
Fuel
CAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel
additive may cause damage to the
engine and/or fuel system.
&Fuel requirements
The engine is designed to operate using
unleaded gasolinewith an octane rating
of87 AKI (90 RON) or higher.
!Fuel octane rating
Using a gasoline with a lower octane
rating can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly when you drive
up a hill or when you accelerate. Contact
your SUBARU dealer if you use a fuel with
the specified octane rating and your
vehicle knocks heavily or persistently.
!RON
This octane rating is the Research Octane
Number.!AKI
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane
numbers and is commonly referred to as
the Anti Knock Index (AKI).
!Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy.
!Gasoline for California-certified
LEV
If your vehicle was certified to California’s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur Cali-
fornia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your
vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting
Federal specifications. Gasoline sold out-
side California is permitted to have higher
sulfur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle’s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or
smell. SUBARU recommends that you try
a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if theproblem is fuel related before returning
your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service.
!MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator light may turn on. If this
happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is
determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not
be covered by your warranty.
!Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
This helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working
properly, and is a way of doing your part
for cleaner air. If you continuously use a
high quality fuel with the proper detergent
and other additives, you should never
need to add any fuel system cleaning
agents to your fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with
materials called oxygenates. Use of these
fuels can also help keep the air cleaner.
Starting and operating/Fuel
–CONTINUED–7-3

New vehicle break-in driving–the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km)..................................... 8-2
Fuel economy hints............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)............ 8-2
Catalytic converter.............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries............................... 8-4
Driving tips for AWD models.............................. 8-4
Off road driving................................................... 8-6
Before driving..................................................... 8-6
During driving..................................................... 8-6
After driving........................................................ 8-7
Winter driving...................................................... 8-8Operation during cold weather............................. 8-8
Driving on snowy and icy roads.......................... 8-9
Corrosion protection.......................................... 8-10
Snow tires......................................................... 8-10Tire chains........................................................ 8-11
Rocking the vehicle........................................... 8-11
Loading your vehicle......................................... 8-12
Vehicle capacity weight...................................... 8-13
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and Gross Axle Weight Rating)........................ 8-13
Roof rail............................................................ 8-14
Trailer hitch (dealer option)............................... 8-15Connecting a trailer........................................... 8-16
If not towing a trailer.......................................... 8-17
Trailer towing..................................................... 8-17Warranties and maintenance.............................. 8-17
Maximum load limits.......................................... 8-18
Trailer Hitches................................................... 8-21
Connecting a trailer........................................... 8-22
Trailer towing tips.............................................. 8-23
Driving tips
8

exhaust fumes are entering the
vehicle, have the problem
checked and corrected as soon
as possible. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive
only with all windows fully open.
.Keep the rear gate closed while
driving to prevent exhaust gas
from entering the vehicle.
NOTE
Due to the expansion and contraction
of the metals used in the manufacture
of the exhaust system, you may hear a
crackling sound coming from the ex-
haust system for a short time after the
engine has been shut off. This sound is
normal.
Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter is installed in the
exhaust system. It serves as a catalyst to
reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust
gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust.
To avoid damage to the catalytic conver-
ter:
.Use only unleaded fuel. Even a small
amount of leaded fuel will damage the
catalytic converter.
.Never start the engine by pushing or
pulling the vehicle.
.Avoid racing the engine.
.Never turn the ignition switch to the
“OFF”position while the vehicle is moving.
.Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel
the engine running rough (misfiring, back-firing or incomplete combustion), have
your vehicle checked and repaired by an
authorized SUBARU dealer.
.Do not apply undercoating or rust
prevention treatment to the heat shield of
catalytic converter and the exhaust sys-
tem.
.Do not drive with an extremely low fuel
level.
WARNING
.Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive
or park the vehicle anywhere
near flammable materials (e.g.,
grass, paper, rags or leaves),
because the catalytic converter
operates at very high tempera-
tures.
.Keep everyone and flammable
materials away from the exhaust
pipe while the engine is running.
The exhaust gas is very hot.
Driving tips/Catalytic converter8-3

Brake
Assist................................................................... 7-31
Booster........................................................ 7-31, 11-17
Disc..................................................................... 12-8
Fluid............................................................ 11-15, 12-7
Pad and lining...................................................... 11-20
Parking........................................................ 7-39, 11-20
Pedal.................................................................. 11-18
System................................................................. 7-31
Brake system............................................................ 7-31
Warning light......................................................... 3-21
Braking..................................................................... 7-30
Tips...................................................................... 7-30
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings................... 11-20
BSD/RCTA................................................................ 7-48
Approach indicator light/warning buzzer.................... 7-52
OFF indicator........................................................ 3-32
OFF switch........................................................... 7-55
Warning indicator........................................... 3-32, 7-54
Warning volume............................................. 3-42, 7-53
Bulb
Chart.................................................................. 12-13
Replacement........................................................ 11-36
C
Cargo area
Cover................................................................... 6-12
Light............................................................. 6-2, 11-41
Tie-down hooks..................................................... 6-14
Catalytic converter....................................................... 8-3
Center console............................................................ 6-6Changing
Coolant............................................................... 11-12
Flat tire.................................................................. 9-5
Oil and oil filter....................................................... 11-9
Charge warning light................................................... 3-18
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator
light....................................................................... 3-16
Checking
Brake pedal free play............................................ 11-18
Brake pedal reserve distance................................. 11-18
Clutch function..................................................... 11-18
Clutch pedal free play........................................... 11-19
Coolant level........................................................ 11-11
Fluid level (brake fluid).......................................... 11-15
Fluid level (clutch fluid).......................................... 11-16
Fluid level (washer fluid)........................................ 11-28
Oil level (engine oil)................................................ 11-8
Child restraint systems................................................ 1-24
Installation of a booster seat.................................... 1-31
Installation with ALR/ELR seatbelt............................ 1-27
Lower and tether anchorages................................... 1-33
Top tether anchorages............................................ 1-36
Child safety................................................................... 5
Locks.................................................................... 2-33
Chime
Key........................................................................ 3-5
Light..................................................................... 3-88
Seatbelt................................................................. 3-14
Cigarette lighter........................................................... 6-9
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels................................................... 10-3
Index14-3