2012 SUBARU TRIBECA brake fluid

&Abbreviation list
You will find several abbreviations in this
manual. The meanings of the abbrevia-
tions are shown in the following list.
Abbreviation Meaning
A/C Air conditioner A/ELR Automatic/Emergency locking retractor
ABS Anti-lock brake system
AKI Anti knock index
ALR Automatic locking retractor
AT Automatic transmission
ATF Automatic transmission fluid
AWD All-wheel drive
DRL Daytime running light EBD Electronic brake force distri- bution
ELR Emergency locking retractor
GAW Gross axle weight
GAWR Gross axle weight rating
GVW Gross vehicle weight
GVWR Gross vehicle weight rating
HID High intensity discharge
INT Intermittent
LATCH Lower anchors and tethers for children Abbreviation Meaning
LED Light emitting diode
MIL Malfunction indicator light MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl man-
ganese tricarbonyl
OBD On-board diagnostics
RON Research octane number SRS Supplemental restraint sys- tem
TIN Tire identification number TPMS Tire pressure monitoring sys- tem
VDC Vehicle dynamics control Vehicle symbols
There are some of the symbols you may
see on your vehicle.
For warning and indicator lights, refer to “
Warning and indicator lights ”F 22.
Mark Name
WARNING
CAUTION
Passengers ’windows lock
Fuel
Front fog lights
Parking lights
Hazard warning flasher
Seat heater 3
– CONTINUED –

22
&Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Driver ’s seatbelt warning
light 3-10
Front passenger
’s seat-
belt warning light 3-10
SRS airbag system
warning light 3-11
CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction indi-
cator light3-12
Charge warning light 3-13
Oil pressure warning light 3-13
AT OIL TEMP warning light
3-13
/ABS warning light 3-15
/Brake system warning light
3-16
Door open warning light
3-17Mark Name Page
Low fuel warning light 3-17
AWD warning light 3-18
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol warning light (U.S.-
spec. models and
Canada-spec. models)/
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol operation indicator
light (all models)
3-18
Traction Control system
OFF indicator light (U.S.-
spec. models and
Canada-spec. models)
3-19
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol warning light (Latin
America-spec. models)/
Traction Control system
OFF indicator light (Latin
America-spec. models) 3-19
Security indicator light 3-21
Turn signal indicator lights
3-21
High beam indicator light 3-22
Front fog light indicator light3-22Mark Name Page
Headlight indicator light 3-22
Cruise control indicator light
3-22
Cruise control set indica-
tor light
3-22
Low tire pressure warn-
ing light3-14
Passenger airbag ON in-
dicator light
3-12
Passenger airbag OFF
indicator light3-12
SPORT mode indicator light3-21
Windshield washer fluid
warning light3-17
Rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light3-13

Ignition switch..................................................... 3-3
LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
Acc..................................................................... 3-4
ON...................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-4
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-4
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-5
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-5
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-5
Canceling the function for meter needle/gauge movement and combination meter sequential
illumination upon turning on the ignition switch ............................................................... 3-5
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-6
Odometer ............................................................ 3-6
Double trip meter ................................................ 3-7
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-7
Fuel gauge .......................................................... 3-8
Temperature gauge ............................................. 3-8
Warning and indicator lights .............................. 3-9
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-10
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-11
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-12
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light ................................................... 3-12
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-13
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-13
AT OIL TEMP warning light ................................. 3-13 Rear differential oil temperature warning
light ................................................................ 3-13
Low tire pressure warning light .......................... 3-14
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-15
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-16
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-17
Door open warning light .................................... 3-17
Windshield washer fluid warning light ................ 3-17
All-Wheel Drive warning light ... .......................... 3-18
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light (U.S.- spec models and Canada-spec. models)/Vehicle
Dynamics Control operation indicator light (allmodels) ........................................................... 3-18
Traction Control system OFF indicator light (U.S.-spec models and Canada-spec.models) ........................................................... 3-19
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light (Latin America-spec. models)/Traction Control OFF
indicator light (Latin America-spec. models) ..... 3-19
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-21
SPORT mode indicator light ............................... 3-21
Select lever/Gear position indicator .................... 3-21
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-21
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-22
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-22
Cruise control set indicator light ........................ 3-22
Headlight indicator light ..................................... 3-22
Front fog light indicator light .............................. 3-22
Clock .................................................................. 3-22
Outside temperature indicator .......................... 3-23
Low outside temperature warning ...................... 3-24
Instruments and controls
3

CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Refer to “Engine overheating ”F9-
14. 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:
: Driver ’s seatbelt warning light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the driver fastens the seatbelt.)
: 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
: CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal- function indicator light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light
/: ABS warning light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light(U.S.-spec. models and Canada-spec.
models)/Vehicle Dynamics Control op-
eration indicator light (all models)
: Traction Control system OFF indicator light (U.S.-spec. models and Canada-
spec. models)
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light
(Latin America-spec. models)/Traction
Control system OFF indicator light
(Latin America-spec. models)
/: Brake system warning light
: AWD warning light
: Low tire pressure warning light
: SPORT mode indicator light
: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON
indicator light
: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag OFF
indicator light
: Low fuel warning light
: Cruise control indicator light
: Cruise control set indicator light
: Rear differential oil temperature warn-
ing light
: Windshield washer fluid warning light Instruments and controls
3-9
– CONTINUED –

3-16Instruments and controls
malfunction warning, refer to “Brake sys-
tem warning light ”F 3-16.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following, the ABS
system may be considered normal. . The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately, remaining off.. The warning light remains illumi-
nated after the engine has been started,
but it turns off when the vehicle speed
reaches approximately 8 mph (12km/h).. The warning light illuminates during
driving, but it turns off immediately and
remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery
voltage such as when the engine is jump
started, the ABS warning light may illumi-
nate. This is due to the low battery voltage
and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the battery becomes fully charged,
the light will turn off. &
Brake system
warning light
WARNING
. Driving with the brake system
warning light illuminated is dan-
gerous. This indicates your brake
system may not be working
properly. If the light remains
illuminated, have the brakes in-
spected by a SUBARU dealer
immediately.
. If at all in doubt about whether
the brakes are operating prop-
erly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the
nearest SUBARU dealer for re-
pair.
This light has the following three functions. ! Parking brake warning
The light illuminates with the parking
brake applied while the ignition switch is
in the “ON ”position. It turns off when the
parking brake is fully released. ! Brake fluid level warning
This light illuminates when the brake fluid
level has dropped to near the “MIN ”level
of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition
switch in the “ON ”position and with the parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should
illuminate while driving (with the parking
brake fully released and with the ignition
switch positioned in
“ON ”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn
brake pads. If this occurs, immediately
stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place
and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid
level is below the “MIN ”mark in the
reservoir, do not drive the vehicle. Have
the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU
dealer for repair. ! Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD) system warning
The brake system warning light also
illuminates if a malfunction occurs in the
EBD system. In that event, it illuminates
together with the ABS warning light.
The EBD system may be malfunctioning if
the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously
during driving.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conven-
tional braking system will still function.
However, the rear wheels will be more
prone to locking when the brakes are
applied harder than usual and the vehi-cle ’s motion may therefore become some-
what harder to control.
If the brake system warning light and ABS

warning light illuminate simultaneously,
take the following steps.
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe,
flat place.
2. Shut down the engine, apply the
parking brake, and then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. If both
warning lights turn off, the EBD system
may be malfunctioning.
Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU
dealer and have the system inspected.
4. If both warning lights illuminate again
and remain illuminated after the engine
has been restarted, shut down the engine
again, apply the parking brake, and check
the brake fluid level.
5. If the brake fluid level is not below the “MIN ”mark, the EBD system may be
malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the
nearest SUBARU dealer and have the
system inspected.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the “ MIN ”mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle.
Instead, have the vehicle towed to the
nearest SUBARU dealer for repair. &
Low fuel warning light
CAUTION
Immediately put fuel in the tank
whenever the low fuel warning light
illuminates. Engine misfires as a
result of an empty tank could cause
damage to the engine.
The low fuel warning light illuminates
when the tank is nearly empty approxi-
mately 2.6 US gal (10 liters, or 2.2 Imp
gal). It only operates when the ignition
switch is in the “ON ”position. When this
light illuminates, fill the fuel tank immedi-
ately.
NOTE
This light does not turn off unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 4.0 US
gal (15 liters, 3.3 Imp gal). &
Door open warning light
The indicators are located in the center
portion of the dashboard.
When any of the doors or the rear gate is
not fully closed, it is indicated by the
corresponding part of the door open
warning light.
Always make sure this light is out before
you start to drive. & Windshield washer
fluid warning light
This light illuminates when the fluid level in
the windshield washer fluid tank falls to
the lower limit (approximately 0.6 US qt,
0.6 liter, 0.5 Imp qt). Instruments and controls
3-17
– CONTINUED –

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 and rear gate 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. Starting the engine
CAUTION
. Do not operate the starter motor
continuously for more than 10
seconds. If the engine fails to
start after operating the starter
for 5 to 10 seconds, wait for 10
seconds or more before tryingagain.
. If you restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, shift the select
lever into the “N ” position. Do
not attempt to place the select
lever of a moving vehicle into the“ P ” position.
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and ac- cessories.
3. Shift the select lever to the “P ” or “N ”
position (preferably “P ” position). The
starter will only operate when the select
lever is at the “P ”or “N ”position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON ”
position and check the operation of the
warning and indicator lights. Refer to“ Warning and indicator lights ”F 3-9.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START ”
position without depressing the accelera- tor pedal. Release the key immediately
after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start, try the following.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the“LOCK ”position and wait for at least
10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is firmly set, turn the
ignition switch to the “START ”position
while depressing the accelerator pedal
slightly (approximately a quarter of the
full stroke). Release the accelerator
pedal as soon as the engine starts.
(2) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch back to the “LOCK ”
position and wait for at least 10
seconds. Then fully depress the accel-
erator pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the “START ”position. If the
engine starts, quickly release the
accelerator pedal.
(3) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch again to the “LOCK ”
position. After waiting for 10 seconds
or longer, turn the ignition switch to the“ START ”position without depressing
the accelerator pedal.
(4) If the engine still refuses to start,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator
lights have turned off after the engine has Starting and operating
7-7
– CONTINUED –

7-12Starting and operating
2. Remove the circuit board from the
bottom half of the case and slide the white
plastic battery holder out from under the
battery tab releasing the batteries. Re-
move the old batteries and replace with
new ones. Be sure to observe the (+) sign
on the old batteries before removing them
to ensure that the new batteries are
inserted properly (battery “+ ” should be
pointed away from the transmitter circuit
board on both batteries).
3. Carefully snap the case halves back
together, then test the remote engine startsystem.
NOTE
This device complies with Part 15 of
the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of
Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This
device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and (2) this device must
accept any interference received, in-
cluding interference that may cause
undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not ex-
pressly approved by the party respon-
sible for compliance could void theuser
’s authority to operate the equip-
ment. Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission is electroni-
cally controlled and provides 5 forward
speeds and 1 reverse speed. Also, it has a
manual mode and a SPORT mode.
WARNING
Do not shift from the “P ” or “N ”
position into the “D ” or “R ” position
while depressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause the vehicle
to jump forward or backward.
CAUTION
. Shift into the “P ” or “R ” position
only after the vehicle is comple-
tely stopped. Shifting while the
vehicle is moving may cause
damage to the transmission.
. Do not race the engine for more
than 5 seconds in any position
except the “N ” or “P ” position
when the brake is set or when
chocks are used in the wheels.
This may cause the automatic
transmission fluid to overheat.
. Avoid shifting from one of the
forward driving positions into the