
Instruments and controls/Multi information display
! Items of display message (for warning message) Item Icon “ ” information reminder Refer to page
Seatbelt warning for driver ’ s seat and front passenger ’ s seat Red 3-14
SRS airbag system malfunction warning Red 1-57, 3-16
Engine warning Yellow 3-16
Coolant temperature high warning Red 3-11, 9-11
Engine oil level warning (except STI) Yellow 3-17
Transmission fluid temperature high warning (CVT models) Yellow or red* 3-18
Transmission control system malfunction warning (CVT models) Yellow 3-18
Low tire pressure warning (U.S.-spec. models) Yellow 3-19
TPMS system malfunction warning (U.S.-spec. models) Yellow 3-19
*: The displayed color varies depending on individual countries.3-40

CAUTIONTrapping small animals in the cool-
ing fan and belts of the engine may
result in a malfunction. Check that
no small animal enters the engine
compartment and under the vehicle
before starting the engine.
NOTE Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops. Starting and stopping the
engine (models without
push-button start system) & Starting engine CAUTIONDo not operate the starter motor
continuously for more than 10 sec-
onds. If the engine fails to start after
operating the starter for 5 to 10
seconds, wait for 10 seconds or
more before trying again.
NOTE It may be difficult to start the engine
when the battery has been discon-
nected and reconnected (for mainte-
nance or other purposes). This diffi-
culty is caused by the electronically
controlled throttle ’ s self-diagnosis
function. To overcome it, keep the
ignition switch in the “ ON ” position
for approximately 10 seconds before
starting the engine. ! General precautions when starting
engine
WARNING. Never start the engine from out-
side the vehicle. It may result in
an accident.
. Do not leave the engine running
in locations with poor ventilation,
such as a garage and indoors.
The exhaust gas may enter the
vehicle or indoors, and it may
result in carbon monoxide poi-
soning.
. Do not start the engine near dry
foliage, paper, or other flam-
mable substances. The exhaust
pipe and exhaust emissions can
create a fire hazard at high
temperatures.
CAUTION
. If the engine is stopped during
driving, the catalyst may over-
heat and burn.Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push – button start system)
– CONTINUED –7-9

Engine overheating WARNINGNever 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, safely pull off the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe
location.
& If steam is coming from the
engine compartment . Turn off the engine and get everyone
away from the vehicle until it cools down.
. Contact an authorized SUBARU deal-
er.
& If no steam is coming from
the engine compartment
1. Keep the engine running at idling
speed.
2. Open the engine hood to ventilate the engine compartment. Refer to “ Engine
hood ” F 11-9.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn off
the engine and contact an authorized
SUBARU dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature
has dropped, turn off the engine.
If temperature gauge stays in the over-
heated zone, turn off the engine. Refer to
“ Temperature gauge ” F 3-11.
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.
NOTE For details about how to check the
coolant level or how to add coolant,
refer to “ Engine coolant ” F 11-18.
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. In case of emergency/Engine overheating
9-11

Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3Before checking or servicing in the engine
compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine
compartment .................................................... 11-5
When checking or servicing in the engine
compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Maintenance tips ................................................ 11-6Removing and reinstalling clips .......................... 11-6
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-9
Engine compartment overview ........................ 11-11STI................................................................... 11-11
Except STI ....................................................... 11-12
Engine oil .......................................................... 11-13Engine oil consumption .................................... 11-13
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-13
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-15
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-16
Cooling system ................................................ 11-17Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-17
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-18
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-19
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-19
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-21
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-21
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-22
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-23 Continuously variable transmission fluid ...... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (CVT models) and
rear differential gear oil ................................ 11-23Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-23
Power steering fluid (STI) ............................... 11-24Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-24
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-24
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-25Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-26Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-26
Brake booster .................................................. 11-27
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-27Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ....... 1 1-28
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-28Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-28
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-28
Hill start assist system .................................... 11-29
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-29Breaking-in of new brake pads (models with
electronic parking brake system) .................... 11-29
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings
(models without electronic parking brake
system) ......................................................... 11-30
Parking brake stroke (models without
electronic parking brake system) ................ 11-30Maintenance and service
11

Engine compartment overview & STI 1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-24)
2) Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reservoir
(page 11-25)
3) Fuse box (page 11-42)
4) Battery (page 11-41)
5) Windshield washer tank (page 11-38)
6) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-13)
7) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-18)
8) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-13)
9) Coolant filler tank cap (page 11-18)
10) Air cleaner case (page 11-19)Maintenance and service/Engine compartment overview
– CONTINUED –11-11

Maintenance and service/Engine compartment overview
& Except STI 1) Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reservoir
(MT models) (page 11-25)
2) Fuse box (page 11-42)
3) Battery (page 11-41)
4) Windshield washer tank (page 11-38)
5) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-13)
6) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-18)
7) Radiator cap (page 11-18)
8) Engine oil filter (page 11-15)
9) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-13)
10) Air cleaner case (page 11-19)
11-12

Maintenance and service/Cooling system
Check the fuse and replace it if necessary.
Refer to “ Fuses ” F 11-42 and “ Fuses and
circuits ” F 12-10.
If the fuse is not blown, have the cooling
system checked by your SUBARU dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is neces-
sary, there may be a leak in the engine
cooling system. It is recommended that
the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness.
& Engine coolant! Checking the coolant level
1) “ FULL ” level mark
2) “ LOW ” level mark
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside of the reservoir while the engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the
“ LOW ” level mark, add coolant up to the
“ FULL ” level mark. If the reserve tank is
empty, remove the radiator cap and refill
coolant up to just below the filler neck as
shown in the following illustration.
STI
1) Fill up to this level Except STI
1) Fill up to this level
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the
radiator, reinstall the cap and check that
the rubber gaskets inside the radiator cap
are in the proper position.11-18

Booster ........................................................ 7-35, 11-27
Disc ..................................................................... 12-9
Fluid ............................................................ 11-25, 12-7
Pad and lining ...................................................... 11-30
Parking ........................................................ 7-44, 11-30
Pedal .................................................................. 11-27
System ................................................................. 7-35
Brake pedal
Free play ............................................................. 11-27
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-28
Brake system ............................................................ 7-35
Warning light ......................................................... 3-21
Braking ..................................................................... 7-35
Tips...................................................................... 7-35
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-30
BSD/RCTA ................................................................ 7-56
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light/warning buzzer .... 7-59
BSD/RCTA OFF switch ........................................... 7-61
BSD/RCTA warning indicator ................................... 7-60
Bulb
Chart .................................................................. 12-16
Replacing ............................................................. 11-44
C
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center
Console .................................................................. 6-5
Changing
Coolant ................................................................ 11-19
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-4
Oil and oil filter ..................................................... 11-15 Charge warning light ................................................... 3-17
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator
light ....................................................................... 3-16
Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-27
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-28
Clutch function ..................................................... 11-28
Clutch pedal free play ........................................... 11-28
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-18
Fluid level (brake fluid) .......................................... 11-25
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-26
Fluid level (power steering fluid) ............................. 11-24
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-38
Oil level (engine oil) .............................................. 11-13
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-21
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-28
Installation with ALR/ELR seatbelt ............................ 1-24
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-29
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-32
Child safety ................................................................... 4
Locks .................................................................... 2-32
Chime
Key........................................................................ 3-5
Light ..................................................................... 3-94
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-14
Cigarette lighter ........................................................... 6-9
Cleaning
Aluminum
wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ....................................................... 4-9
Climate control system ................................................. 4-3 Index
14-3