Starting and operating/Cruise control
assist OFF indicator light blinks.
8. Turn the ignition switch to the“LOCK”/
“OFF”position. The hill start assist system
has now been deactivated.
NOTE
While the Hill start assist system is
deactivated, the Hill start assist OFF
indicator light blinks.
!To activate
When the procedure to deactivate the Hill
start assist system is performed again, the
system is activated. When the Hill start
assist system is activated, the Hill start
assist OFF indicator light turns off.
&Hill start assist warning light/
Hill start assist OFF indicator
light
Refer to“Hill start assist warning light/Hill
start assist OFF indicator light”F3-22.
Cruise control (if equipped)
NOTE
For models with EyeSight system:
Refer to the Owner’s Manual supple-
ment for the EyeSight system.
Cruise control enables you to maintain a
constant vehicle speed without holding
your foot on the accelerator pedal and it is
operative when the vehicle speed is 25
mph (40 km/h) or more.
WARNING
Do not use the cruise control under
any of the following conditions.
These may cause loss of vehicle
control.
.driving up or down a steep grade
.driving on slippery or winding
roads
.driving in heavy traffic
.towing a trailer
NOTE
Make sure the cruise control system is
turned off when the cruise control is
not in use to avoid unintentionally
setting of the cruise control.
&To set cruise control
Cruise control main button
1. Press the cruise control main button.
Cruise control indicator light (type A)
7-44
Starting and operating/Cruise control
only).
WARNING
For CVT models, you can cancel the
cruise control by shifting the select
lever into the“N”position. However,
do not shift the lever into the“N”
position while driving except in case
of emergency. If the select lever is
shifted into the“N”position, the
engine brake will no longer work.
This could result in an accident.
The cruise control set indicator light in the
combination meter turns off when the
cruise control is canceled.
To resume the cruise control after it has
been temporarily canceled and with vehi-
cle speed of approximately 20 mph (30km/h) or more, press the“RES/SET”
switch to the“RES”side to return to the
original cruising speed automatically.
The cruise control set indicator light in the
combination meter will automatically illu-
minate at this time.
&To turn off the cruise control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise
control:
.Press the cruise control main button
again.
.Turn the ignition switch to the“ACC”or
“LOCK”/“OFF”position (but only when the
vehicle is completely stopped).
&To change the cruising speed
!To increase the speed (by the“RES/
SET”switch)
Press the“RES/SET”switch to the“RES”
side and hold it until the vehicle reaches
the desired speed. Then, release the
switch. The vehicle speed at that moment
will be memorized and treated as the new
set speed.
U.S.-spec. models
When the difference between the actual
vehicle speed and the set speed is small,
the set speed can be increased 1 mph
(1.6 km/h) each time by pressing the
“RES/SET”switch to the“RES”side
quickly.
7-46
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
time by pressing the“RES/SET”switch to
the“SET”side quickly.
NOTE
If the“RES/SET”switch is repeatedly
operated quickly to the“SET”side, the
set vehicle speed displayed in the
combination meter becomes the low
speed setting. However, when the set
vehicle speed is set to a speed much
lower than the actual vehicle speed, the
set speed may be reset to the actual
vehicle speed.
!To decrease the speed (by brake
pedal)
1. Depress the brake pedal to release
cruise control temporarily.
2. When the speed decreases to thedesired speed, press the“RES/SET”
switch to the“SET”side once. Now the
desired speed is set and the vehicle will
keep running at that speed without de-
pressing the accelerator pedal.
&Cruise control indicator light
Refer to“Cruise control indicator light”
F3-31.
&Cruise control set indicator
light
Refer to“Cruise control set indicator light”
F3-31.
BSD/RCTA (if equipped)
The BSD/RCTA consists of rear radar with
Blind Spot Detection and Rear Cross
Traffic Alert.
These functions enable the system to
detect objects or vehicles to the rear,
drawing attention to the driver when
changing a lane or when driving in
reverse.
WARNING
The driver is responsible for driving
safely. Always be sure to check the
surroundings with your eyes when
changing lanes or reversing the
vehicle.
The system is designed to assist the
driver in changing lanes or rever-
sing safely by monitoring the rear
and side areas of the vehicle. How-
ever, you cannot rely on this system
alone in assuring the safety during a
lane change or reversing. Overcon-
fidence in this system could result
in an accident and lead to serious
injury or death. Since the system
operation has various limitations,
the flashing or illumination of the
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
7-48
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
!Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA)
1) Operating range
The system notifies the driver of another
vehicle approaching from either side when
driving in reverse. This feature helps the
driver check the rear and side areas of the
vehicle when moving backward.
If the system detects a vehicle approach-
ing from either side while moving back-
ward, it warns the driver of dangers in the
following way.
.The BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light(s) on the outside mirror(s) flashes.
.A warning buzzer sounds.!Limitations of the detectability of
RCTA
Since the detectability of RCTA is limited,
the RCTA may not operate properly in
parking areas in which the parking spaces
are drawn diagonally to the driving lanes.
Example 1
1) The detection range of the radar sensors
2) Area out of detection range of the radar
sensors
A) Vehicle that may not be detected
B) Parked vehicle
WARNING
An approaching vehicle (A) may not
be detected because the detection
range is limited by the parked
vehicle (B). Always be sure to checkthe surroundings with your eyes
when reversing the vehicle.
Example 2
1) The detection range of the radar sensors
C) Vehicle that may be detected
NOTE
The system may detect that a vehicle
(C) is passing in front of your vehicle.
Always be sure to check the surround-
ings with your eyes when reversing the
vehicle.
7-50
&System operation
!Operating conditions
The BSD/RCTA will operate when all of
the following conditions are met.
.The ignition switch is in the“ON”
position.
.The BSD/RCTA warning indicator and
BSD/RCTA OFF indicator are turned off.
.The vehicle is driven at speeds above
6 mph (10 km/h) (except when reversing).
.The shift lever/select lever is in the“R”
position (RCTA only).
The BSD/RCTA will not operate in the
following situations.
.The BSD/RCTA OFF indicator is on.
.The vehicle speed is below 6 mph (10
km/h) even when the BSD/RCTA OFF
indicator remains off (except when rever-
sing).
NOTE
.When a malfunction occurs in the
system (including the BSD/RCTA ap-
proach indicator light), the BSD/RCTA
will stop operating and the BSD/RCTA
warning indicator will appear.
.If the BSD/RCTA warning indicator
appears, exercise proper caution. For
details, refer to“BSD/RCTA warning
indicator”F7-54..In the following cases, the BSD/
RCTA will temporarily stop operating
(or may stop operating) and the BSD/
RCTA warning indicator will appear.
–When the radar sensor becomes
significantly misaligned (If the or-
ientation of the radar sensor is
shifted for any reason, readjust-
ment is required. Have the sensor
adjusted at a SUBARU dealer.)
–When a large amount of snow or
ice sticks to the rear bumper sur-
face around the radar sensors
–When the vehicle is driven on a
snow-covered road or in an envir-
onment in which there are no
objects around (such as in a desert)
for a prolonged period of time
–When the temperature around
the radar sensors increases exces-
sively due to long driving on uphill
grades in the summer, etc.
–When the temperature around
the radar sensors becomes extre-
mely low
–When the vehicle battery voltage
lowers
–When the vehicle voltage ex-
ceeds the battery voltage rating
The BSD/RCTA will resume operation
once these conditions are corrected,and the BSD/RCTA warning indicator
will disappear. However, if the BSD/
RCTA warning indicator appears for a
prolonged period of time, have the
system inspected at a SUBARU dealer
as soon as possible.
.The detectability of the radar sen-
sors is restricted. The BSD/RCTA de-
tection may be impaired and the sys-
tem may not operate properly under the
following conditions.
–When the rear bumper around
the radar sensors is distorted
–When ice, snow or mud adheres
to the rear bumper surface around
the radar sensors
–When stickers, etc. are affixed on
the areas of the radar sensors on
the rear bumper
–During adverse weather condi-
tions such as rain, snow or fog
–When driving on wet roads such
as snow-covered roads and
through puddles
.The radar sensors may not detect or
may have difficulty detecting the fol-
lowing.
–Small motorcycles, bicycles, pe-
destrians, stationary objects on the
road or road side, etc.
–Vehicles with body shapes that
the radar may not reflect (vehicles
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
–CONTINUED–7-51
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
with a low body height such as
sports cars or a trailer with no
cargo)
–Vehicles that are not approach-
ing your vehicle even though they
are in the detection area (either on a
neighboring lane to the rear or
beside your vehicle when rever-
sing) (The system determines the
presence of approaching vehicles
based on data detected by the radar
sensors.)
–Vehicles traveling at significantly
different speeds
–Vehicles driving in parallel at
almost the same speed as your
vehicle for a prolonged time
–Oncoming vehicles
–Vehicles in a lane beyond the
neighboring lane
–Vehicles travelling at a signifi-
cantly lower speed that you are
trying to overtake
.On a road with extremely narrow
lanes, the system may detect vehicles
driving in a lane next to the neighbor-
ing lane.&BSD/RCTA approach indica-
tor light/warning buzzer
While the BSD/RCTA is active, the follow-
ing item(s) will operate to alert the driver:
.The BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light (when there are vehicles in the
neighboring lanes).
.The BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light and warning buzzer (when a vehicle
is approaching from the left or right side
while your vehicle is reversing)
!BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
It is mounted on each side of the outside
mirrors.
The indicator light will
illuminate when a
vehicle approaching from behind is de-tected.
The indicator light will
flash to warn the
driver of dangers under the following
conditions.
.While the indicator light is illuminating,
if the turn signal lever is operated toward
the side in which this light turned on
.When reversing the vehicle while the
system detects a vehicle approaching
from either side
!BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light dimming function
When the headlights are turned on, the
brightness of the BSD/RCTA approach
indicator light will be reduced.
NOTE
.You may have difficulty seeing the
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
under the following conditions.
–When sunlight shines directly on
it
–When the headlight beams from a
vehicle traveling behind shines di-
rectly on it
.While the illumination brightness
control dial is in the fully upward
position, even if the headlights are
turned on, the brightness of the BSD/
RCTA approach indicator light will not
be reduced. For details about the
7-52
illumination brightness control dial,
refer to“Illumination brightness con-
trol”F3-92.
!BSD/RCTA approach warning buz-
zer (only when reversing)
A warning buzzer sounds along with
flashing of the BSD/RCTA approach in-
dicator light to warn the driver of dangers.
The setting of the warning buzzer volume
can be changed by operating the multi
information display of the combination
meter. For details, refer to“BSD/RCTA”
F3-42.
!Safety tips regarding the BSD/RCTA
approach indicator light/warning
buzzer
.In the following cases, operation of the
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light and
the warning buzzer may be delayed or the
system may fail to issue these warnings.
–When a vehicle moves to the
neighboring lane from a lane next to
the neighboring lane
–When driving on a steep incline or
on repeated sharp uphill and downhill
grades
–When going beyond a pass
–When both your vehicle and a
vehicle driving on a neighboring lane
are driving on the far side of each lane.–When several narrowly-spaced ve-
hicles are approaching in a row
–In low radius bends (tight bends or
when making turns at an intersection)
–When there is a difference in height
between your lane and the neighbor-
ing lane
–Immediately after the BSD/RCTA is
activated by pressing the BSD/RCTA
OFF switch
–Immediately after the shift lever/
select lever is shifted to the“R”
position
–When extremely heavy cargo is
loaded in the cargo area
.During reversing, operation of the BSD/
RCTA approach indicator light and the
warning buzzer may be delayed or the
system may fail to issue these warnings
under the following conditions.
–When backing out of an angled
parking space
–When a large-sized vehicle is
parked next to your vehicle (That
vehicle prevents the propagation of
radar waves.)
–When reversing on sloped roads
–When reversing at a high speed
.The BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light may illuminate when driving close to
solid objects on the road or road side
(such as guardrails, tunnels and side-
walls).
.The BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light may flash when turning at an inter-
section in urban areas or a multilane
intersection.
.The BSD/RCTA approach indicator
light may flash and the warning buzzer
may sound if a building or a wall exists in
the reversing direction.
.In the following cases, the system may
detect a vehicle driving two lanes away
from your vehicle.
–When you are driving on the near
side of its lane from the corresponding
vehicle
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
–CONTINUED–7-53
!Trailer lights
CAUTION
Direct splicing or other improper
connection of trailer lights may
damage your vehicle’s electrical
system and cause a malfunction of
your vehicle’s lighting system.
Connection of trailer lights to your vehi-
cle’s electrical system requires modifica-
tions to the vehicle’s lighting circuit to
increase its capacity and accommodate
wiring changes. To ensure the trailer lights
are connected properly, please consult
your SUBARU dealer. Check for proper
operation of the turn signals and the brake
lights each time you connect a trailer to
your vehicle.
!Tires
WARNING
Never tow a trailer when the tem-
porary spare tire is used. The tem-
porary spare tire is not designed to
sustain the towing load. Use of the
temporary spare tire when towing
can result in failure of the spare tire
and/or less stability of the vehicle.
Make sure that all the tires on your vehicleare properly inflated. Refer to“Tires”F12-
8.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer’s
specifications. Also check federal, state,
province and/or other applicable regula-
tions.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire
when towing a trailer, ask a commercial
road service representative or profes-
sional to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your
vehicle or trailer as a precaution against
getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare
tire is firmly secured.
&Trailer towing tips
CAUTION
.For models equipped with the
BSD (Blind Spot Detection) and
RCTA (Rear Cross Traffic Alert)
driving support systems, when
towing a trailer, press the BSD/
RCTA OFF switch to deactivate
the system. The system may not
operate properly due to the
blocked radar waves. For details
about the BSD/RCTA OFF switch,refer to“BSD/RCTA OFF switch”
F7-55.
.Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h)
when towing a trailer in hilly
country on hot days.
.When towing a trailer, steering,
stability, stopping distance and
braking performance will be dif-
ferent when compared to normal
operation. For safety’s sake, you
should employ extra caution
when towing a trailer and you
should never drive at excessive
speeds. You should also keep the
following tips in mind:
.When parking on a steep slope
with a trailer attached to your
vehicle, the braking power of the
parking brake may not be suffi-
cient since stronger braking
power is needed.
!Before starting out on a trip
.Check the towing regulations for trailer
or caravan vehicles that vary by state/
region. Failure to comply with the proce-
dures set forth will not only compromise
your safety, but will also negate your
insurance coverage and/or may violate
the state road and traffic acts and regula-
tions.
Driving tips/Trailer towing
–CONTINUED–8-23