
Instruments and controls/Ignition switch (models without“keyless access with push–button start system”)
Ignition switch (models with-
out“keyless access with
push-button start system”)
WARNING
.Never turn the ignition switch to
the“LOCK”position while the
vehicle is being driven or towed
because that will lock the steer-
ing wheel, preventing steering
control. And when the engine is
turned off, it takes a much great-
er effort than usual to steer.
.Before leaving the vehicle, al-
ways remove the key from the
ignition switch for safety and
never allow an unattended child
to remain in the vehicle. Failure
to follow this procedure could
result in injury to a child or
others. Children could operate
the power windows, the moon-
roof or other controls or even
make the vehicle move.
CAUTION
Do not attach a large key holder or
key case to either key. If it banged
against your knees or hands while
you are driving, it could turn the
ignition switch from the“ON”posi-
tion to the“ACC”or“LOCK”posi-
tion, thereby stopping the engine.
Also, if the key is attached to a key
holder or to a large bunch of other
keys, centrifugal force may act on it
as the vehicle moves, resulting in
unwanted turning of the ignition
switch.
The ignition switch has four positions:
LOCK, ACC, ON and START.
NOTE
.Keep the ignition switch in the
“LOCK”position when the engine is
not running.
.Using electrical accessories for a
long time with the ignition switch in the
“ON”or“ACC”position can cause the
battery to go dead.
.If the ignition switch will not move
from the“LOCK”position to the“ACC”
position, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the left and right as you turn
the ignition switch.
&LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed
in this position. The ignition switch will lock
the steering wheel when you remove the
key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the
steering wheel slightly to the right and left
as you turn the key.
3-4

The key can be turned from the“ACC”to
“LOCK”position only when the select
lever is in the“P”position (CVT models)
and the key is pushed in while turning it
(all models).
&ACC
In this position the electrical accessories
(audio, accessory power outlet, etc.) can
be used.
&ON
This is the normal operating position after
the engine is started.
&START
The engine is started in this position. The
starter cranks the engine to start it. Whenthe key is released (after the engine has
started), the key automatically returns to
the“ON”position.
CAUTION
Do not turn the ignition switch to the
“START”position while the engine
is running.
If your registered key fails to start the
engine, pull out the key once (the security
indicator light will blink), and then insert
the key into the ignition switch and turn it
to the“START”position and again try to
start the engine.
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 that
contains an immobilizer transponder.
.The key is near or touching another
transmitter.
&Key reminder chime
The reminder chime sounds when the
driver’s door is opened and the ignition
switch is in the“LOCK”or“ACC”position.
The chime stops under the following
conditions.
.when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON”position
.when the key is removed from the
ignition switch
.when the driver’s door is closed
Instruments and controls/Ignition switch (models without“keyless access with push–button start system”)
–CONTINUED–3-5

Instruments and controls/Push–button ignition switch (models with push–button start system)
&Ignition switch light (if
equipped)
For easy access to the ignition switch in
the dark, the ignition switch light illumi-
nates when the driver’s door is opened or
when the driver’s door is unlocked using
the remote keyless entry transmitter.
The light remains illuminated for several
tens of seconds and then 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 turns off immediately under the
following conditions.
.when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON”position
.when all doors and the rear gate are
locked using the remote keyless entry
transmitter
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
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. It
may also cause a false warning to
issue although no malfunction actually
occurs, or not to issue a warning when
any malfunction occurs.
–On the instrument panel
–On the floor
–Inside the glove box
–Inside the door trim pocket
–On the rear seat
–In the cargo area
.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”F9-17. In such a
case, replace the battery immediately.
Refer to“Replacing battery of access
key”F11-42.
3-6

&Switching power status
1) Operation indicator
2) Push-button ignition switch
The power status 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
.To prevent the vehicle battery
from discharging, do not leave
the push-button ignition switch
in the“ON”or“ACC”position for
a long time.
.To avoid a malfunction, observe
the following precautions.
–Do not spill drinks or other
liquids on the push-button
ignition switch.
–Do not touch the push-button
ignition switch with a hand
that is soiled with oil or othercontaminants.
.If the push-button ignition switch
does 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
.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
left and right.
Instruments and controls/Push–button ignition switch (models with push–button start system)
–CONTINUED–3-7

This meter displays the two trip meters
when the ignition switch is in the“ON”
position.
The trip meter shows the distance that the
vehicle has been driven since you last set
it to zero.
If you press the trip knob when the ignition
switch is in the“LOCK”/“OFF”or“ACC”
position, the odometer/trip meter will light
up. It is possible to switch between the A
trip meter and B trip meter indications
while the odometer/trip meter is lit up. If
you do not press the trip knob within 10
seconds of illumination of the odometer/
trip meter, the odometer/trip meter will turn
off.
Also, if you open and close the driver’s
door within 10 seconds of illumination of
the odometer/trip meter, the odometer/trip
meter will turn off.
The display can be switched as shown in
the following sequence by pressing the
trip knob.
*: They cannot be displayed when the
ignition switch is in the“ON”position.
To set the trip meter to zero, select the A
trip or B trip meter by pressing the knob
and keep the knob pressed for more than
2 seconds.
CAUTION
To ensure safety, do not attempt to
change the function of the indicator
during driving, as an accident could
result.
NOTE
If the connection between the combina-
tion meter and battery is broken for any
reason such as vehicle maintenance or
fuse replacement, the data recorded on
the trip meter will be lost.
&Tachometer
The tachometer shows the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute.
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the
pointer of the tachometer in the red
zone. In this range, fuel injection will
be cut by the engine control module
to protect the engine from overrev-
ving. The engine will resume run-
ning normally after the engine speed
is reduced below the red zone.
NOTE
To protect the engine/transmission
while the select lever is in the“P”or
“N”position (for CVT models) or the
shift lever is in the neutral position (for
MT models), the engine is controlled so
that the engine speed may not become
too high even if the accelerator pedal is
pressed hard.
Instruments and controls/Meters and gauges
–CONTINUED–3-11

Before that time, the ECO gauge does
not operate.Warning and indicator lights
&Initial illumination for system
check
Several of the warning and indicator lights
illuminate when the ignition switch is
initially turned to the“ON”position. This
permits checking 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 then turn off after several
seconds 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/Mal-
function indicator light
: Coolant temperature low indicator
light/Coolant temperature high warn-
ing light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: Engine low oil level warning light
(models with type A combination
meter)
: Windshield washer fluid warning light
(models with type A combination
meter)
: AT OIL TEMP warning light
(CVT models)
: Low tire pressure warning light
(U.S.- spec. models)
/: ABS warning light
/: Brake system warning light
: Low fuel warning light
: Hill start assist warning light/Hill start
assist OFF indicator light
: Door open warning light
: AWD warning light (CVT models)
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED–3-13

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
.Continuous illumination of the
warning light
.Illumination of the warning light
while driving
For details about the components mon-
itored by the warning light, refer to“SRS
airbag system monitors”F1-63.
&Front passenger’s frontal
airbag ON and OFF indica-
tors
ON /: Front passenger’s frontal airbag ON
indicator
/: Front passenger’s frontal airbag OFF
indicator
The front passenger’s frontal airbag ON
and OFF indicators show you the status of
the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag.The indicators are located next to the
clock in the center portion of the dash-
board.
When the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON”position, both the ON and OFF
indicators illuminate for 6 seconds during
which time the system is checked. Follow-
ing the system check, both indicators turn
off for 2 seconds. After that, one of the
indicators illuminates depending on the
status of the front passenger’s SRS frontal
airbag determined by the SUBARU ad-
vanced frontal airbag system monitoring.
If the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
is activated, the passenger’s frontal airbag
ON indicator will illuminate while the OFF
indicator will remain off.
If the front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag
is deactivated, the passenger’sfrontal
airbag ON indicator will remain off while
the OFF indicator will illuminate.
With the ignition switch turned to the“ON”
position, if both the ON and OFF indica-
tors remain illuminated or off simulta-
neously even after the system check
period, the system is malfunctioning.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately for an inspection.
&CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction in-
dicator light
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE light illumi-
nates while you are driving, have
your vehicle checked/repaired by
your SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible. Continued vehicle opera-
tion without having the emission
control system checked and re-
paired as necessary could cause
serious damage, which may not be
covered by your vehicle’s warranty.
If this light illuminates steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is at least one problem or
potential problem somewhere in the emis-
sion control system.
!If the light illuminates steadily
If the light illuminates steadily while driving
or does not turn off after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by
an authorized SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
3-16

NOTE
This light also illuminates when the fuel
filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle,
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator light illuminating
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light turn off immediately. It may
take several driving trips. If the light does
not turn off, take your vehicle to your
authorized SUBARU dealer immediately.
!If the light is blinking
If the light is blinking while driving, an
engine misfire condition has been de-
tected which may damage the emission
control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emis-
sion control system, you should do the
following.
.Reduce vehicle speed.
.Avoid hard acceleration.
.Avoid steep uphill grades.
.Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.
.If towing a trailer, stop doing so as soon
as possible.The CHECK ENGINE warning light may
stop blinking and illuminate steadily after
several driving trips. You should have your
vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately.
&Coolant temperature
low indicator light/Cool-
ant temperature high
warning light
CAUTION
.After turning the ignition switch
to the“ON”position, if this
indicator light/warning light be-
haves in any of the following
ways, the electrical system may
be malfunctioning. Contact your
SUBARU dealer immediately for
an inspection.
–It remains blinking in RED.
–It remains illuminated in RED
for more than 2 seconds.
–It remains blinking in RED and
BLUE alternately.
.While driving, if this indicator
light/warning light behaves in
any of the following ways, take
the specified appropriate mea-
sure listed below.–Blinking or illuminated in
RED:
Safely stop the vehicle as
soon as possible, and refer
to the emergency steps to
take in the case of engine
overheating. After that, have
the system checked by your
nearest SUBARU dealer. Refer
to“Engine overheating”F9-
12.
–Blinking in RED and BLUE
alternately:
The electrical system may be
malfunctioning. Contact your
SUBARU dealer for an inspec-
tion.
This coolant temperature low indicator
light/coolant temperature high warning
light has the following three functions.
.Illumination inBLUEindicates insuffi-
cient warming up of the engine
.Blinking inREDindicates that the
engine is close to overheating
.Illumination inREDindicates overheat-
ing condition of the engine
For a system check, this indicator light/
warning light illuminates inREDfor
approximately 2 seconds when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the“ON”position.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED–3-17