2017 SUBARU OUTBACK power steering

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
.The steering wheel remains in the
fully turned position for a long period
of time.
At this time, there will be more resis-
tance when steering. However this is
not a malfunction. Normal steering
force will be restored after the steering
wheel is not operated for a while and
the power steering control system has
an opportunity to cool down. However,
if the power steering is operated in a
non-standard way which causes power
assist limitation to occur too fre-
quently, that may result in a malfunc-
tion of the power steering control
system.
&Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol operation indicator
light
! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning
light
CAUTION
The Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem provides its ABS control
through the electrical circuit of the ABS. Accordingly, if the ABS is
inoperative, the Vehicle Dynamics
Control system becomes unable to
provide ABS control. As a result, the
Vehicle Dynamics Control system
becomes inoperative, causing the
warning light to illuminate. Although
both the Vehicle Dynamics Control
and ABS are inoperative in this
case, the ordinary functions of the
brake system are still available. You
will be safe while driving in this
condition, but drive carefully and
have your vehicle checked at a
SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-
ble.
NOTE
.
If the electrical circuit of the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system itself mal-
functions, the warning light only illumi-
nates. At this time, the ABS (Anti-lock
Brake System) remains fully opera-
tional.
. The warning light illuminates when
the electronic control system of the
ABS/Vehicle Dynamics Control system
malfunctions.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably inoperative under any of the
following conditions. Have your vehicle checked at a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
.
The warning light does not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON ”position.
. The warning light illuminates while the
vehicle is running.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following examples,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
may be considered normal.
. The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately and remains off.
. The warning light illuminates after
the engine has started and turns off
while the vehicle is subsequently being
driven.
. The warning light illuminates during
driving, but turns off immediately and
remains off.
! Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
The indicator light flashes during activa-
tion of the skid suppression function and
during activation of the traction control
function.
3-24

Inside warningchime Outside warning
chime Operation indicator
on push-button
ignition switch Status Action
Ding —— The battery of the access key is low. Replace the battery of the access key.
Ding —Flashes in green
(15 seconds max.) Steering lock warning:
The engine start procedure is performed, but
the steering is still locked. While turning the steering wheel right and left
lightly, depress the brake pedal and press
the push-button ignition switch.
Ding —Flashes in orange System malfunction warning:
A malfunction is detected in the power
system or steering lock. Contact a SUBARU dealer immediately and
have the vehicle inspected.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –
3-29

Fuel...................................................................... 7-3
Fuel requirements ............................................... 7-3
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................... 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) ...................... 7-7
Preparing to drive ............................................... 7-8
Starting and stopping the engine (models without push-button ignition switch) .............. 7-9
General precautions when starting/stopping
engine .............................................................. 7-9
Starting engine ................................................... 7-10
Stopping the engine ........................................... 7-11
Steering lock ...................................................... 7-11
Starting and stopping engine (models with
push-button start system) .............................. 7-12
Safety precautions............................................. 7-12
Operating range for push-button start system ............................................................. 7-12
Starting engine ................................................... 7-12
Stopping engine ................................................. 7-14
When access key does not operate properly ....... 7-14
Steering lock ...................................................... 7-14
Remote engine start system (dealer
option) .............................................................. 7-15
Models with “keyless access with push-button
start system ”................................................... 7-16
Models without “keyless access with push-button
start system ”................................................... 7-17
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start ................................................................. 7-20
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown ......................................................... 7-20 Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the
vehicle ............................................................ 7-20
Service mode (models without “keyless access
with push-button start system ”) ....................... 7-20
Remote transmitter program (models without “keyless access with push-button start
system ”).......................................................... 7-20
System maintenance .......................................... 7-21
Manual transmission ......................................... 7-23Selecting reverse gear ....................................... 7-23
Shifting speeds .................................................. 7-24
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-24
Continuously variable transmission ................. 7-25Select lever....................................................... 7-26
Shift lock function ............................................. 7-28
Selection of manual mode .................................. 7-29
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-31
Power steering ................................................... 7-31
Braking ............................................................... 7-32
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-32
Brake system .................................................... 7-32
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............. 7-33
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).......................... 7-33
ABS self-check.................................................. 7-34
ABS warning light .............................................. 7-34
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
system ............................................................. 7-34
Steps to take if EBD system malfunctions .......... 7-34
Vehicle Dynamics Control system.................... 7-35Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor .......... 7-37
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch ................ 7-37
Starting and operating
7

warning and indicator lights. Refer to
“Warning and indicator lights”F 3-13.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. Release the key immediately
after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start, perform the
following procedure.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK” position and wait for at least
10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is applied, turn the
ignition switch to the “START”position
while depressing the accelerator pedal
slightly (approximately a quarter of the
full stroke). Release the accelerator
pedal as soon as the engine starts.
(2) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch back to the “LOCK”
position and wait for at least 10
seconds. Then fully depress the accel-
erator pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the “START”position. If the
engine starts, quickly release the
accelerator pedal.
(3) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch again to the “LOCK ”
position. After waiting for 10 seconds
or longer, turn the ignition switch to the
“START ”position without depressing
the accelerator pedal.
(4) If the engine still does not start, contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator
lights have turned off after the engine has
started. The fuel injection system auto-
matically lowers the idle speed as the
engine warms up.
While the engine is warming up, make
sure that the select lever is at the “P”or
“N ”position and that the parking brake is
applied.
& Stopping the engine
WARNING
Do not stop the engine when the
vehicle is moving. This will cause
loss of power to the power steering
and the brake booster, making steer-
ing and braking more difficult. It
could also result in accidental acti-
vation of the “LOCK ”position on the
ignition switch, causing the steering
wheel to lock.
The ignition switch should be turned off
only when the vehicle is stopped and the
engine is idling.
& Steering lock
After stopping the engine and the key is
removed from ignition switch, the steering
wheel will be locked due to the steering
lock function.
When the engine is restarted, the steering
lock will be automatically canceled.
! When the steering lock cannot be
released
When you cannot restart the engine due to
the steering lock, perform the following
steps.
!MT models
1. Check that the parking brake is ap-
plied.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and ac-
cessories.
3. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the shift lever into neutral. Hold
the clutch pedal to the floor while starting
the engine.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”
position while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
5. Check the operation of the warning
and indicator lights.
6. Turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal.
Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push –button ignition switch)
–CONTINUED –7-11

Starting and operating/Starting and stopping engine (models with push–button start system)
7. Release the key immediately after the
engine has started.
If you cannot start the engine, there may
be a malfunction in the steering lock
function. Immediately contact your nearest
SUBARU dealer.
!CVT models
1. Check that the parking brake is ap-
plied.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and ac-
cessories.
3. Check that the select lever is set in the
“P ”position.
4. Depress the brake pedal and keep it.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON”
position while turning the steering wheel
left and right.
6. Check the operation of the warning
and indicator lights.
7. Turn the ignition switch to the “START ”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal.
8. Release the key immediately after the
engine has started.
If you cannot start the engine, there may
be a malfunction in the steering lock
function. Immediately contact your nearest
SUBARU dealer.Starting and stopping engine
(models with push-button
start system)
& Safety precautions
Refer to “Safety precautions” F2-11.
& Operating range for push-
button start system
Refer to “Operating range for push-button
start system ”F 3-6.
& Starting engine
WARNING
. There are some general precau-
tions when starting the engine.
Carefully read the precautions
described in “General precau-
tions when starting/stopping en-
gine” F7-9.
. If the indicator on the push-
button ignition switch flashes in
green after the engine has
started, never drive the vehicle.
The steering is still locked, and it
may result in an accident.
CAUTION
. When the operation indicator on
the push-button ignition switch is
flashing in orange, there may be
a malfunction with the vehicle.
Contact a SUBARU dealer imme-
diately.
. If the indicator on the push-
button ignition switch is flashing
in green after the engine has
started, it means that the steering
is still locked. While moving the
steering wheel right and left,
depress the brake pedal, and
press the push-button ignition
switch.
. Do not continue pressing the
push-button ignition switch for
more than 10 seconds. Doing so
could cause a malfunction. If the
engine does not start, stop
pressing the push-button ignition
switch. Instead, press the push-
button ignition switch without
depressing the brake pedal to
switch the power status to
“ OFF ”.Wait10seconds,and
then press the push-button igni-
tion switch to start the engine.
7-12

NOTE
.When pressing the push-button igni-
tion switch while depressing the brake
pedal:
–The engine starter operates for a
maximum of 10 seconds and after
starting the engine, the starter
stops automatically.
– The engine can be started re-
gardless of the power status.
. If the engine does not start, check
the security indicator light. Then press
the push-button ignition switch without
depressing the brake pedal to switch
the power to “OFF ”.
– If the light had illuminated, try to
start the engine again.
– If the light had been off, press the
push-button ignition switch while
depressing the brake pedal more
forcefully.
. The engine start procedures may
not function depending on the radio
wave conditions around the vehicle. In
such a case, refer to “Starting engine ”
F 9-19.
. If the vehicle battery is discharged,
the steering cannot be unlocked.
Charge the battery.
1) Operation indicator
2) Push-button ignition switch
When the push-button ignition switch is
pressed while depressing the brake pedal,
the engine will start. The starting proce-
dure for the engine is as follows.
1. Carry the access key, and sit in the
driver ’s seat.
2. Apply the parking brake.
3. Shift the select lever into the “P ”
position. The engine can also start when
the select lever is in the “N ” position,
however, for safety reasons, start in the
“ P ”position.
4. Depress the brake pedal until the
operation indicator on the push-button
ignition switch turns green. When starting
with the select lever in the “N”position, the indicator does not turn green.
5. While depressing the brake pedal,
press the push-button ignition switch.
NOTE
.
While pressing the select lever but-
ton in, the indicator on the push-button
ignition switch will not turn green even
when the select lever is in the “P ”
position.
. In case the engine does not start by
the normal engine start procedure,
move the select lever to the “P ” posi-
tion, and switch the power to “ACC ”.
Depress the brake pedal, and press the
push-button ignition switch for at least
15 seconds. The engine may start. Only
use this engine start procedure in case
of emergency.
. When the engine is not started, the
brake pedal may feel stiff. In such a
case, depress the brake pedal more
forcefully than usual. Check that the
operation indicator on the push-button
ignition switch turns green, and press
the push-button ignition switch to start
the engine.
Starting and operating/Starting and stopping engine (models with push –button start system)
–CONTINUED –7-13

Starting and operating/Starting and stopping engine (models with push–button start system)
& Stopping engine
1. Stop the vehicle completely.
2. Move the select lever to the “P ”
position.
3. Press the push-button ignition switch.
The engine will stop, and the power will be
switched off.
WARNING
. Do not touch the push-button
ignition switch during driving.
When the push-button ignition
switch is operated as follows,
the engine will stop.
– The switch is pressed and held
for 3 seconds or longer.
– The switch is pressed briefly 3
times or more in succession.
When the engine stops, the brake
booster will not function. A great-
er 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.
. If the engine stops during driving,
do not operate the push-button
ignition switch or open any of the doors until the vehicle is stopped
in a safe location. It is dangerous
because the steering lock may be
activated. Stop the vehicle in a
safe place, and contact a
SUBARU dealer immediately.
CAUTION
.
Do not stop the engine while the
select lever is in a position other
than the “P ” position.
. If the engine is stopped while the
select lever is in a position other
than the “P ” position, the power
will be in “ACC ”. If the vehicle is
left in this condition, the battery
may be discharged.
NOTE
Although you can stop the engine by
operating the push-button ignition
switch, do not stop the engine during
driving except in an emergency.
& When access key does not
operate properly
Refer to “Access key –if access key does
not operate properly ”F 9-18.
& Steering lock
After stopping the engine and the driver ’s
door is open, the steering wheel will be
locked due to the steering lock function.
When the engine is restarted, the steering
lock will be automatically canceled.
! When the steering lock cannot be
released
1) Operation indicator
2) Push-button ignition switch
When you cannot restart the engine due to
the steering lock, check the status of
operation indicator and perform the follow-
ing steps.
7-14

&Driving tips
NOTE
If the accelerator and brake pedals are
depressed at the same time, driving
torque may be restrained. This is not a
malfunction.
. On a road surface where there is a risk
of wheelspin (for example, a snow- or
gravel-covered road), you can pull away
from a standstill safely and easily by first
selecting the 2nd gear of the manual
mode.
. Always apply the foot or parking brake
when the vehicle is stopped in the “D”or
“R ”position.
. Make sure to apply the parking brake
when parking your vehicle. Do not hold
the vehicle with only the transmission.
. Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary
position on an uphill grade by using the
“D ”position. Use the brake instead.
. The engine may, on rare occasions,
knock when the vehicle rapidly acceler-
ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill.
This phenomenon does not indicate a
malfunction.
. A slight reduction in output torque may
occur in the models with a 3.6 L engine
before the engine warms up.
Power steering
Power steering warning light
The vehicle is equipped with an electric
power steering system. When the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON”position, the
power steering warning light on the
combination meter illuminates to inform
the driver that the warning system is
functioning properly. Then, if the engine
started, the warning light turns off to inform
the driver that the steering power assist is
operational.
CAUTION
While the power steering warning
light is illuminated, there may be
more resistance when the steering wheel is operated. Drive carefully to
the nearest SUBARU dealer and
have the vehicle inspected immedi-
ately.
NOTE
If the steering wheel is operated in the
following ways, the power steering
control system may temporarily limit
the power assist in order to prevent the
system components, such as the con-
trol computer and drive motor, from
overheating.
.
The steering wheel is operated fre-
quently and turned sharply while the
vehicle is maneuvered at extremely low
speeds, such as while frequently turn-
ing the steering wheel during parallel
parking.
. The steering wheel remains in the
fully turned position for a long period
of time.
At this time, there will be more resis-
tance when steering. However this is
not a malfunction. Normal steering
force will be restored after the steering
wheel is not operated for a while and
the power steering control system has
an opportunity to cool down. However,
if the power steering is operated in a
non-standard way which causes power
Starting and operating/Power steering
–CONTINUED –7-31