154 2-1. Driving procedures
WARNING
●On vehicles with a manual transmission, do not shift the shift lever to R
while the vehicle is moving forward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●Do not shift the select lever to a driving position while the vehicle is moving
backward.
Doing so can damage the transmission and may result in a loss of vehicle
control.
●On vehicles with a manual transmission, do not release the clutch pedal
too quickly. Doing so may propel the vehicle forward, possibly causing an
accident.
●Moving the select lever to N (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or
shift lever to neutral (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehi-
cle is moving will disengage the engine from the transmission. Engine
braking is not available when N or neutral is selected.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( oP. 175, 181)
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
155 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
WARNING
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
■When driving on slippery road surfaces
●Sudden braking, acceleration and steering may cause tire slippage and
reduce your ability to control the vehicle, resulting in an accident.
●Sudden acceleration, engine braking due to shifting, or changes in engine
speed could cause the vehicle to skid, resulting in an accident.
●After driving through a puddle, lightly depress the brake pedal to make
sure that the brakes are functioning properly. Wet brake pads may prevent
the brakes from functioning properly. If the brakes on only one side are wet
and not functioning properly, steering control may be affected, resulting in
an accident.
■When shifting the select lever or shift lever
●On vehicles with an automatic transmission, be careful not to shift the
select lever with the accelerator pedal depressed. Shifting the select lever
to a gear other than P or N may lead to unexpected rapid acceleration of
the vehicle that may cause an accident and result in death or serious
injury.
●Do not place items in the select lever’s or shift lever’s surrounding area. It
may cause incorrect operation.
●If the select lever’s or shift lever’s boot is pulled out during cleaning, return
it to its previous position. If the select lever’s or shift lever’s boot is left
pulled out, the select lever or shift lever may become difficult to operate.
156 2-1. Driving procedures
WARNING
■If you hear a squealing or scraping noise (brake pad wear limit indica-
tors)
Have your SUBARU dealer check and replace the brake pads as soon as
possible.
Rotor damage may result if the pads are not replaced when needed.
It is dangerous to drive the vehicle when the wear limits of the brake pads
and/or those of the brake discs are exceeded. ( oP. 151)
■Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings
A safe location and situation should be selected for break-in driving.
■When the vehicle is stopped
●Do not race the engine.
If the vehicle is in any gear other than P or N (vehicles with an automatic
transmission only) or neutral (vehicles with a manual transmission), the
vehicle may accelerate suddenly and unexpectedly, causing an accident.
●Do not leave the vehicle with the engine running for a long time.
If such a situation cannot be avoided, park the vehicle in an open space
and check that exhaust fumes do not enter the vehicle interior.
●On vehicles with an automatic transmission, in order to prevent accidents
due to the vehicle rolling away, always keep depressing the brake pedal
while the engine is running, and apply the parking brake as necessary.
●If the vehicle is stopped on an incline, in order to prevent accidents caused
by the vehicle rolling forward or backward, always depress the brake pedal
and securely apply the parking brake as needed.
●Avoid revving or racing the engine.
Running the engine at high speed while the vehicle is stopped may cause
the exhaust system to overheat, which could result in a fire if combustible
material is nearby.
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.
158 2-1. Driving procedures
WARNING
■Exhaust gases
Exhaust gases include harmful carbon monoxide (CO), which is colorless
and odorless. Inhaling exhaust gases may lead to death or a serious health
hazard.
●If the vehicle is in a poorly ventilated area, stop the engine. In a closed
area, such as a garage, exhaust gases may collect and enter the vehicle.
This may lead to death or a serious health hazard.
●The exhaust system should be checked occasionally. If there is a hole or
crack caused by corrosion, damage to a joint or abnormal exhaust noise,
be sure to have the vehicle inspected and repaired by your SUBARU
dealer. Failure to do so may allow exhaust gases to enter the vehicle,
resulting in death or a serious health hazard.
■When taking a nap in the vehicle
Always turn the engine off. Otherwise, you may accidentally move the select
lever or shift lever, or depress the accelerator pedal, this could cause an
accident or fire due to engine overheating. Additionally, if the vehicle is
parked in a poorly ventilated area, exhaust gases may collect and enter the
vehicle, leading to death or a serious health hazard.
159 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
WARNING
■When braking
●When the brakes are wet, drive more cautiously.
Braking distance increases when the brakes are wet, and this may cause
one side of the vehicle to brake differently than the other side. Also, the
parking brake may not securely hold the vehicle.
●If the power brake assist function does not operate, do not follow other
vehicles closely and avoid hills or sharp turns that require braking.
In this case, braking is still possible, but the brake pedal should be
depressed more firmly than usual. Also, the braking distance will increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
●Do not pump the brake pedal if the engine stalls.
Each push on the brake pedal uses up the reserve for the power-assisted
brakes.
●The brake system consists of 2 individual hydraulic systems; if one of the
systems fails, the other will still operate. In this case, the brake pedal
should be depressed more firmly than usual and the braking distance will
increase.
Have your brakes fixed immediately.
CAUTION
■Pre-driving check
Trapping small animals in the cooling fan and belts of the engine may result
in a malfunction. Check that no small animal enters the engine compartment
and under the vehicle before starting the engine.
■When driving the vehicle
Vehicles with an automatic transmission
●If the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, driv-
ing torque may be restrained. This is not a malfunction.
●Do not use the accelerator pedal or depress the accelerator and brake
pedals at the same time to hold the vehicle on a hill.
165 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■Changing push-button ignition switch mode
Modes can be changed by pressing the push-button ignition switch
with the brake pedal (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or
clutch pedal (vehicles with a manual transmission) released. (The
mode changes each time the switch is pressed.)
Off*
The hazard warning flashers
can be used.
The keyless access with push
button start system indicator
light (green) is off.
“ACC” mode
Some electrical components
such as the power outlet can
be used.
The keyless access with push
button start system indicator
light (green) flashes slowly.
“ON” mode
All electrical components can
be used.
The keyless access with push
button start system indicator
light (green) flashes slowly.
*: Vehicles with an automatic
transmission: If the select lever
is in a position other than P
when turning off the engine, the
push-button ignition switch will
be turned to “ACC” mode, not
to off.
169 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
WARNING
■When starting the engine
●Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress
the accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●If the keyless access with push button start system indicator light flashes
in green after the engine has started, never drive the vehicle. The steering
wheel is still locked, and it may result in an accident.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death
or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine
Do not touch the push-button ignition switch during driving.
When the push-button ignition switch is pressed for 2 seconds or longer or
pressed 3 times successively, the engine will stop. When the engine stops,
the brake booster will not function. A greater foot pressure will be required
on the brake pedal.
The power steering system will not operate either. A greater force will be
required to steer, and it may result in an accident.