2017 SUBARU OUTBACK warning light

!Lane Change Assist (LCA)
1) Operating range
The system notifies the driver of vehicles
approaching at a high speed in the
neighboring lanes.
.If the system detects a vehicle ap-
proaching at a high speed in the neighbor-
ing lanes, it warns the driver of dangers by
illuminating the BSD/RCTA approach in-
dicator light(s) on the outside mirror(s).
. If the driver operates the turn signal
lever in the direction where the BSD/
RCTA approach indicator light is illuminat-
ing, the system warns the driver of
dangers by flashing the BSD/RCTA ap-
proach indicator light. !
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.
. An icon appears on the rear view
camera screen (if equipped) !
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 check
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
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Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
the 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.
&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 ap-
pears.
. The vehicle speed is below 6 mph (10
km/h) even when the BSD/RCTA OFF
indicator does not appear (except when
reversing).
NOTE
. In the following cases, the BSD/
RCTA will stop operating and the
BSD/RCTA warning indicator will ap-
pear.
–When a malfunction occurs in the
system, including the BSD/RCTA
approach indicator light
. If the BSD/RCTA warning indicator appears, exercise proper caution. For
details, refer to
“BSD/RCTA warning
indicator ”F 7-59.
. 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
7-56

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 vehicles and objects.
–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
with lower body height such as a
trailer with no cargo and sports
cars)
– 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-
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
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Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
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 illumination brightness control dial,
refer to
“Illumination brightness con-
trol” F3-55.
! 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”
F 3-45.
! 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.
–Whenavehiclemovestothe
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 trunk or 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
7-58

.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).
. When turning at an intersection in
urban areas, or a multilane intersection,
the BSD/RCTA approach indicator light
may flash.
. If a building or a wall exists in the
reversing direction, the BSD/RCTA ap-
proach indicator light may flash and the
warning buzzer may sound.
. In the following cases, the system may
detect a vehicle driving two lanes away
from your vehicle.
–When your vehicle drives on the
near side of its lane from the corre-
sponding vehicle –
When the vehicle driving two lanes
away drives on the near side of its lane
from your vehicle
& BSD/RCTA warning indicator
! System temporary stop indicator
System temporary stop indicator
This indicator appears when the system is
used at extremely high or low tempera-
tures or when abnormal voltage exists.
Once these conditions are corrected, the
system will recover from the temporary
stop condition and the indicator will
disappear.
If the indicator remains displayed for a
prolonged time, have the system in-
spected at a SUBARU dealer. !
System temporary stop indicator
due to reduced radar sensitivity
System temporary stop indicator due to
reduced radar sensitivity
This indicator appears when the detect-
ability of the radar sensors is reduced.
Once the condition is corrected, the
system will recover from the temporary
stop condition and the indicator will
disappear.
If the indicator remains displayed for a
prolonged time, have the system in-
spected at a SUBARU dealer.
Starting and operating/BSD/RCTA
–CONTINUED –7-59

Starting and operating/Reverse Automatic Braking System
near the sonar sensor
–Commercial electronic parts
(fog light, fender pole, radio
antenna) or commercial at-
tachment parts (trailer hitch,
bicycle carrier, bumper guard)
are attached
– Parts that emit high frequency
sound, such as a horn or
speaker, are attached
Vehicle conditions – The vehicle is significantly
inclined
– The ground clearance is sig-
nificantly reduced due to the
vehicle’ s loading condition,
etc.
– When the sonar sensor is
misaligned due to a collision
or an accident
Surrounding environment – A cloth banner, flag, hanging
branch or railroad crossing
bars are present in the rever-
sing direction
– When reversing on a gravel or
grassy area
– When reversing in an area
where objects or walls are
adjacent to the vehicle such as narrow tunnels, narrow
bridges, narrow roads or nar-
row garages
– Wheel track or hole is present
in the ground of the reversing
direction
– When reversing over a drai-
nage cover (grating cover)
– The path of the reversing
direction is inclined such as
on a steep uphill
– A curb is present in the rever-
sing direction
– When reversing downhill
Example: The path of the reversing direc-
tion is inclined such as on a steep uphill.
NOTE
The Reverse Automatic Braking sys-
tem will operate at vehicle speed
between 1 to 9 mph (1.5 to 15 km/h).
However, stopping the vehicle by auto-
matic hard braking is designed to
operate when the vehicle speed is less
than 3 mph (5 km/h).
&Reverse Automatic Braking
System operation
When Reverse Automatic Braking System
is in operation, an audible warning beeps
will sound in 3 levels to warn the driver of
a potential collision.
1) First braking and warning:
When the system detects an object, if the
vehicle is kept reversing, the system
determines a collision with an object may
occur. In this case, short warning beeps
will sound and automatic deceleration will
be activated. Also, a warning message will
be indicated on the audio/navigation
monitor.
7-66

1) Hitch ball installation point
2) Hooks for safety chains
5. Use only a hitch ball that is appropriate
for the ball mount and your trailer. The
hitch ball must be securely installed on the
ball mount.
6. Connect your trailer to the hitch ball.
7. Connect the trailer and the hitch with
safety chains that will hold the trailer’s
maximum gross weight. The chains
should cross under the trailer tongue to
prevent the tongue from dropping onto the
ground in case it should disconnect from
the hitch ball. Allow sufficient slack in the
chains taking tight turn situations into
account; however, be careful not to let
them drag on the ground.
WARNING
Do not connect safety chains to any
part of the vehicle other than the
safety chain hooks.
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch wire harness ’s black
four-pin wire connector to the towing
trailer ’s wire harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
wire harness by individually activating the
brake, stop and turn signal lights on the
trailer.
NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer wire har-
ness before launching or retrieving a watercraft.
&
If not towing a trailer
. Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube and insert the receiver cover
onto the hitch receiver tube.
. Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch wire harness to
protect against possible damage.
. Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using terminal grease.
Driving tips/Trailer hitch (Outback —if equipped)8-21

ground.
!Side mirrors
After hitching a trailer to your vehicle,
check that the standard side mirrors
provide a good rearward field of view
without significant blind spots. If significant
blind spots occur with the vehicle’ s stan-
dard side mirrors, use towing mirrors that
conform with Federal, state/province and/
or other applicable regulations.
! 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 stop
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 vehicle
are properly inflated. Refer to “Tires”F 12-
9 and in “GAS STATION REFERENCE ”at
the end of this manual.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and
proper inflation pressure should be in
accordance with the trailer manufacturer ’s
specifications.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire when towing a trailer, ask a commercial
road service representive or professional
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 ”
F 7-60.
. For models equipped with RAB
(Reverse Automatic Braking)
system, consult your SUBARU
dealer for additional information
about towing a trailer.
. Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h)
when towing a trailer in hilly
Driving tips/Trailer towing (Outback)
–CONTINUED –8-27