
5-16 Audio
begin to play back the first track of the
disc.
To insert more discs in succession, re-
peat Steps 1 and 2. The magazine will be
loaded with discs in the ascending order
of position number.
If you do not insert any disc in 15 seconds
after you have pressed the LOAD but-
ton, the player will begin to play back the
first track of the last disc you have insert-
ed.
The disc indicator steadily lights up if a
disc is already inserted in the correspond-
ing position of the magazine.
While the player is in the loading mode,
if you press any of the other mode buttons FM (1), AM (2), the player will enter the
standby mode. Press the CD button (14)
to start playback.
Inserting a disc in a desired position
1. Press the LOAD button (9). If the
magazine in the player has an idle posi-
tion where you can insert a disc, the DISC indicator associated with the idle
position will blink.
The positions in the magazine the indica-
tor of which steadily lights up are already
loaded with discs.
2. Press the Disc select button (17) at
the position where you want to insert a
disc. The associated DISC indicator will blink, and the
LOAD will be displayed.
3. If you insert a disc during the 15-sec-
ond period while the LOAD is on display,
the disc will be automatically drawn in,
and the player will start playback of the
disc, beginning with the first track.
To insert more discs in succession, re-
peat Steps 1 and 2.
While the player is in the loading mode,
if you press any of the other mode buttons FM (1), AM (2), the player will enter
standby mode. Press the CD button (14)
to start playback.
Loading all the magazine (Full disc
loading mode)
1. If you continue to press the LOAD
button (9) for more than 1.5 seconds, the
player will produce beep sound and will
enter the full disc loading mode.
2. A DISC indicator will blink, and the
ALL LOAD will be on display for a period
of 15 seconds. If a disc is successfully
loaded during this period, the DISC indi-
cator will stop blinking and will steadily
light.
3. When the loading of a disc is complete,
the next DISC indicator will blink. Then
repeat Step 2.
4. When the magazine is filled with discs
by repeating Steps 2 and 3, the player will
start playback of the discs, beginning with the one inserted first.
If you fail to insert any disc during each 15
seconds interval, the full disc loading
mode will be canceled, and the player will
start playback of the disc inserted first.
How to play back a CD or make a
pause
When there is no CD inserted:
Insert a CD by referring to How to Insert
a CD(s) .
When a CD is loaded, the player will start
playback of the CD, beginning with the
first track.
When there are CDs loaded:
Press a desired one of the Disc select
buttons (17) the DISC indicator of which
steadily lights up. The player will then start
playback of the selected CD, beginning
with the first track.

5-20 Audio
To insert a disc
1. Press one of the Disc select buttons
(3) (numbered from 1 to 6) for which the
disc indicator light (2) is OFF .
The disc indicator lights are located direct-
ly above the corresponding Disc select
buttons.
2. The indicator will begin blinking. The
blinking will last for 15 seconds.
During this period, insert a desired disc,
and the disc will begin to play. (If any disc
is not inserted during this period, the Disc
slot (1) door will close. Repeat Step 1.)
Be sure to hold a disc with the label side
(the side where titles are printed) up.
3. To insert another disc, repeat Steps 1
and 2 choosing a different disc select but-
ton.
To insert six discs at a time
1. Press and hold the Disc select button
number 1 until all disc indicators begin
blinking (approximately 1.5 seconds). 2. The indicators will blink for 15 seconds.
During this period, insert desired six discs.
3. When all discs are loaded, the first disc
will begin to play. (If no disc is inserted
within this 15 seconds, the entire disc load
sequence will be canceled.)
To remove a disc
1. Press the desired one of the Disc se-
lect buttons (3) (numbered from 1 to 6) for
which the disc indicator light is on.
2. Press the Eject button (4). The select-
ed disc will be ejected and the indicator
light will begin blinking.
3. To remove another disc, repeat Steps
1 and 2 choosing a different Disc select
button.
(To remove discs when the ignition switch
is in the Lock position, press the Eject
button, and the first disc will be ejected.
Press the Eject button again, and the
next disc will be ejected and so on. At this
time, the Disc select buttons are dis-
abled.)
To remove all discs at one time
1. Press and hold the Eject button (4)
until all Disc indicators begin blinking
(approximately 1.5 seconds), and the first
disc will be ejected.
2. When the disc is removed, the next
one will be ejected, and so on.
To replace a playing disc with an-
other
Simply press the desired one of Disc se-
lect buttons (3) (numbered from 1 to 6) or
press the Disc select button on the radio
unit to select the desired disc, and the disc
will begin to play.
Disc indicators
Lit: when the corresponding storage tray
is occupied by a disc.
Blinking: Disc player is either in loading,
eject or changing mode.
OFF: No disc is loaded or the ignition
switch is in the LOCK position.
Open/Closed disc slot indicator
When the disc slot is open, the disc indica-
tors on both sides of the slot illuminate.
Function control
Refer to CD changer control operating in-
structions described in the Type B audio
set (if equipped) section.
Do not insert or remove any disc
when the automatic transmission
selector lever is in the park posi-
tion; the selector lever in that po-
sition can interfere with disc in-
sertion or removal, causing
scratches on the disc surface (for
AT vehicles).

6-6 Interior equipment
Cigarette lighter socket
A cigarette lighter socket can be found be-
hind the ashtray lid under the climate con-
trols. Push gently on the lid to open it. A
cigarette lighter plug is an optional acces-
sory. It is available from your SUBARU
dealer.
The cigarette lighter socket may also be
used as a power source for an in-car use
electrical appliance.
Do not place any foreign objects,
especially metal ones such as
coins or aluminum foil, into the
accessory power outlet. That
could cause a short circuit. Al-
ways put the cap on the accesso-
ry power outlet when it is not in
use.
Use only electrical appliances
which are designed for 12V DC
and which consume less than
120W. Overloading the accessory
power outlet can cause a short
circuit. Do not use double adapt-
ers or more than one electrical ap-
pliance.
If the plug on your electric appli-
ance is either too loose or too
tight for the accessory power out-
let, this can result in a poor con-
tact or cause the plug to get stuck.
Only use plugs that fit properly.
Use of an electric appliance in the
accessory power outlet for a long
period of time while the engine is
not running can cause battery dis-
charge.
Before driving your vehicle, make
sure that the plug and the cord on
your electrical appliance will not
interfere with your shifting gears
and operating the accelerator and
brake pedals. If they do, do not
use the electrical appliance while
driving.
600221

Interior equipment 6-7
CONTINUED
Use with a cigarette lighter
The cigarette lighter operates only when
the ignition switch is in the ON and
ACC positions.
To use the cigarette lighter, push in the
knob and wait a few moments. It will auto-
matically spring up when ready for use.
Using as an accessory power
outlet
Electrical power (12V DC) from the battery
is available at the socket when the ignition
switch is either in the ACC or ON posi-
tion.
If you use the socket as an accessory
power outlet, take the following precau-
tions.
When the socket is not in use, always put
the cap on the socket to prevent any for-
eign object from entering it.
The electrical power outlet locat-
ed on the lower part of the instru-
ment panel is originally designed
to use a genuine SUBARU ciga-
rette lighter plug. Do not use non-
genuine cigarette lighter plugs in
the socket. Doing so may cause a
short-circuit and overheating, re-
sulting in a fire.
If the socket is ever used for a
plug-in accessory such as a mo-
bile phone, that may damage the
portion of the socket s internal
mechanism that causes a ciga-
rette lighter plug to pop out af-
ter its lighter element is heated.
Therefore, do not place a cigarette
lighter plug in a socket that has
been used, even once, to power a
plug-in accessory. Doing so may
cause the plug to stick and over-
heat, creating a potential fire haz-
ard.
Do not place any foreign objects,
especially metal ones such as
coins or aluminum foil, into the
socket. That could cause a short
circuit.
To avoid being burned, never grasp
the lighter by the end with the heat-
ing element. Doing so could result
in injury and could also damage the
heating element.
600526
Do not hold the lighter pushed in,
because it will overheat.
Use only in-car use electrical ap-
pliances which are designed for
12V DC and which consume less
than 120W. Overloading the sock-
et can cause a short circuit. Do
not use double adapters or more
than one electrical appliance.

7-2 Starting and operating
Starting and operatingFuel
Fuel requirements
2.5-liter non-turbo models
The 2.5-liter non-turbo engine is designed
to operate using unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher.
WRX
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to
operate using premium unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 91 AKI or higher.
If premium unleaded gasoline is not avail-
able, regular unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 87 AKI or higher may be
temporarily used. For optimum engine
performance and driveability, it is required
that you use premium grade unleaded
gasoline.
NOTE
Be sure to use premium unleaded gas-
oline of 91 AKI or higher for WRX. If
other gasoline (lower than 91 AKI) is
used, knocking, reduced output and poor accelerator response will result.
WRX-STI
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to
operate using super-premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI or
higher. If super-premium unleaded gaso-
line with an octane rating of 93 AKI or
higher is not available, premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI or
higher may be temporarily used. For opti-
mum engine performance and driveability,
it is required that you use super-premium
grade unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 93 AKI or higher.
NOTE
Be sure to use super-premium unlead-
ed gasoline of 93 AKI or higher for
WRX-STI. If other gasoline (lower than
93 AKI) is used, knocking, reduced out-
put and poor accelerator response will
result.
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane num-
bers and is commonly referred to as the
Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane rat-
ing can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle some- times knocks lightly when you drive up a
hill or when you accelerate. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician if
you use a fuel with the specified octane
rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or
persistently.
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy.
Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur Califor-
nia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your vehi-
cle will operate on gasoline meeting Fed-
eral specifications. Gasoline sold outside
California is permitted to have higher sul-
fur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle s catalytic convert-
er and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor
or smell. SUBARU recommends that you
try a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if the
Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel addi-
tive may cause engine damage.

7-4 Starting and operating
Fuel filler lid and cap
Refueling0
1. To open the fuel filler lid, pull the lid re-
lease lever up. The lever is on the floor at
the left of the driver s seat.
1) Open
2) Close
2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it
slowly counterclockwise.
3. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler
pump automatically stops. Do not add any
more fuel.
4. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise
until you hear a clicking noise. Be certain
not to catch the tether under the cap while
tightening.
5. Close the fuel filler lid completely.
If you spill any fuel on the painted surface,
rinse it off immediately. Otherwise, the
painted surface could be damaged.
NOTE
You will see the or FUEL
DOOR sign in the fuel gauge. This
indicates that the fuel filler door (lid) is
located on the right side of the vehicle.
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 sec-
tion located in chapter 3.
(Turbo model only) Promptly put fuel in
the tank whenever the low fuel warning
200209
700122
Gasoline vapor is highly flamma-
ble. Before refueling, always first
stop the engine and make sure
that there are no lighted ciga-
rettes, open flames or electrical
sparks in the adjacent area.
1
700330
When opening the cap, do not re-
move the cap quickly. Fuel may be
under pressure and spray out of
the fuel filler neck especially in
hot weather, which may cause in-
jury.

7-6 Starting and operating
The EPA has issued regulations for in-
specting the On-Board Diagnostic (OBD)
system as part of the state emissions in-
spection. The OBD system is designed to
detect engine and transmission problems
that might cause vehicle emissions to ex-
ceed allowable limits. These inspections
apply to all 1996 model year and newer
passenger cars and light trucks. Over 30
states plus the District of Columbia have
implemented the OBD system inspection.
The inspection of the OBD system con-
sists of a visual operational check of the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunc-
tion indicator lamp (MIL) and an examina-
tion of the OBD system with an electronic
scan tool while the engine is running.
A vehicle passes the OBD system in-
spection if proper the CHECK ENGINE
warning light/MIL illumination is observed,
there is no stored diagnostic trouble
codes, and the OBD system readiness
monitors are complete.
A vehicle fails the OBD inspection if the
CHECK ENGINE warning light/MIL is
not properly operating or there is one or
more diagnostic trouble codes stored in
vehicle s computer with the CHECK EN-
GINE warning light/MIL illuminated.
A state emission inspection may reject
(not pass or fail) a vehicle if the number of
OBD system readiness monitors Not
Ready is greater than one. Under this
condition, the vehicle operator should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few
days to set the monitors and return for an
emission re-inspection.
Owners of rejected or failing vehicles
should contact their Subaru Dealer for
service.
Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks
and adjustments 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 infla-
tion.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of
leaks.
4. Check that the hood, trunk (Sedan)
and rear gate (Wagon) are fully closed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and
outside mirrors.
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 position.
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warn-
ing lights after starting the engine.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops.
Resultant vehicle damage due to im-
proper testing is not covered under
the SUBARU Limited Warranty and
is the responsibility of the state in-
spection program or its contractors
or licensees.

Starting and operating 7-15
Turn the dial rearward to reduce the initial
LSD torque; when the white line reaches
the rearmost position, the initial LSD
torque will be minimum and the indi-
cator light will come on. Under this condi-
tion, only the Mechanical LSD torque will
limit the differential action.
NOTE
A higher initial LSD torque setting
gives the vehicle greater traction when
driving straight ahead but makes cor-
nering more difficult. Remember this
when adjusting the initial LSD torque.
In general, higher initial LSD torque
settings assist driving on slippery
roads and lower settings for non-slip-
pery roads. If you become stuck in
snow or mud, turning the center differ-
ential control dial to the frontmost po-
sition will help move the vehicle out.
(The LOCK indicator will come on at
the frontmost position.)
During cornering or when making
turns (especially when getting into the
garage), the rotational difference be-
tween the front and rear wheels may
cause a braking effect accompanied by vibration and noise. This does not indi-
cate a problem. The phenomenon will
disappear when you turn the center dif-
ferential control dial to the rearmost
position (minimum initial LSD torque
position).
Use the center-differential indicator
light only as a rough indication of the
initial LSD torque.
If you operate the center differential
control dial while quickly accelerating
or turning a tight corner, you may feel
slight shocks. This is due to differential
action by the center differential and
does not indicate a problem.
Temporary release
When the driver stops the vehicle and
pulls the parking-brake lever after manual-
ly setting the initial LSD torque, the LSD
torque is temporarily minimized. However
the indicator in the combination meter
continues to show the driver s selected ini-
tial LSD torque. When the driver releases
the parking-brake lever, the initial LSD
torque set by the driver is restored.
Do not turn the control dial when
a wheel slippage occurs. Wait un-
til the wheelspin has been
brought under control.
700358
Under any of the following condi-
tions, turn the center differential
control dial to the rearmost posi-
tion to minimize the initial LSD
torque:
When a temporary spare tire is
installed
When your vehicle is towed
When the vehicle is stopped
with the manual mode selected