
Climate control/Air filtration system
allow outside air to circulate into the
heated interior. This results in quicker
cooling by the air conditioner. Keep the
windows closed during the operation of
the air conditioner for maximum cooling
efficiency.
&Lubrication oil circulation in
the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at
a low engine speed (at idle or low driving
speeds) a few minutes each month during
the 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 proper
operation each spring. Have the air con-
ditioning system checked by your
SUBARU dealer.
&Cooling and dehumidifying in
high humidity and low tem-
perature weather conditions
Under certain weather conditions (high
relative humidity, low temperatures, etc.) a
small amount of water vapor emission
from the air outlets may be noticed. This
condition is normal and does not indicate any 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 designed
to temporarily shut off during air condi-
tioner operation whenever the accelerator
is fully depressed such as during rapid
acceleration or when driving on a steep
upgrade.
&Refrigerant for your climate
control system
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly
refrigerant HFC134a. Therefore, the meth-
od of adding, changing or checking the
refrigerant is different from the method for
CFC12 (freon). Consult your SUBARU
dealer for service. Repairs needed as a
result of using the wrong refrigerant are
not covered under warranty.
Air filtration system
Your vehicle’ s air conditioning system is
equipped with an air filtration system.
Replace the air filter element according
to the replacement schedule found in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. This
schedule should be followed to maintain
the filter ’s dust collection ability. Under
extremely dusty conditions, the filter
should be replaced more frequently. Have
your filter checked or replaced by your
SUBARU dealer. For replacement, use
only a genuine SUBARU air filter kit.
CAUTION
Contact your SUBARU dealer if the
following occurs, even if it is not yet
time to change the filter:
. Reduction of the airflow through
the vents.
. Windshield gets easily fogged or
misted.
NOTE
The filter can influence the air condi-
tioning, heating and defroster perfor-
mance if not properly maintained.
4-12

appliance that can be connected
is 120W. Do not use an appliance
which exceeds the indicated wat-
tage for each outlet.
When using appliances con-
nected to two outlets simulta-
neously, the total power con-
sumed by them must not exceed
120W. Overloading the accessory
power outlet can cause a short
circuit. Do not use double adap-
ters or more than one electrical
appliance.
. If the plug on your electric appli-
ance is either too loose or too
tight for the accessory power
outlet, this can result in a poor
contact or cause the plug to get
stuck. Only use plugs that fit
properly.
. Use of an electric appliance in the
accessory power outlet for a long
period of time while the engine is
not running can cause battery
discharge.
. Before driving your vehicle, make
sure that the plug and the cord
on your electrical appliance will
not interfere with your shifting
gears and operating the accel-
erator and brake pedals. If they do, do not use the electrical
appliance while driving.
NOTE
When the lid of the center console is
closed, an opening remains between
the center console and the lid to allow
the power outlet in the center console
to be used. Pass the cord of the
electrical appliance through this open-
ing.
&
Use with a cigarette lighter
(dealer option)
To use the accessory power outlet as a
cigarette lighter socket, purchase the
cigarette lighter plug, which is an optional
accessory. A cigarette lighter plug is available from your SUBARU dealer.
The cigarette lighter operates only when
the ignition switch is in the
“ON”or “ACC ”
position.
To use the cigarette lighter, push in the
knob and wait a few moments. It will
automatically spring up when ready for
use.
WARNING
To avoid being burned, never grasp
the lighter by the end with the
heating element. Doing so could
result in injury and could also
damage the heating element.
CAUTION
. Do not hold the lighter pushed in,
because it will overheat.
. The electrical power socket is
originally designed to use a gen-
uine SUBARU cigarette lighter
plug. Do not use a non-genuine
cigarette lighter plug in the sock-
et. Doing so may cause a short-
circuit and overheating, resulting
in a fire.
. If the socket is ever used for a
plug-in accessory such as a cell
Interior equipment/Accessory power outlets
–CONTINUED –6-9

Fuel...................................................................... 7-3Fuel requirements ............................................... 7-3
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................... 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) ...................... 7-7
Preparing to drive ............................................... 7-8
Starting and stopping the engine (models without push-button start system) .................. 7-9
Starting engine.................................................... 7-9
Stopping the engine ........................................... 7-11
Starting and stopping engine (models with
push-button start system) .............................. 7-12
Safety precautions............................................. 7-12
Operating range for push-button start system ............................................................. 7-12
Starting engine ................................................... 7-12
Stopping engine ................................................. 7-13
When access key does not operate properly ....... 7-14
Remote engine start system (dealer
option) .............................................................. 7-14
Models with “keyless access with push-button
start system ”................................................... 7-15
Models without “keyless access with push-button
start system ”................................................... 7-16
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start ................................................................. 7-19
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown ......................................................... 7-19
Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the vehicle ............................................................. 7-19
Service mode (models without “keyless access
with push-button start system ”)........................ 7-19 Remote transmitter program (models without
“keyless access with push-button start
system ”).......................................................... 7-19
System maintenance .......................................... 7-20
Manual transmission ......................................... 7-22Shifting speeds.................................................. 7-22
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-23
Continuously variable transmission ................. 7-23Continuously variable transmission features . ..... 7-24
Select lever ....................................................... 7-24
Selection of manual mode (if equipped) .............. 7-26
Selection of “L”(if equipped) ... .......................... 7-28
Shift lock function ............................................. 7-28
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-29
Power steering ................................................... 7-30Power steering warning light .............................. 7-30
Power steering system features ......................... 7-30
Braking............................................................... 7-31Braking tips ....................................................... 7-31
Brake system .................................................... 7-31
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............. 7-32
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).......................... 7-32ABS self-check.................................................. 7-32
ABS warning light .............................................. 7-33
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
system ............................................................. 7-33
Steps to take if EBD system malfunctions .......... 7-33
Vehicle Dynamics Control system.................... 7-34Safety precautions............................................. 7-34
System features ................................................. 7-35
Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor .......... 7-36
Starting and operating
7

&Entering the vehicle while it
is running via remote start
1. Unlock the vehicle doors using the
keyless access function (if equipped) or
remote keyless entry system. If the vehi-
cle’s doors are unlocked manually using
the key, the vehicle’ s alarm system will
trigger (if the alarm system is armed prior
to activating the remote engine start
system) and the engine will turn off.
Perform either of the following procedures
to disarm the alarm system. Refer to
“Alarm system ”F 2-27.
. Insert the key into the ignition switch
and turn it to the “ON”position (models
without “keyless access with push-
button start system ”)
. Turn the push-button ignition switch
to the “ACC”or “ON ”position (models
with “keyless access with push-button
start system ”)
. Press any button on the access key/
remote keyless entry transmitter.
2. Enter the vehicle.
3. The engine will shut down when any
door or trunk/rear gate is opened.
4. Insert the key into the ignition switch
and turn to the “START”position to restart
the engine.
& Entering the vehicle follow-
ing remote engine start shut-
down
An alarm trigger may occur if the vehicle is
opened by the remote keyless entry
transmitter within a few seconds immedi-
ately following remote engine start shut-
down.
&Pre-heating or pre-cooling
the interior of the vehicle
Before exiting the vehicle, set the tem-
perature controls to the desired setting
and operation. After the system starts the
engine, the heater or air conditioning will
activate and heat or cool the interior to
your setting.
&Service mode (models with-
out “keyless access with
push-button start system ”)
In service mode, the remote engine start
function is temporarily disabled to prevent
the system from unexpectedly starting the
engine while being serviced.
To engage or disengage service mode:
1. Enter the vehicle and close all vehicle
doors and the trunk/rear gate.
2. Verify that the select lever is in the “P”
position (CVT models) 3. Depress and hold the brake pedal
4. Turn the ignition switch to the
“ON”
position
5. Press and release the remote engine
start transmitter “
”button three times.
The system will honk the vehicle ’s horn
each time the button is pressed.
6. The system will pause for 1 second
then honk the vehicle’ s horn three times to
indicate that the service mode has been
engaged or honk one time to indicate that
the service mode has been disengaged.
NOTE
When taking your vehicle in for service,
it is recommended that you inform the
service personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with a remote engine start
system.
& Remote transmitter program
(models without “keyless ac-
cess with push-button start
system ”)
New transmitters can be programmed to
the remote engine start system in the
event that a transmitter is lost, stolen,
damaged or additional transmitters are
desired (the system will accept up to eight
transmitters). New remote engine start
transmitters can be programmed accord-
Starting and operating/Remote engine start system (dealer option)
–CONTINUED –7-19

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