
4
Climate control
Ventilator ............................................................. 4-2
Air flow selection  ................................ .................... 4-2
Center and side ventilators ....................... ............. 4-3
Manual climate control system  (if equipped)  ..................................... ............... 4-3
Control panel  ..................................... ..................... 4-3
Heater operation  .................................. ................... 4-5
Air conditioner operation (if equipped)  ........... ..... 4-7
Automatic climate control system  (if equipped)  ..................................... ............... 4-7
Control panel  ..................................... ..................... 4-8
To use as full-automatic climate control 
system  ............................................ ....................... 4-8
To use as semi-automatic climate control  system  ............................................ ....................... 4-8
Fan speed control dial  ............................ ............... 4-8
Temperature control dial .......................... .............. 4-9
Air flow control dial  ............................. ................... 4-9
Air inlet selection button ........................ ................ 4-9
Air conditioner button  ............................ ................ 4-10
Temperature sensors  ............................... .............. 4-10
Operating tips for heater and air  conditioner  ....................................... ............... 4-11
Cleaning ventilation grille  ....................... ............... 4-11
Efficient cooling after parking in direct  sunlight  .......................................... ....................... 4-11
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant 
circuit  ........................................... ......................... 4-11Checking air conditioning system before 
summer season  ..................................... ............... 4-11
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and 
low temperature weather conditions  ................ .. 4-11
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when  engine is heavily loaded  .......................... ............ 4-12
Refrigerant for your climate control system  ....... . 4-12
Air filtration system  ............................. ............... 4-12
Replacing an air filter  ........................... .................. 4-12 

4-12 Climate control
any problem with the air conditioning sys- 
tem.
Air conditioner compressor  
shut-off when engine is  
heavily loaded
To improve acceleration and gas mileage, 
the  air  conditioner  compressor  is  de-
signed  to  temporarily  shut  off  during  air
conditioner operation whenever the accel-
erator  is  fully  depressed  such  as  during
rapid  acceleration  or  when  driving  on  a
steep upgrade.
Refrigerant for your climate  
control system
Your  air  conditioner  uses  ozone  friendly 
refrigerant  HFC134a.  Therefore,  the 
method  of  adding,  changing  or  checking 
the refrigerant is different from the method 
for  CFC12  (Freon).  Consult  your 
SUBARU  dealer  for  service.  Repairs 
needed as a result of using the wrong re- 
frigerant are not covered under warranty.
Air filtration system
If your vehicle s air conditioning system is
equipped  with  an  air  filtration  system,  re- 
place  the  filter  element  according  to  the 
replacement  schedule  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing.  This schedule should be  followed 
to maintain the filter s dust collection abili-
ty.  Under  extremely  dusty  conditions,  the 
filter  should  be  replaced  more  frequently.
It is recommended that you have your fil-
ter checked or replaced by your SUBARU
dealer. For replacement, use only a genu-
ine SUBARU air filter kit.
Replacement schedule:
Every 12 months or 7,500 miles (12,000
km) whichever comes first
Replacing an air filter
1. Remove the glove box.1) Open the glove box. 
2) Remove the nine screws and the one
clip securing the glove box. 
3) Disconnect  the  glove  box  light  con- 
nector.
400604 

Climate control 4-13
 CONTINUED  
2. Unhook the hooks of the air filter cover 
and remove the cover.
1) Air filter element
3. Draw out the air filter element.
1) Air filter element 
2) Arrow mark
4. Replace the air filter element with new 
one.
5. Reinstall the air filter cover. 
6. Connect  the  connector,  and  reinstall 
the glove box.
7. Close the glove box.
400605
1
400606
The  arrow  mark  on  the  filter  must 
point down.
1
2
400607400608
400604 

4-14 Climate control
1) Service label 
2) Caution label
8. LABEL installation
1) Fill out the information on the service 
label (small). 
2) Attach  the  service  label  to  the  driver 
side door pillar and the caution label to 
the  driver  side  end  of  the  instrument 
panel.
NOTE
The  filter  can  influence  the  air  condi- 
tioning,  heating  and  defroster  perfor-
mance if not properly maintained.
Contact  your  dealer  if  the  following
occurs,  even  if  it  is  not  yet  time  to
change the filter:
Reduction  of  the  air  flow  through 
the vents.
2 1
400609
Windshield  gets  easily  fogged  or 
misted. 

11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule  ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions  ........................... ....... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine  compartment  ....................................... ................. 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the engine 
compartment while the engine is running  ......... 11 -4
Engine hood  ....................................... ................ 11-4
Engine compartment overview  ....................... .. 11-6
Non-turbo models  .................................. ................. 11-6
Turbo models  ...................................... .................... 11-7
Engine oil  ........................................ .................... 11-8
Checking the oil level  ............................ ................. 11-8
Changing the oil and oil filter  ................... ............. 11-8
Recommended grade and viscosity  ................... .. 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity under  severe driving conditions  ......................... ........... 11-11
Synthetic oil  ..................................... ....................... 11-11
Cooling system  .................................... .............. 11-12
Cooling fan, hose and connections  ................. ..... 11-12
Engine coolant  .................................... .................... 11-12
Air cleaner element  ............................... ............. 11-15
Replacing the air cleaner element ................. ........ 11-15
Spark plugs ....................................... .................. 11-17
Recommended spark plugs ........................... ........ 11-17
Drive belts  ....................................... .................... 11-18
Manual transmission oil  ........................... ......... 11-18
Checking the oil level  ............................ ................. 11-18
Recommended grade and viscosity  ................... .. 11-19Automatic transmission fluid  ......................
...... 11-20
Checking the fluid level .......................... ................ 11-20
Recommended fluid  ................................. .............. 11-21
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles)  ......... ... 11-21
Checking the oil level  ............................ ................. 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity  ................... .. 11-22
Rear differential gear oil  ........................ ............ 11-22
Checking the gear oil level  ....................... ............. 11-22
Recommended grade and viscosity  ................... .. 11-23
Power steering fluid  .............................. ............. 11-24
Checking the fluid level .......................... ................ 11-24
Recommended fluid  ................................. .............. 11-24
Brake fluid  ....................................... .................... 11-25
Checking the fluid level .......................... ................ 11-25
Recommended brake fluid  ........................... .......... 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles)  ........................ .......... 11-26
Checking the fluid level .......................... ................ 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid  .......................... .......... 11-26
Brake booster  ..................................... ................ 11-27
Brake pedal  ....................................... .................. 11-27
Checking the brake pedal free play  ................ ...... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance  ......... 11-27
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles)  ........................ ........ 11-28
Checking the clutch function  ...................... .......... 11-28
Checking the clutch pedal free play  ............... ...... 11-28
Replacement of brake pad and lining  ............... 11-28
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ......... . 11-29
Parking brake stroke  .............................. ............ 11-29 

Maintenance and service 11-15
 CONTINUED  
en firmly. At this time, make sure that the 
rubber  gasket  in  the  radiator  cap  is  cor-
rectly in place.
8. Start and run the engine for more than
five minutes at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the cool-
ant  cools  down  (122  to  140
F  [50  to
60 C]). If there is any loss of coolant, add
coolant  to  the  radiator s  filler  neck  and  to
the reserve tank s  FULL  level.
10.Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap
back on and tighten firmly.
Air cleaner element
The air cleaner element functions as a fil- 
ter screen. When the element is perforat- 
ed or removed, engine wear will be exces- 
sive and engine life shortened. 
The air cleaner element is a viscous type. 
It is unnecessary to clean or wash the ele- 
ment.
Replacing the air cleaner ele- 
ment
Replace the air cleaner element according 
to the maintenance schedule in the  War-
ranty  and  Maintenance  Booklet .  Under
extremely  dusty  conditions,  replace  it 
more  frequently.  It  is  recommended  that 
you always use genuine SUBARU parts.
Turbo models
1. Unsnap the two clamps holding the air 
cleaner case cover. 
2. Open  the  air  cleaner  case  cover  and 
remove the air cleaner element.
Do  not  operate  the  engine  with  the 
air cleaner element removed. The air
cleaner  element  not  only  filters  in-
take air  but  also  stops flames if  the
engine  backfires.  If  the  air  cleaner
element is not installed when the en-
gine backfires, you could be burned.B00024
B00025 

14-6 Index
Off road driving ................................... ................................  8-6
Oil filter  ........................................ .....................................  11-8
Oil level Engine  ............................................ .............................  11-8
Front differential (AT vehicles) ..................... ..............  11-21
Manual transmission ................................. .................  11-18
Rear differential  ................................. ........................  11-22
Oil pressure warning light  .......................... .......................  3-16
Outside mirrors ..................................... ............................  3-33
Outside temperature indicator  ....................... ............  3-9, 3-13
Overheating engine  ................................. .........................  9-11
P 
Parking Brake  .............................................. .............................  7-25
Brake stroke  ......................................... .....................  11-29
Light switch  ........................................ ..........................  3-25
Tips ............................................... ...............................  7-25
Periodic inspections  .................................. .........................  8-4
Power Door locking switches  ................................. ...................  2-6
Steering  .......................................... .............................  7-21
Steering fluid  .................................... .........................  11-24
Windows  ........................................... ...........................  2-18
Preparing to drive  ................................. ..............................  7-6
Printed antenna  ................................... ...............................  5-2
R 
Rear Combination lights  ................................. ....................  11-48
Differential gear oil ............................. ........................  11-22Differential oil temperature warning light ........
..............  3-17
Gate  .............................................. ...............................  2-23
Seats .............................................. ................................  1-6
Rear seat Folding down (Wagon) .............................. .....................  1-8
Rear window Defogger button  ................................... ........................  3-29
Wiper and washer switch  ............................. ................  3-28
Recommended Automatic transmission fluid  .......................... ............  11-21
Brake fluid  ........................................ ..........................  11-25
Clutch fluid  ....................................... ..........................  11-26
Oil grade and viscosity .............................. .....  11-10, 11-11,
 11-19, 11-22, 11-23
Power steering fluid  ............................... ....................  11-24
Spark plugs  ......................................... .......................  11-17
Remote keyless entry system .............................. ...............  2-7
Replacement Brake pad and lining  ............................... ...................  11-28
Wiper blades  ....................................... .......................  11-37
Replacing Air cleaner element  ................................ ....................  11-15
Battery (Remote keyless entry system)  ..................... ....  2-9
Lost transmitters (keyless entry system) ................. .....  2-10
Replacing bulbs  ..................................... .........................  11-44
Cargo area light  .................................. .......................  11-50
Dome light ........................................ ..........................  11-50
Front fog light  ................................... ..........................  11-48
Front turn signal light  ............................ .....................  11-48
Headlights  ......................................... .........................  11-45
High mount stop light  .............................. ...................  11-51
License plate light  ................................. .....................  11-50