Starting and operating/Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
The function will operate when the vehicle
speed is less than approximately 12 mph
(20 km/h) and the accelerator ratio is less
than approximately 10%.
The function will turn off when the vehicle
speed is more than approximately 12 mph
(20 km/h) and the accelerator pedal is
depressed.
NOTE
.Even while the hill descent control
function is operating, you can vary the
vehicle speed by using the brake pedal
or accelerator pedal.
.During braking by the hill descent
control function, the hill descent con-
trol indicator will flash.
.The hill descent control function is
operable regardless of the gradient of
the road.
.The hill descent control function
may be considered normal when the
following conditions occur.
–An operating sound is heard
briefly from the engine compart-
ment while the hill descent control
function is operating.
–The sensation of depressing the
brake pedal is different, (harder
than usual etc.) when the brake
pedal is depressed during hill des-
cent control function operation.!Hill descent control indicator
This indicator appears while the hill
descent control function is in the standby
mode. It flashes while the function is
operating. It will disappear when the
function is in the disabled mode. When
this function is changed from operational
to non-operational, it will disappear when
the vehicle speed reaches more than
approximately 18 mph (30 km/h).
Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) (if equipped)
Low tire pressure warning light
The tire pressure monitoring system pro-
vides the driver with a warning message
by sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel when tire pressure
is severely low.
The tire pressure monitoring system will
activate only when the vehicle is driven at
speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h). Also,
this system may not react immediately to a
sudden drop in tire pressure (for example,
a blow-out caused by running over a
sharp object).
7-40
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
!Blind Spot Detection (BSD)
1) Operating range
The system notifies the driver of vehicles
existing in the blind area. If the system
detects a vehicle existing in the blind area,
it warns the driver of dangers by illuminat-
ing the BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light(s) on the outside mirror(s). If the
driver operates the turn signal lever in the
direction where the BSD/RCTA approach
indicator light is illuminating, the system
warns the driver of dangers by flashing the
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light.!Lane Change Assist (LCA)
1) Operating range
The system notifies the driver of vehicles
approaching at a high speed in the
neighboring lanes. If the system detects
a vehicle approaching at a high speed in
the neighboring lanes, it warns the driver
of dangers by illuminating the BSD/RCTA
approach indicator light(s) on the outside
mirror(s). If the driver operates the turn
signal lever in the direction where the
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light is
illuminating, the system warns the driver
of dangers by flashing the BSD/RCTA
approach indicator light.!Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
1) Operating range
The system notifies the driver of another
vehicle approaching from either side when
driving in reverse. This feature helps the
driver check the rear and side areas of the
vehicle when moving backward.
If the system detects a vehicle approach-
ing from either side while moving back-
ward, it warns the driver of dangers in the
following way.
.The BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light(s) on the outside mirror(s) flashes.
.A warning buzzer sounds.
.An icon appears on the rear view
camera screen (if equipped)
7-54
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
–When the temperature around
the radar sensors becomes extre-
mely low
–When the vehicle battery voltage
lowers
–When the vehicle battery be-
comes overvoltage
.The detectability of the radar sen-
sors is restricted. The BSD/RCTA de-
tection may be impaired and the sys-
tem may not operate properly under the
following conditions.
–When the rear bumper around
the radar sensors is distorted
–When ice, snow or mud adheres
to the rear bumper surface around
the radar sensors
–When stickers, etc. are affixed on
the areas of the radar sensors on
the rear bumper
–During adverse weather condi-
tions such as rain, snow or fog
–When driving on wet roads such
as snow-covered roads and
through puddles
.The radar sensors may not detect or
may have difficulty detecting the fol-
lowing vehicles and objects.
–Small motorcycles, bicycles, pe-
destrians, stationary objects on the
road or road side, etc.
–Vehicles with body shapes thatthe radar may not reflect (vehicles
with lower body height such as a
trailer with no cargo and sports
cars)
–Vehicles that are not approach-
ing your vehicle even though they
are in the detection area (either on a
neighboring lane to the rear or
beside your vehicle when rever-
sing) (The system determines the
presence of approaching vehicles
based on data detected by the radar
sensors.)
–Vehicles traveling at significantly
different speeds
–Vehicles driving in parallel at
almost the same speed as your
vehicle for a prolonged time
–Oncoming vehicles
–Vehicles in a lane beyond the
neighboring lane
–Vehicles travelling at a signifi-
cantly lower speed that you are
trying to overtake
.On a road with extremely narrow
lanes, the system may detect vehicles
driving in a lane next to the neighbor-
ing lane.&BSD/RCTA approach indica-
tor light/warning buzzer
When the BSD/RCTA is active, the BSD/
RCTA approach indicator light and warn-
ing buzzer will operate to alert the driver to
the presence of the following vehicles.
.Vehicles in the neighboring lanes
.Vehicles approaching from the left or
right rear side when reversing
!BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
It is mounted in each side of the outside
mirrors and will illuminate when a vehicle
approaching from behind is detected. If a
light illuminates and the turn signal lever is
operated toward the side in which this light
turned on, the indicator light flashes to
7-56
Driving tips/Trailer hitch (Outback—if equipped)
1) Hitch ball installation point
2) Hooks for safety chains
5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate
for the ball mount and your trailer. The
hitch ball must be securely installed on the
ball mount.
6. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball.
7. Connect the trailer and the hitch with
safety chains that will hold the trailer’s
maximum gross weight. The chains
should cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping onto the
ground in case it should disconnect from
the hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the
chains taking tight turn situations into
account; however, be careful not to let
them drag on the ground.
WARNING
Do not connect safety chains to any
part of the vehicle other than the
safety chain hooks.
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch wire harness’s black
four-pin wire connector to the towing
trailer’s wire harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
wire harness by individually activating the
brake, stop and turn signal lights on the
trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer wire har-
ness before launching or retrieving awatercraft.
&If not towing a trailer
.Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube and insert the receiver cover
onto the hitch receiver tube.
.Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch wire harness to
protect against possible damage.
.Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using terminal grease.
8-20
Driving tips/Trailer towing (Outback)
ground.
!Side mirrors
After hitching a trailer to your vehicle,
check that the standard side mirrors
provide a good rearward field of view
without significant blind spots. If significant
blind spots occur with the vehicle’s stan-
dard side mirrors, use towing mirrors that
conform with Federal, state/province and/
or other applicable regulations.
!Trailer lights
CAUTION
Direct splicing or other improper
connection of trailer lights may
damage your vehicle’s electrical
system and cause a malfunction of
your vehicle’s lighting system.Connection of trailer lights to your vehi-
cle’s electrical system requires modifica-
tions to the vehicle’s lighting circuit to
increase its capacity and accommodate
wiring changes. To ensure the trailer lights
are connected properly, please consult
your SUBARU dealer. Check for proper
operation of the turn signals and the stop
lights each time you connect a trailer to
your vehicle.
!Tires
WARNING
Never tow a trailer when the tem-
porary spare tire is used. The tem-
porary spare tire is not designed to
sustain the towing load. Use of the
temporary spare tire when towing
can result in failure of the spare tire
and/or less stability of the vehicle.
Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle
are properly inflated. Refer to“Tires”F12-
9 and in“GAS STATION REFERENCE”at
the end of this manual.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer’s
specifications.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tirewhen towing a trailer, ask a commercial
road service representive or professional
to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your
vehicle or trailer as a precaution against
getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare
tire is firmly secured.
&Trailer towing tips
CAUTION
.For models equipped with the
BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
driving support systems, when
towing a trailer, press the BSD/
RCTA OFF switch to deactivate
the system. The system may not
operate properly due to the
blocked radar waves. For details
about the BSD/RCTA OFF switch,
refer to“BSD/RCTA OFF switch”
F7-59.
.Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h)
when towing a trailer in hilly
country on hot days.
.When towing a trailer, steering,
stability, stopping distance and
braking performance will be dif-
ferent when compared to normal
8-26
operation. You should never
drive at excessive speeds but
always employ extra caution
when towing a trailer. You should
also keep the following tips in
mind.
!Before starting out on a trip
.Check the towing regulations for trailer
or caravan vehicles that vary by state/
region. Failure to comply with the proce-
dures set forth will not only compromise
your safety, but will also negate your
insurance coverage and/or may violate
the state road and traffic acts and regula-
tions.
.Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-
hitch mounting are in good condition. If
any problems are apparent, do not tow the
trailer.
.Check that the vehicle rests horizon-
tally with the trailer attached. If the vehicle
is tipped sharply up at the front and down
at the rear, check the total trailer weight,
GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then
confirm that the load and its distribution
are acceptable.
.Check that the tire pressures are
correct.
.Check that the vehicle and trailer are
connected properly. Confirm that–the trailer tongue is connected
properly to the hitch ball.
–the trailer lights connector is con-
nected properly and trailer’s stop lights
illuminate when the vehicle’s brake
pedal is pressed, and that the trailer’s
turn signal lights flash when the
vehicle’s turn signal lever is operated.
–the safety chains are connected
properly.
–all cargo in the trailer is secured
safely in position.
–the side mirrors provide a good
rearward field of view without a sig-
nificant blind spot.
.Sufficient time should be taken to learn
the“feel”of the vehicle/trailer combination
before starting out on a trip. In an area free
of traffic, practice turning, stopping and
backing up.
!Driving with a trailer
.You should allow for considerably more
stopping distance when towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking because it may
result in skidding or jackknifing and loss of
control.
.Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accel-
erations. For MT models, always start out
in first gear and release the clutch pedal at
moderate engine revolution.
.Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns andrapid lane changes.
.Slow down before turning. Make a
longer than normal turning radius because
the trailer wheels will be closer than the
vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn. In
a tight turn, the trailer could hit your
vehicle.
.Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-
ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to
weather conditions or the passing of large
trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly
grip the steering wheel and promptly begin
decelerating your vehicle at a gradual
pace.
.When passing other vehicles, consid-
erable distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by
attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
Driving tips/Trailer towing (Outback)
–CONTINUED–8-27
In case of emergency/If you park your vehicle in an emergency
If you park your vehicle in an
emergency
The hazard warning flasher should be
used in day or night to warn other drivers
when you have to park your vehicle under
emergency conditions.
Avoid stopping on the road. It is best to
safely pull off the road if a problem occurs.
The hazard warning flasher can be acti-
vated regardless of the ignition switch
position.
Turn on the hazard warning by pressing
the hazard warning flasher switch. Turn it
off by pressing the switch again.
NOTE
When the hazard warning flasher is on,
the turn signals do not work.Temporary spare tire
WARNING
.Never tow a trailer when the
temporary spare tire is used.
The temporary spare tire is not
designed to sustain the towing
load. Use of the temporary spare
tire when towing can result in
failure of the spare tire and/or
less stability of the vehicle and
may lead to an accident.
.When a spare tire is mounted or a
wheel rim is replaced without the
original pressure sensor/trans-
mitter being transferred, the low
tire pressure warning light will
illuminate steadily after blinking
for approximately one minute.
This indicates the tire pressure
monitoring system (TPMS) is un-
able to monitor all four road
wheels. Contact your SUBARU
dealer as soon as possible for
tire and sensor replacement and/
or system resetting.
9-2
Maintenance and service
Wheel replacement........................................... 11-31
Aluminum wheels............................................. 11-31
Windshield washer fluid.................................. 11-32
Replacement of wiper blades.......................... 11-33
Windshield wiper blade assembly..................... 11-34
Windshield wiper blade rubber......................... 11-34
Rear window wiper blade assembly
(Outback)....................................................... 11-35
Rear window wiper blade rubber (Outback) ....... 11-36
Battery............................................................... 11-37
Fuses................................................................ 11-38
Installation of accessories............................... 11-40
Replacing bulbs............................................... 11-40
HID headlights (if equipped)............................. 11-40
Halogen headlights.......................................... 11-40Front turn signal light...................................... 11-42
Front side marker light..................................... 11-42
Front fog light (if equipped).............................. 11-42
Rear combination lights................................... 11-43
Backup light.................................................... 11-45
License plate light........................................... 11-47
Dome light....................................................... 11-48
Map light......................................................... 11-48
Door step light................................................. 11-48
Cargo area light (Outback)............................... 11-49
Trunk light (Legacy)......................................... 11-49
Other bulbs..................................................... 11-49
Replacing battery............................................. 11-49Replacing battery of access key....................... 11-50
Replacing battery of transmitter....................... 11-51