4-14Climate 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.
CAUTION
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.
. Windshield gets easily fogged or
misted.
NOTE
The filter can influence the air condi-
tioning, heating and defroster perfor-
mance if not properly maintained.
Type B audio set (if equipped)
The audio set will operate only when the ignition switch is in the“Acc ”or “ON ”position.
& Radio operation(1) Power switch, Volume, Brightness con-
trol dial
(2) FM/AM selection button
(3) Seek button
(4) Scan button
(5) Sound/Tune control dial
(6) Preset buttons
! Power switch and volume/bright-
ness control (POWER/VOL/BRIGHT)
The dial (1) is used for both power (ON/
OFF) and volume control. The radio is
turned ON and OFF by pushing the dial,
and the volume is controlled by turning thedial. ! Sound control and tune/folder se-
lect/channel control (SOUND/TUNE/FOLDER/CH)
The dial (5) is used for selecting the sound
control mode with each brief press of the
dial, and turn it to adjust each level. It is
also used for tuning the radio/folder
selection (only when playing MP3 or
WMA)/channel selection (satellite radio*)
when the “FM/AM ”, “CD/AUX ”and “SAT ”
are selected.
(*: Use of satellite radio (Sirius) requires a
tuner, antenna and a service contract. For
details, please contact your SUBARU
dealer.) Audio
5-11
– CONTINUED –
5-20Audio
& Auxiliary unit operation
(17) AUX button
(18) Category button
(19) Scan button
(20) Satellite radio* button
(21) Category selection button
(22) Preset buttons
(23) Channel selection dial
(*: Use of satellite radio (Sirius) requires a
tuner, antenna and a service contract. For
details, please contact your SUBARU
dealer.) “ Satellite Radio mode ”and “AUX mode ”
are available as well as the CD changer
mode when the unit is in the Auxiliary unitmode. NOTE . For use of the In-dash CD changer,
refer to the section of “In-dash 6 CD
auto changer ”in this chapter.
. Use of satellite radio (Sirius) re-
quires a tuner, antenna and a service
contract. For details, please contact
your SUBARU dealer.. The “AUX mode ”can be used when
the appropriate device is connected to
the AUX terminal.. The output sound of the portable
audio player is not loud, and the sound
via the vehicle ’s speakers that are
connected to the vehicle audio set is
very quiet. If you turn up the volume of
the audio set, the volume becomes
louder. However, when you change
the audio to the radio mode or to a
CD player, the sound becomes a lot
louder. Remember to turn down the
volume when you change betweenthem. !AUX terminal (if equipped)
The AUX terminal is located behind the lid
under the climate controls. Push gently on
the lid to open it.
! Satellite Radio mode
Press the “SAT ”button (20) to select the
“ Satellite radio mode ”(when the SR-BB is
connected). NOTE
Use of satellite radio (Sirius) requires a
tuner, antenna and a service contract.
For details, please contact your
SUBARU dealer.or
Visit Sirius Satellite Radio at
sirius.com
or call 1-888-539-SIRIUS (7474) for
more information. Sirius, the Sirius
dog logo, channel names and logos
are trademarks of SIRIUS Satellite
Radio Inc. ! Satellite radio reception
Satellite radio signals are best received in
areas with a clear view of the open sky. In
areas where there are tall buildings, trees,
tunnels or other structures that may
obstruct the signal of the satellites, there
may be signal interruptions. Other circum-
stances that may result in signal loss
include driving near a wall, steep cliff or
hill, or driving on the lower level of a multi-
tiered road or inside a parking garage.
To help reduce this condition, satellite
radio providers have installed ground-
based repeaters in heavily populated
areas. However, you may still experience
reception problems in some areas. Audio
5-21
– CONTINUED –
7-2Starting and operating
Fuel
CAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel
additive may cause engine damage.
& Fuel requirements
! 2.5-liter non-turbo models
The 2.5-liter non-turbo engine is designed
to operate using unleaded gasoline with
an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher. ! WRX
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to
operate using premium unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 91 AKI or higher. If
premium unleaded gasoline is not avail-
able, regular unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 87 AKI or higher may be
temporarily used. For optimum engine
performance and driveability, it is required
that you use premium grade unleadedgasoline. NOTE
Be sure to use premium unleaded
gasoline of 91 AKI or higher for WRX.
If other gasoline (lower than 91 AKI) is used, knocking, reduced output and
poor accelerator response will result. !
WRX-STI
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to
operate using super-premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI or
higher. If super-premium unleaded gaso-
line with an octane rating of 93 AKI or
higher is not available, premium unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI or
higher may be temporarily used. For
optimum engine performance and drive-
ability, it is required that you use super-
premium grade unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 93 AKI or higher.
NOTE
Be sure to use super-premium un-
leaded gasoline of 93 AKI or higher
for WRX-STI. If other gasoline (lower
than 93 AKI) is used, knocking, re-
duced output and poor accelerator
response will result. ! Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane
numbers and is commonly referred to as
the Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane
rating can cause persistent and heavy knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly when you drive
up a hill or when you accelerate. See your
dealer or a qualified service technician if
you use a fuel with the specified octane
rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or
persistently. !
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy. ! Gasoline for California-certified LEV
If your vehicle was certified to California ’s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur Cali-
fornia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your
vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting
Federal specifications. Gasoline sold out-
side California is permitted to have higher
sulfur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle ’s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or
smell. SUBARU recommends that you try
a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning
your vehicle to an authorized dealer forservice. !MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp may turn on. If this
happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is
determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not
be covered by your warranty. ! Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
This helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working
properly, and is a way of doing your part
for cleaner air. If you continuously use a
high quality fuel with the proper detergent
and other additives, you should never
need to add any fuel system cleaning
agents to your fuel tank. Many gasolines are now blended with
materials called oxygenates. Use of these
fuels can also help keep the air cleaner.
Oxygenated blend fuels, such as MTBE
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol
(ethyl or grain alcohol) may be used in
your vehicle, but should contain no more
than 15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the
proper operation of your SUBARU.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are
now producing reformulated gasolines,
which are designed to reduce vehicle
emissions. SUBARU approves the use of
reformulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains,
you should ask your service station
operators if their gasolines contain deter-
gents and oxygenates and if they have
been reformulated to reduce vehicle emis-sions.
As additional guidance, only use fuels
suited for your vehicle as explained in thefollowing. .
Fuel should be unleaded and have an
octane rating no lower than that specified
in this manual. . Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is
sometimes mixed with unleaded gasoline.
Methanol can be used in your vehicle
ONLY if it does not exceed 5% of the fuel
mixture ANDif it is accompanied by sufficient quantities of the proper cosol-
vents and corrosion inhibitors required to
prevent damage to the fuel system. Do not
use fuel containing methanol
EXCEPT
under these conditions. . If undesirable driveability problems are
experienced and you suspect they may be
fuel related, try a different brand of gaso-
line before seeking service at your
SUBARU dealer. . Fuel system damage or driveability
problems which result from the use of
improper fuel are not covered under the
SUBARU Limited Warranty.
CAUTION
Do not let fuel spill on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle. Fuels con-
taining alcohol may cause paint
damage, which is not covered under
the SUBARU Limited Warranty. Starting and operating
7-3
– CONTINUED –
the tank whenever the low fuel warning
light comes on. Engine misfires as a
result of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.
CAUTION
. Never add any cleaning agents to
the fuel tank. The addition of a
cleaning agent may cause da-
mage to the fuel system.
. Make sure that the cap is tigh-
tened until it clicks to prevent
fuel spillage in the event of anaccident.
. Do not let fuel spill on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle.
Fuels may cause paint damage,
which is not covered under the
SUBARU Limited Warranty.
. Always use a genuine SUBARU
fuel filler cap. If you use the
wrong cap, it may not fit or have
proper venting, and your fuel
tank and emission control sys-
tem might be damaged. State emission testing (U.S. only)
At state inspection time, remember to
tell your inspection or service station in
advance not to place your Subaru AWD
vehicle on a two-wheel dynamometer.
Otherwise, serious transmission da-
mage will result.
Some states have started using dynam-
ometers in their state inspection programs
in order to meet their obligation under
federal law to implement stricter vehicle
emission standards to reduce air pollution
from vehicles. A dynamometer is a tread-
mill or roller-like testing device that allows
your vehicle
’s wheels to turn while the
vehicle remains in one place. Depending
on the severity of a state ’s air pollution
problems, the states must adopt either a“ basic ”or “enhanced ”vehicle emission
inspection test. Normally, a portion of the
basic emission test consists of an emis-
sion inspector inserting an analyzer probe
into the exhaust pipe of an idling vehicle
for a short period of time. States with more
severe air pollution problems are required
to adopt an enhanced vehicle emission
test. This test simulates actual driving
conditions on a dynamometer and permits
more accurate measurement of tailpipe
emitted pollution than the basic emission test.
The U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and states using two-wheel
dynamometers in their emission testing
programs have
EXEMPTEDSubaru AWD
vehicles from the portion of the testing
program that involves a two-wheel dy-
namometer.
There are some states that use four-wheel
dynamometers in their testing programs.
When properly used, that equipment will
not damage an AWD Subaru vehicle.
Under no circumstances should the rear
wheels be jacked off the ground, nor
should the driveshaft be disconnected for
state emission testing.
WARNING
Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle
must NEVER be performed on a
single two-wheel dynamometer. At-
tempting to do so will result in
uncontrolled vehicle movement and
may cause an accident or injuries to
persons nearby. Starting and operating
7-5
– CONTINUED –
7-6Starting and operating
CAUTION
Resultant vehicle damage due to
improper testing is not covered
under the SUBARU Limited War-
ranty and is the responsibility of
the state inspection program or its
contractors or licensees.
The EPA has issued regulations for
inspecting the On-Board Diagnostic
(OBD) system as part of the state emis-
sions inspection. The OBD system is
designed to detect engine and transmis-
sion problems that might cause vehicle
emissions to exceed allowable limits.
These inspections apply to all 1996 model
year and newer passenger cars and light
trucks. Over 30 states plus the District of
Columbia have implemented the OBD
system inspection. . The inspection of the OBD system
consists of a visual operational check of the “CHECK ENGINE ”warning light/mal-
function indicator lamp (MIL) and an
examination of the OBD system with an
electronic scan tool while the engine isrunning. . Avehicle
passes the OBD system
inspection if proper the “CHECK ENGINE ”
warning light/MIL illumination is observed,
there is nostored diagnostic trouble codes, and the OBD system readiness
monitors are complete. .
A vehicle
fails the OBD inspection if the
“ CHECK ENGINE ”warning light/MIL is
not properly operating or there are one or
more diagnostic trouble codes stored in
the vehicle ’s computer with the “CHECK
ENGINE ”warning light/MIL illuminated.
. A state emission inspection may reject
(not pass or fail) a vehicle if the number of
OBD system readiness monitors “Not
Ready ”is greater than one. Under this
condition, the vehicle operator should be
instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few
days to set the monitors and return for an
emission re-inspection. . Owners of rejected or failing vehicles
should contact their SUBARU Dealer for service. Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks
and adjustments every day before you
start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and
lights are clean and unobstructed.
2. Check the appearance and condition
of the tires. Also check tires for properinflation.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
4. Check that the hood, trunk (Sedan)
and rear gate (Wagon) are fully closed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside
and outside mirrors.
7. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your
passengers have fastened their seatbelts.
8. Check the operation of the warning
and indicator lights when the ignition
switch is turned to the
“ON ”position.
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warn-
ing lights after starting the engine.
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops.