
7-2
Starting 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 requirementsThe engine is designed to operate using
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
87 AKI or higher.
! 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.
! California fuel
If your vehicle was certified to California
Emission Standards as indicated on the
underhood tune-up label, it is designed to
optimize engine and emission control
system 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 for
service. The CHECK ENGINE warning
light/Malfunction indicator lamp may also
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized SUBARU dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
!
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
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.
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
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New vehicle break-in driving–the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km) .................................. 8-2
Fuel economy hints ......................................... 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ........ 8-2
Catalytic converter ........................................... 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................ 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................ 8-4
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ......................... 8-4
On-pavement and off road driving .................. 8-5
Winter driving ................................................... 8-7
Operation during cold weather .......................... 8-7
Driving on snowy and icy roads ....................... 8-9
Corrosion protection ...................................... 8-10
Snow tires ..................................................... 8-10
Tire chains ...................................................... 8-11
Rocking the vehicle ......................................... 8-11
Loading your vehicle ...................................... 8-11
Vehicle capacity weight ................................... 8-12
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ..................... 8-12
Roof rails and crossbar (if equipped) ............... 8-13
Roof molding and crossbar (if equipped) ......... 8-16
Trailer hitch (if equipped).............................. 8-18
Connecting a trailer........................................ 8-18
When you do not tow a trailer .. ....................... 8-20
Trailer towing................................................. 8-20
Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-20
Maximum load limits ....................................... 8-20
Trailer hitches ................................................. 8-23
Connecting a trailer ........................................ 8-24
Trailer towing tips ........................................... 8-26
Driving tips
8
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exhaust fumes are entering the
vehicle, have the problem
checked and corrected as soon
as possible. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive
only with all windows fully open.
. Keep the rear gate closed while
driving to prevent exhaust gas
from entering the vehicle.
NOTEDue to the expansion and contraction
of the metals used in the manufacture
of the exhaust system, you may hear a
crackling sound coming from the ex-
haust system for a short time after the
engine has been shut off. This sound is
normal.
Catalytic converter
WARNING
. Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive
or park the vehicle anywhere
near flammable materials (e.g.
grass, paper, rags or leaves),
because the catalytic converter
operates at very high tempera-
tures.
. Keep everyone and flammable
materials away from the exhaust
pipe while the engine is running.
The exhaust gas is very hot.The catalytic converter is installed in the
exhaust system. It serves as catalyst to reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust
gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust.
To avoid damage to the catalytic conver-
ter:
.
Use only unleaded gasoline. Even a
small amount of leaded gasoline will
damage the catalytic converter.
. Never start the engine by pushing or
pulling the vehicle.
. Avoid racing the engine.
. Never turn off the ignition switch while
the vehicle is moving.
. Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel
the engine running rough (misfiring, back-
firing or incomplete combustion), have
your vehicle checked and repaired by an
authorized SUBARU dealer.
. Do not apply undercoating or rust
prevention treatment to the heat shield of
catalytic converter and the exhaust sys-
tem.
. Do not drive with an extremely low fuel
level.
Driving tips
8-3
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Light...................................................................... 6-2
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-15
Catalytic converter ...................................................... 8-3
Center Console ................................................................. 6-6
Ventilators .............................................................. 4-4
Changing Flat tire .................................................................. 9-6
Oil and oil filter ...................................................... 11-8
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-13
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ......................................................... 3-12
Checking Brake pedal free play ........................................... 11-21
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................ 11-22
Engine oil level ...................................................... 11-7
Fluid level ........................................ 11-15, 11-19, 11-20
Gear oil level ....................................................... 11-18
Child restraint systems ............................................... 1-30
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ................................ 1-33
Lower and tether anchorages .................................. 1-37
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks ................................................................... 2-19
Chime Key ....................................................................... 3-4
Seatbelt ........................................................ 1-17, 3-10
Chrome plated wheels .............................................. 11-31
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ..................................................... 4-10 Climate control system
Automatic ............................................................... 4-5
Clock ....................................................................... 3-21
Coolant ................................................................... 11-11
Cooling system ........................................................ 11-11
Corrosion protection ........................................... 8-10, 10-4
Cruise control ........................................................... 7-30
Set indicator light ................................................... 3-21
Cruise control indicator light ........................................ 3-20
Cup holder ................................................................. 6-7
Front passenger ’s.................................................... 6-8
D
Daytime running light system ...................................... 3-27
Differential gear oil Front ................................................................... 11-17
Rear ................................................................... 11-18
Dimensions ............................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ................................................ 2-17
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ....................... 7-19
Dome light ........................................................ 6-2, 11-48
Door Locks ..................................................................... 2-4
Open warning light. ................................................ 3-17
Drive belts ............................................................... 11-15
Driving All-Wheel Drive vehicle .......................................... 3-18
Car
phone/cell phone .................................................. 7
Drinking. .................................................................... 6
Drugs ........................................................................\
 6
Foreign countries ..................................................... 8-4
Index
14-3
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