2006 SUBARU OUTBACK Owners Manual

3-6 Instruments and controls
„ Canceling the function for
meter/gauge needle move-
ment and combination meter
sequential illumination upon
turning on the ignition switch
It is possible to activate or deactivate the
movement of the meter needles and
gauge needles and sequential illumination
of the combination meter that take place
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position.
Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” posi-
tion. With the A trip meter indication se-
lected, briefly press the trip knob twice.
You can now establish the activated/deac-
tivated setting for mo vement of the meter
needles and gauge needles when the ig-
nition switch is turned to the “ON” position. To change the current setting, press the
trip knob for at least two seconds.
: Activated
: Deactivated
Briefly press the trip knob again. You can
now establish the activated/deactivated
setting for sequential illumination of the
combination meter when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position. To
change the current setting, press the trip
knob for at least two seconds.
: Activated
: Deactivated
Briefly press the knob to return to the A trip
meter indication.
If you turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position, turn the ignition switch to
the “ON” position, or open and close the
driver’s door during the setting procedure,
the new setting will be canceled.
Also, if you do not press the trip knob for a
period of 10 seconds, the new setting will
be canceled.
NOTE It is not possible to cancel sequential
illumination of the combination meter
while sequential illumination is actual-
ly taking place. Can cel sequential illu-
mination when regula r illumination (for
driving) has begun.
„ Speedometer The speedometer shows the vehicle
speed.300185 300186

Instruments and controls
3-7
– CONTINUED –„ Odometer
This meter displays the odometer when
the ignition switch is in the “LOCK”, “ACC”
or “ON” position.
The odometer shows the total distance
that the vehicle has been driven.
If you press the trip knob when the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK” position, the
odometer/trip meter will light up. If you do
not press the trip knob within 10 seconds
of illumination of the odometer/trip meter,
the odometer/trip meter will go off.
The odometer/trip meter will also go off if
you open and close the driver’s door with-
in 10 seconds of illumination of the odom-
eter/trip meter. „ Double trip meter
This meter display tw o trip meters when
the ignition switch is in the “LOCK”, “ACC”
or “ON” position.
The trip meter shows the distance that the
vehicle has been driven since you last set
it to zero.
To change the mode indication, briefly
push the knob.
Each press of the knob changes the mode
indication alternately. To set the trip meter to zero, select the A
trip or B trip meter by pushing the knob
and keep the knob pushed for more than
2 seconds.
If you press the trip knob when the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK” position, the
odometer/trip meter will light up. It is pos-
sible to switch betw een the A trip meter
and B trip meter indications while the
odometer/trip meter is lit up. If you do not
press the trip knob within 10 seconds of il-
lumination of the odom eter/trip meter, the
odometer/trip meter will go off. Also, if you
open and close the driver’s door within 10
seconds of illumination of the odometer/
trip meter, the odometer/trip meter will go
off.
NOTE If the connection between the combi-
nation meter and battery is broken for
any reason such as vehicle mainte-
nance or fuse replacement, the data re-
corded on the trip meter will be lost.300261 300258
A trip meter
B trip meter To ensure safety, do not attempt to
change the function of the indicator
during driving, as an accident could
result.

3-8 Instruments and controls
T Vehicle communication system
fault indication
The vehicle communication system car-
ries various types of information (vehicle
speed, running conditions, etc.) to control
modules. In the event of a fault in this
communication system, th e trip meter will
show “ ”.
If the trip meter shows “ ”, immedi-
ately contact the nearest SUBARU dealer
and have the vehicl e communication sys-
tem inspected.
NOTE If you press the trip knob while the trip
meter is showing “ ”, the trip
meter indication will appear for 10 sec-
onds.
„ TachometerThe tachometer shows the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. „ Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge shows the approximate
amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
When the ignition switch is in the “LOCK”
or “ACC” position, the fuel gauge shows
“E” even if the fuel tank contains fuel. The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning or acceleration due to fuel lev-
el movement in the tank.
If you press the trip knob while the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK” position, the fuel
gauge’s dial, needle, and rim will light up
and the needle will indicate the amount of
fuel remaining in the tank.
If, while the fuel gauge needle is indicating
the amount of fuel remaining in the tank,
you (a) do not press the trip knob for 10
seconds or (b) open and close the driver’s
door, the fuel gauge needle will drop to the
“E” position and the dial, needle, and rim
will go off.
The rim of the fuel gauge flashes five
times when the amount of remaining fuel
reaches 2.6 US gal (10 liters, 2.2 lmp gal).
If you turn the ignition switch to theDo not operate the engine with the
pointer of the tachometer in the red
zone. In this range, fuel injection will
be cut by the engine control module
to protect the engine from overrev-
ving. The engine will resume run-
ning normally after the engine
speed is reduced below the red
zone.
300638
300639

Instruments and controls
3-9“LOCK” position and back to the “ON” po-
sition, the rim will again flash five times.
NOTE
You will see the “ ” sign in the fuel
gauge.
This indicates that the fuel filler door
(lid) is located on the right side of the
vehicle.
T L o w f u e l w a r n i n g l i g h t
The low fuel warning light comes on when
the tank is nearly empty [Approximately
2.6 US gal (10 liters, 2.2 lmp gal)].
It only operates when the ignition switch is
in the “ON” position.
NOTE
This light does not go out unless the tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.0 US
gal (15 liters, 3.3 lmp gal).
„ Temperature gauge
1) Normal operating range
The temperature gauge shows engine
coolant temperature when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position. The coolant temperature will vary in ac-
cordance with the ou tside temperature
and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately
until the pointer of the temperature gauge
reaches near the middle of the range. En-
gine operation is optimum with the engine
coolant at this temperature range and high
revving operation when the engine is not
warmed up enough should be avoided.200253
Promptly put fuel in the tank when-
ever the low fuel warning light
comes on. Engine misfires as a re-
sult of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.
1
300592If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the ve-
hicle as soon as possible.
See the “In case of emergency” in
chapter 9.

3-10 Instruments and controls
Meters and gauges (Non-tur-
bo models) NOTE Liquid-crystal displays are used in
some of the meters and gauges in the
combination meter. You will find their
indications hard to see if you wear po-
larized glasses.
„ Combination meter illumina-
tionWhen the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position, the various parts of the
combination meter are illuminated in the
following sequence:
1. Combination meter dials light up.
2. Meter needles and gauge needles
each show MAX position.
3. Meter needles and gauge needles
each show MIN position.
4. Regular illumination (for driving) be-
gins. „ Canceling the function for
meter/gauge needle move-
ment upon turning on the ig-
nition switch
It is possible to activate or deactivate the
movement of the meter needles and
gauge needles that takes place when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion.
Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” posi-
tion. With the A trip meter indication se-
lected, briefly press the trip knob twice.
You can now establish the activated/deac-
tivated setting for movement of the meter
needles and gauge needles. To change
the current setting, pr ess the trip knob for
at least two seconds. : Activated
: Deactivated
Briefly press the knob to return to the A trip
meter indication.
If you turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position, turn the ignition switch to
the “ON” position, or open and close the
driver’s door during the setting procedure,
the new setting will be canceled. Also, if
you do not press the trip knob for a period
of 10 seconds, the ne w setting will be can-
celed.
NOTE It is not possible to cancel sequential
illumination of the combination meter
while sequential illumination is actual-
ly taking place. Can cel sequential illu-
mination when regula r illumination (for
driving) has begun.
„ Speedometer The speedometer shows the vehicle
speed. 300185

Instruments and controls
3-11
– CONTINUED –„ Odometer
This meter displays the odometer when
the ignition switch is in the “LOCK”, “ACC”
or “ON” position.
The odometer shows the total distance
that the vehicle has been driven.
If you press the trip knob when the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK” position, the
odometer/trip meter will light up. If you do
not press the trip knob within 10 seconds
of illumination of the odometer/trip meter,
the odometer/trip meter will go off.
Also, if you open and close the driver’s
door within 10 seconds of illumination of
the odometer/trip mete r, the odometer/trip
meter will go off. „ Double trip meter
This meter displays the two trip meters
when the ignition switch is in the “LOCK”,
“ACC” or “ON” position.
The trip meter shows the distance that the
vehicle has been driven since you last set
it to zero.
To change the mode indication, briefly
push the knob.
Each press of the knob changes the mode
indication alternately. To set the trip meter to zero, select the A
trip or B trip meter by pushing the knob
and keep the knob pushed for more than
2 seconds.
If you press the trip knob when the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK” position, the
odometer/trip meter will light up. It is pos-
sible switch between the A trip meter and
B trip meter indications while the odome-
ter/trip meter is lit up. If you do not press
the trip knob within 10 seconds of illumina-
tion of the odometer/trip meter, the odom-
eter/trip meter will go off.
Also, if you open and close the driver’s
door within 10 seconds of illumination of
the odometer/trip meter, the odometer/trip
meter will go off.
NOTE If the connection between the combi-
nation meter and battery is broken for
any reason such as vehicle mainte-
nance or fuse replacement, the data re-
corded on the trip meter will be lost.300261 300258
A trip meter
B trip meter To ensure safety, do not attempt to
change the function of the indicator
during driving, as an accident could
result.

3-12 Instruments and controls
T Vehicle communication system
fault indication
The vehicle communication system car-
ries various types of information (vehicle
speed, running conditions, etc.) to control
modules. In the event of a fault in this
communication system, th e trip meter will
show “ ”.
If the trip meter shows “ ”, immediate-
ly contact the nearest SUBARU dealer
and have the vehicl e communication sys-
tem inspected.
NOTE If you press the trip knob while the trip
meter is showing “ ”, the trip meter
indication will appear for 10 seconds.
„ TachometerThe tachometer shows the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. NOTE (3.0-liter models only) To protect the engine while the “P” or
“N” position is selected, the engine is
controlled such that the engine speed
does not become too high even if the
accelerator pedal is pressed hard. „ Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge shows the approximate
amount of fuel remaining in the tank.
The gauge does not return to “E” even
though the ignition switch is in the “ACC”
or “LOCK” position.
The gauge may move slightly during brak-
ing, turning or acceleration due to fuel lev-
el movement in the tank.
If you press the trip knob while the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK” position, the fuel
gauge’s dial will light up and the needle
will indicate the amount of fuel remaining
in the tank.
If, while the fuel gauge needle is indicating
the amount of fuel remaining in the tank,
you (a) do not press the trip knob for 10
seconds or (b) open and close the driver’sDo not operate the engine with the
pointer of the tachometer in the red
zone. In this range, fuel injection will
be cut by the engine control module
to protect the engine from overrev-
ving. The engine will resume run-
ning normally after the engine
speed is reduced below the red
zone. 300640

Instruments and controls
3-13door, the fuel gauge needle will drop to the
“E” position and the dial, needle, and rim
will go off.
NOTE
You will see the “ ” sign in the fuel
gauge.
This indicates that the fuel filler door
(lid) is located on the right side of the
vehicle.
T L o w f u e l w a r n i n g l i g h t
The low fuel warning light comes on when
the tank is nearly empty [Approximately
2.6 US gal (10 liters, 2.2 lmp gal)].
It only operates when the ignition switch is
in the “ON” position. NOTE This light does not go out unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.0 US
gal (15 liters, 3,3 lmp gal).
„ Temperature gauge
1) Normal operating range
The temperature gauge shows engine
coolant temperature when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
The coolant temperature will vary in ac-
cordance with the outside temperature
and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately
until the pointer of the temperature gauge reaches near the middle of the range. En-
gine operation is optimum with the engine
coolant at this temperature range and high
revving operation when the engine is not
warmed up enough should be avoided.
200253
1 300593If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the ve-
hicle as soon as possible.
See the “In case of emergency” in
chapter 9.