8-28Driving tips
! Before starting out on a trip
. Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-
hitch mounting are in good condition. If
any problems are apparent, do not tow the
trailer. . Check that the vehicle sits horizontally
with the trailer attached. If the vehicle is
tipped sharply up at the front and down at
the rear, check the total trailer weight,
GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then
confirm that the load and its distribution
are acceptable. . Check that the tire pressures are
correct.. Check that the vehicle and trailer are
connected properly. Confirm that
–the trailer tongue is connected
properly to the hitch ball. – the trailer lights connector is con-
nected properly and trailer ’s brake
lights illuminate when the vehicle ’s
brake pedal is pressed, and that the trailer ’s turn signal lights flash when
the vehicle ’s turn signal lever is oper-
ated. – the safety chains are connected
properly.– all cargo in the trailer is secured
safety in position.– the side mirrors provide a good
rearward field of view without a sig- nificant blind spot.
. Sufficient time should be taken to learn
the “feel ”of the vehicle/trailer combination
before starting out on a trip. In an area free
of traffic, practice turning, stopping and
backing up. ! Driving with a trailer
. You should allow for considerably more
stopping distance when towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking because it may
result in skidding or jackknifing and loss ofcontrol. . Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accel-
erations. If your vehicle has a manual
transmission, always start out in first gear
and release the clutch at moderate enginerevolution. . Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and
rapid lane changes.. Slow down before turning. Make a
longer than normal turning radius because
the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. In
a tight turn, the trailer could hit yourvehicle. . Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-
ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to
weather conditions or the passing of large
trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly
grip the steering wheel and slow down immediately but gradually. .
When passing other vehicles, consid-
erable distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by
attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
1) Left turn
2) Right turn
. Backing up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. When backing up with a
trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.
When turning back, grip the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand and turn it to
the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right
for a right turn. . If the ABS warning light illuminates
while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing
the trailer and have repairs performed
immediately by the nearest SUBARU
dealer.
!Driving on grades
. Before going down a steep hill, slow
down and shift into lower gear (if neces-
sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the
engine braking effect and prevent over-
heating of your vehicle ’s brakes. Do not
make sudden downshifts. . When driving uphill in hot weather, the
air conditioner may turn off automatically
to protect the engine from overheating. . When driving uphill in hot weather, pay
attention to the water temperature gauge
pointer (for all vehicles) and AT OIL TEMP
warning light (for AT models) since the
engine and transmission are relatively
prone to overheating under these condi-
tions. If the water temperature gauge
pointer approaches the OVERHEAT zone
or the AT OIL TEMP warning light illumi-
nates, immediately switch off the air
conditioner and stop the vehicle at the
nearest safe place. Refer to the “Engine
overheating ”section in chapter 9, and
“ Warning and indicator lights ”section in
chapter 3. NOTE
With AT models, the temperature of
engine coolant is less likely to rise to
the OVERHEAT zone in the “D ” posi-
tion than in the manual mode position. . If your vehicle has an automatic trans- mission, avoid using the accelerator pedal
to stay stationary on an uphill slope
instead of using the parking brake or foot
brake. That may cause the transmission
fluid to overheat. !
Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both
vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply
the parking brake firmly. You should not
park on a hill or slope. But if parking on a
hill or slope cannot be avoided, you
should take the following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks
under both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place,
release the regular brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then
apply the parking brake; slowly release
the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual
transmission) or “P ” (automatic transmis-
sion) and shut off the engine. Driving tips
8-29
Front turn signal/Parking and front side marker ............. 11-53
Fuel ........................................................................... 7-3
Economy hints ......................................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-5
Gauge ............................................................ 3-6, 3-26
Requirements .......................................................... 7-3
Fuses ...................................................................... 11-47
Fuses and circuits ...................................................... 12-6
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) .............................. 8-15
Gear position indicator ................................................ 3-39
Glove box ................................................................... 6-5
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .......................... 8-15
H
Hazard warning flasher ........................................... 3-5, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment Front seat ............................................................... 1-7
Rearseat ............................................................... 1-10
Headlight Flasher ................................................................. 3-47
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-40
Headlights ........................................................ 3-46, 11-51
Heater operation (manual climate control system) ............ 4-5
High beam indicator light ............................................ 3-40
High mount stop light ................................................. 11-59
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................................. 3-46
Horn ......................................................................... 3-59
Hose and connections ............................................... 11-14 I
Ignition switch
............................................................. 3-3
Light ...................................................................... 3-5
Illumination brightness control ...................................... 3-48
Immobilizer ................................................................. 2-3
Indicator light (security indicator light) ................. 2-4, 3-38
Indicator light
Cruise control ................................................ 3-40, 7-49
Cruise control set ........................................... 3-40, 7-50
Front fog light ......................................................... 3-40
Headlight ............................................................... 3-40
High beam ............................................................. 3-40
Immobilizer ............................................................. 2-4
S# PREP .............................................................. 3-39
Security .......................................................... 2-4, 3-38
Selector lever position ............................................. 3-39
Selector lever/Gear position ..................................... 3-40
Shift-up ................................................................. 3-38
SPORT mode ........................................................ 3-38
Traction control system OFF .................................... 3-37
Turn signal ............................................................ 3-40
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF ......................... 3-38, 7-40
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation .................. 3-37, 7-40
Information display ...................................................... 3-41
Inside mirror .............................................................. 3-56
Interior lights ............................................................... 6-2
Internal trunk lid release handle .................................... 2-25
JJack. ......................................................................... 9-18
Jack handle ............................................................... 9-19 Index
14-5
N
New vehicle break-in driving.......................................... 8-2
OOdometer .................................................................. 3-25
Odometer/Trip meter .................................................. 3-10
Off road driving ............................................................ 8-6
Oil filter .................................................................... 11-10
Oil level Engine .................................................................. 11-9
Front differential gear ............................................ 11-24
Manual transmission .............................................. 11-21
Rear differential .................................................... 11-25
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-32
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-57
Outside temperature indicator ...................................... 3-42
Overhead console ........................................................ 6-7
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-13
PParking Brake ................................................................... 7-45
Brake stroke ......................................................... 11-33
Light switch ........................................................... 3-48
Tips...................................................................... 7-45
Parking your vehicle ................................................... 7-44
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel ................................................................... 7-3
Pocket ........................................................................ 6-8
Power
Door locking switch .................................................. 2-7 Seat
....................................................................... 1-4
Steering ................................................................ 7-34
Steering fluid ........................................................ 11-27
Windows ............................................................... 2-21
Precautions against vehicle modification ................ 1-27, 1-66
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-8
Printed antenna ........................................................... 5-2
RRear Combination lights ................................................ 11-53
Gate ............................................................. 2-27, 9-18
Seats ..................................................................... 1-9
Viscous limited slip differential .................................. 7-33
Rear differential Gear oil ............................................................... 11-25
Rear seat
Folding down .......................................................... 1-9
Rear turn signal ........................................................ 11-53
Rear window
Defogger button ..................................................... 3-54
Wiper and washer switch ......................................... 3-53
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-44
Recommended
Automatic transmission fluid ................................... 11-23
Brake fluid ........................................................... 11-29
Clutch fluid .......................................................... 11-30
OIL grade and viscosity ..................... 11-12, 11-13, 11-22, 11-25, 11-27
Power steering fluid .............................................. 11-28
Spark plugs ......................................................... 11-20 Index
14-7
14-10Index
Turn signal Indicator lights ....................................................... 3-40
Lever .................................................................... 3-47
U
Under-floor storage compartment ................................. 6-18
V
Valet mode ................................................................ 2-19
Vanity mirror Light .................................................................... 11-58
Vehicle Capacity weight ..................................................... 8-14
Identification ......................................................... 12-11
Symbols .................................................................... 2
Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator light .................................................. 7-40
OFF switch ........................................................... 7-42
Operation indicator light .................................. 3-37, 7-40
System ................................................................. 7-38
Warning light ................................................. 3-37, 7-40
Ventilator .................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning and indicator lights ........................................ 3-28
Warning light
ABS ............................................................. 3-34, 7-36
All-Wheel Drive ...................................................... 3-36
AT OIL TEMP ........................................................ 3-33
Brake system ........................................................ 3-35 Charge
.................................................................. 3-32
CHECK ENGINE .................................................... 3-31
Door open ............................................................. 3-36
Low fuel ................................................. 3-7, 3-27, 3-36
Low tire pressure .................................................... 3-33
Oil pressure ........................................................... 3-32
Seatbelt. ........................................................ 1-15, 3-29
SRS airbag system ................................................. 3-30
Vehicle Dynamics Control ....................... 3-37, 7-40, 7-41
Warranties ..................................................................... 1
Warranties and maintenance ........................................ 8-21
Washing .................................................................... 10-2
Waxing and polishing .................................................. 10-3
Wear indicators ........................................................ 11-38
Wheel Alignment .............................................................. 12-5
Aluminum ............................................................ 11-40
Balance ............................................................... 11-38
Replacement. ....................................................... 11-40
Windows ................................................................... 2-21
Windshield
Washer fluid. ........................................................ 11-41
Wiper and washer switches ..................................... 3-51
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-42
Wiper deicer .......................................................... 3-53
Winter Driving ................................................................... 8-8
Tires ........................................................... 8-11, 11-34
Winter tire ........................................................ 8-11, 11-34
Wiper and washer ...................................................... 3-49