
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .................................................... 3-3
LOCK ....................................................................... 3-3
ACC .......................................................................... 3-4
ON ............................................................................ 3-4
START ...................................................................... 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................... 3-5
Ignition switch light (if equipped) ......................... 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) .............. 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ...................................... 3-6
Meters and gauges ............................................. 3-6
Speedometer ........................................................... 3-6
Odometer/Trip meter .............................................. 3-6
Tachometer ............................................................. 3-7
Fuel gauge ............................................................... 3-7
Temperature gauge ................................................ 3-8
Outside temperature indicator .............................. 3-8
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-9
Seatbelt warning light and chime .......................... 3-9
SRS airbag system warning light .......................... 3-10
Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON and OFF indicators .............................................................. 3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator
lamp ....................................................................... 3-11
Charge warning light .............................................. 3-12
Oil pressure warning light ..................................... 3-12
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (ATvehicles) .......................................................... 3-12
ABS warning light ................................................... 3-12 Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light
(if equipped)/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
indicator light (if equipped) ................................. 3-13
Brake system warning light ................................... 3-14
Door open warning lights ...................................... 3-15
Low fuel warning light ............................................. 3-15
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) ......... 3-15
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light (if equipped) ................................................. 3-16
Shift position indicator (AT vehicles) ................... 3-16
Turn signal indicator lights .................................... 3-16
High beam indicator light ....................................... 3-16
Cruise control indicator light ................................. 3-16
Cruise control set indicator light .......................... 3-17
Clock .................................................................... 3-17
Light control switch ........................................... 3-18
Headlights ............................................................... 3-18
High/low beam change (dimmer) .......................... 3-18
Headlight flasher ..................................................... 3-19
Daytime running light system ............................... 3-19
Turn signal lever ................................................. 3-20
Illumination brightness control ......................... 3-20
Headlight beam leveler (Canada-spec. 2.5XT) ............................................................... 3-21
Parking light switch ........................................... 3-21
Front fog light button ......................................... 3-21
Wiper and washer ............................................... 3-22
Windshield wiper and washer switches ............... 3-23
ProCarManuals.com

Driving tips
8-11
– CONTINUED –
speeds below 19 mph (30 km/h).
Always use the utmost care when driving
with tire chains – overconfidence because
you are driving with tire chains could eas-
ily lead to a serious accident. „Rocking the vehicleIf you must rock the vehicle to free it from
snow, sand, or mud, depress the acceler-
ator pedal slightly and move the selector
lever back and forth between “D” and “R”
repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For
the best possible traction, avoid spinning
the wheels when trying to free the vehicle.
When the road surface is extremely slip-
pery, you can obtain better traction by
starting the vehicle with the transmission
in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT).
Refer to the “Automatic transmission” sec-
tion in chapter 7 for information on holding
the transmission in 2nd position.
Loading your vehicle yNever allow passengers to ride on
a folded rear seatback or in the
cargo area. Doing so may result in
serious injury. yNever stack luggage or other car-
go higher than the top of the seat-
back because it could tumble for-
ward and injure passengers in the
event of a sudden stop or acci-
dent. Keep luggage or cargo low,
as close to the floor as possible.
100094
yWhen you carry something inside
the vehicle, secure it whenever
you can to prevent it from being
thrown around inside the vehicle
during sudden stops, sharp turns
or in an accident. yDo not pile heavy loads on the
roof. These loads raise the vehi-
cle’s center of gravity and make it
more prone to tip over. ySecure lengthy items properly to
prevent them from shooting for-
ward and causing serious injury
during a sudden stop. yNever exceed the maximum load
limit. If you do, some parts on
your vehicle can break, or it can
change the way your vehicle han-
dles. This could result in loss of
control and cause personal injury.
Also, overloading can shorten the
life of your vehicle. yDo not place anything on the ex-
tended cargo area cover. Such
items could tumble forward in the
event of a sudden stop or a colli-
sion. This could cause serious in-
jury.
ProCarManuals.com

Driving tips
8-21
– CONTINUED –
F: Front of vehicleThe tongue load can be adjusted by prop-
er distribution of the load in the trailer.
Never load the trailer with more weight in
the back than in the front; approximately
60 percent of the trailer load should be in
the front and approximately 40 percent in
the rear. Also, distribute the load as even-
ly as possible on both the left and right
sides.
Be sure that all cargo is firmly secured to
prevent a change in weight distribution
while driving.
„Trailer hitchesChoose a proper hitch for your vehicle and
trailer.
The use of a genuine SUBARU trailer
hitch is recommended. A genuine
SUBARU hitch is available from your
SUBARU dealer.
If use of a non-genuine hitch is unavoid-
able, be sure the hitch is suited to your ve-
hicle and trailer. Consult with a profes-
sional hitch supplier to assist you in
choosing an appropriate hitch for your ve-
hicle. Be sure to follow all of the hitch man-
ufacturer’s instructions for installation and
use.
Never use a hitch that mounts only to the
rear bumper. The bumper is not designed
to handle that type of load.
For all types of hitches, regularly check that the hitch mounting bolts and nuts are
tight.
F
60% 40% 50%
50%
800216
If the trailer is loaded with more
weight in the back of trailer’s axle
than in the front, the load is taken off
the rear axle of the towing vehicle.
This may cause the rear wheels to
skid, especially during braking or
when vehicle speed is reduced dur-
ing cornering, resulting in over-
steer, spin out and/or jackknifing.
Never drill the frame or under-body
of your vehicle to install a commer-
cial trailer hitch. If you do, danger-
ous exhaust gas, water or mud may
enter the passenger compartment
through the drilled hole. Exhaust
gas contains carbon monoxide, a
colorless and odorless gas which is
dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.
Also, drilling the frame or under-
body of your vehicle could cause
deterioration of strength of your ve-
hicle and cause corrosion around
the drilled hole.
y
Do not modify the vehicle exhaust
system, brake system, or other
systems when installing a hitch or
other trailer towing equipment.
y Do not use axle-mounted hitches
as they can cause damage to the
axle housing, wheel bearings,
wheels or tires.
ProCarManuals.com