138 1-7. Safety information
WARNING
■Front passenger occupant detection system precautions
●Never install a rearward facing child seat in the front passenger’s seat
even if the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is deactivated. Be sure to
install it in the rear seat in a correct manner. Also, it is strongly recom-
mended that any forward facing child seat or booster seat be installed in
the rear seat, and that even children who have outgrown a child restraint
system be also seated in the rear seat. This is because children sitting in
the front passenger’s seat may be killed or severely injured should the
front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag deploy. SUBARU believes that the
rear seats are the safest place for children
●If luggage or electronic devices are placed on the front passenger seat,
the OFF indicator may turn off and the ON indicator may illuminate. If this
occurs, the front passenger’s airbag may deploy during a collision. If this is
not desirable, remove the luggage or electronic devices from the front pas-
senger seat.
●Modifications for persons with disabilities that may affect the front passen-
ger occupant detection system. (U.S. only) Removing, replacing or modify-
ing any parts of the front seats, seatbelts, front bumper, front side frame,
instrument panel, combination meter, steering wheel, steering column,
tires, suspension or floor panel can affect the operation of the SUBARU
front passenger occupant detection system.
159 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■After the engine starts
In order to secure a rich exhaust sound when starting the vehicle and envi-
ronmental performance, air intake and exhaust sounds become loud and
vibrations may increase for a little while after the engine starts. This is not a
malfunction.
■Operating your vehicle in a foreign country
Comply with the relevant vehicle registration laws and confirm the availability
of the correct fuel. ( oP. 467)
■REV indicator
WARNING
■When starting the vehicle (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
●Always keep your foot on the brake pedal while stopped with the engine
running. This prevents the vehicle from creeping.
●Firmly depress the brake pedal because engine speed may increase
immediately after starting the engine, when the air conditioning system is
operating, when turning the steering wheel, etc., thereby causing creeping
to become stronger. Apply the parking brake as necessary.
When the set engine speed is reached
the REV indicator comes on and a buzzer
sounds to inform the driver.
( oP. 210, 223)
(When the engine speed enters the red
zone, the REV indicator flashes regard-
less of settings.)
161 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
WARNING
●On vehicles with a manual transmission, do not release the clutch pedal
too quickly. Doing so may propel the vehicle forward, possibly causing an
accident.
●Moving the select lever to N (vehicles with an automatic transmission) or
shift lever to neutral (vehicles with a manual transmission) while the vehi-
cle is moving will disengage the engine from the transmission. Engine
braking is not available when N or neutral is selected.
●During normal driving, do not turn off the engine. Turning the engine off
while driving will not cause loss of steering or braking control, but the
power assist to these systems will be lost. This will make it more difficult to
steer and brake, so you should pull over and stop the vehicle as soon as it
is safe to do so.
●Use engine braking (downshift) to maintain a safe speed when driving
down a steep hill.
Using the brakes continuously may cause the brakes to overheat and lose
effectiveness. ( oP. 182, 188)
●Do not adjust the position of the steering wheel, the seat, or the inside or
outside rear view mirrors while driving.
Doing so may result in a loss of vehicle control that can cause accidents,
resulting in death or serious injury.
●Always check that all passengers' arms, heads or other parts of their body
are not outside the vehicle, as this may result in death or serious injury.
●Do not drive in excess of the speed limit. Even if the legal speed limit per-
mits it, do not drive over 85 mph (140 km/h) unless your vehicle has high-
speed capability tires. Driving over 85 mph (140 km/h) may result in tire
failure, loss of control and possible injury. Be sure to consult a tire dealer
to determine whether the tires on your vehicle are high-speed capability
tires or not before driving at such speeds.
167 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
CAUTION
Vehicles with a manual transmission
●If the accelerator and brake pedals are depressed at the same time, driv-
ing torque may be restrained. This is not a malfunction.
●Do not shift gears unless the clutch pedal is fully depressed. After shifting,
do not release the clutch pedal abruptly. Doing so may damage the clutch,
transmission and gears.
●Observe the following to prevent the clutch from being damaged.
• Do not rest your foot on the clutch pedal while driving.
Doing so may cause clutch trouble.
• Do not use any gear other than the 1st gear when starting off and mov-
ing forward.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
• Do not use the clutch to hold the vehicle when stopping on an uphill
grade.
Doing so may damage the clutch.
●Do not shift the shift lever to R when the vehicle is still moving. Doing so
may damage the clutch, transmission and gears.
●Do not release the clutch pedal too quickly. Doing so may damage the
transmission.
■When parking the vehicle (vehicles with an automatic transmission)
Always shift the select lever to P. Failure to do so may cause the vehicle to
move or the vehicle may accelerate suddenly if the accelerator pedal is acci-
dentally depressed. Also set the parking brake.
■Avoiding damage to vehicle parts
●Do not turn the steering wheel fully in either direction and hold it there for
an extended period of time.
Doing so may damage the power steering motor.
●When driving over bumps in the road, drive as slowly as possible to avoid
damaging the wheels, underside of the vehicle, etc.
●On vehicles with an automatic 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.
168 2-1. Driving procedures
CAUTION
■Replacement of brake pad and lining
If you continue to drive despite the scraping noise from the audible brake
pad wear indicator, it will result in the need for costly brake rotor repair or
replacement.
■Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings
Pulling the parking brake lever too forcefully may cause the rear wheels to
lock. To avoid this, be certain to pull the lever up slowly and gently.
■If you get a flat tire while driving
A flat or damaged tire may cause the following situations. Hold the steering
wheel firmly and gradually depress the brake pedal to slow down the vehicle.
●It may be difficult to control your vehicle.
●The vehicle will make abnormal sounds or vibrations.
●The vehicle will lean abnormally.
Information on what to do in case of a flat tire ( oP. 431)
■When encountering flooded roads
Do not drive on a road that has flooded after heavy rain etc. Doing so may
cause the following serious damage to the vehicle:
●Engine stalling
●Short in electrical components
●Engine damage caused by water immersion
In the event that you drive on a flooded road and the vehicle is flooded, be
sure to have your SUBARU dealer check the following:
●Brake function
●Changes in quantity and quality of oil and fluid used for the engine, trans-
mission, differential, etc.
●Lubricant condition for the propeller shaft, bearings and suspension joints
(where possible) and the function of all joints, bearings, etc.
174 2-1. Driving procedures
■Operation of the push-button ignition switch
If the switch is not pressed shortly and firmly, the push-button ignition switch
mode may not change or the engine may not start.
■Access key battery depletion
oP. 3 5
■Conditions affecting operation
oP. 3 1
■Note for the “keyless access” entry function
oP. 3 2
■If the engine does not start
The engine immobilizer system may not have been deactivated. ( oP. 8 0 )
Contact your SUBARU dealer.
■Steering lock
After turning the push-button ignition switch off and opening and closing the
doors, the steering wheel will be locked due to the steering lock function.
Operating the push-button ignition switch again automatically cancels the
steering lock.Vehicles with an automatic transmission:
Check that the select lever is securely set
in P. The engine may not start if the select
lever is displaced out of P. The keyless
access with push button start system indi-
cator light (green) will flash quickly.
175 2-1. Driving procedures
2
When driving
■When the steering lock cannot be released
■Steering lock motor overheating prevention
To prevent the steering lock motor from overheating, the motor may be sus-
pended if the engine is turned on and off repeatedly in a short period of time.
In this case, refrain from operating the engine. After about 10 seconds, the
steering lock motor will resume functioning.
■If the keyless access with push button start indicator flashes in yellow
and a message is displayed on the multi-information display
The system may be malfunctioning. Have the vehicle inspected by your
SUBARU dealer immediately.
■If the access key battery is depleted
oP. 367
■If the keyless access with push button start system has been deacti-
vated in a customized setting
oP. 450The keyless access with push button start
system indicator light (green) will flash
quickly and a message will be shown on
the multi-information display. ( oP. 420)
Vehicles with an automatic transmis-
sion
Check that the select lever is set in P.
Press the push-button ignition switch
while turning the steering wheel left and
right.
Vehicles with a manual transmission
Press the push-button ignition switch
while turning the steering wheel left and
right.
176 2-1. Driving procedures
■Immediately after reconnecting the battery terminals due to replacing
the battery and so forth
The engine may not start. If this occurs, turn the push-button ignition switch
to “ON” mode, and start the engine after waiting at least 10 seconds. Idling
may be unstable immediately after the engine starts, however, this is not a
malfunction.
WARNING
■When starting the engine
●Always start the engine while sitting in the driver’s seat. Do not depress
the accelerator pedal while starting the engine under any circumstances.
Doing so may cause an accident resulting in death or serious injury.
●If the keyless access with push button start system indicator light flashes
in green after the engine has started, never drive the vehicle. The steering
wheel is still locked, and it may result in an accident.
■Caution while driving
If engine failure occurs while the vehicle is moving, do not lock or open the
doors until the vehicle reaches a safe and complete stop. Activation of the
steering lock in this circumstance may lead to an accident, resulting in death
or serious injury.
■Stopping the engine
Do not touch the push-button ignition switch during driving.
When the push-button ignition switch is pressed for 2 seconds or longer or
pressed 3 times successively, the engine will stop. When the engine stops,
the brake booster will not function. A greater foot pressure will be required
on the brake pedal.
The power steering system will not operate either. A greater force will be
required to steer, and it may result in an accident.