
Windshield washer fluid warning indicator
NOTE
The windshield washer fluid warning
indicator appears when the washer
fluid level in the tank has dropped to
the lower limit. If the warning indicator
appears, refill the tank with fluid. For
the tank refilling method, refer to
“Windshield washer fluid”F11-32.
&Rear window wiper and
washer switch (Outback)
:Washer (accompanied by wiper op-
eration)
: Continuous
: Intermittent
: Off
:Washer (accompanied by wiper op-
eration)
!Rear wiper
To turn the rear wiper on, turn the knob
switch upward.
To turn the wiper off, return the knob
switch to the“
”position.
With the switch turned to the“
”posi-tion, the rear wiper will operate intermit-
tently at intervals corresponding to the
vehicle speed. In this position, when you
move the select lever to the“R”position
(CVT models) or the shift lever to the
reverse position (MT models), the rear
wiper will switch to continuous operation.
When you move the select lever/shift lever
from the“R”(reverse) position to another
position, the rear wiper will return to
intermittent operation.
Reverse gear interlocked rear wiper:
Even if the rear wiper switch is in the off
“
”position, if the front windshield wiper is
operating continuously, the rear wiper will
operate intermittently when you move the
select lever/shift lever to the“R”(reverse)
position.
The factory setting (default setting) of the
reverse gear interlocked rear wiper is as
follows.
.U.S.-spec. models: Non-operational
.Other models: Operational
This setting can be changed by a
SUBARU dealer. Consult your SUBARU
dealer for details.
CAUTION
Do not attach anything that disturbs
the rear wiper operation on the rear
Instruments and controls/Wiper and washer
–CONTINUED–3-53

Control switch (type B)
1) Models without outside mirror defogger
2) Models with outside mirror defogger
To activate the defogger and deicer
system, press the control switch. The rear
window defogger, outside mirror defogger
and windshield wiper deicer are activated
simultaneously. The indicator light on the
control switch illuminates while the defog-
ger and deicer system is activated.
To turn them off, press the control switch
again. They also turn off when the ignition
switch is turned to the“ACC”or“LOCK”/
“OFF”position.
The defogger and deicer system will
automatically shut off after approximately
15 minutes. If the rear window and outside
mirrors have been cleared and the wind-shield wiper blades have been deiced
completely before that time, press the
control switch to turn them off. If defrost-
ing, defogging or deicing is not complete,
you have to press the control switch to
turn them on again.
It is possible to set the defogger and
deicer system for the continuous opera-
tion mode by operating the multi informa-
tion display. For details, refer to“Defog-
ger”F3-42.
CAUTION
.To prevent the battery from being
discharged, do not operate the
defogger and deicer system con-
tinuously for any longer than
necessary.
.Do not use sharp instruments or
window cleaner containing abra-
sives to clean the inner surface
of the rear window. They may
damage the conductors printed
on the window.
NOTE
.Turn on the defogger and deicer
system if the wipers are frozen to the
windshield.
.If the windshield is covered withsnow, remove the snow so that the
windshield wiper deicer works effec-
tively.
.While the defogger and deicer sys-
tem is in the continuous operation
mode, if the vehicle speed remains at
9 mph (15 km/h) or lower for 15
minutes, the windshield wiper deicer
automatically stops operating, though
the rear window defogger and outside
mirror defogger maintain continuous
operation in this condition.
.While the defogger and deicer sys-
tem is in the continuous operation
mode, if the battery voltage drops
below the permissible level, continu-
ous operation of the defogger and
deicer system is canceled and the
system stops operating.
Instruments and controls/Defogger and deicer3-55

Automatic climate control
system (type B)
NOTE
.Operate the automatic climate con-
trol system when the engine is running.
.The blower fan rotates at a low
speed when the engine coolant tem-
perature is low.
.For efficient defogging or dehumidi-
fying in cold weather, press the“A/C”
button.
When the automatic climate control mode
is selected, the following items are auto-
matically controlled.
.Outlet air temperature
.Fan speed
.Airflow distribution
.Air inlet control
.Air conditioner compressor operation
To activate this mode, perform the follow-
ing procedure.
1. Set the preferred temperature using
the temperature control button.
2. Press the“AUTO”button. The FULL
AUTO mode is selected and the“FULL
AUTO”indicator light on the display
illuminates.
NOTE
If you operate any of the buttons on the
control panel other than the“OFF”
button, rear window defogger button
and temperature control buttons during
FULL AUTO mode operation, the
“FULL”indicator light on the control
panel will turn off and the“AUTO”
indicator light will remain illuminated.
You can then manually control the
system as desired. To change the
system back to the FULL AUTO mode,
press the“AUTO”button.
To turn off the climate control system,
press the“OFF”button. The air inlet
selection is then automatically switched
to the outside air mode.&Temperature sensors
1) Solar sensor
2) Interior air temperature sensor
The automatic climate control system
employs several sensors. These sensors
are delicate. If they are treated incorrectly
Climate control/Automatic climate control system (type B)
–CONTINUED–4-5

the instrument panel and some through
windshield defroster outlets (A small
amount of air flows to the windshield and
both side windows to prevent fogging.)
A) Models with rear ventilators
(Heat-def): Windshield defroster outlets,
foot outlets and both side outlets of the
instrument panel
A) Models with rear ventilators
(Defrost): Windshield defroster outlets and
both side outlets of the instrument panel
NOTE
.When the“”mode or“”mode
is selected, the air conditioner com-
pressor automatically operates to more
quickly defog the windshield. At the
same time, the air inlet selection is
automatically set to the outside air
mode.
In this state:
–The air conditioner indicator light
does not illuminate.
–You cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the
air conditioner button.
&Temperature control
Turn the temperature control dial over a
range from the blue side (cool) to red side
(warm) to regulate the temperature of
airflow from the air outlets.
!MAX A/C mode
Perform the following operation to select
the MAX A/C mode.
.Turn the temperature control dial to the
“MAX A/C”position (models with type A
climate control system).
.Press the“MAX A/C”button (models
with type B climate control system).
When this mode is selected, some of the
settings will be changed as follows.
Type A climate control system:
.The air inlet selection mode will be
changed to the ON position (recirculation).
.The air conditioner will turn on.
Type B climate control system:
.The temperature setting will be chan-
ged to the maximum cooling mode.
.The fan speed setting will be changed
to the maximum speed.
.The airflow mode setting will be chan-
ged to the“
”(ventilation) mode.
.The air inlet selection mode will be
changed to the ON position (recirculation).
Climate control/Manual climate control
–CONTINUED–4-7

Climate control/Manual climate control
.The air conditioner will turn on.
While the MAX A/C mode is selected,
performing the following operation returns
the system to the setting that had been
selected before the MAX A/C mode is
selected.
.Turn the temperature control dial to a
position other than“MAX A/C”position
(models with type A climate control sys-
tem).
.Press the“MAX A/C”button again
(models with type B climate control sys-
tem).
!“DUAL”mode (type B)
You can change the setting of the driver’s
side and front passenger’s side tempera-
ture independently by selecting the
“DUAL”mode.
You can select the“DUAL”mode by
performing either of the following proce-
dures.
.Press the“DUAL”button
.Turn the passenger’s side temperature
control dial
The“DUAL”mode can be canceled by
pressing the“DUAL”button.
When the“DUAL”mode is selected:
Turn the driver’ssidedialtosetthe
driver’s side temperature. Turn the frontpassenger’s side dial to set the front
passenger’s side temperature.
When the“DUAL”mode is canceled:
Set the desired temperature by turning the
driver’s side dial.
&Fan speed control
The fan operates only when the ignition
switch is in the“ON”position. Select the
preferred fan speed by turning the fan
speed control dial (type A), or by pressing
the fan speed control buttons (type B).
&Air conditioner control
The air conditioner operates only when
the engine is running.
Press the air conditioner button while the
fan is in operation to turn on the air
conditioner. When the air conditioner is
on, the“A/C”indicator light illuminates.
To turn off the air conditioner, press the
button again. The indicator light will turn
off.
NOTE
For efficient defogging or dehumidify-
ing in cold weather, turn on the air
conditioner. However, if the ambient
temperature decreases to approxi-
mately 328F(08C), the air conditioner
and dehumidification system may notwork properly.
&Air inlet selection
Select the air inlet by pressing the air inlet
selection button.
ON position (recirculation): Interior air is
recirculated inside the vehicle. Press the
air inlet selection button to the ON position
for fast cooling with the air conditioner or
when driving on a dusty road. When the
ON position is selected, the“
”indicator
light on the information display (type A)/
the indicator light on the air inlet selection
button (type B) illuminates.
OFF position (outside air): Outside air is
drawn into the passenger compartment.
Press the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position when the interior has cooled
to a comfortable temperature and the road
is no longer dusty. The indicator light will
turn off.
4-8

Fuel...................................................................... 7-3
Fuel 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 ignition switch).............. 7-9
Starting engine.................................................... 7-9
Stopping the engine........................................... 7-11
Steering lock (models without“keyless access
with push-button start system”)........................ 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................................................. 7-14
When access key does not operate properly....... 7-14
Steering lock (models with“keyless access with
push-button start system”) ............................... 7-15
Remote engine start system (dealer
option).............................................................. 7-15
Models with“keyless access with push-button
start system”................................................... 7-16
Models without“keyless access with push-button
start system”................................................... 7-17
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote
start................................................................. 7-20
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start
shutdown......................................................... 7-20Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the
vehicle............................................................ 7-20
Service mode (models without“keyless access
with push-button start system”) ....................... 7-20
Remote transmitter program (models without
“keyless access with push-button start
system”).......................................................... 7-20
System maintenance.......................................... 7-21
Manual transmission......................................... 7-23Selecting reverse gear....................................... 7-23
Shifting speeds.................................................. 7-23
Driving tips........................................................ 7-24
Continuously variable transmission................. 7-25Select lever....................................................... 7-26
Shift lock function............................................. 7-27
Selection of manual mode.................................. 7-29
Driving tips........................................................ 7-30
Power steering................................................... 7-31
Braking............................................................... 7-32
Braking tips....................................................... 7-32
Brake system.................................................... 7-32
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators............. 7-33
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).......................... 7-33
ABS self-check.................................................. 7-33
ABS warning light.............................................. 7-33
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
system............................................................. 7-34
Steps to take if EBD system malfunctions.......... 7-34
Vehicle Dynamics Control system.................... 7-35Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor.......... 7-36
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch................ 7-37
Starting and operating
7

Starting and operating
X-mode (Outback CVT models)......................... 7-38
To activate/deactivate the X-mode....................... 7-39
Hill descent control function............................... 7-39
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if
equipped)......................................................... 7-40
Parking your vehicle.......................................... 7-42
Electronic parking brake..................................... 7-42
Parking tips....................................................... 7-47
Hill start assist system (MT models)................ 7-48
To activate/deactivate the Hill start assist
system............................................................. 7-49
Cruise control..................................................... 7-49To set cruise control.......................................... 7-50
To temporarily cancel the cruise control............. 7-51To turn off the cruise control.............................. 7-51
To change the cruising speed............................ 7-51
Cruise control indicator..................................... 7-53
Cruise control set indicator................................ 7-53
BSD/RCTA (if equipped).................................... 7-53System features................................................. 7-53
System operation............................................... 7-55
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light/warning
buzzer............................................................. 7-56
BSD/RCTA warning indicator.............................. 7-58
BSD/RCTA OFF switch....................................... 7-59
Certification for the BSD/RCTA........................... 7-60
Handling of radar sensors.................................. 7-60

Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push–button ignition switch)
when using the remote engine
start system).
NOTE
.Avoid rapid racing and rapid accel-
eration immediately after the engine
has started.
.For a short time after the engine has
started, the engine speed is kept high.
When the warm-up is completed, the
engine speed lowers automatically.
.On rare occasions, it may be difficult
to start the engine depending on the
fuel and the usage condition (repeated
driving of a distance in which the
engine has not warmed up sufficiently).
In such a case, it is recommended that
you change to a different brand of fuel.
.On rare occasions, transient knock-
ing may be heard from the engine when
the accelerator is operated rapidly
such as a rapid start-up and a rapid
acceleration. This is not a malfunction.
.The engine starts more easily when
the headlights, air conditioner and rear
window defogger are turned off.
.After the engine starts, the engine
speed will be kept high until the engine
has warmed up sufficiently.!MT models
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and ac-
cessories.
3. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the shift lever into neutral. Hold
the clutch pedal to the floor while starting
the engine. The starter motor will only
operate when the clutch pedal is de-
pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the“ON”
position and check the operation of the
warning and indicator lights. Refer to
“Warning and indicator lights”F3-12.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the“START”
positionwithoutdepressing the accelera-
tor pedal. Release the key immediately
after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start, perform the
following procedure.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK”position and wait for at least
10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is applied, turn the
ignition switch to the“START”position
while depressing the accelerator pedal
slightly (approximately a quarter of the
full stroke). Release the accelerator
pedal as soon as the engine starts.
(2) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch back to the“LOCK”position and wait for at least 10
seconds. Then fully depress the accel-
erator pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the“START”position. If the
engine starts, quickly release the
accelerator pedal.
(3) If this does not start the engine,
turn the ignition switch again to the
“LOCK”position. After waiting for 10
seconds or longer, turn the ignition
switch to the“START”position without
depressing the accelerator pedal.
(4) If the engine still refuses to start,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator
lights have turned off after the engine has
started. The fuel injection system auto-
matically lowers the idle speed as the
engine warms up.
!CVT models
CAUTION
If you restart the engine while the
vehicle is moving, shift the select
lever into the“N”position. Do not
attempt to place the select lever of a
moving vehicle into the“P”posi-
tion.
7-10