button again.Tilt steering wheelTilt steering wheel
Do not adjust the steering wheel tilt position
while driving. This may cause loss of vehicle
control and result in personal injury.
1. Adjust the seat position. Refer to the “Front seats”
section (chapter 1).
2. Pull the tilt lock lever down.
3. Move the steering wheel to the desired level.
4. Push the lever up to lock the steering wheel in
HS3043BA

3-35
Instruments and controls
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place.
5. Make sure that the steering wheel is securely
locked by moving it up and down.HornHorn
To sound the horn, push the horn pad.
HS3044BA

7-11
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
While the engine is warming up, make sure that the
selector lever is at the “P” or “N” position and that the
parking brake is applied.
NOTE (Turbo models)
The engine may be difficult to start when the bat-
tery has been disconnected and reconnected (for
maintenance or other purposes). This difficulty is
caused by the electronically controlled throttle’s
self-diagnosis function. To overcome it, keep the
ignition switch in the “O N” position for approxi-
mately 10 seconds before starting the engine.
Stopping the engine
Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is mov-
ing. This will cause loss of power to the power
steering and the brake booster, making steer-
ing and braking more difficult. It could also re-
sult in accidental activation of the “LOCK” po-
sition on the ignition switch, causing the steer-
ing wheel to lock.
The ignition switch should be turned off only when the
vehicle is stopped and the engine is idling.

7-31
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
Power steering
Do not hold the steering wheel at the fully
locked position left or right for more than five
seconds. This may damage the power steering
pump.
The power steering system operates only when the
engine is running.
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but
it will take much more effort.
NOTE
Right after the engine has been started and before
it has warmed up, you may hear a noise coming
from areas adjacent to the power steering pump
which is located at the right-front area of the en-
gine compartment. This noise is normal. It does
not indicate power steering system trouble.
Braking „Braking tips
Never rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This can cause dangerous overheating
of the brakes and needless wear on the brake
pads and linings.
T When the brakes get wet
When driving in rain or after washing the vehicle, the
brakes may get wet. As a result, brake stopping dis-
tance will be longer. To dry the brakes, drive the vehi-
cle at a safe speed while lightly depressing the brake
pedal to heat up the brakes. T Use of engine braking
Remember to make use of engine braking in addition
to foot braking. When descending a grade, if only the
foot brake is used, the brakes may start working im-
properly because of brake fluid overheating, caused
by overheated brake pads. To help prevent this, shift
into a lower gear to get stronger engine braking.

7-33
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Always use the utmost care in driving – over-
confidence because you are driving with an
ABS equipped vehicle could easily lead to a se-
rious accident.
yThe ABS system does not always decrease
stopping distance. You should always maintain
a safe following distance from other vehicles. y When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel
roads, icy road, or over deep newly fallen snow,
stopping distances may be longer for a vehicle
with the ABS system than one without. When
driving under these conditions, therefore, re-
duce your speed and leave ample distance from
other vehicles. y When you feel the ABS system operating,
you should maintain constant brake pedal pres-
sure. Do not pump the brake pedal since doing
so may defeat the operation of the ABS system. The ABS system prevents the lock-up of wheels which
may occur during sudden braking or braking on slip-
pery road surfaces. This helps prevent the loss of
steering control and directional stability caused by
wheel lock-up.
When the ABS system is operating, you may hear a
chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal when the ABS operates. The ABS system will not ope
rate when the vehicle
speed is below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). „ ABS system self-check
You may feel a slight shock in the brake pedal and hear the opera ting sound of ABS from the engine com-
partment just after the vehi cle is started. This is
caused by an automatic functional test of the ABS sys-
tem being carried out and does not indicate any abnor-
mal condition.