
Ignition switch..................................................... 3-3
LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
Acc..................................................................... 3-4 
ON...................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-5
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-5
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-6
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-6
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement upon turning on the ignition switch ............................................................... 3-6
Meter/Gauge needle illumination setting (turbo models except STI) ............................................ 3-7
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-8
Odometer/Trip meter ............................................ 3-8
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-9
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-10
Temperature gauge (turbo models) ..................... 3-11
REV indicator light and buzzer (STI). ................ 3-11
Setting the alarm-level engine speed ................... 3-12
Deactivating the REV alarm system ..................... 3-13
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-13
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-14
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-15
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-16
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp .................................................. 3-16 Coolant temperature low indicator light (non-
turbo models)/Coolant temperature high
warning light (non-turbo models) ...................... 3-17
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-18
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-18
AT OIL TEMP warning light (AT models) .............. 3-18
Rear differential oil temperature warning light (STI) ................................................................ 3-19
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec. models) ........................................................... 3-19
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-21
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-21
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-22
Hill start assist warning light (MT models –if
equipped)/Hill start assist OFF indicator light (STI) ................................................................ 3-22
Door open warning light .................................... 3-23
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT models) ..... ..... 3-23
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light ................................................................ 3-23
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light/Traction 
Control OFF indicator light (STI) ....................... 3-23
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-25
SPORT mode indicator light (AT models) ............ 3-25
SI-DRIVE indicator light (STI) .............................. 3-26
Shift-up indicator light (STI) ............................... 3-26
Select lever/gear position indicator (AT models) ..................................................... 3-26
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-26
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-26
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-26
Instruments and controls
3 

to OFF, OFF to ON, or the vehicle starts 
moving before the setting procedure isfinished..Setting the speed is impossible
when the vehicle is moving.. The set engine speed may differ
from the engine speed shown by the
tachometer. Use the engine speed
shown by the tachometer as a roughguide.. If the setting operation is performed
with the engine switch turned off, the
REV indicator light turns off and the
setting operation is aborted when you
have stopped the setting operation for
approximately 10 seconds. . If the setting operation is performed
with the engine switch turned off, the 
REV indicator light turns off and the
setting operation is aborted when you
open and close the driver ’s door.
& Deactivating the REV alarm system
To deactivate the REV indicator light and 
buzzer functions of the REV alarm system,
set the thousands place of the alarm-level
engine speed to “–”. Warning and indicator lights 
Several of the warning and indicator lights 
illuminate momentarily and then turn off
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. For
the system check, the following lights
illuminate and turn off after several sec-
onds or after the engine has started:
: Seatbelt warning light (The seatbelt warning light turns off 
only when the driver fastens theseatbelt.)
: Front passenger ’s seatbelt warning
light 
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the front seat passenger
fastens the seatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
ON /
: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator light
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator light
: CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal- function indicator lamp
: Coolant temperature high warning light(non-turbo models)
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light (AT models)
: Rear differential oil temperature warn-ing light (STI)
: Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.- spec. models)
/: ABS warning light
/: Brake system warning light
: Low fuel warning light
: Hill start assist warning light (MT models –if equipped)/Hill start assist
OFF indicator light (STI)
: Door open warning light
: AWD warning light (AT models)
: Vehicle Dynamics Control operation
indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF 
indicator light/Traction Control OFF
indicator light (STI) Instruments and controls
3-13
– CONTINUED – 

3-18Instruments and controls
approximately 2 seconds when the igni- 
tion switch is turned to the “ON ”position.
After that, this indicator light/warning light
changes to BLUEand maintains illumina-
tion in BLUE. This BLUE illuminated light
turns off when the engine is warmed up
sufficiently. 
If the engine coolant temperature in- 
creases over the specified range, the
indicator light/warning light blinks inRED . At this time, the engine is close to
overheating. 
If the engine coolant temperature in- 
creases further, the indicator light/warning
light illuminates in REDcontinuously. At
this time, the engine may be overheating. 
When the indicator light/warning light 
blinks in REDor illuminates in RED, safely
stop the vehicle as soon as possible, and
refer to the emergency steps to take in the
case of engine overheating. Refer to“ Engine overheating ”F 9-13. After that,
have the system checked by your nearest
SUBARU dealer. 
Also, if the indicator light/warning light 
often blinks in RED, the electrical system
may be malfunctioning. Contact your
SUBARU dealer for an inspection. NOTE 
If the engine is restarted after a certain 
driving condition, this indicator light/
warning light may illuminate in RED.
However, this is not a malfunction if the
indicator light/warning light turns off
after a short time. &
Charge warning light
If this light illuminates when the engine is 
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not working properly. 
If the light illuminates while driving or does 
not turn off 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 illuminated,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
immediately. &Oil pressure warning light
If this light illuminates 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 illuminates while driving or does 
not turn off 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
illuminated, contact your nearest
SUBARU dealer immediately. 
For details about checking the engine oil 
level or adding the engine oil, refer to“
Engine oil ”F 11-10.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the 
oil pressure warning light illumi-
nated. This may cause serious en-
gine damage.
& AT OIL TEMP warning 
light (AT models)
If this light illuminates when the engine is 
running, it may indicate that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is too hot. 
If the light illuminates while driving, im- 
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and let the engine idle until the warning
light turns off. !Automatic transmission control 
system warning
If the “AT OIL TEMP ”warning light flashes
after the engine starts, it may indicate that
the automatic transmission control system    

is not working properly. Contact your 
nearest SUBARU dealer for service im-
mediately. &Rear differential oil 
temperature warning
light (STI)
CAUTION
Reduce vehicle speed and park the 
vehicle in a safe place as soon as
possible if the R.DIFF TEMP light
illuminates. Continued driving with
this light illuminated can damage
the rear differential and other parts
of the powertrain.
If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the rear
differential oil temperature is too hot. 
At this time, the driver ’s control center
differential will automatically cancel the 
current torque-distribution ratio setting and
adopt its minimum ratio. 
If the light illuminates while driving, reduce 
vehicle speed and stop the vehicle at the
nearest safe place. Park the vehicle for
several minutes. After the light turns off,
you can start driving. 
If the light does not turn off, contact the 
nearest SUBARU dealer for service. NOTE .
If the tire pressures are not correct
and/or the tires are not all the same 
size and brand, the rear differential will
be heavily loaded when the vehicle is
driven, resulting in an abnormally high
oil temperature.. The rear differential oil will deterio-
rate if its temperature increases en-
ough for the rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light to illuminate. It is
advisable to have the rear differential
oil replaced as soon as possible. & 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 illuminate 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 turn off. 
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 tire inflation pressure for thosetires.) 
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, Instruments and controls
3-19
– CONTINUED –   

7-8Starting 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 illumination of the “ CHECK ENGINE ”warning light/MIL is
observed, there are 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 (4-door) 
and rear gate (5-door) 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. 

Engine overheating
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia- 
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has fully cooled down.
When the engine is hot, the coolant
is under pressure. Removing the
cap while the engine is still hot
could release a spray of boiling hot
coolant, which could burn you very
seriously.
If the engine overheats, safely pull off the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe place. & If steam is coming from the 
engine compartment
Turn off the engine and get everyone 
away from the vehicle until it cools down. & If no steam is coming from 
the engine compartment
NOTE 
For details about how to check the 
coolant level or how to add coolant,
refer to “Engine coolant ”F 11-14.
1. Keep the engine running at idlingspeed. 2. Open the hood to ventilate the engine
compartment. Refer to
“Engine hood ”
F 11-5.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn off
the engine and contact your authorized
dealer for repair. 
3. After the engine coolant temperature 
has dropped, turn off the engine. 
If any of the following conditions occur, 
turn off the engine. .The temperature gauge stays in the
overheated zone (turbo models). Referto “Temperature gauge (turbo models) ”
F 3-11.
. The coolant temperature high warn-
ing light remains illuminated (non-
turbo models). Refer to “Coolant tem-
perature low indicator light (non-turbo
models)/Coolant temperature high
warning light (non-turbo models) ”F 3-
17.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down,
check the coolant level in the reservetank. 
If the coolant level is below the “LOW ”
mark, add coolant up to the “FULL ”mark.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve 
tank, add coolant to the reserve tank.
Then remove the radiator cap and fill the
radiator with coolant. If you remove the radiator cap from a hot
radiator, first wrap a thick cloth around the
radiator cap, then turn the cap counter-
clockwise slowly without pressing down
until it stops. Release the pressure from
the radiator. After the pressure has been
fully released, remove the cap by pressing
down and turning it.
In case of emergency
9-13 

Maintenance schedule....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-5
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-7
Non-turbo models .............................................. 11-7
Turbo models except STI .................................... 11-8
STI..................................................................... 11-9
Engine oil .......................................................... 11-10
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-10
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-11
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-13
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-13
Cooling system ................................................ 11-13
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-14
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-14
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-17
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-17
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-19
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-20
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-20
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-21
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-21Automatic transmission fluid
.......................... 11-22
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-22
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT models) ........... 11-23
Checking the oil level ...................................... 11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-24
Rear differential gear oil .................................. 11-24
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-24
Power steering fluid ........................................ 11-24
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-24
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-25
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-25
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-26
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-26
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-27
Brake booster .................................................. 11-27
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-28
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-28
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-28
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-29
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-29
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-29
Hill start assist system (MT models –if
equipped) ...................................................... 11-29
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-30
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....... 11-30
Parking brake stroke ....................................... 11-31
Maintenance and service
11 

Engine compartment overview &Non-turbo models1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-24)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-21) or Differential gear oil level 
gauge (AT) (page 11-23)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26) 
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (AT) (page 11-22)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25) 
6) Fuse box (page 11-45) 
7) Battery (page 11-44) 
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-38)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-10) 
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14) 
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14) 
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-10) 
13) Air cleaner case (page 11-17) Maintenance and service
11-7
– CONTINUED –