
Instruments and controls/Ignition switch (models without push–button start system)
while turning it (all models) and the select
lever is in the“P”position (CVT models).
&ACC
In this position the electrical accessories
(radio, accessory power outlet, etc.) can
be used.
&ON
This is the normal operating position after
the engine is started.
&START
CAUTION
Do not turn the ignition switch to the
“START”position while the engine
is running.
The engine is started in this position. The
starter cranks the engine to start it. When
the key is released (after the engine has
started), the key automatically returns to
the“ON”position.
If the engine does not start with your
registered key, pull out the key once (at
this time, the security indicator light will
blink), reinsert the key in the ignition
switch and then try to start the engine
again.
NOTE
The engine may not start in the follow-
ing cases:
.The key grip is touching another key
or a metallic key holder.
.The key is near another key thatcontains an immobilizer transponder.
.The key is near or touching another
transmitter.
&Key reminder chime
The reminder chime sounds when the
driver’s door opens and the key is in the
“LOCK”or“ACC”positions. The chime
stops when the ignition switch is turned to
the“ON”position or the key is removed
from the ignition switch.
&Ignition switch light
For easy access to the ignition switch in
the dark, the ignition switch light illumi-
nates when driver’s door is opened or
when the driver’s door is unlocked using
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The light remains illuminated for approxi-
mately 30 seconds and gradually turns off
under the following conditions.
.When the driver’s door is closed
.When the doors are unlocked using the
remote keyless entry transmitter
The light gradually turns off under the
following conditions.
.When the ignition switch is turned to
the“ON”position
.When the doors are locked using the
remote keyless entry transmitter
3-4

Push-button ignition switch
(models with push-button
start system)
&Safety precautions
Refer to“Safety precautions”F2-10.
&Operating range for push-
button start system
Legacy
1) Antenna
2) Operating range
Outback
1) Antenna
2) Operating range
NOTE
.If the access key is not detected
within the operating range of the an-
tennas inside the vehicle, the push-
button ignition switch and the engine
start cannot be operated.
.Even when the access key is outside
the vehicle, if it is placed too close to
the glass, it may be possible to switch
the power or to start the engine.
.Do not leave the access key in the
following places. It may become im-
possible to operate the push-button
ignition switch and the engine start.
–On the instrument panel–On the floor
–Inside the glove box
–Inside the door trim pocket
–On the rear seat
–On the rear shelf (Legacy)
–Inside the trunk (Legacy)
–At the corner of the cargo area
(Outback)
.When operating the push-button
ignition switch or starting the engine,
if the access key battery is discharged,
perform the procedure described in
“Access key–if access key does not
operate properly”F9-18. In such a
case, replace the battery immediately.
Refer to“Replacing battery of access
key”F11-50.
Instruments and controls/Push–button ignition switch (models with push–button start system)
–CONTINUED–3-5

Instruments and controls/Push–button ignition switch (models with push–button start system)
&Switching power
1) Operation indicator
2) Push-button ignition switch
The power is switched every time the
push-button ignition switch is pressed.
1. Carry the access key, and sit in the
driver’s seat.
2. Shift the select lever into the“P”
position.
3. Press the push-button ignition switch
without depressing the brake pedal. Every
time the button is pressed, the power is
switched in the sequence of“OFF”,
“ACC”,“ON”and“OFF”. When the engine
is stopped and the push-button ignition
switch is in“ACC”or“ON”, the operation
indicator on the push-button ignition
switch illuminates in orange.
Power
statusIndicator color Operation
OFF Turned offPower is turned
off.
ACC OrangeThe following
systems can be
used:
audio and ac-
cessory power
outlet.
ONOrange
(while engine is
stopped)All electrical
systems can be
used. Turned off
(while engine is
running)
CAUTION
.When the push-button ignition
switch is left in“ON”or“ACC”
for a long time, it may result in
vehicle battery discharge.
.Do not spill drinks or other
liquids on the push-button igni-
tion switch. It may cause a mal-
function.
.Do not touch the push-button
ignition switch with a hand soiled
with oil or other contaminants. It
may cause a malfunction.
.If the push-button ignition switchdoes not operate smoothly, stop
the operation. Contact a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
.If the push-button ignition switch
does not illuminate even when
the instrument panel illumination
is turned on, have the vehicle
inspected at a SUBARU dealer.
.If the vehicle was left in the hot
sun for a long time, the surface of
the push-button ignition switch
may get hot. Be careful not to
burn yourself.
NOTE
.The push-button ignition switch can-
not be switched to“OFF”when the
select lever is in a position other than
“P”.
.When operating the push-button
ignition switch, firmly press it all the
way.
.If the push-button ignition switch is
pressed quickly, the power may not
turn on or off.
.If the indicator light on the push-
button ignition switch flashes in green
when the push-button ignition switch is
pressed, steering is locked. When this
occurs, press the push-button ignition
switch while turning the steering wheel
3-6

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
illuminate momentarily and then go out
when the ignition switch is initially turned
to the“ON”position. This permits check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the“ON”position. For
the system check, the following lights
illuminate and turn off after several sec-
onds or after the engine has started:
: Seatbelt warning light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the driver fastens the
seatbelt.)
: Front passenger’s seatbelt warning
light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the front seat passenger
fastens the seatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
ON /
: Front passenger’s frontal airbag
ON indicator light
/: Front passenger’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator light
/: CHECK ENGINE warning light/
Malfunction indicator light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light
(CVT models)
/: ABS warning light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning
light/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indica-
tor light
/: Brake system warning light
: Hill Holder indicator light
: All-Wheel Drive warning light (CVT
models)
: Power steering warning light
: Low tire pressure warning light
(U.S. spec. models)
: Low fuel warning light
: Hill descent control indicator (if
equipped)
If any lights fail to illuminate, it indicates a
burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the
corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair.
&Seatbelt warning light
and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver’s and front
passenger’s seat, as required by current
safety standards.
With the ignition switch turned to the“ON”
position, this device reminds the driver
and front passenger to fasten their seat-
belts by the warning lights in the locations
indicated in the following illustration and a
chime.
Driver’s warning light
3-12

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
&Door open indicator
When any of the doors, the rear gate
(Outback) or the trunk lid (Legacy) is not
fully closed, the door open indicator
appears. This function is effective even if
the ignition switch is in the“LOCK”/“OFF”
or“ACC”position (all models) or the key is
removed from the ignition switch (models
without“keyless access with push-button
start system”).
The open door is indicated by the corre-
sponding part of the door open indicator.
Always make sure this indicator does not
appear before you start to drive.
&Windshield washer
fluid warning indicator
This indicator appears when the fluid level
in the windshield washer fluid tank de-
creases to the lower limit (approximately
0.6 US qt, 0.6 liter, 0.5 Imp qt).
&All-Wheel Drive warn-
ing light (CVT models)
WARNING
Continued driving with the AWD
warning light flashing can lead to
powertrain damage. If the AWD
warning light flashes, promptly parkin a safe place then check whether
all four tires are the same diameter
and whether any of the tires has a
puncture or has lost air pressure for
some other reason.
NOTE
If the temporary spare tire is used, the
AWD warning light may flash. Use of
the temporary spare tire should there-
fore be restricted to the minimum time
necessary. Replace the temporary
spare tire with a conventional tire as
soon as possible.
This light flashes if the vehicle is driven
with tires of different diameters fitted on its
wheels or with the air pressure exces-
sively low in any of its tires.
&Power steering warn-
ing light
While the engine is running, this warning
light illuminates when a malfunction has
been detected in the electric power steer-
ing system.
CAUTION
When the power steering warning
light is illuminated, there may be
more resistance when the steeringwheel 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
3-22

assist limitation to occur too fre-
quently, that may result in a malfunc-
tion of the power steering control
system.
&Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol operation indicator
light
!Vehicle Dynamics Control warning
light
CAUTION
The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem provides its ABS control
through the electrical circuit of the
ABS. Accordingly, if the ABS is
inoperative, the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system becomes unable to
provide ABS control. As a result, the
Vehicle Dynamics Control system
becomes inoperative, causing the
warning light to illuminate. Although
both the Vehicle Dynamics Control
and ABS are inoperative in this
case, the ordinary functions of the
brake system are still available. You
will be safe while driving in thiscondition, but drive carefully and
have your vehicle checked at a
SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
NOTE
.If the electrical circuit of the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system itself mal-
functions, the warning light only illumi-
nates. At this time, the ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System) remains fully opera-
tional.
.The warning light illuminates when
the electronic control system of the
ABS/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
malfunctions.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably inoperative under any of the
following conditions. Have your vehicle
checked at a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
.The warning light does not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON”position.
.The warning light illuminates while the
vehicle is running.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following examples,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control systemmay be considered normal.
.The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately and remains off.
.The warning light illuminates after
the engine has started and turns off
while the vehicle is subsequently being
driven.
.The warning light illuminates during
driving, but turns off immediately and
remains off.
!Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
The indicator light flashes during activa-
tion of the skid suppression function and
during activation of the traction control
function.
NOTE
.The light may remain illuminated for
a short period of time after the engine
has been started, especially in cold
weather. This does not indicate the
existence of a problem. The light
should turn off as soon as the engine
has warmed up.
.The indicator light illuminates when
the engine has developed a problem
and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/
malfunction indicator light is on.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED–3-23

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
Inside warning
chimeOutside warning
chimeOperation indicator
on push-button
ignition switchStatus Action
Ding,
ding ...
(intermittent)——The driver’s door was opened while the
push-button ignition switch is“ACC”and the
select lever is in the“P”position.Switch the push-button ignition switch to
“OFF”, or close the driver’s door.
*When exiting the vehicle, be sure to switch
the push-button ignition switch to“OFF”.
The push-button ignition switch was
switched to“OFF”while the driver’s door is
open.Close the driver’s door.
DingShort beep
(2 seconds)—Lockout warning:
An attempt was made to lock all doors while
the access key is left inside the vehicle.Take out the access key from the vehicle,
and lock the doors.
*The doors cannot be locked while the
access key is inside the vehicle.
*A chirp sound will be heard, and all doors
will be unlocked.
—Short beep
(2 seconds)—Access key lock-in warning:
The door lock sensor was touched while the
push-button ignition switch is“OFF”and the
access key is inside the vehicle.Take out the access key from the vehicle,
and lock the doors.
*If the access key is inside the vehicle, the
doors cannot be locked.
—Beep, beep,
beep, beep,
beep
(5 times)—Door ajar warning:
The door lock sensor is touched while the
ignition switch is in the“OFF”position and
one of the doors including the rear gate is
opened.Close the doors securely and lock them.
*If one of the doors including the rear gate is
opened, the doors cannot be locked.
DingLong beep (60
seconds max.)—Power warning:
The door lock sensor was touched while
carrying the access key, the push-button
ignition switch is in a position other than
“OFF”and the select lever is in the“P”
position.Return the access key inside the vehicle, or
switch the push-button ignition switch to
“OFF”.
*If the push-button ignition switch is not
switched to“OFF”, the doors cannot be
locked.
Ding,
ding ...
(7 seconds)——Access key warning:
The vehicle was driven while the access key
is not inside the vehicle.Carry the access key, and drive the vehicle.
3-26

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
Inside warning
chimeOutside warning
chimeOperation indicator
on push-button
ignition switchStatus Action
Ding—Flashes in orangeSystem malfunction warning:
A malfunction was detected in the power
system or steering lock.Contact a SUBARU dealer immediately and
have the vehicle inspected.
3-28