2006 SUBARU BAJA warning light

3-16
Instruments and controls
„
Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light comes on when the tank is
nearly empty approximately 2.6 US gal (10.0 liters, or
2.2 Imp gal). It only operates when the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position.
NOTE
This light does not go out unless the tank is re-
plenished up to an internal fuel quantity of approx-
imately 3.7 US gal (14 liters, 3.1 Imp gal).
(Turbo models only)
Promptly put fuel in the tank whenever the low
fuel warning light comes on. Engine misfires as
a result of an empty tank could cause damage
to the engine.
„ All-Wheel Drive warning light
(AT vehicles)
„All-Wheel Drive warning light
„ AWD warning light
„ Warning light s
„ All-Wheel DriveThe All-Wheel Drive warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes
out after approximately two seconds. T
Turbo models
This light flashes if the vehicle is driven with tires of dif-
ferent diameters or with the air pressure excessively
low in any of its tires. T Non-turbo models
This light comes on when All-Wheel Drive is disen-
gaged and the drive mechanism is switched to Front
Wheel Drive for maintenance or similar purposes.
This light flashes if the vehicle is driven with tires of dif-
ferent diameters or with the air pressure excessively
low in any of its tires.
Continued driving with the AWD warning light
flashing can lead to powertrain damage. If the
AWD warning light flashes, promptly park in a
safe place then check whether all four tires are
the same diameter and whether any of the tires
has a puncture or has lost air pressure for
some other reason.

3-19
Instruments and controls
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ClockClock
To set the time, turn the setting knob clockwise to ad-
vance and counterclockwise to retard the time.
To ensure safety, do not attempt to set the time
while driving, as an accident from inadequate
attention to the road could result.
Light control switchLight control switch
To prevent battery discharge resulting from ac-
cidentally leaving your lights on when your ve-
hicle is parked, the light switch operates only
when the ignition switch is in the “ON” posi-
tion. In any other position, the vehicle’s lights
will be out.
If you park your vehicle on a roadside at night,
use the hazard warning flasher to alert the other
drivers.
The light switch operates only when the ignition switch
is in the “ON” position.
UB2013BA

7-1
7
Starting and operating
Fuel ................................................................ 7-2 Fuel requirements ............................................. 7-2
Fuel filler door and cap .................................... 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) ............... 7-6
Preparing to drive ......................................... 7-8
Starting the engine ....................................... 7-9 Manual transmission vehicle ........................... 7-9
Automatic transmission vehicle ...................... 7-10
Stopping the engine ..................................... 7-11
Manual transmission .................................... 7-12 Shifting speeds ................................................. 7-13
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-14
Automatic transmi ssion (Non-turbo
models) ...................................................... 7-14 Selector lever .................................................... 7-15
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-19
Shift lock release .............................................. 7-19
Automatic transmission (Turbo models) ... 7-21
Selector lever .................................................... 7-22
Selector lever reverse inhibiting function ...... 7-25
Selection of SPORTSHIFT mode (manual mode) ................................................ 7-26
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-29
Shift lock release .............................................. 7-29
Limited slip differential (LSD) ...................... 7-30
Power steering .............................................. 7-31
Braking .......................................................... 7-31 Braking tips ....................................................... 7-31
Brake system ..................................................... 7-32 Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........ 7-32
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................... 7-33 ABS system self-check .................................... 7-33
ABS warning light ............................................. 7-34
Parking your vehicle ..................................... 7-35
Cruise control ................................................ 7-37 To set cruise control ........................................ 7-38
To temporarily cancel the cruise control ....... 7-39
To turn off the cruise control ........................... 7-39
To change the cruising speed ......................... 7-39
Cruise control set indicator light .................... 7-40

7-3
Starting and operating
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California is permitted to have higher sulfur levels,
which may affect the performance of your vehicle’s
catalytic converter and may produce a sulfur exhaust
odor or smell. SUBARU recommends that you try a
different brand of unleaded gasoline having lower sul-
fur to determine if the problem is fuel related before re-
turning your vehicle to an authorized dealer for ser-
vice. T MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-enhancing additive
called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tri-
carbonyl). If you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may de teriorate and the CHECK
ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on. If this happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty. T Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. This helps keep yo ur engine in tune and your
emission control system work ing properly, and is a
way of doing your part for cleaner air. If you continu-
ously use a high quality fuel with the proper detergent
and other additives, you should never need to add any fuel system cleaning agents to your fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. Use of these fuels can also help keep the
air cleaner. Oxygenated blend fuels, such as MTBE
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol (ethyl or grain
alcohol) may be used in your vehicle, but should con-
tain no more than 15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the
proper operation of your SUBARU.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now produc-
ing reformulated gasoline, which is designed to reduce
vehicle emissions. SUBARU ap
proves the use of re-
formulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains, you should
ask your service station oper ators if their gasoline con-
tains detergents and oxy genates and if they have
been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.
As additional guidance, only use fuels suited for your
vehicle as explained in the following. y Fuel should be unleaded and have an octane rating
no lower than that specified in this manual. y Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is sometimes
mixed with unleaded gasoline. Methanol can be used
in your vehicle ONLY if it does not exceed 5% of the
fuel mixture AND if it is accomp anied by sufficient
quantities of the proper cosolvent and corrosion inhib-

7-6
Starting and operating
NOTE y
You will see the “FUEL DOOR ” sign in the
tachometer. This indicates that the fuel filler door
(lid) is located on the right side of the vehicle.y If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks
or if the tether is caught under the cap, the CHECK
ENGINE warning light may come on. Refer to the
“Warning and indicator lights” section located in
chapter 3. y (Turbo models only) Prom ptly put fuel in the
tank whenever the low fuel warning light comes
on. Engine misfires as a result of an empty tank
could cause damage to the engine.State emission testing (U.S. only)
Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle must
NEVER be performed on a single two-wheel dy-
namometer. Attempting to do so will result in
uncontrolled vehicle movement and may cause
an accident or injuries to persons nearby.
Resultant vehicle damage due to improper test-
ing is not covered under the SUBARU Limited
Warranty and is the responsibility of the state
inspection program or its contractors or licens-
ees.
At state inspection time, remember to tell your in-
spection or service station in advance not to place
your SUBARU AWD vehicle on a two-wheel dyna-
mometer. Otherwise, ser ious transmission dam-
age will result.
Some states have start ed using dynamometers in
their state inspection programs in order to meet their
HS3023AA

7-7
Starting and operating
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obligation under federal law to implement stricter vehi-
cle emission standards to reduce air pollution from ve-
hicles. A dynamometer is a treadmill or roller-like test-
ing device that allows your vehicle’s wheels to turn
while the vehicle remains in one place. Depending on
the severity of a state’s air pollution problems, the
states must adopt either a “basic” or “enhanced” vehi-
cle emission inspection test. Normally, a portion of the
basic emission test consists of an emission inspector
inserting an analyzer probe into the exhaust pipe of an
idling vehicle for a short period of time. States with
more severe air pollution problems are required to
adopt an enhanced vehicle emission test. This test
simulates actual driving conditions on a dynamometer
and permits more accurate measurement of tailpipe
emitted pollution than the basic emission test.
The U.S. Environmental Pr otection Agency (EPA) and
states using two-wheel dyna mometers in their emis-
sion testing programs have EXEMPTED SUBARU
AWD vehicles from the portion of the testing program
that involves a two-wheel dynamometer.
There are some states that use four-wheel dynamom-
eters in their testing pr ograms. When properly used,
that equipment will not damage an AWD SUBARU ve-
hicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear wheels be jacked off the ground, nor should the driveshaft be dis-
connected for state emission testing. The EPA has issued regulation
s for inspecting the On-
Board Diagnostic (OBD) system as part of the state
emissions inspection. The OBD system is designed to
detect engine and transmission problems that might
cause vehicle emissions to exceed allowable limits.
These inspections apply to all 1996 model year andnewer passenger cars and li ght trucks. Over 30 states
plus the District of Columbia have implemented the
OBD system inspection. y The inspection of the OBD system consists of a vi-
sual operational check of the “CHECK ENGINE”
warning light/malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and an examination of the OBD system with an electronic
scan tool while the engine is running.y A vehicle passes the OB D system inspection if
proper the “CHECK ENGINE” warning light/MIL illu-
mination is observed, there is no stored diagnostic
trouble codes, and the OBD system readiness moni-tors are complete. y A vehicle fails the OBD inspection if the “CHECK
ENGINE” warning light/MIL is not properly operating
or there is one or more di agnostic trouble codes stored
in vehicle’s computer with the “CHECK ENGINE”
warning light/MIL illuminated.

7-8
Starting and operating
y
A state emission inspection may reject (not pass or
fail) a vehicle if the numbe r of OBD system readiness
monitors “Not Ready” is greater than one. Under this
condition, the vehicle opera tor should be instructed to
drive his/her vehicle for a few days to set the monitors
and return for an emission re-inspection. y Owners of rejected or failing vehicles should contact
their SUBARU Dealer for service.Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks and adjust-
ments every day before you start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and lights are
clean and unobstructed.
2. Check the appearance and condition of the tires.
Also check tires for proper inflation.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
4. Check that the hood is fully closed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside mir-
rors.
7. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your passengers
have fastened their seatbelts.
8. Check the operation of the warning and indicator
lights when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” po-sition.
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warning lights af-
ter starting the engine.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, washer flu-
id and other fluid levels should be checked daily,
weekly or at fuel stops.

7-9
Starting and operating
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Starting the engine
Do not operate the starter motor continuously
for more than ten seconds. If the engine fails to
start after operating the starter for five to ten
seconds, wait for ten seconds or more before
trying again.
„ Manual transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the shift
lever into neutral.
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting the en-
gine. The starter motor will only operate when the
clutch pedal is pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicator lights.
Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights” section
(chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release
the key immediately after the engine has started. If the engine does not start, try the following.
1) Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” position and
wait for at least 10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is firmly set, turn the ignition switch to
the “START” position while depressing the acceler-
ator pedal slightly (about a quarter of the full stroke).
Release the accelerator pedal as soon as the en-
gine starts.
2) If this fails to start th e engine, turn the ignition
switch back to the “OFF” position and wait for at
least 10 seconds. Then fully depress the accelerator
pedal and turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position. If the engine starts, quickly release the ac-
celerator pedal.
3) If this fails to start th e engine, turn the ignition
switch again to the “OFF” position. After waiting for
10 seconds or longer, turn the ignition switch to the
“START” position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal.
4) If the engine still refuses to start, contact your
nearest SUBARU deale r for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have
gone off after the engine has started. The fuel injection
system automatically lowers the idle speed as the en-
gine warms up.
NOTE (Turbo models)
The engine may be difficult to start when the bat-