
3-34 Instruments and controls
Front fog light switch (if
equipped)
The front fog lights operate only when the
light switch is in the “ ” position.
However, the front fog lights turn off when
the headlights are switched to high beam.
To turn on the front fog lights, turn the front
fog light switch on the turn signal lever up-
ward to the “ ” position. To turn off the
front fog lights, turn the switch back down
to the “OFF” position. The indicator light located on the combi-
nation meter will illuminate when the front
fog lights are on.
Wiper and washer
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In freezing weather, do not use the
windshield washer until the wind-
shield is sufficien
tly warmed by the
defroster.
Otherwise the washer fluid can
freeze on the windshield, blocking
your view. y Do not operate the washer contin-
uously for more than ten seconds,
or when the washer fluid tank is
empty. This may cause overheat-
ing of the washer motor. Check
the washer fluid level frequently,
such as at fuel stops.
y Do not operate the wipers when
the windshield or rear window is
dry. This may scratch the glass,
damage the wiper blades and
cause the wiper mo tor to burn out.
Before operating the wiper on a
dry windshield or rear window, al-
ways use the windshield washer.

7-14 Starting and operating
“R” position when it has been placed in the
“P” position and then placed again in the
“N” position. When movement of the se-
lector lever from the “N” position to the “R”
position has become impossible, turn the
ignition switch back to the “ON” position
then move the selector lever to the “P” po-
sition. Pressing the se lector lever release
button also makes it possible to move the
selector lever to the “P” position at thistime. T Selector lever release button
If you inadvertently have turned the igni-
tion switch to the “O FF” position with the
selector lever in the “N” position, proceed
as follows. By referring to the “Shift lock
release” section in this chapter, remove
the shift lock release cover. Then, with the screwdriver inserted into the hole, move
the selector lever to the “P” position. If the
selector lever reverse inhibiting function
fails, have the vehicle inspected by the
nearest SUBARU dealer. „
Selection of manual mode
With the vehicle either moving or station-
ary, move the selector lever from the “D”
position to the manual gate then move it to
the “+” end or “–” end of the manual gate
to select manual mode. 1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Gear position indicator
When the manual mode is selected, the
gear position indicator and upshift indica-
tor and/or downshift indicator in the ta-
chometer come on. The gear position indi-
cator shows the curren tly selected gear in
the 1st-to-4th-gear range. The upshift and
downshift indicators show when a gear-
shift is possible. When the upshift indica-
tor “ ” is on, upshifting is possible.
When the downshift indicator “ ” is on,
downshifting is possible. When both indi-
cators are on, upshifting and downshifting
are both possible. When the vehicle stops
(for example, at traffic signals), the down-
shift indicator goes off.
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Starting and operating 7-21
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1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Gear position indicator
When the manual mode is selected, the
gear position indicator and upshift indica-
tor and/or downshift indicator in the ta-
chometer come on. The gear position indi-
cator shows the currently selected gear in
the 1st-to-5th-gear range. The upshift and
downshift indicators show when a gear-
shift is possible. When the upshift indica-
tor “ ” is on, upshifting is possible.
When the downshift indicator “ ” is on,
downshifting is possible. When both indi-
cators are on, upshifting and downshifting
are both possible. When the vehicle stops
(for example, at traffic signals), the down-
shift indicator goes off. Gearshifts can be performed using the se-
lector lever or the sh
ift switch on the steer-
ing wheel (turbo model only).
Using the selector lever
Shift to the next-higher gear by briefly
pushing the selector lever toward the “+”
end of the manual gate.
Shift to the next-lower gear by briefly pull-
ing the selector lever toward the “–” end of
the manual gate. Using the shift swit
ch (turbo models)
Shift to the next-higher gear by briefly
pressing the “+” button of the shift switch.
Shift to the next-lower gear by briefly
pressing the “–” button of the shift switch.
To deselect the manual mode, return the
selector lever to the “D” position from the
manual gate.
If you press the “+” button or “–” button of
the shift switch while driving with the se-
lector lever in the “D” position, the manual
mode will be selected. At this time, the
currently selected gear will be shown by
the gear position indicator and the upshift
indicator and downshift indicator will come
on.
If you subsequently ease off the accelera-
tor pedal and then accelerate again, the
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Starting and operating 7-33
– CONTINUED –
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system will
be deactivated and the vehicle will behave
like a model not equipped with the Vehicle
Dynamics Control
system. When the
switch is pressed again to reactivate the
Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the in-
dicator light goes off.
With the Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem deactivated, traction and stability en-
hancement offered by Vehicle Dynamics
Control system is unavailable. Therefore
you should not deactivate the Vehicle Dy-
namics Control syst em except under
above-mentioned situations.
NOTE y When the switch has been pressed
to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system, the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system automatically reacti-
vates itself the next time the ignition
switch is turned to the OFF position
and the engine is restarted. y If the switch is held down for 10 sec-
onds or longer, the indicator light goes
off, the Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem is activated, and the system ig-
nores any further pressing of the
switch. To make the switch usable
again, turn the igni tion switch to the
OFF position and restart the engine. y When the switch is pressed to deac- tivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control
system, the vehicle’s running perfor-
mance is comparable with that of a ve-
hicle that does not have a Vehicle Dy-
namics Control system. Do not deacti-
vate the Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem except when absolutely neces-
sary.
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) (if equipped)
The tire pressure monitoring system pro-
vides the driver with a warning message
by sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel when tire pressure
is severely low.
The tire pressure mo
nitoring system will
activate only when the vehicle is driven at
speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h). Also,
this system may not react immediately to
a sudden drop in tire pressure (for exam-
ple, a blow-out caused by running over a
sharp object).
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8-20 Driving tips
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch wire harness’s black
four-pin wire connector to the towing trail-
er’s wire harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
wire harness by individually activating the
brake, right turn signal, left turn signal,
stop, and parking lights on the trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer wire har-
ness before launching or retrieving awatercraft. „
When you do not tow a trailer
y Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube and insert the receiver cover
onto the hitch receiver tube. y Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch wire harness to pro-
tect against possible damage. y Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using the terminal
grease.
Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed and intended to
be used primarily as a passenger-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain,
brakes, tires and suspension and has an
adverse effect on fuel economy.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safe-
ty and satisfaction depend upon proper
use of correct equipment and cautious op-
eration of your vehicle. Seek the advice of
your SUBARU dealer to assist you in pur-
chasing a hitch and other necessary tow-
ing equipment appropriate for your vehi-
cle. In addition, be sure to follow the in-
structions on correct installation and use
provided by the trailer and other towing
equipment manufacturers.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for in-
juries or vehicle damage that result from
trailer towing equipment, or from any er-
rors or omissions in the instructions ac-
companying such equipment or for your
failure to follow the proper instructions. „ Warranties and maintenance
SUBARU warranties do not apply to vehi-
cle damage or malfunction caused by trail-
er towing. If you use your vehicle to tow a
trailer, more frequent maintenance will be
Do not connect safety chains to part
of the vehicle other than the safety
chain hooks.
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