Page 134 of 490

133 1-7. Safety information
1
Before driving
WARNING
■Front passenger occupant detection system precautions
●Never install a rearward facing child seat in the front passenger’s seat
even if the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is deactivated. Be sure to
install it in the rear seat in a correct manner. Also, it is strongly recom-
mended that any forward facing child seat or booster seat be installed in
the rear seat, and that even children who have outgrown a child restraint
system be also seated in the rear seat. This is because children sitting in
the front passenger’s seat may be killed or severely injured should the
front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag deploy. SUBARU believes that the
rear seats are the safest place for children
●If luggage or electronic devices are placed on the front passenger seat,
the OFF indicator may turn off and the ON indicator may illuminate. If this
occurs, the front passenger’s airbag may deploy during a collision. If this is
not desirable, remove the luggage or electronic devices from the front pas-
senger seat.
●Modifications for persons with disabilities that may affect the front passen-
ger occupant detection system. (U.S. only) Removing, replacing or modify-
ing any parts of the front seats, seatbelts, front bumper, front side frame,
instrument panel, combination meter, steering wheel, steering column,
tires, suspension or floor panel can affect the operation of the SUBARU
front passenger occupant detection system.
Page 158 of 490

157 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
WARNING
■When the vehicle is parked
●Do not leave glasses, cigarette lighters, spray cans, or soft drink cans in
the vehicle when it is in the sun.
Doing so may result in the following:
• Gas may leak from a cigarette lighter or spray can, and may lead to a
fire.
• The temperature inside the vehicle may cause the plastic lenses and
plastic material of glasses to deform or crack.
• Soft drink cans may fracture, causing the contents to spray over the
interior of the vehicle, and may also cause a short circuit in the vehi-
cle's electrical components.
●Do not leave cigarette lighters in the vehicle. If a cigarette lighter is in a
place such as the glove box or on the floor, it may be lit accidentally when
luggage is loaded or the seat is adjusted, causing a fire.
●Do not attach suction cups to the windshield or windows. Do not place
containers such as air fresheners on the instrument panel or dashboard.
Suction cups or containers may act as lenses, causing a fire in the vehicle.
●Do not leave a door or window open if the curved glass is coated with a
metallized film such as a silver-colored one. Reflected sunlight may cause
the glass to act as a lens, causing a fire.
●Always apply the parking brake, shift the select lever to P (vehicles with an
automatic transmission only), stop the engine and lock the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended while the engine is running.
●Do not touch the exhaust pipe while the engine is running or immediately
after turning the engine off.
Doing so may cause burns.
●Do not leave the engine running in an area with snow build-up, or where it
is snowing. If snowbanks build up around the vehicle while the engine is
running, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle. This may lead
to death or a serious health hazard.
Page 192 of 490

191 2-2. Instrument cluster
2
When driving
Instrument panel light control
The brightness of the instrument panel lights can be adjusted.
Brighter
Darker
■The brightness of the instrument panel lights
When the parking lights or the headlights turn on, the instrument panel lights
will dim. However, when the instrument panel brightness control dial is
turned to the up most position, the instrument panel lights will not dim even
when the parking lights or headlights turn on.
■Fuel gauge
●When the indicator needle is close to “E”, promptly refuel the vehicle.
●The relationship between the indicator needle and the consumed amount
(remaining fuel) is not always accurate. Only use it as a reference.
●When the vehicle is on an incline or curve, sudden acceleration and
stops and so forth cause the fuel inside the tank to move which may
cause the indicator needle to move up and down.
CAUTION
■To prevent damage to the engine and its components
●Do not let the indicator needle of the tachometer enter the red zone, which
indicates the maximum engine speed.
●The engine may be overheating if the temperature gauge is in the red
zone (H). In this case, immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place, and
check the engine after it has cooled completely. (
oP. 407)
Page 193 of 490
192
2-2. Instrument cluster
Indicators and war ning lights
The indicator and warning lights on the instrument cluster and cen-
ter panel inform the driver of the status of the vehicle’s various sys-
tems.
For the purpose of explanation, the following illustration displays all
indicators and warning lights illuminated.
Instrument cluster
Center panel
Page 203 of 490
202
2-3. Operating the lights and windshield wipers
Headlight switch
The headlights can be operated manually or automatically.
Turning the end of the lever turns on the lights as follows:
Off
The daytime running lights
turn on.
The headlights, park-
ing, daytime running
lights and so on turn on
and off automatically.
(Vehicles without a key-
less access with push
button start system:
When the engine
switch is in the “ON”
position
Vehicles with a keyless
access with push but-
ton start system: When
the push-button igni-
tion switch is in “ON”
mode)
The side marker, park-
ing, tail, license plate,
daytime running lights
and instrument panel
lights turn on.
The headlights and all
the lights listed above
(except daytime run-
ning lights) turn on.
Page 227 of 490

226 2-5. Driving information
WARNING
■Things that must not be carried in the trunk
The following things may cause a fire if loaded in the trunk:
●Receptacles containing gasoline
●Aerosol cans
■Storage precautions
Observe the following precautions.
Failure to do so may result in death or serious injury.
●Stow cargo and luggage in the trunk whenever possible.
●To prevent cargo and luggage from sliding forward during braking, do
not stack anything in the enlarged trunk. Keep cargo and luggage low,
as close to the floor as possible.
●When you fold down the rear seats, long items should not be placed
directly behind the front seats.
●Never allow anyone to ride in the enlarged trunk. It is not designed for
passengers. They should ride in their seats with their seatbelts prop-
erly fastened. Otherwise, they are much more likely to suffer death or
serious bodily injury, in the event of sudden braking, sudden swerving
or an accident.
●Do not place cargo or luggage in or on the following locations as the
item may get under the clutch, brake or accelerator pedal and prevent
the pedals from being depressed properly, block the driver’s vision, or
hit the driver or passengers, causing an accident:
• At the feet of the driver
• On the front passenger or rear seats (when stacking items)
• On the rear shelf
• On the instrument panel
• On the dashboard
●Secure all items in the occupant compartment, as they may shift and
injure someone during sudden braking, sudden swerving or an acci-
dent.
Page 282 of 490

281 4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
■Caring for leather areas
SUBARU recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a
year to maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a
sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not apply
water. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possi-
ble.
■Seatbelts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
WARNING
■Water in the vehicle
●Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle.
Doing so may cause electrical components etc. to malfunction or catch
fire.
●Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
( oP. 94)
Electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or severe injury.
■Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off
the windshield, obstructing the driver's view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
Page 283 of 490

282 4-1. Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■Cleaning detergents
●Do not use organic substances such as benzene or gasoline, acidic or
alkaline solutions, dye, bleach or other detergent. Doing so may discolor
the vehicle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces.
●Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel's or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
●Do not use a chemical agent containing silicone (highly-polymerized sili-
con compound) when cleaning any of the electrical appliances such as the
air conditioning, all switches and their surrounding areas.
If silicon (highly-polymerized silicon compound) contacts these compo-
nents, it may cause the electrical appliances to malfunction.
■Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces.
●Remove any dust, dirt, sand, oil spots etc. on leather surfaces immedi-
ately.
●Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
●Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or that contain wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components under the floor of the vehicle, and
may also cause the body to rust.