
22
&WARNING AND INDICATOR LIGHT
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-14
SRS airbag system
warning light 3-14
orPassenger airbag ON
indicator light3-15
orPassenger airbag OFF
indicator light3-15
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp3-16
Charge warning light 3-16
Oil pressure warning light
3-16
AT OIL temperature
warning light (if equipped)3-17Mark Name Page
orABS warning light 3-17
orBrake system warning light
3-18
Door open warning light 3-19
All-Wheel Drive warning
light (if equipped)3-19
Turn signal indicator lights3-20
High beam indicator light 3-20
Security indicator light
2-4,
2-13
Intercooler water spray
warning light (if
equipped) 3-19
Lights indicator light (if
equipped)
3-21
Cruise control indicator light3-20Mark Name Page
Cruise control set indi-
cator light
3-20
REV indicator light (if
equipped)3-21
Rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light (if
equipped)3-17
Driver
’s control center
differential auto indicator
light (if equipped) 3-20
Driver
’s control center
differential indicator light
(if equipped) 3-21
Driver
’s control center
differential indicator and
warning lights (if
equipped) 3-21

Ignition switch..................................................... 3-3
LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
Acc..................................................................... 3-4
ON...................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-5
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) ... ............ 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-6
Meters and gauges (WRX-STI) ........................... 3-6
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-6
Canceling sequential illumination of the combination meter ............................................ 3-6
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-7
Odometer/Trip meter ............................................ 3-7
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-7
Fuel gauge .......................................................... 3-8
Temperature gauge ............................................. 3-8
Outside temperature indicator ............................. 3-9
REV indicator light and buzzer (WRX-STI) ........ 3-9
Setting the alarm-level engine speed ................... 3-10
Deactivating the REV alarm system ..................... 3-11
Meters and gauges (Except WRX-STI) .............. 3-11
Speedometer ...................................................... 3-11
Odometer/Trip meter ........................................... 3-11
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-12
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-12
Temperature gauge ............................................ 3-13
Outside temperature indicator ............................ 3-13
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-14
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-14SRS airbag system warning light
........................ 3-14
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ........................................................ 3-15
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................. 3-16
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-16
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-16
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (AT vehicles) .................................................... 3-17
Rear differential oil temperature warning light (WRX-STI) ........................................................ 3-17
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-17
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-18
Door open warning light .................................... 3-19
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AWD AT vehicles –
if equipped) ..................................................... 3-19
Intercooler water spray warning light (WRX-STI) ........................................................ 3-19
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) .................................................... 3-20
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-20
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-20
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-20
Cruise control set indicator light ........................ 3-20
Driver ’s control center differential auto indicator
light (WRX-STI) ................................................ 3-20
Driver ’s control center differential indicator and
warning lights (WRX-STI) ................................. 3-21
Lights indicator light (WRX-STI) ......................... 3-21
REV indicator light (WRX-STI) .. .......................... 3-21
Clock .................................................................. 3-22Instruments and controls
3

contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
immediately.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the
oil pressure warning light on. This
may cause serious engine damage.
& AT OIL TEMPerature
warning light (AT vehi- cles)
The AT oil temperature warning light
comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON ”position and goes out
after the engine has started.
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is
unnecessary to stop the vehicle, but avoid
driving up steep grades or in stop and go
traffic. ! Automatic transmission control
system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it
may indicate that the automatic transmis-
sion control system is not working prop-
erly. Contact your nearest SUBARU deal- er for service immediately.
& Rear differential oil
temperature warning
light (WRX-STI)
CAUTION
Reduce vehicle speed and park the
vehicle in a safe place as soon as
possible if the R.DIFF TEMP light
comes on. Continued driving with
this light on can damage the rear
differential and other parts of thepowertrain.
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the rear
differential oil temperature is too hot.
At this time, the driver ’s control center
differential will automatically cancel the
current torque-distribution ratio setting and
adopts its minimum ratio.
If the light comes on while driving, reduce
vehicle speed and stop the vehicle at the
nearest safe place.
Park the vehicle for several minutes. After
the light goes out, you can start driving.
If the light does not go out, contact the
nearest SUBARU dealer for service. NOTE .
If the tire pressures are not correct
and/or the tires are not all the same
size and brand, the rear differential will
be heavily loaded when the vehicle is
driven, resulting in an abnormally high
oil temperature.. The rear differential oil will deterio-
rate if its temperature increases en-
ough for the rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light to come on. It is
advisable to have the rear differential
oil replaced as soon as possible. & ABS warning light
The ABS warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position and goes out after approximately
2 seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system
is working properly.
CAUTION
If the warning light behaves as
follows, the ABS system may not
work properly.
When the warning light is on, the
ABS function shuts down; however,
the conventional brake system con-
tinues to operate normally. Instruments and controls
3-17
– CONTINUED –

3-20Instruments and controls
& Selector lever position indi-
cator (AT vehicles)
This indicator shows the position of the
selector lever. & Turn signal indicator lights
These lights show the operation of the turn
signal or lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink
rapidly, the turn signal bulb may be burned
out. Replace the bulb as soon as possible.
Refer to the “Replacing bulbs ”section in
chapter 11. &
High beam indicator light
This light shows that the headlights are in
the high beam mode.
This indicator light also comes on when
the headlight flasher is operated. &Cruise control indica-
tor light
The cruise control indicator light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the“ON ”position and goes out after approxi-
mately 3 seconds.
This light comes on when the “CRUISE ”
main switch is pressed.
If you move the cruise control lever or
press the main switch button while turning
the ignition switch “ON ”, the cruise control
function is deactivated and the “CRUISE ”
indicator light flashes. To reactivate the
cruise control function, turn the ignition
switch back to the “Acc ”or “LOCK ”
position, and then turn it again to the“ ON ”position.
& Cruise control set in-
dicator light
The cruise control set indicator light
comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON ”position and goes out after approximately 3 seconds.
This light comes on when vehicle speed
has been set.
& Driver ’s control center
differential auto indica-
tor light (WRX-STI)
This light functions while the ignition
switch is “ON ”. When on, it indicates that
the driver ’s control center differential is set
to AUTO mode. It goes off when thedriver ’s control center differential ’s manual
mode switch is pressed. For details, refer
to Chapter 7, “Driver ’s Control Center
Differential (DCCD) (WRX-STI) ”.

&Driver ’s control center differ-
ential indicator and warning
lights (WRX-STI)
! Indicator lights
When illuminated, one of these indicator
lights indicates the initial limited slip
differential (LSD) torque currently selected
for the center differential. !
Warning light
The bottom indicator light “”flashes in the
event of failure of the driver ’s control
center differential. Have the vehicle in-
spected by your SUBARU dealer. For
details, refer to Chapter 7, “Driver ’s Con-
trol Center Differential (DCCD) (WRX-STI) ”.
& Lights indicator light (WRX-STI)
This light comes on when the headlight
switch is placed in the “”or “”
position. &
REV indicator light (WRX-STI)
This light comes on when the engine
speed reaches a level set by driver and
when the tachometer needle enters the
red zone. Instruments and controls
3-21

Fuel...................................................................... 7-2
Fuel requirements ............................................... 7-2
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................... 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) ...................... 7-5
Preparing to drive ............................................... 7-6
Starting the engine .............................................. 7-7
Manual transmission vehicle ................................ 7-7
Automatic transmission vehicle ........................... 7-7
Stopping the engine ............................................ 7-8
Manual transmission –6 speeds (WRX-STI) ..... 7-9
Selecting reverse gear ......................................... 7-9
Shifting speeds ................................................... 7-9
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-10
Manual transmission –5 speeds (except
WRX-STI) .......................................................... 7-11
Shifting speeds .................................................. 7-11
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-12
Driver ’s Control Center Differential (DCCD)
(WRX-STI) ........................................................ 7-12
Auto mode ......................................................... 7-13
Manual mode ..................................................... 7-13
Temporary release .............................................. 7-15
Automatic transmission ..................................... 7-15
Selector lever ..................................................... 7-16 Shift lock release
............................................... 7-19
Limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) .................................................... 7-20
Power steering ................................................... 7-20
Braking ............................................................... 7-20
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-20
Brake system .................................................... 7-21
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............. 7-21
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......................... 7-21
ABS system self-check ...................................... 7-22
ABS warning light .............................................. 7-22
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ............................................................. 7-23
Steps to take if EBD system fails ....................... 7-23
Parking your vehicle ......................................... 7-24
Parking brake .................................................... 7-24
Parking tips ....................................................... 7-25
Cruise control .................................................... 7-26
To set cruise control .......................................... 7-26
To temporarily cancel the cruise control ............. 7-27
To turn off the cruise control .............................. 7-27
To change the cruising speed .. .......................... 7-28
Starting and operating
7

7-12Starting and operating
Turbo models
mph (km/h)
1st 34 (54)
2nd 59 (95) 3rd 85 (136)
WARNING
When shifting down a gear, ensure
that the vehicle is not travelling at a
speed exceeding the Maximum Al-
lowable Speed for the gear which is
about to be selected. Failure to
observe this precaution can lead to
engine over-revving and this in turn
can result in engine damage.
In addition, sudden application of
engine brakes when the vehicle is
travelling on a slippery surface can
lead to wheel locking; as a conse-
quence, control of the vehicle may
be lost and the risk of an accidentincreased.
& Driving tips
Do not drive with your foot resting on the
clutch pedal and do not use the clutch to
hold your vehicle at a standstill on an
upgrade. Either of those actions may
cause clutch damage. Do not drive with your hand resting on the
shift lever. This may cause wear on the
transmission components.
When it is necessary to reduce vehicle
speed due to slow traffic, turning corners,
or driving up steep hills, downshift to a
lower gear before the engine starts to
labor.
On steep downgrades, downshift the
transmission to 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as
necessary; this helps to maintain a safe
speed and to extend brake pad life.
In this way, the engine provides a braking
effect. Remember, if you
“ride ”(over use)
the brakes while descending a hill, they
may overheat and not work properly.
The engine may, on rare occasions, knock
when the vehicle rapidly accelerates or
rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This
phenomenon is not an indication of a
problem in your vehicle. Driver
’s Control Center Dif-
ferential (DCCD) (WRX-STI)
WARNING
Always use the utmost care when
driving. Being overconfident be-
cause you are driving a vehicle with
a driver ’s control center differential
could easily lead to a serious acci-dent.
CAUTION
In the event of failure of the driver ’s
control center differential, the “
”
indicator light will flash. Have the
vehicle inspected by your SUBARU

dealer.
The driver ’s control center differential
allows you to freely change the degree
of limitation of the differential action
(limited slip differential (LSD) torque) of
your vehicle ’s center differential.
By using the center differential control dial,
you can set an initial LSD torque to match
the road surface conditions, driving con-
ditions and your driving style.
1) LSD torque
2) Traction torque
A) Initial LSD torque (adjustable)
B) Mechanical LSD torque &
Auto mode
In the auto mode, the system estimates
the driving and road conditions using
signals from the wheel speed sensor,
throttle position sensor, steering angle
sensor and brake switch, etc. According
to the result, it electronically and auto-
matically controls the degree of limitation
of the differential action (LSD torque) to
optimize the differential action of the
center differential. When the ignition
switch is turned ON, the “AUTO ”indicator
light in the combination meter comes on.
The system can be switched to a manual mode. &
Manual mode
In the manual mode, you can use the
center differential control dial to adjust the
initial LSD torque as desired. When this
mode is selected, the “AUTO ”indicator
light in the combination meter goes off. ! Manual switch
Press the “DCCD-MANU ”switch on the
center console to switch from auto mode
to manual mode. The “AUTO ”indicator
light in the combination meter will go off.
Press the switch again to go back to auto
mode. The “AUTO ”indicator light in the
combination meter will come on. Starting and operating
7-13
– CONTINUED –