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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
CAUTION
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.
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5-1. Essential information
If your vehicle needs to be towed
Emergency towingIf a tow truck is not available in an emergency, your vehicle may be
temporarily towed using a cable or chain secured to the emergency
towing eyelet to move the vehicle to a safe location or to free a stuck
vehicle from sand or snow. This should only be attempted on hard
surfaced roads for short distances at low speeds.
A driver must be in the vehicle to steer and operate the brakes. The
vehicle's wheels, drive train, axles, steering and brakes must be in
good condition.
For vehicles with an automatic transmission, only the front towing
eyelet may be used. Towing eyelet
If towing is necessary, we recommend having your vehicle towed by
your SUBARU dealer or a commercial towing service, using a flat
bed truck.
The vehicle must be secured properly with safety chains. Each
safety chain should be equally tightened and care must be taken not
to pull the chains so tightly that the suspension bottoms out.
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5-1. Essential information
■Before emergency towingRelease the parking brake.
Shift the select lever to N (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
or shift lever to neutral (vehicles with a manual transmission).
Vehicles without a keyless access with push button start system:
Turn the engine switch to the “A CC” (engine off) or “ON” (engine
running) position.
Vehicles with a keyless access with push button start system: Turn
the push-button ignition switch to “ACC” (engine off) or “ON”
(engine running) mode.
■If towing a vehicle
Do not tow another vehicle. If towing a vehicle that has broken down is
unavoidable, avoid towing a vehicle that is heavier than your vehicle. Also,
do not pull out a vehicle that has fallen into a ditch.
WARNING
■Caution while towing
●Use extreme caution when towing the vehicle.
Avoid sudden starts or erratic driving maneuvers which place excessive
stress on the emergency towing eyelets and the cables or chains. Always
be cautious of the surroundings and other vehicles while towing.
●If the engine is not running, the power assist for the brakes and steering
will not function, making steering and braking more difficult.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
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5-1. Essential information
If you think something is wrong
If you notice any of the following symptoms, your vehicle probably
needs adjustment or repair. Contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible.
■Visible symptoms ●Fluid leaks under the vehicle
(Water dripping from the air conditioning after use is normal.)
● Flat-looking tires or uneven tire wear
● Engine coolant temperature gauge needle continually points
higher than normal
■Audible symptoms ●Changes in exhaust sound
● Excessive tire squeal when cornering
● Strange noises related to the suspension system
● Pinging or other noises related to the engine
■Operational symptoms ●Engine missing, stumbling or running rough
● Appreciable loss of power
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when braking
● Vehicle pulls heavily to one side when driving on a level road
● Loss of brake effectiveness, spongy feeling, pedal almost
touches the floor
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If a warning light turns on or a war ning buzzer sounds...
Stop the vehicle immediately. Continuing to drive the vehicle
may be dangerous.The following warning indicates a possible problem in the brake sys-
tem. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and contact your
SUBARU dealer.
Stop the vehicle immediately.
The following warning indicates the possibility of damage to the vehi-
cle that may lead to an accident. Immediately stop the vehicle in a
safe place and contact your SUBARU dealer.
Warning lightWarning light/Details
(U.S.A.)
(Canada) Brake system warning light
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
■If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking
for approximately one minute (if equipped)
If the tire pressure warning light frequently comes on after blinking for
approximately one minute when the push-button ignition switch is turned
to “ON” mode (vehicles with a keyless access with push button start sys-
tem) or the engine switch is turned to the “ON” position (vehicles without
a keyless access with push button start system), have it checked your
SUBARU dealer.
WARNING
■If the tire pressure warning light comes on (if equipped)
Be sure to observe the following precautions. Failure to do so could
cause loss of vehicle control and result in death or serious injury.
●Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Adjust the tire
inflation pressure immediately.
●If the tire pressure warning light comes on even after tire inflation pres-
sure adjustment, it is probable that you have a flat tire. Check the tires.
If the tire is flat, change to the spare tire and have the flat tire repaired
by the nearest SUBARU dealer.
●Avoid abrupt maneuvering and braking. If the vehicle tires deteriorate,
you could lose control of the steering wheel or the brakes.
■If a blowout or sudden air leakage should occur (vehicles with a tire
pressure monitoring system)
The tire pressure monitoring system may not activate immediately.
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
Once(Flashes
in yellow
for 15
seconds.) Keyless access with push
button start system indica-
tor light
The access key could not be
detected in the vehicle even
after the push-button ignition
switch was pressed once. Vehicles with
an automatic
transmission:
Touch the
access key to
the push-but-
ton ignition
switch while
depressing
the brake pedal.
Vehicles with a manual
transmission:
Touch the
access key to
the push-but-
ton ignition
switch while
depressing
with the
clutch pedal.
Interior
buzzerExterior
buzzerWarning
lightWarning light/DetailsCorrection procedure
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5-2. Steps to take in an emergency
If you have a flat tire
Your vehicle is equipped with a spare tire. The flat tire can be
replaced with the spare tire.
■Before jacking up the vehicle ●Stop the vehicle on a hard, flat surface.
● Set the parking brake.
● Shift the select lever to P (vehicles with an automatic trans-
mission) or shift lever to R (vehicles with a manual transmis-
sion).
● Stop the engine.
● Turn on the hazard warning flashers.
■Location of the spare tire, jack and tools
Jack Jack handle
Spare tire
Towing eyelet
Screwdriver Wheel nut
wrench