
11-4Maintenance and service
guard against getting oil or fluids 
in your eyes. If something does
get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water.
. Do not tamper with the wiring of
the SRS airbag system or seat-
belt pretensioner system, or at-
tempt to take its connectors
apart, as that may activate the
system or it can render it inop-
erative. The wiring and connec-
tors of these systems are yellow
for easy identification. NEVER
use a circuit tester for thesewiring. 
If your SRS airbag or seatbelt 
pretensioner needs service, con-
sult your nearest SUBARU deal-
er.
& Before checking or servicing 
in the engine compartment
WARNING
. Always stop the engine and set
the parking brake firmly to pre- 
vent the vehicle from moving.
. Always let the engine cool down.
Engine parts become very hot
when the engine is running and remain hot for some time after
the engine is stopped.
. Do not spill engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components.
This may cause a fire.
. Always remove the key from the
ignition switch. When the ignition
switch is in the “ON ”position,
thecoolingfanmayoperate
suddenly even when the engine
is stopped.
& When you do checking or 
servicing in the engine com- 
partment while the engine isrunning
WARNING
A running engine can be dangerous. 
Keep your fingers, hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from the cooling
fan, belts and any other moving
engine parts. Removing rings,
watches and ties is advisable. Engine hood
To open the hood: 
1. If the wiper blades are lifted off the 
windshield, return them to their originalpositions. 
2. Pull the hood release knob under the 
instrument panel.  

11-6Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview &2.5-liter non-turbo models1) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-
28)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-21) or Differential gear oil level 
gauge (AT) (page 11-24)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-30) 
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-22)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-29) 
6) Fuse box (page 11-47) 
7) Battery (page 11-46) 
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-41)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9) 
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14) 
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14) 
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9) 
13) Air cleaner element (page 11-17)  

&2.5-liter turbo models1) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-
28)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-21) or Differential gear oil level 
gauge (AT) (page 11-24)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-30) 
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-29) 
5) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-22)
6) Fuse box (page 11-47) 
7) Battery (page 11-46) 
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-41)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9) 
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14) 
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9) 
12) Radiator cap (page 11-14) 
13) Air cleaner element (page 11-17) Maintenance and service
11-7
– CONTINUED –  

11-8Maintenance and service
& 3.0-liter models
1) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-
28)
2) Differential gear oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-24)
3) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-22)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-29) 
5) Fuse box (page 11-47) 
6) Battery (page 11-46) 
7) Windshield washer tank (page 11-41) 
8) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9) 
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
10) Radiator cap (page 11-14) 
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9) 
12) Air cleaner element (page 11-17)  

11-22Maintenance and service
1) Upper level 
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check 
the oil level on it. If it is below the lower
level, add oil through the dipstick hole to
bring the level up to the upper level.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill manual trans- 
mission oil when adding it. If oil
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off. &
Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base 
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and applicable tempera- ture Automatic transmission fluid &
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands 
largely as its temperature rises; the fluid 
level differs according to fluid temperature. 
Therefore, there are two different scales
for checking the level of hot fluid and cold
fluid on the dipstick. 
Though the fluid level can be checked 
without warming up the fluid on the“ COLD ”range, we recommend checking
the fluid level when the fluid is at operatingtemperature. ! Checking the fluid level when the 
fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly. 
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise 
the temperature of the transmission fluid
up to normal operating temperature; 158
to 176 8F (70 to 80 8C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake. 
3. First shift the selector lever in each 
position. Then shift it in the “P ” position,
and run the engine at idling speed.   

Brake fluid &Checking the fluid level
WARNING
. Never let brake fluid contact your
eyes because brake fluid can be 
harmful to your eyes. If brake 
fluid gets in your eyes, immedi-
ately flush them thoroughly with
clean water. For safety, when
performing this work, wearing
eye protection is advisable.
. Brake fluid absorbs moisture
from the air. Any absorbed moist-
ure can cause a dangerous loss
of braking performance.
. If the vehicle requires frequent
refilling, there may be a leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
CAUTION
. Never use different brands of
brake fluid together. Also, avoid 
mixing DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake
fluids even if they are of the samebrand. .
When adding brake fluid, be care-
ful not to allow any dirt into the
reservoir.
. Never splash the brake fluid over
painted surfaces or rubber parts.
Alcohol contained in the brake
fluid may damage them.
. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
when adding it. If brake fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If brake fluid gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe itoff.
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the 
reservoir. If the level is below “MIN ”, add
the recommended brake fluid to “MAX ”. Use only brake fluid from a sealed
container.
& Recommended brake fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid Maintenance and service
11-29  

11-30Maintenance and service
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) &Checking the fluid level
WARNING
Never let clutch fluid contact your 
eyes because clutch fluid can be 
harmful to your eyes. If clutch fluid 
gets in your eyes, immediately flush
them thoroughly with clean water.
For safety, when performing this
work, wearing eye protection isadvisable.
CAUTION
. Clutch fluid absorbs moisture
from the air. Any absorbed moist- 
ure can cause improper clutchoperation.
. If the vehicle requires frequent
refilling, there may be a leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
. Never use different brands of
clutch fluid together.
. When clutch fluid is added, be
careful not to allow any dirt into
the tank. .
Never splash the clutch fluid over
painted surfaces or rubber parts.
Alcohol contained in the clutch
fluid may damage them.
. Be careful not to spill clutch fluid
when adding it. If clutch fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If clutch fluid gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe itoff.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the 
reservoir. If the level is below “MIN ”level
mark, add the recommended clutch fluidto “MAX ”level mark.
Use only clutch fluid from a sealed
container. &
Recommended clutch fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid
CAUTION
Avoid mixing DOT 3 and DOT 4 
brake fluids even if they are of the
same brand.  

14-2Index
A 
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................................... 7-35
Warning light ................................................. 3-28, 7-35
Accessories ....................................................... 5-4, 11-49
Accessory power outlet ................................................. 6-8
Active head restraint ..................................................... 1-7
Air cleaner element ................................................... 11-17
Air conditioner ............................................................. 4-7
Air filtration system ..................................................... 4-13
Air flow selection .......................................................... 4-2
Alarm system ............................................................ 2-14
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) .................... 3-30
Aluminum wheels ...................................................... 11-41
Antenna system ........................................................... 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ..................................... 7-35
Arming the system ..................................................... 2-15
Armrest ..................................................................... 1-11
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light ............................... 3-26
Audio control button ................................................... 5-26
Audio set .................................................................... 5-5
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ...................................... 3-48
Automatic climate control system ................................... 4-8
Automatic transmission 4-speed ................................................................ 7-18
5-speed ................................................................ 7-24
Capacities ............................................................. 12-4
Fluid .................................................................... 11-22
Manual mode ................................................ 7-21, 7-27
Selector lever ................................................ 7-19, 7-25
Shift lock release ........................................... 7-23, 7-30
SPORT ......................................................... 7-23, 7-30 Temperature warning light (AT OIL TEMP)
................. 3-26
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-14
BBattery .................................................................... 11-46
Jump starting ......................................................... 9-10
Replacement (Remote keyless entry system) .............. 2-8
Brake
Booster ............................................................... 11-31
Fluid ................................................................... 11-29
Pad and lining ...................................................... 11-33
Parking ............................................................... 11-33
Pedal .................................................................. 11-31
Brake pedal
Free play ............................................................. 11-31
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-31
Brake system ............................................................. 7-34
Warning light .......................................................... 3-28
Braking ..................................................................... 7-34
Tips ...................................................................... 7-34
Breaking
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ............... 11-33
Bulb Chart .................................................................... 12-9
Replacing ............................................................ 11-50
CCapacities ................................................................. 12-4
Cargo area Cover .................................................................... 6-12
Light ...................................................................... 6-2