2006 SUBARU OUTBACK instrument panel

Instruments and controls
3-33
Illumination brightness con-
trol
The brightness of clock display, audio, air
conditioner, information display and in-
strument panel illumination dims when the
light switch is in the “ ” or “ ” po-
sitions. You can adjust brightness of the
instrument panel illumination for better
visibility.
In turbo models, you can also adjust the
brightness of the instrument panel illumi-
nation when the lighting switch is in the
OFF position.
To brighten, turn the control dial upward.
To darken, turn the control dial downward.
NOTE
When the control dial is turned fully up- ward, the illumination brightness be-
comes the maximum and the automatic
dimming function does not work at all.
Parking light switch
The parking light switch operates regard-
less of the ignition switch position.
By pushing the front end of this switch, fol-
lowing lights will come on.
– Parking lights
– Front and rear side marker lights
– Tail lights
– License plate lights
To turn off, push the rear end of the park-
ing light switch.
Avoid leaving these lights on for a long
time because that will run down the bat-
tery.300510 300178

Instruments and controls
3-39
Vehicle with automatic climate control
system
The rear window defogger operates only
when the ignition switch is in the “ON” po-
sition.
The rear window defogger button is locat-
ed on the climate control panel.
To turn on the defogger, push the button.
To turn it off, pu sh the button again.
The indicator light located on the button
lights up while the rear window defogger is
operating.
The defogger will automatic ally shut off af-
ter approximately 15 minutes. If the win-
dow clears before that time, push the but-
ton to turn it off. It also turns off when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. If defrosting or defogging
is desired when you restart your vehicle,
you have to push the button to turn it on
again.
Your SUBARU dealer can set your rear
window defogger for continuous opera-
tion. Contact your SUBARU dealer for de-
tails.
Once the rear window defogger has been
set for continuous operation, the rear win-
dow defogger repeatedly operates for 15
minutes, stops for two minutes, and again
operates for 15 minutes. If the battery volt-
age drops below the permissible level,
continuous operation is canceled and op-
eration stops as described in the follow-
ing.
y If the battery voltage drops below the
permissible level within 15 minutes of de-
pression of the button, continuous opera-
tion is canceled and the rear window de-
fogger stops operating 15 minutes later.
y If the battery voltage drops below the
permissible level after the rear window de-
fogger has, following depression of the
button, operated for 15 minutes, stopped
operating for two minutes, and started op-
erating again, the rear window defogger
immediately stops operating. NOTE If your vehicle is equipped with the out-
side mirror defogger, the outside mir-
ror defogger operates while the rear
window defogger is operating.300598
y Do not use sharp instruments or
window cleaner containing abra-
sives to clean the inner surface of
the rear window. They may dam-
age the conductors printed on the
window.
y To prevent the ba ttery from being
discharged, do not operate the de-
fogger continuously for any long-
er than necessary.

4-4 Climate control
T Temperature control dial
This dial regulates the temperature of air
flow from the air outlets over a range from
the blue side (cool) to red side (warm).
T Fan speed control dial The fan operates only when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position. The
fan speed control dial is used to select four
fan speeds.
T Air flow control dial
This dial has the following five positions:
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets and the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets, the foot outlets, and some
through the windshield defroster outlets. : Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets, the windshi eld defroster outlets,
and the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument
panel outlets and the windshield defroster
outlets.
NOTE In a vehicle equipped with an air condi-
tioner, when the dial is placed in the
“ ” position or “ ” position the
air conditioner compressor automati-
cally operates to quickly defog the
windshield. However the indicator on
the air conditioner button will not come
on. At the same time, the air inlet selec-
tion is automatically set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet selection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button.400346
400347 400348

4-6 Climate control
tion is automaticall y set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet sel ection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button.
y Warm air also comes out from the
right and left air outlets. To stop warm
air flow from these outlets, turn the
corresponding wheel to the “ ” po-
sition.
T Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the
windshield:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“OFF” position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ”position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
NOTE y In a vehicle equipped with an air con-
ditioner, when the dial is placed in the
“ ” position or “ ” position the
air conditioner comp ressor automati-
cally operates to quickly defog the
windshield. However the indicator on the air conditioner button will not come
on. At the same time, the air inlet selec-
tion is automatically set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet selection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button.
y Warm air also comes out from the
right and left air outlets. To stop warm
air flow from these outlets, turn the
corresponding wheel to the “ ” po-
sition.
T Heating
To direct warm ai r toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
NOTE Warm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outl ets, turn the corre-
sponding wheel to the “ ” position. T Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of dif-
ferent temperatures from the instrument
panel and foot outlets. The air from the
foot outlets is slightly warmer than from
the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully
turned to the red area or blue area de-
creases the temperature difference be-
tween the air from the instrument panel
outlets and the air from the foot outlets.
T Ventilation
To force outside air through the instru-
ment panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the
way left.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.

Climate control
4-7
– CONTINUED –When driving on a dusty road, set the air
inlet control button to the ON position.
„ Air conditioner operationT Cooling or dehumidifying
For cooling and dehumidification of the
passenger compartment, air flows through
the instrument panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the air conditioner button to the
“ON” position.
4. Set the temperature control dial to the
blue side.
5. Set the fan speed control dial at the de-
sired speed.
T Defrosting or defogging
To direct warm air to the windshield and
front door windows:
1. Set the air outlet control dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
red side.
3. Set the fan speed control dial at the
highest speed.
NOTE In a vehicle equipped with an air condi-
tioner, when the dial is placed in the
“ ” position or “ ” position the
air conditioner compressor automati-
cally operates to quickly defog the
windshield. However the indicator on
the air conditioner button will not come
on. At the same time, the air inlet selec-
tion is automatically set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet selection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button. Automatic climate control
system (if equipped) NOTE y Operate the automatic climate con-
trol system when the engine is run-
ning.
y The blower fan rotates at a low speed
when the engine coolant temperature
is low.
For efficient defogging or dehumidify-
ing in cold weather, press the “A/C”
button.
y Even when cooling is not necessary,
setting the temperature much lower
than the current outlet air temperature
turns on the air c onditioner compres-
sor automatically and the “A/C” indica-
tor light on the control panel comes on.
The automatic climate control system au-
tomatically controls outlet air temperature,
fan speed, air flow distribution air-inlet
control, and air conditioner compressor
operation. It activates when the “AUTO”
button is pressed, and is used to maintain
a constant, comfortabl e climate within the
passenger compartment.
The temperature can be set within a range
of 65 to 85 ° F (18 to 32 ° C).Continued operation in the ON posi-
tion may fog up the windows.
Switch to the OFF position as soon
as the outside dusty condition
clears.

7-16 Starting and operating
mph (km/h)
Never exceed posted speed limits.
„ Driving tipsy On a road surface where there is a risk
of wheelspin (for example, a snow- or
gravel-covered road), you can pull away
from a standstill (safely and easily) by first
selecting the 2nd gear of the manual
mode.
y Always apply the foot or parking brake
when the vehicle is stopped in the “D” or
“R” position.
y Always set the parking brake when
parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehi-
cle with only the transmission.
y Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary
position on an uphill grade by using the
“D” position. Use the brake instead.
y The engine may, on rare occasions,
knock when the vehicle rapidly acceler-
ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill.
This phenomenon does not indicate a
fault. „ SPORT mode
SPORT mode is used when power is
needed for rapid acceleration or for uphill
driving. To select this mode, move the se-
lector lever from the “D” position to the
manual gate. When selected, the SPORT mode indica-
tor light on the instrument panel will turn
on.
To deselect SPORT mode, move the se-
lector lever to the “D” position or select
manual mode.
To subsequently reselect SPORT mode,
move the selector lever to the “D” position
and from there to the manual gate.
In this mode, the transmission shifts up at
higher vehicle speeds and shifts down
more responsively than in normal mode.
„ Shift lock release If the selector lever does not move from
the “P” position with the brake pedal de-
pressed and the ignition switch in the “ON”
position, perform the following steps:Position 2.5-liter non-turbo models
1 34 (55)
2 64 (103)
3 99 (160) 700112 700113

Starting and operating
7-23
– CONTINUED –mph (km/h)
Never exceed posted speed limits.
„ Driving tipsy On a road surface where there is a risk
of wheelspin (for example, a snow- or
gravel-covered road), you can pull away
from a standstill safely and easily by first
selecting the 2nd gear of the manual
mode.
y Always apply the foot or parking brake
when the vehicle is stopped in the “D” or
“R” position.
y Always set the parking brake when
parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehi-
cle with only the transmission.
y Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary
position on an uphill grade by using the
“D” position. Use the brake instead.
y The engine may, on rare occasions,
knock when the vehicle rapidly acceler-
ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill.
This phenomenon does not indicate a fault.
y A slight reduction in output torque may
occur in the models with a 3.0-liter or 2.5-
liter turbo engine before the engine warms
up.
„ SPORT mode
SPORT mode is used when power is
needed for rapid acceleration or for uphill
driving. To select this mode, move the se-
lector lever from the “D” position to the
manual gate. When selected, the SPORT mode indica-
tor light on the instrument panel will turn
on.
To deselect SPORT mode, move the se-
lector lever to the “D ” position or select
manual mode. To subsequently reselect
SPORT mode, move the selector lever to
the “D” position and from there to the man-
ual gate.
In this mode, the transmission shifts up at
higher vehicle speeds and shifts down
more responsively t han in normal mode.
„ Shift lock release If the selector lever does not move from
the “P” position with the brake pedal de-
pressed and the ignition switch in the “ON”
position, perform the following steps:Position 2.5-liter turbo
models 3.0-liter models
1 35 (57) 27 (43)
2 59 (95) 61 (98)
3 94 (151) 96 (154)
700112 700113

10Appearance care Exterior care ....................................................... 10-2 Washing ................................................................... 10-2
Waxing and polishing ............................................. 10-3
Cleaning aluminum wheels .................................... 10-3
Corrosion protection ......... ................................. 10-4Most common causes of corrosion ...................... 10-4
To help prevent corrosion ..................................... 10-4
Cleaning the interior .......................................... 10-5 Seat fabric ............................................................... 10-5
Leather seat materials ............................................ 10-5
Synthetic leather upholstery ................................. 10-5
Climate control panel, audio panel, instrument
panel, console panel, switches, combination
meter, and other plastic surface ......................... 10-5