
Automatic climate control
system
NOTE
.Operate the automatic climate con-trol system when the engine is running..The blower fan rotates at a lowspeed when the engine coolant tem-perature is low.
Forefficient defogging or dehumidify-ing in cold weather, press the“A/C”button..The vehicle has a rear air condi-tioner. The fan speed of the rear airconditioner can be adjusted, but otheradjustments (outlet air temperature, airdistribution, etc.)are not possible forthe rear air conditioner. For details,refer to“Rear air conditioner”F4-9.
The automatic climate control systemautomatically controls outlet air tempera-ture, fan speed, airflow distribution, airinlet control, and air conditioner compres-sor operation. It activates when the“AUTO”button is pressed, and is used tomaintain a constant, comfortable climatewithin the passenger compartment.
The temperature can be set within a rangeof 65 to 858F (18 to 328C).
&Control panel
1) Temperature control dial (driver’s side)2) Defroster button3) Fan speed control dial4) Rear window defogger button (Refer to“Rearwindow defogger button”F3-37.)5) Temperature control dial (passenger’sside)6) Air conditioner button7) Airflow mode selection button8) Air inlet selection button9) OFF button10) AUTO button
!AUTO button
AUTO mode operation:
When the“AUTO”button is pressed, theindicator light on the button illuminates. Inthis state, fan speed, airflow distribution,air inlet control, and air conditioner com-pressor operation are automatically con-trolled.
Manual mode operation:
If you operate any of the buttons on thecontrol panel other than the“OFF”buttonand temperature control dial during auto-matic mode operation, the indicator lightwill turn off. You can then manually controlthe system as desired using the buttonyou operated.
To change the system back to the AUTOmode, press the“AUTO”button.
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4-6Climate control
!OFF button
The Automatic Climate Control systemturns off (the air conditioner compressorand fan turn off) when the“OFF”button ispressed.
When the“OFF”button is pressed, theoutside airintroduction mode (air inletselection OFF) is automatically selected.
!Temperature control dial
Driver’s side
Passenger’s side
It is possible to make separate tempera-ture settings for the driver’ssideandpassenger’sside.Eachtemperature
setting is shown on the display. With thedial set at your desired temperature, thesystem automatically adjusts the tempera-ture of air supplied from the outlets suchthat the desired temperature is achievedand maintained.
Turning the dial counterclockwise andreleasing it reduces the temperature by18F (0.58C). Turning the dial clockwiseand releasing it increases the temperatureby 18F (0.58C). Holdingthe dial in eitherturnedposition causes the temperature tochange continuously.
With the minimum temperature set, thesystemgives maximum cooling perfor-mance. With the maximum temperatureset, the system gives maximum heatingperformance.

!–Defroster button
To defrost or dehumidify the windshieldand front door windows, press the defros-ter button“”. When the“”button ispressed, the indicator light on the buttonilluminates and the following operation isperformed.
.The outside air is drawn into thepassenger compartment and the airflowis directed towards the windshield and thefront door windows.
.The air conditioner compressor auto-matically operates to quickly defog thewindshield. However, the indicator light onthe air conditioner button will not illumi-nate.
After eliminating the fogging from thewindshield, return the climate control
system to the AUTO mode by pressingthe“AUTO”button or turn off by pressingthe“OFF”button.
Alternatively, press the“”button againto return the system to the setting that wasselected before you activated the defros-ter.
!Fan speed control dial
The fan speed control dial has 7 positions:AUTO positionand 6 different fan speedpositions.
The fan speed is shown on the center ofthe dial.
With the fan speed control dial in theAUTO position, the fan speed changesautomatically corresponding the variousconditions: air temperature inside andoutside of the passenger’s compartment,
intensity of the sunlight, etc.
!A/C–Air conditioner button
If the windshield starts to fog when theclimate control system is operated in theAUTO mode, press the air conditionerbutton to defog and dehumidify.
When this button is pressed, the airconditioner compressor turns on and theindicator light on the button illuminates.After eliminating the fogging from thewindshield, set the system back to theAUTO mode by pressing the“AUTO”button.
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4-8Climate control
NOTE
For efficient defogging or dehumidify-ing in cold weather, turn on the airconditioner. However, if the ambienttemperature decreases to approxi-mately 328F(08C), the air conditionercompressor may stop operating.
!Airflow mode selection button
Select the desired airflow mode by press-ing the airflow mode selection button. Theselected airflow mode is shown on thecenter of the dial.
There are five airflow modes that activatethe following air outlets.
(Ventilation): Instrument panel outlets
(Bi-level): Instrument panel outlets andfoot outlets
(Heat): Foot outlets, both side outlets ofthe instrument panel and some throughwindshield defroster outlets (A smallamount of air flows to the windshield andboth side windows to prevent fogging.)
(Heat-def): Windshield defroster out-lets, foot outlets and both side outlets ofthe instrument panel
: Windshield defroster outlets and bothside outletsof the instrument panel
For details, refer to“Airflow mode selec-tion”F4-3.
NOTE
When the“”or“”mode is se-lected, the air conditioner compressoroperates automatically to defog thewindshield more quickly, regardless ofthe position of the air conditionerbutton. However the indicator on theair conditioner button will not illumi-nate. At the same time, the air inletselection is automatically set to“out-side air”mode.
!Air inlet selection button
ON position (recirculation):Interior air isrecirculated inside the vehicle. Press theair inlet selection button to the ON positionfor fast cooling with the air conditioner orwhen driving on a dusty road. Theindicator light will illuminate.
OFF position (outside air):Outside air isdrawninto the passenger compartment.Press the air inlet selection button to theOFF position when the interior has cooledto a comfortable temperature and the roadis no longer dusty. The indicator light willturn off.
WARNING
Continued operation in the ON posi-tion may fog up the windows. Switch

to the OFF position as soon as theoutside dusty condition clears.
NOTE
When driving on a dusty road or behinda vehicle that emits unpleasant exhaustgases, set the air inlet selection buttonto the ON position.
From time to time, return the air inletselection button to the OFF position todraw outside air into the passengercompartment.
&Rear air conditioner
The rear air conditioner blows cool air outof the rear ventilators while the“A/C”button on the control panel is in the“ON”position. The fan speed of the rear airconditionercan be adjusted using the rearair conditioner dial behind the centerconsole. The fan speed can be adjustedin four steps by turning the dial. Turn thedial to the“OFF”position to stop the fan.
NOTE
.When the“A/C”button is in the“OFF”position and when the“A/C”indicator is not illuminated duringAUTO mode operation, the air condi-tioner compressor does not operate,meaning that the system merely blowsuncooled air out of the ventilators.
.The outlet air temperature of the rearair conditioner cannot be adjusted..The rear air conditioner cannot beused as a heater.
&Temperature sensors
1) Interior air temperature sensor2) Solar sensor
The automatic climate control systememploys several sensors. These sensorsare delicate. If they are treated incorrectlyand become damaged, the system maynot be able to control the interior tempera-ture correctly. To avoid damaging thesensors, observe the following precau-tions.
–Do not subject the sensors to impact.
–Keep water away from the sensors.
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4-10Climate control
–Do not cover the sensors.
The sensors are located as follows.
–Solar sensor: beside windshielddefroster grille
–Interior air temperature sensor: on theside of the driver-side part of the centerpanel
–Outside temperature sensor: behindfront grille
Operating tips for heater and
air conditioner
&Cleaning ventilator grille
Always keep the front ventilator inlet grillefree of snow, leaves, or other obstructionsto ensure efficient heating and defrosting.Since the condenser is located in front ofthe radiator, this area should be kept cleanbecause cooling performance is impairedby any accumulation of insects and leaveson the condenser.
&Efficient cooling after parking
in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive withthe windows open for a few minutes toallow outside air to circulate into the
heated interior. This results in quickercooling by the air conditioner. Keep thewindows closed during the operation ofthe air conditioner for maximum coolingefficiency.
&Lubrication oil circulation in
the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor ata low engine speed (at idle or low drivingspeeds) a few minutes each month duringthe off-season to circulate its oil.
&Checking air conditioning
system before summer sea-
son
Check the air conditioner unit for refriger-ant leaks,hose conditions, and properoperation each spring. Have the air con-ditioning system checked by yourSUBARU dealer.
&Cooling and dehumidifying in
high humidity and low tem-
perature weather conditions
Under certain weather conditions (highrelative humidity, low temperatures, etc.) asmall amount of water vapor emissionfrom the air outlets may be noticed. Thiscondition is normal and does not indicateany problem with the air conditioning

system.
&Air conditioner compressor
shut-off when engine is
heavily loaded
To improve acceleration and gas mileage,the air conditioner compressor is designedto temporarily shut off during air condi-tioner operation whenever the acceleratoris fully depressed such as during rapidacceleration or when driving on a steepupgrade.
&Refrigerant for your climate
control system
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendlyrefrigerant HFC134a. Therefore, the meth-od of adding, changing or checking therefrigerant is different from the method forCFC12 (freon). Consult your SUBARUdealer for service. Repairs needed as aresult of using the wrong refrigerant arenot covered under warranty.
Air filtration system
Replace the filter element according to thereplacement schedule shown in the fol-lowing. This schedule should be followedto maintain the filter’sdustcollectionability. Under extremely dusty conditions,the filter should be replaced more fre-quently. It is recommended that you haveyour filter checked or replaced by yourSUBARU dealer. For replacement, werecommend the use of a genuineSUBARU airfilter kit.
Replacement schedule:
Every 15 months or 15,000 miles (24,000km) whichever comes first
&Replacing the air filter
1. Remove the instrument panel sidecover.
NOTE
The instrument panel side cover is heldin place with four pins.
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7-2Starting and operating
Fuel
CAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in qualityor use of an inappropriate fueladditive may cause engine damage.
&Fuel requirements
The engine is designed to operate usingunleaded gasolinewith an octane ratingof87 AKI (90 RON) or higher.
!Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of theResearch Octane and Motor Octanenumbers andis commonly referred to asthe Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octanerating can causepersistent and heavyknocking, which can damage the engine.Do not be concerned if your vehiclesometimes knocks lightly when you driveup a hill or when you accelerate. Contactyour SUBARU dealer if you use a fuel withthe specified octane rating and yourvehicle knocks heavily or persistently.
!Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designedto accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances shouldleaded gasoline be used because it willdamage the emission control system andmay impair driveability and fuel economy.
!California fuel
If your vehicle was certified to CaliforniaEmission Standards as indicated on theunderhood tune-up label, it is designed tooptimize engine and emission controlsystem performance with gasoline thatmeets the clean burning low-sulfur Cali-fornia gasoline specifications. If you live inany other state than California, yourvehicle will operate on gasoline meetingFederal specifications. Gasoline sold out-side California is permitted to have highersulfur levels, which may affect the perfor-mance of your vehicle’s catalytic converterand may produce a sulfur exhaust odor orsmell. SUBARU recommends that you trya different brand of unleaded gasolinehaving lower sulfur to determine if theproblem is fuel related before returningyour vehicle to an authorized dealer forservice. The CHECK ENGINE warninglight/Malfunction indicator light may alsoilluminate. If this occurs, return to yourauthorized SUBARU dealer for diagnosis.If it is determined that the condition iscausedby the type of fuel used, repairsmay not be covered by your warranty.
!MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). Ifyou use such fuels, your emission controlsystem performance may deteriorate andthe CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-function indicator light may illuminate. Ifthis happens, return to your authorizedSUBARU dealer for service. If it isdetermined that the condition is causedby the type of fuel used, repairs may notbe covered by your warranty.
!Gasoline for cleaner air
CAUTION
Do not let fuel spill on the exteriorsurfaces of the vehicle. Fuels con-taining alcohol may cause paintdamage, which is not covered underthe SUBARU Limited Warranty.
Yo u r u s e o f g a s o l i n e w i t h d e t e r g e n tadditives will help prevent deposits fromforming in your engine and fuel system.This helps keepyour engine in tune andyour emission control system workingproperly, and is a way of doing your partfor cleaner air. If you continuously use ahigh quality fuel with the proper detergentand other additives, you should never