7-9
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED  –
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- 
7-10
Starting and operating
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.  „ Automatic transmission vehicle
If you restart the engine while the vehicle is 
moving, shift the selector lever into the “N” po- 
sition. Do not attempt to place the selector lever
of a moving vehicle into the “P” position.
1. Apply the parking brake. 
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories. 
3. Shift the selector lever to the “P” or “N” position
(preferably “P” position). Th e starter will only operate
when the select lever is at the “P” or “N” position.
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 the 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 the 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 dealer for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have 
gone out after the engine ha s started. The fuel injec-
tion system automatically lowers the idle speed as the 
engine warms up.