
.Hill descent control function:
Using the hill descent control function, you
can keep the vehicle at a consistent speed
driving downhill. If the vehicle speed is
likely to increase, the brake control system
will be activated to adjust the vehicle
speed.
.Driving ability control:
This mode increases the hill-climbing
ability and driving ability as well as
enabling smooth application of torque for
easier control of the steering wheel.
&To activate/deactivate the X-
mode
X-mode switch
X-mode indicator
To activate:
Press the X-mode switch. While the X-
mode is activated, the X-mode indicator
appears.
To deactivate:
Press the X-mode switch again. The X-
mode indicator will disappear when the X-
mode is deactivated.
NOTE
.Even if you try to activate the X-
mode by pressing the X-mode switch
when the vehicle speed is 12 mph (20
km/h) or more, the X-mode will not be
activated. At this time, a buzzer will
sound twice.
.If the vehicle speed reaches 25 mph(40 km/h) or more while the X-mode is
activated, a buzzer will sound once and
the X-mode will be deactivated.
.While the engine is running, if either
of the following conditions is met, the
X-mode will be deactivated. In this
case, it is not possible to activate the
X-mode.
–The CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator light illu-
minates.
–The AT OIL TEMP warning light
flashes.
–The ABS warning light illumi-
nates.
–The Vehicle Dynamics Control
warning light illuminates.
.If there is a possibility that the
engine could overheat because of a
temperature increase of the engine
coolant, it is not possible to activate
the X-mode. Even while the X-mode is
activated, the X-mode will be deacti-
vated when the engine coolant tem-
perature increases.
&Hill descent control function
The hill descent control function will be in
standby mode when the X-mode is acti-
vated and the vehicle speed is less than
approximately 12 mph (20 km/h).
Starting and operating/X–mode (Outback CVT models)
–CONTINUED–7-39

Starting and operating/Parking your vehicle
To deactivate:Press the Hill Holder
switch again.
Deactivate the Hill Holder function under
the following conditions.
.When towing a trailer
.When carrying a heavy load
.When you do not frequently use the
parking brake when stopping on an uphill
slope
NOTE
.If the Hill Holder switch is pressed
for more than 30 seconds, the Hill
Holder indicator light turns off and the
system ignores any further pressing of
the switch. To activate the switch again,
turn the ignition switch to the“LOCK”/
“OFF”position and restart the engine.
.When the Hill Holder function is
deactivated while the Hill Holder func-
tion has a malfunction, if you press the
Hill Holder switch, a chirp sounds.!Hill Holder indicator light
When the Hill Holder function is activated,
the Hill Holder indicator light illuminates.
Refer to“Hill Holder indicator light”F3-21.!Emergency brake
CAUTION
Use the emergency brake only in
case of an emergency. If the emer-
gency brake is excessively used,
the brake parts will wear down
faster or the brake may not work
sufficiently due to brake overheat-
ing.
NOTE
.While using the emergency brake,
the electronic parking brake indicator
light and the indicator light on the
parking brake switch illuminate and a
chirp sounds.
.While using the emergency brake, a
sound may be heard from the engine
compartment. This is the operating
sound of the brake that is activated by
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system,
and does not indicate a malfunction.
If the foot brake has a malfunction, you
can stop the vehicle by pulling the parking
brake switch continuously.
While applying the emergency brake, the
electronic parking brake indicator light and
the indicator light on the parking brake
switch illuminate and a chirp sounds.
7-46

Driving tips/Trailer towing (Outback)
1) Left turn
2) Right turn
.Backing up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. When backing up with a
trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.
When turning back, grip the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand and turn it to
the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right
for a right turn.
.If the ABS warning light illuminates
while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing
the trailer and have repairs performed
immediately by your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
!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 theengine 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,
because the engine and transmission are
relatively prone to overheating, pay atten-
tion to the following items.
–Temperature gauge
–AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT
models)
.If any of the following conditions occur,
immediately turn off the air conditioner and
stop the vehicle in the nearest safe
location. Refer to“If you park your vehicle
in an emergency”F9-2 and“Engine
overheating”F9-13.
–Temperature gauge needle ap-
proaches the OVERHEAT zone. Refer
to“Temperature gauge”F3-11.
–AT OIL TEMP warning light illumi-
nates (CVT models). Refer to“AT OIL
TEMP warning light (CVT models)”
F3-16.
.For CVT models, do not use 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. 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”(CVT models) and shut
off the engine.
8-28

If you park your vehicle in an emergency......... 9-2
Temporary spare tire........................................... 9-2
Maintenance tools............................................... 9-3
Legacy................................................................ 9-4
Outback.............................................................. 9-5
Flat tires............................................................... 9-5Changing a flat tire.............................................. 9-5
Storing a flat tire................................................. 9-8
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if
equipped)......................................................... 9-10
Jump starting..................................................... 9-11How to jump start............................................... 9-11
Engine overheating............................................ 9-13
If steam is coming from the engine
compartment.................................................... 9-13
If no steam is coming from the engine
compartment.................................................... 9-13
Towing................................................................. 9-13Towing hooks and tie-down hooks/holes ............. 9-14
Using a flat-bed truck......................................... 9-16Towing with all wheels on the ground................. 9-17
Electronic parking brake–if the electronic
parking brake cannot be released................. 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
Trunk lid (Legacy)–if the trunk lid cannot
be opened....................................................... 9-19
Rear gate (Outback)–if the rear gate
cannot be opened........................................... 9-20
Power rear gate - if power rear gate does
not operate properly....................................... 9-21
When the power rear gate is deactivated............ 9-21
When the rear gate cannot be opened................ 9-22
When the rear gate cannot be closed................. 9-22
If your vehicle is involved in an accident........ 9-22
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, pull off the road
safely and stop the vehicle in a safe place.
&If steam is coming from the
engine compartment
Turn off the engine and get everyone
away from the vehicle until it cools down.
&If no steam is coming from
the engine compartment
NOTE
For details about how to check the
coolant level or how to add coolant,
refer to“Engine coolant”F11-14.
1. Keep the engine running at idling
speed.2. Open the hood to ventilate the engine
compartment. Refer to“Engine hood”
F11-7.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn off
the engine and contact your authorized
dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature
has dropped, turn off the engine.
If the temperature gauge stays in the
overheated zone, turn off the engine.
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.
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.
Towing
WARNING
Never tow AWD vehicles with the
front wheels raised off the ground
while the rear wheels are on the
ground, or with the rear wheels
raised off the ground while the front
wheels are on the ground. This will
cause the vehicle to spin away due
to the operation or deterioration of
the center differential.
If towing is necessary, SUBARU recom-
mends it be done by your SUBARU dealer
or a commercial towing service.
In case of emergency/Engine overheating
–CONTINUED–9-13

Winter.................................................................... 8-8
E
ECO gauge............................................................... 3-11
Electrical system........................................................ 12-9
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system.......... 7-34
Warning................................................................ 3-19
Electronic parking brake.............................................. 7-42
Automatic release function by accelerator pedal......... 7-44
Hill Holder............................................................. 7-45
Indicator light......................................................... 3-20
Warning........................................................ 3-20, 7-47
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR)............................. 1-17
Engine
Compartment overview........................................... 11-9
Coolant........................................................ 11-14, 12-8
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)............................. 5, 8-2
Hood.................................................................... 11-7
Low oil level warning indicator................................. 3-16
Oil............................................................... 11-11, 12-4
Overheating.......................................................... 9-13
Starting & stopping........................................... 7-9, 7-12
Event data recorder......................................................... 8
Exterior care.............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires..................................................................... 9-5
Floor mat.................................................................. 6-15
Fluid level
Brake.................................................................. 11-19
Clutch.................................................................. 11-21Continuously variable transmission......................... 11-19
Fog light
Bulb.......................................................... 11-42, 12-14
Indicator light......................................................... 3-31
Steering responsive fog lights system....................... 3-49
Switch................................................................... 3-49
Front
Differential gear oil........................................ 11-19, 12-7
Seatbelt pretensioners............................................ 1-24
Side marker light.................................................. 11-42
Turn signal light.................................................... 11-42
Front seats................................................................. 1-2
Forward and backward adjustment............................ 1-4
Head restraint adjustment......................................... 1-8
Memory function...................................................... 1-6
Power seat............................................................. 1-5
Reclining................................................................ 1-4
Seat height adjustment (driver’s seat)........................ 1-4
Fuel........................................................................... 7-3
Consumption indicator............................................. 3-36
Economy hints........................................................ 8-2
Filler lid and cap...................................................... 7-4
Gauge................................................................... 3-10
Requirements................................................. 7-3, 12-3
Fuses
..................................................................... 11-38
Fuses and circuits.................................................... 12-10
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ............................... 8-14
Glove box................................................................... 6-6
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)........................... 8-14
Index14-5

14-8Index
Mirror defogger.......................................................... 3-54
Mirrors...................................................................... 3-56
Moonroof.................................................................. 2-48
N
New vehicle break-in driving.......................................... 8-2
O
Odometer.................................................................... 3-8
Off road driving............................................................ 8-6
Oil filter.................................................................... 11-13
Oil level
Engine................................................................. 11-11
Manual transmission.............................................. 11-18
Warning light......................................................... 3-16
Oil pressure warning light............................................ 3-15
Outside
Mirror defogger...................................................... 3-54
Mirrors.................................................................. 3-62
Temperature indicator............................................. 3-33
Overhead console........................................................ 6-7
Overheating engine.................................................... 9-13
P
Parking..................................................................... 7-42
Brake................................................................... 7-42
Tips...................................................................... 7-47
Periodic inspections..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel................................................................... 7-3
PIN Code Access...................................................... 2-21
Pocket........................................................................ 6-7Power
Door locking switch.................................................. 2-9
Outlets.................................................................. 6-10
Outside mirrors...................................................... 3-62
Rear gate...................................................... 2-41, 9-21
Seat....................................................................... 1-5
Steering................................................................ 7-31
Steering warning light.............................................. 3-22
Windows............................................................... 2-33
Precautions against vehicle modification................ 1-27, 1-70
Preparing to drive........................................................ 7-8
Push-button
Ignition switch......................................................... 3-5
Starting and stopping engine.................................... 7-12
R
RCTA........................................................................ 7-54
Rear
Combination lights................................................ 11-43
Differential gear oil........................................ 11-19, 12-7
Gate..................................................................... 2-40
Turn signal light.................................................... 11-43
Rear seat.................................................................. 1-11
Armrest................................................................. 1-15
Folding down......................................................... 1-12
Head restraint adjustment........................................ 1-14
Reclining............................................................... 1-11
Rear view camera...................................................... 6-21
How to adjust the rear view image............................ 5-25
Rear window
Defogger............................................................... 3-54