Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
NOTE . After replacing or adding the engine
oil, if the engine oil level is within the
normal range when restarting the en-
gine on a level surface, the warning
indicator will be off.
. The warning indicator may appear
temporarily in the following conditions
because a low oil level may be detected
as a result of significant oil movement
in the engine.
– when the vehicle is considerably
inclined on an uphill or steep slope
– when the vehicle has continu-
ously accelerated and decelerated
– when the vehicle is continuously
turned
– when the vehicle is driven on a
road that alternates continuously
between uphill and downhill
& Windshield washer
fluid warning indicatorThis indicator appears when the fluid level
in the windshield washer fluid tank de-
creases to the lower limit (approximately
1.1 US qt, 1.0 liter, 0.9 Imp qt). & AT OIL TEMP warning
light (CVT models) If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the transmis-
sion fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light illuminates while driving, im-
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and let the engine idle until the warning
light turns off.
! Transmission control system warn-
ing
If the “ AT OIL TEMP ” warning light flashes
after the engine has started, it may
indicate that the transmission control
system is not working properly. Contact
your nearest SUBARU dealer for service
immediately.
& Rear differential oil
temperature warning
light (STI)
CAUTION
If the R.DIFF TEMP warning light
illuminates, reduce vehicle speed
and stop the vehicle in a safe
location as soon as possible. Con-
tinuing to drive with this light illumi-
nated may damage the rear differ- ential and other parts of the power-
train.
If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the rear
differential oil temperature is too hot.
At this time, the driver ’ s control center
differential will automatically cancel the
current torque-distribution ratio setting and
adopt its minimum ratio.
If the light illuminates while driving, reduce
vehicle speed and stop the vehicle in the
nearest safe location. Park the vehicle for
several minutes. After the light turns off,
you can start driving.
If the light does not turn off, contact the
nearest SUBARU dealer for service.
NOTE . If the tire pressures are not correct
and/or the tires are not all the same
size and brand, the rear differential will
be heavily loaded when the vehicle is
driven, resulting in an abnormally high
oil temperature.
. The rear differential oil will deterio-
rate if its temperature increases en-
ough for the rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light to illuminate. It is
advisable to have the rear differential
oil replaced as soon as possible.3-18
– When a temporary spare tire
is installed
– When your vehicle is towed
– When the vehicle is stopped
with the manual mode se-
lected
NOTE . A higher initial LSD torque setting
gives the vehicle greater traction when
driving straight ahead but makes cor-
nering more difficult. Remember this
when adjusting the initial LSD torque.
In general, higher initial LSD torque
settings assist driving on slippery
roads and lower settings for non-slip-
pery roads. When the vehicle is stuck
in snow or mud, setting the initial LSD
torque to the maximum will help to free
the vehicle.
. The setting of the initial LSD torque
will remain even when the auto mode is
selected or the ignition switch is turned
to the “ LOCK ” / “ OFF ” position. How-
ever, the initial LSD torque will be
minimized when the battery is discon-
nected and reconnected.
. During cornering or when making
turns (especially when going into the
garage), the rotational difference be-
tween the front and rear wheels may cause a braking effect accompanied by
vibration and noise. This does not
indicate a problem. The phenomenon
will disappear when setting the initial
LSD torque to the minimum.
In the auto mode, it controls the initial
LSD torque automatically. While in the
auto mode, this phenomenon some-
times occurs depending on the driving
condition, however, it does not indicate
a problem.
. Use the center differential indicator
only as a rough indication of the initial
LSD torque.
. If you operate the center differential
control switch while quickly accelerat-
ing or turning a tight corner, you may
feel slight shocks. This is due to
differential action by the center differ-
ential and does not indicate a problem.
& Temporary release When the driver stops the vehicle and
pulls the parking brake lever after manu-
ally setting the initial LSD torque, the LSD
torque is temporarily minimized. However
the indicator on the combination meter
continues to show the driver ’ s selected
initial LSD torque. When the driver re-
leases the parking brake lever, the initial
LSD torque set by the driver is restored. Continuously variable trans-
mission The continuously variable transmission is
electronically controlled and provides an
infinite number of forward speeds and 1
reverse speed. It also has a manual mode.
WARNINGDo not shift from the “ P ” or “ N ”
position into the “ D ” or “ R ” position
while depressing the accelerator
pedal. This may cause the vehicle
to jump forward or backward.
CAUTION. Shift into the “ P ” or “ R ” position
only after the vehicle is comple-
tely stopped. Shifting while the
vehicle is moving may cause
damage to the transmission.
. Do not race the engine for more
than 5 seconds in any position
except the “ N ” or “ P ” position
when the brake is applied or
when chocks are used in the
wheels. This may cause the
transmission fluid to overheat.
. Never move the vehicle rearwardStarting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
– CONTINUED –7-23
Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
by inertia with the select lever set
in a forward position or move the
vehicle forward by inertia with
the select lever set in the reverse
position. Doing so may result in
an unexpected accident or mal-
function.
. Do not shift from the “ D ” position
into the “ R ” position or vice
versa until the vehicle has com-
pletely stopped. Such shifting
may cause damage to the trans-
mission.
. When parking the vehicle, first
securely apply the parking brake
and then place the select lever in
the “ P ” position. Do not park for
a long time with the select lever
in any other position as doing so
could result in a dead battery.
NOTE . When the engine coolant tempera-
ture is still low, the transmission will
upshift to higher engine speeds than
when the coolant temperature is suffi-
ciently high in order to shorten the
warm-up time and improve driveability.
The gearshift timing will automatically
shift to the normal timing after the
engine has warmed up. . Immediately after transmission fluid
is replaced, you may feel that the
transmission operation is somewhat
unusual. This results from invalidation
of data which the on-board computer
has collected and stored in memory to
allow the transmission to shift at the
most appropriate times for the current
condition of your vehicle. Optimized
shifting will be restored as the vehicle
continues to be driven for a while.
. When driving a CVT model under
continuous heavy load conditions such
as when climbing a long, steep hill, the
engine speed or the vehicle speed may
automatically be reduced. This is not a
malfunction. This phenomenon results
from the engine control function main-
taining the cooling performance of the
vehicle. The engine and vehicle speed
will return to a normal speed when the
engine is able to maintain the optimum
cooling performance after the heavy
load decreases. Driving under a heavy
load must be performed with extreme
care.
. The continuously variable transmis-
sion is a chain type system that
provides superior transmission effi-
ciency for maximum fuel economy. At
times, depending on varying driving
conditions, a chain operating noise
may be heard that is characteristic of this type of system.
& Select lever
1) Select lever button7-24
“ ” appears, downshifting is possible.
When both indicators appear, upshifting
and downshifting are both possible. When
the vehicle stops (for example, at traffic
signals), the downshift indicator turns off.
Gearshifts can be performed using the
shift paddle behind the steering wheel.
To upshift to the next higher gear position,
pull the shift paddle that has “ + ” indicated
on it. To downshift to the next lower gear
position, pull the shift paddle that has “ – ”
indicated on it.
To deselect the manual mode, return the
select lever to the “ D ” position from the “ M ”
position. CAUTIONDo not place or hang anything on
the shift paddles. Doing so may
result in accidental gear shifting.
NOTE Please read the following points care-
fully and bear them in mind when using
the manual mode.
. If you attempt to shift down when
the engine speed is too high, i.e., when
a downshift would push the tachometer
needle beyond the red zone, beeps will
be emitted to warn you that the down-
shift is not possible.
. If you attempt to shift up when the
vehicle speed is too low, the transmis-
sion will not respond.
. You can perform a skip-shift (for
example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating
the shift paddle twice in rapid succes-
sion.
. The transmission automatically se-
lects 1st gear when the vehicle stops
moving.
. If the temperature of the transmis-
sion fluid becomes too high, the “ AT
OIL TEMP ” warning light on the combi-
nation meter will illuminate. Immedi-
ately stop the vehicle in a safe location and let the engine idle until the warning
light turns off.
. By selecting the Sport Sharp (S#)
mode, upshifting will not occur auto-
matically. According to the road condi-
tions, shift change manually so that the
tachometer needle does not enter the
red zone. Also, if the engine revolu-
tions reach the specified number, the
fuel supply will be cut. In this case,
perform shift up operation.
& Shift lock function The shift lock function helps prevent the
improper operation of the select lever.
. The select lever cannot be operated
unless the ignition switch is turned to the
“ ON ” position and the brake pedal is
depressed.
. The select lever cannot be moved from
the “ P ” position to any other position
before the brake pedal is depressed.
Depress the brake pedal first, and then
operate the select lever.
. Only the “ P ” position allows you to turn
the ignition switch from the “ ACC ” position
to the “ LOCK ” / “ OFF ” position and remove
the key from the ignition switch.
. If the ignition switch is turned to the
“ LOCK ” / “ OFF ” position while the select
lever is in the “ N ” position, the select leverStarting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
– CONTINUED –7-27
*4: You may use this type of manual transmission oil. However, using this type of oil will detract from driveability and fuel efficiency.
& Fluids Fluid
Fluid type* 1
Fluid capacity* 2
Remarks* 3
Continuously variable transmission
fluid (CVT models) Consult your SUBARU dealer. 13.1 US qt (12.4 liters, 10.9 Imp qt) “ Continuously variable trans-
mission fluid ” F 11-23
Brake fluid FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid –“ Brake fluid ” F 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT models) FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid – “ Clutch fluid (MT models) ” F 11 -
26
Power steering fluid (STI) · SUBARU ATF
· “ Dexron III ” Type Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid
· IDEMITSU ATF HP 0.7 US qt (0.7 liter, 0.6 Imp qt) “ Power steering fluid (STI) ”
F 11-24
*1: Use one of the indicated types of fluid.
*2: The indicated fluid quantity is only a guideline. The necessary quantity for replacement may differ slightly depending on the temperature and other
factors.
*3: For more details about maintenance and service, refer to the indicated section.
& Engine coolant Vehicle model Coolant capacity Coolant type
STI 8.2 US qt (7.7 liters, 6.8 Imp qt)
SUBARU Super Coolant
Except STI MT models 8.7 US qt (8.2 liters, 7.2 Imp qt)
CVT models 8.9 US qt (8.4 liters, 7.4 Imp qt)
The indicated coolant quantity is only a guideline. The necessary quantity for replacement may differ slightly depending on the temperature and other
factors. For more details about maintenance and service, refer to “ Cooling system ” F 11-17. Specifications/Specifications
– CONTINUED –12-7
14-4 Index
Automatic ................................................................ 4-5
Manual ................................................................... 4-6
Clock ........................................................ 3-48, 3-62, 3-76
Clutch
Fluid ............................................................ 11-26, 12-7
Pedal .................................................................. 11-28
Coat hook ................................................................. 6-11
Command list ........................................................... 5-110
Compass ....................................................... 3- 104, 3-105
Console ...................................................................... 6-5
Continuously variable transmission (CVT) ..................... 7-23
Fluid .................................................................... 11-23
Coolant ............................................................ 11-18, 12-7
Cooling system ......................................................... 11-17
Corrosion protection ................................................... 10-4
Cruise control ............................................................ 7-52
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-35
Set indicator light ........................................... 3-35, 7-53
Cup holder .................................................................. 6-6
Front passenger ’ s .................................................... 6-6
Rear passenger ’ s..................................................... 6-7
D
Daytime running light system ....................................... 3-97
Defogger .................................................................. 3-112
Defrosting ................................................................... 4-9
Deicer ..................................................................... 3-112
Differential gear oil
Front ........................................................... 11-23, 12-6
Rear ............................................................ 11-23, 12-6
Dimensions ............................................................... 12-2 Disarming the alarm system ......................................... 2-29
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................ 7-36
Dome light .................................................................. 6-2
Door
Locks ..................................................................... 2-5
Open warning light. ................................................. 3-25
Double trip meter ......................................................... 3-9
Drive belts ............................................................... 11-22
Driver ’ s Control Center Differential ................................ 7-19
Auto indicator light .................................................. 3-35
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-36
Driving
All-Wheel Drive warning light ................................... 3-25
AWD vehicles ......................................................... 8-5
Car phone/cell phone .................................................. 7
Drinking. .................................................................... 5
Drugs ........................................................................ 6
Foreign countries ..................................................... 8-4
Pets .......................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ............................................... 8-8
Tips ................................................. 7-18, 7-28, 8-2, 8-5
Tired or sleepy ...........................................................
6
Winter .................................................................... 8-6
E
ECO gauge ............................................................... 3-12
Electrical system ........................................................ 12-8
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system... 3-22, 7-37
Electronic parking brake .............................................. 7-44
Automatic release function by accelerator pedal ......... 7-46
Hill Holder ............................................................. 7-46