2008 SUBARU LEGACY Owners Manual

3-26Instruments and controls
!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, the trip meter willshow “
”.
If the trip meter shows “
”, immediately
contact the nearest SUBARU dealer and
have the vehicle communication systeminspected. NOTE
If you press the trip knob while the trip
meter is showing “
”, the trip meter
indication will appear for 10 seconds. &
Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute.
CAUTION
Do 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. &
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
braking, turning or acceleration due to fuel
level 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 ’s

door, 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 thevehicle. !
Low fuel warning light
1) Low fuel warning light
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).
CAUTION
Promptly put fuel in the tank when-
ever the low fuel warning light
comes on. Engine misfires as a
result of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.
& 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
accordance with the outside temperature
and driving conditions. Instruments and controls
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3-28Instruments and controls
We recommend that you drive moderately
until the pointer of the temperature gauge
reaches near the middle of the range.
Engine operation is optimum with the
engine coolant at this temperature range.
Also, high revving operation while the
engine is not sufficiently warmed up
should be avoided.
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Refer to “In case of emergency ”in
chapter 9. Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
come on momentarily and then go out
when the ignition switch is initially turned
to the
“ON ”position. This permits check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the “ON ”position. The
following lights come on:
: Seatbelt warning light
(The seatbelt warning light goes out only
when the driver fastens the seatbelt.)
: Front passenger ’s seatbelt warning
light
(The seatbelt warning light goes out only
when the front seat passenger fastens theseatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
: CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal- function indicator lamp
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: AT OIL temperature warning light (ATmodels)
/: ABS warning light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light (if equipped)
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light
(if equipped)/Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator light (if equipped)
/: Brake system warning light
: All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT
models)
: Low tire pressure warning light (if equipped)
: SPORT mode indicator light (AT models) (if equipped)
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator light
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator light
or: Low fuel warning light
or: Door open warning light
: Cruise control indicator light
: Cruise control set indicator light
: Shift-up indicator light (MT models) (if equipped)
: S# PREP indicator light (if equipped)
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a
burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the

corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair. &Seatbelt warning light
and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver ’s and front
passenger ’s seat, as required by current
safety standards.
With the ignition switch turned to the “ON ”
position, this device reminds the driver
and front passenger to fasten their seat-
belts by illuminating the warning lights in
the locations indicated in the following
illustration and sounding a chime.
Driver ’s warning light (Vehicle with SI-
DRIVE)
Driver ’s warning light (Vehicle without SI-
DRIVE)
Front passenger ’s warning light
! Operation
If the driver and/or front passenger have/ has not yet fastened the seatbelt(s) when
the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON ”
position, the seatbelt warning light(s) will
flash for 6 seconds, to warn that the
seatbelt(s) is/are unfastened. If the dri-ver ’s seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will
also sound simultaneously. NOTE . If the driver ’s and/or front passen-
ger ’s seatbelt(s) are/is still not fastened
6 seconds later, the seatbelt warning
device operates as follows according
to the vehicle speed.
.At speeds lower than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light(s) for unfastened
seatbelt(s) will alternate between
steady illumination and flashing at
15-second intervals. The chime will
not sound. . At speeds higher than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light(s) for unfastened
seatbelt(s) will alternate between
flashing and steady illumination at
15-second intervals and the chime
will sound while the warning light(s)
is/are flashing.
. It is possible to cancel the warning
operation that follows the 6-second
warning after turning ON the ignition Instruments and controls
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3-30Instruments and controls
switch. When the ignition switch is
turned ON next time, however, the
complete sequence of the warning
operation resumes. For further details
about canceling the warning operation,
please contact your SUBARU dealer.
If there is no passenger on the front passenger ’s seat, the seatbelt warning
device for the front passenger ’s seat will
be deactivated. The front passenger ’s
occupant detection system monitors
whether or not there is a passenger on
the front passenger ’s seat. Observe the
following precautions. Failure to do so
may prevent the device from functioning
correctly or cause the device to fail. . Do not install any accessory such as a
table or TV onto the seatback.. Do not store a heavy load in the
seatback pocket.. Do not allow the rear seat occupant to
place his/her hands or legs on the front passenger ’s seatback, or allow him/her to
pull the seatback. . Do not use front seats with their back-
ward-forward position and seatback not
being locked into place securely. If any of
them are not locked securely, adjust them
again. For adjusting procedure, refer tothe “Manual seat ”in the front seats section
in chapter 1 in this Owner ’s Manual.
(Models equipped with manual seats only) If the seatbelt warning device for the frontpassenger
’s seat does not function cor-
rectly (e.g., it is activated even when the
front passenger ’s seat is empty or it is
deactivated even when the front passen-
ger has not fastened his/her seatbelt),
take the following actions. . Ensure that no article is placed on the
seat other than a child restraint system
and its child occupant. . Ensure that there is no article left in the
seatback pocket.. Ensure that the backward-forward po-
sition and seatback of front passenger ’s
seat are locked into place securely by
moving the seat back and forth. (Models
equipped with manual seats only)
If still the seatbelt warning device for front passenger ’s seat does not function cor-
rectly after taking relevant corrective ac-
tions described above, immediately con-
tact your SUBARU dealer for an inspec-tion.
& SRS airbag system
warning light
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”position, the SRS airbag system
warning light will come on for approxi-
mately 7 seconds and go out. This shows
the SRS frontal airbag and SRS side airbag and SRS curtain airbag and seat-
belt pretensioners are in normal operation.
WARNING
If the warning light exhibits any of
the following conditions, there may
be a malfunction in the seatbelt
pretensioners and/or SRS airbag
system. Immediately take your vehi-
cle to your nearest SUBARU dealer
to have the system checked. Unless
checked and properly repaired, the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbags will operate improperly (e.g.
SRS airbags may inflate in a very
minor collision or not inflate in a
severe collision), which may in-
crease the risk of injury. . Flashing or flickering of the warn-
ing light
. No illumination of the warning
light when the ignition switch is
first turned to the “ON ”position
. Continuous illumination of the
warning light
. Illumination of the warning light
while driving

&Front passenger ’s frontal
airbag ON and OFF indica- tors
or: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator
or: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator
The front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicators show you the status of
the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag.
The indicators are located between the
map lights.
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ ON ”position, both the ON and OFF
indicators illuminate for 6 seconds during
which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators
extinguish for 2 seconds. After that, one of the indicators illuminates depending on
the status of the front passenger
’s SRS
frontal airbag determined by the Subaru
advanced frontal airbag system monitor-ing.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is activated, the passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator will illuminate while the OFF
indicator will remain extinguished.
If the front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is deactivated, the passenger ’sfrontal
airbag ON indicator will remain extin-
guished while the OFF indicator willilluminate.
If both the ON and OFF indicators remain
lit or extinguished simultaneously, the
system is faulty. Contact your SUBARU
dealer immediately for an inspection.
& CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction
indicator lamp
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light/
malfunction indicator lamp comes
on while you are driving, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-
ble. Continued vehicle operation
without having the emission control system checked and repaired as
necessary could cause serious da-
mage, which may not be covered by
your vehicle
’s warranty.
If this light comes on steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is a problem or potential
problem somewhere in the emission con-
trol system. ! If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving
or does not go out after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by
an authorized SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
NOTE
This light also comes on when the fuel
filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle,
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator lamp coming on
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light/malfunction indicator lamp Instruments and controls
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3-32Instruments and controls
turn off immediately. It may take several
driving trips. If the light does not go out,
take your vehicle to your authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately. !If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an
engine misfire condition has been de-
tected which may damage the emission
control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emis-
sion control system, you should do thefollowing. . Reduce vehicle speed.
. Avoid hard acceleration.
. Avoid steep uphill grades.
. Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.. Stop towing a trailer as soon as
possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light/mal-
function indicator lamp may stop blinking
and come on steadily after several driving
trips. You should have your vehicle
checked by an authorized SUBARU deal-
er immediately. & Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not working properly. If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good
condition but the light remains on, contact
your nearest SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
& Oil pressure warning light
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the
oil pressure warning light on. This
may cause serious engine damage.
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the engine oil
pressure is low and the lubricating system
is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the engine oil level. If the oil level is
low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is
at the proper level but the light remains on,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
immediately. &
AT OIL TEMPerature
warning light (AT mod- els)
The AT oil temperature warning light
comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON ”position and goes out
after approximately 2 seconds.
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,
immediately stop the vehicle in a safe
place and let the engine idle until the
warning light goes off. ! 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. & Low tire pressure
warning light (U.S.-spec.models)
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”position, the low tire pressure warn-
ing light will come on for approximately 2
seconds to check that the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) is functioning

properly. If there is no problem and all tires
are properly inflated, the light will go out.
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold
and inflated to the inflation pressure
recommended by the vehicle manufac-
turer on the vehicle placard or tire inflation
pressure label. (If your vehicle has tires of
a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pres-
sure label, you should determine the
proper inflation pressure for those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates
a low tire pressure telltale when one or
more of your tires is significantly under-
inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire
pressure telltale illuminates, you should
stop and check your tires as soon as
possible, and inflate them to the proper
pressure. Driving on a significantly under-
inflated tire causes the tire to overheat and
can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation also
reduces fuel efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle’s handling and
stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a
substitute for proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver ’s responsibility to
maintain correct tire pressure, even if
under-inflation has not reached the level to trigger illumination of the TPMS low tire
pressure telltale.
Your vehicle has also been equipped with
a TPMS malfunction indicator to indicate
when the system is not operating properly.
The TPMS malfunction indicator is com-
bined with the low tire pressure telltale.
When the system detects a malfunction,
the telltale will flash for approximately one
minute and then remain continuously
illuminated. This sequence will continue
upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long
as the malfunction exists. When the
malfunction indicator is illuminated, the
system may not be able to detect or signal
low tire pressure as intended. TPMS
malfunctions may occur for a variety of
reasons, including the installation of re-
placement or alternate tires or wheels on
the vehicle that prevent the TPMS from
functioning properly. Always check the
TPMS malfunction telltale after replacing
one or more tires or wheels on your
vehicle to ensure that the replacement or
alternate tires and wheels allow the TPMS
to continue to function properly.
Should the warning light illuminate stea-
dily after blinking for approximately one
minute, have the system inspected by
your nearest SUBARU dealer as soon aspossible.WARNING
If this light does not come on briefly
after the ignition switch is turned ON
or the light illuminates steadily after
blinking for approximately one min-
ute, you should have your Tire
Pressure Monitoring System
checked at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
If this light comes on while driving,
never brake suddenly and keep
driving straight ahead while gradu-
ally reducing speed. Then slowly
pull off the road to a safe place.
Otherwise an accident involving
serious vehicle damage and serious
personal injury could occur.
If this light still comes on while
driving after adjusting the tire pres-
sure, a tire may have significant
damage and a fast leak that causes
the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have
a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire
as soon as possible.
When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel rim is replaced without the
original pressure sensor/transmitter
being transferred, the Low tire pres-
sure warning light will illuminates
steadily after blinking for approxi-
mately one minute. This indicates Instruments and controls
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