
Starting and operating/Power steering
Power steering
&Power steering warning light
Type A
Type B
&Power steering system fea-
tures
The vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering system. When the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON”position, the
power steering warning light on the
combination meter illuminates to inform
the driver that the warning system is
functioning properly. Then, if the engine
started, the warning light turns off to inform
the driver that the steering power assist is
operational.
CAUTION
When the power steering warning
light is illuminated, there may be
more resistance when the steering
wheel is operated. Drive carefully to
the nearest SUBARU dealer and
have the vehicle inspected immedi-
ately.
NOTE
If the steering wheel is operated in the
following ways, the power steering
control system may temporarily limit
the power assist in order to prevent the
system components, such as the con-
trol computer and drive motor, from
overheating. .
The steering wheel is operated fre-
quently and turned sharply while the
vehicle is maneuvered at extremely low
speeds, such as while frequently turn-
ing the steering wheel during parallel
parking.
. The steering wheel remains in the
fully turned position for a long period
of time.
At this time, there will be more resis-
tance when steering. However this is
not a malfunction. Normal steering
force will be restored after the steering
wheel is not operated for a while and
the power steering control system has
an opportunity to cool down. However,
if the power steering is operated in a
non-standard way which causes power
assist limitation to occur too fre-
quently, this may result in a malfunc-
tion of the power steering control
system.
7-30

Braking
&Braking tips
WARNING
Never rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. This can cause
dangerous overheating of the
brakes and needless wear on the
brake pads and linings.
! When the brakes get wet
When driving in rain or after washing the
vehicle, the brakes may get wet. As a
result, brake stopping distance will be
longer. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle
at a safe speed while lightly depressing
the brake pedal to heat up the brakes.
! Use of engine braking
Remember to make use of engine braking
in addition to foot braking. When descend-
ing a grade, if only the foot brake is used,
the brakes may start working improperly
because of brake fluid overheating,
caused by overheated brake pads. To
help prevent this, shift into a lower gear to
get stronger engine braking.
! Braking when a tire is punctured
Do not depress the brake pedal suddenly
when a tire is punctured. This could cause a loss of control of the vehicle. Keep
driving straight ahead while gradually
reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the
road to a safe location.&
Brake system
! Two separate circuits
Your vehicle has two separate circuit
brake systems. Each circuit works diag-
onally across the vehicle. If one circuit of
the brake system should fail, the other half
of the system still works. If one circuit fails,
the brake pedal will go down much closer
to the floor than usual and you will need to
press it down much harder. And a much
longer distance will be needed to stop the
vehicle.
! Brake booster
The brake booster uses engine manifold
vacuum to assist braking force. Do not
turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/
“OFF ”position while driving because that
will turn off the brake booster, resulting in
poor braking power.
The brakes will continue to work even
when the brake booster completely stops
functioning. If this happens, however, you
will have to depress the pedal much
harder than normal and the braking dis-
tance will increase. !
Brake assist system
WARNING
Do not be overconfident about the
brake assist. It is not a system that
brings more braking ability to the
vehicle beyond its braking capabil-
ity. Always use the utmost care
when driving regarding vehicle
speed and safe distance.
CAUTION
When you need to brake suddenly,
continue depressing the brake pedal
strongly to bring the effect of the
brake assist.
Brake assist is a driver assistance system.
It assists the brake power when the driver
cannot depress the brake pedal strongly
and the brake power is insufficient.
Brake assist generates the brake power
according to the speed at which the driver
depresses the brake pedal.
NOTE
When you depress the brake pedal
strongly or suddenly, the following
phenomena occur. However, even
though these occur, they do not indi-
Starting and operating/Braking
–CONTINUED –7-31

Driving tips/Trailer towing (Crosstrek models)
!Driving on grades
. Before going down a steep hill, slow
down and shift into lower gear (if neces-
sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the
engine braking effect and prevent over-
heating of your vehicle’ s brakes. Do not
make sudden downshifts.
. When driving uphill in hot weather, the
air conditioner may turn off automatically
to protect the engine from overheating.
. When driving uphill in hot weather, pay
attention to the following indicators be-
cause the engine and transmission are
relatively prone to overheating.
: Coolant temperature high warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models)
If the coolant temperature high warning
light and/or the AT OIL TEMP warning light
illuminates, immediately turn off the air
conditioner and stop the vehicle in the
nearest safe location. For further instruc-
tions and additional information, refer to
the following sections. –“If you park your vehicle in case of
an emergency ”F 9-2
–“ Engine overheating ”F 9-13
–“ Coolant temperature low indicator
light/Coolant temperature high warn-
ing light ”F 3-17 –“
AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT
models) ”F 3-19
. For CVT models, avoid using the
accelerator pedal to stay stationary on
an uphill slope instead of using the
parking brake or foot brake. That may
cause the transmission fluid to overheat.
! Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both
vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply
the parking brake firmly. You should not
park on a hill or slope. If parking on a hill or
slope cannot be avoided, you should take
the following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal
down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks
under both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place,
release the regular brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then
apply the parking brake; slowly release
the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (MT
models) or “P ” position (CVT models)
and shut off the engine.
8-26

If you park your vehicle in case of anemergency ........................................................ 9-2
Temporary spare tire ........................................... 9-2
Maintenance tools ............................................... 9-3
Tool locations..................................................... 9-4
Using the jack ..................................................... 9-5
Flat tires............................................................... 9-6Changing a flat tire .............................................. 9-6
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec. models) ........................................... 9-9
Jump starting..................................................... 9-10How to jump start ............................................... 9-11
Engine overheating ............................................ 9-13If steam is coming from the engine
compartment .................................................... 9-13 If no steam is coming from the engine
compartment ................................................... 9-13
Towing................................................................ 9-14Towing hooks and tie-down hooks/holes ............ 9-14
Using a flat-bed truck. ........................................ 9-16
Towing with all wheels on the ground ................. 9-17
Access key–if access key does not
operate properly ............................................. 9-18
Locking and unlocking ....................................... 9-18
Switching power ................................................ 9-18
Starting engine .................................................. 9-19
Rear gate–if the rear gate cannot be
opened ............................................................. 9-19
If your vehicle is involved in an accident ........ 9-20
In case of emergency
9

Engine overheating
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has fully cooled down.
When the engine is hot, the coolant
is under pressure. Removing the
cap while the engine is still hot
could release a spray of boiling hot
coolant, which could burn you very
seriously.
If the engine overheats, safely pull off the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe
location.
& If steam is coming from the
engine compartment
. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/
“OFF ”position and get everyone away
from the vehicle until it cools down.
. Contact an authorized SUBARU deal-
er.
& If no steam is coming from
the engine compartment
1. Keep the engine running at idling
speed. 2. Open the engine hood to ventilate the
engine compartment. Refer to
“Engine
hood ”F 11-5.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn off
the engine and contact an authorized
SUBARU dealer for repair.
3. After the coolant temperature high
warning light that has blinked or illumi-
nated in REDturns off, turn off the engine.
For details about the warning light, refer to
“Coolant temperature low indicator light/
Coolant temperature high warning light ”
F 3-17.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down,
check the coolant level in the reserve
tank. If the coolant level is below the
“LOW ”mark, add coolant up to the “FULL ”
mark.
NOTE
For details about how to check the
coolant level or how to add coolant,
refer to “Engine coolant ”F 11-11.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve
tank, add coolant to the reserve tank.
Then remove the radiator cap and fill the
radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot
radiator, first wrap a thick cloth around the
radiator cap, then turn the cap counter- clockwise slowly without pressing down
until it stops. Release the pressure from
the radiator. After the pressure has been
fully released, remove the cap by pressing
down and turning it.
In case of emergency/Engine overheating9-13

EngineCompartment overview ........................................... 11-7
Coolant ........................................................ 11-11, 12-7
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................. 5, 8-2
Hood .................................................................... 11-5
Low oil level warning light ....................................... 3-18
Oil................................................................ 11-8, 12-4
Overheating .......................................................... 9-13
Starting & stopping ........................................... 7-9, 7-12
Event data recorder ......................................................... 8
Exterior care .............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ..................................................................... 9-6
Floor mat .................................................................. 6-11
Fluid level Brake .................................................................. 11-16
Clutch .................................................................. 11-17
Continuously variable transmission .......................... 11-15
Fog light Bulb .......................................................... 11-38, 12-14
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-31
Switch .................................................................. 3-94
Front
Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-15, 12-6
Seatbelt pretensioners ............................................ 1-20
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-38
Front seats .................................................................. 1-2
Forward and backward adjustment ............................. 1-3
Head restraint adjustment ......................................... 1-5
Reclining ................................................................. 1-4 Seat height adjustment
............................................. 1-4
Fuel ........................................................................\
... 7-3
Consumption indicator ............................................. 3-33
Consumption screen ............................................... 3-48
Economy hints ........................................................ 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-4
Gauge ................................................................... 3-12
Requirements ................................................. 7-3, 12-3
Fuses ..................................................................... 11-35
Fuses and circuits .................................................... 12-10
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ............................... 8-13
Glove box ................................................................... 6-6
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) ........................... 8-13
H
Hands-free phone system ............................................ 5-71
Hazard warning flasher .......................................... 3-8, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment Front seat ............................................................... 1-5
Rear seat ............................................................... 1-8
Headlight Beam leveler. ......................................................... 3-94
Bulb replacing ...................................................... 11-36
Bulb wattage ........................................................ 12-14
Control switch ........................................................ 3-89
Flasher .................................................................. 3-91
Indicator light .........................................................
3
-32
Welcome lighting function ........................................ 3-90
HID headlights ...................................................... 1, 11-36
Index14-5

14-8Index
Overheating engine.................................................... 9-13
P
Parking Brake ................................................................... 7-40
Brake stroke ......................................................... 11-21
Light .................................................................... 11-38
Tips...................................................................... 7-40
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel ................................................................... 7-3
PIN Code Access ...................................................... 2-21
Power Door locking switch .................................................. 2-8
Outlets .................................................................... 6-8
Outside mirrors .................................................... 3-108
Steering ................................................................ 7-30
Steering warning light ............................................. 3-23
Windows ............................................................... 2-35
Precautions against vehicle modification ............... 1-24, 1-70
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-8
Push-button Ignition switch .......................................................... 3-6
Starting and stopping engine ................................... 7-12
R
Rear Combination lights ................................................. 11-38
Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-15, 12-6
Gate ............................................................. 2-41, 9-19
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-38
Rear seat .................................................................... 1-7 Armrest
.................................................................. 1-8
Folding down ......................................................... 1-10
Head restraint adjustment ......................................... 1-8
Rear view camera ...................................................... 6-15
How to adjust the rear view image ............................ 5-25
Rear window Defogger ............................................................. 3-108
Wiper and washer switch ......................................... 3-99
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-32
Recommended Brake fluid ............................................................. 12-7
Continuously variable transmission fluid .................... 12-7
Engine oil .............................................................. 12-4
Front differential gear oil .......................................... 12-6
Rear differential gear oil .......................................... 12-6
Spark plugs ........................................................... 12-7
Refueling .................................................................... 7-5
Remote engine start system ........................................ 7-14
Remote keyless entry system ...................................... 2-23
Replacement Access key battery ............................................... 11-44
Air cleaner element ............................................... 11-13
Brake pad and lining ............................................. 11-20
Lost transmitters (remote keyless entry system) ......... 2-26
Remote engine start transmitter battery ..................... 7-20
Remote keyless entry transmitter battery ................. 11-45
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-30
Replacing bulbs.............................................
11-36, 12-14
Backup light ......................................................... 11-38
Cargo area light ................................................... 11-42
Dome light ........................................................... 11-42