instrument panel SUBARU OUTBACK 2003 3.G Owners Manual

ii
How to use this owner
’s manual
Using your Owner ’s manual
Before you operate your vehicle, carefully read this manual. To protect yourself and extend the service life of your vehicle, follow the instructions
in this manual. Failure to observe these instructions may result in serious
injury and damage to your vehicle.
This manual is composed of fourteen chapters. Each chapter begins with a brief table of contents, so you can usually tell at a glance if that
chapter contains the information you want. Chapter 1: Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
This chapter informs you how to use the seat and seatbelt and contains
precautions for the SRS airbags.Chapter 2: Keys and doors
This chapter informs you how to operate the keys, locks and windows.Chapter 3: Instruments and controls
This chapter informs you about the operation of instrument panel indica-tors and how to use the instruments and other switches.Chapter 4: Climate control
This chapter informs you how to operate the climate control.Chapter 5: Audio
This chapter informs you how to operate your audio system.Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate interior equipment.Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and operate your SUBARU.Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your SUBARU in various condi-tions and explains some safety tips on driving.Chapter 9: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you have a problem while driving,
such as a flat tire or engine overheating.Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARU looking good.

xviii
Instrument panel
HBF021BB
1 Door locks (page 2-3)
2 Outside mirror (page 3-34)
3 Light control lever (page 3-20)
4 Combination meter (page 3-7)
5 Wiper control lever (page 3-24)
6 Hazard warning flasher switch(page 3-7)
7 Climate control (page 4-1)
8 Gear shift lever (MT) (page 7-12)/Selector lever
(AT) (page 7-15) 9
Audio (page 5-1)
Q Cruise control (page 7-44)
W Horn (page 3-37)
E SRS airbag (page 1-43)
R Tilt steering (page 3-36)
T Fuse box (page 11-52)
Y Hood lock release (page 11-5)
U Power door locking switch(page 2-21)
I Power window (page 2-21)

1
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1-19
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CONTINUED –
This device causes the seatbelt warning light on the instrument panel to
light up for about six seconds when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON”
position to remind the driver to wear the seatbelt. If the driver ’s
seatbelt is not fastened, a warning chime sounds at the same time. Fastening the seatbelt
WARNING
Never use a belt that is twisted or reversed. In an accident, this
can increase the risk or severity of injury. Never place the shoulder belt under the arm or behind the back.
If an accident occurs, this can increase the risk or severity of injury. Keep the lap belt as low as possible on your hips. In a colli-
sion, this spreads the force of the lap belt over stronger hipbones instead of across the weaker abdomen. Seatbelts provide maximum restraint when the occupant sits
well back and upright in the seat. To reduce the risk of sliding un-der the seatbelt in a collision, the front seatbacks should be al-ways used in the upright position while the vehicle is running. Ifthe front seatbacks are not used in the upright position in a colli-
sion, the risk of sliding under the lap belt and of the lap belt slid-ing up over the abdomen will increase, and both can result in se-rious internal injury or death. Do not put cushions or any other materials between occupants
and seatbacks or seat cushions. If you do so, the risk of slidingunder the lap belt and of the lap belt sliding up over the abdomenwill increase, and both can result in serious internal injury ordeath.

1-58SRS side airbag deploys as soon as a collision occurs.
After deployment, SRS sideairbag starts to deflate immedi-
ately. HB0359
The SRS side airbag can function only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position.
The driver ’s and front passenger ’s SRS side airbags deploy indepen-
dently of each other since each has its own impact sensor. Also, the
SRS side airbag deploys independently of the frontal airbags in thesteering wheel and instrument panel. An impact sensor is incorporated into each of the vehicle ’s center pil-
lars. If either sensor detects a certain predetermined amount of force
during a side impact collision, the control module sends a signal to
the side airbag module on the impacted side of the vehicle, instruct-
ing it to inflate the SRS side airbag. Then the side airbag module pro-duces gas, which instantly inflates the SRS side airbag. After the de-
ployment, the SRS side airbag immediately starts to deflate. The time
required from detecting impact to the deflation of the SRS side airbag
after deployment is shorter than the blink of an eye.
The SRS side airbag deploys even when no one occupies the seat on the side of which an impact is applied.

3
Instruments and controls3-7
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CONTINUED –
Hazard warning flasher
HB8002BA
The hazard warning flasher is used to warn other drivers when you have
to park your vehicle under emergency conditions. The hazard warningflasher works with the ignition switch in any position.
To turn on the hazard warning flasher, push the hazard warning button
on the instrument panel. To turn off the flasher, push the button again. NOTE When the hazard warning flasher is on, the turn signals do not work.
Meters and gauges
Speedometer
The speedometer shows the vehicle speed. Odometer/Trip meter
CAUTION
To ensure safety, do not attempt to change the function of the in- dicator during driving, as an accident could result.

3
Instruments and controls3-9
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CONTINUED –

Tachometer
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 enginecontrol module to protect the engine from overrevving. Theengine will resume running normally after the engine speed isreduced below the red zone.
The tachometer shows the engine speed in thousands of revolutions perminute. Outside temperature indicator (if equipped)
The outside temperature indicator shows the outside temperature in a
range from –22F to 122 F ( –30 C to 50 C).
The indicator can give a false reading under any of the following condi-tions: When there is too much sun.
During idling; while running at low speeds in a traffic jam; when the
engine is restarted immediately following a shutdown. When the actual outside temperature falls outside the specified indi-
cator range. For vehicles with an automatic climate control, outside temperature can be displayed on the climate control display panel. Refer to the“ Automatic climate control system ” in chapter 4.
Fuel gauge
The fuel gauge shows the approximate amount of fuel remaining in thetank.
The gauge does not return to “E” even though the ignition switch is in the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position.
The gauge may move slightly during braking, turning or acceleration dueto fuel level movement in the tank.

3-20Light control switch
WARNING
To prevent battery discharge resulting from accidentally leaving your lights on when your vehicle is parked, the light switch oper-ates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. In any
other position, the vehicle ’s lights will be out.
If you park your vehicle on a roadside at night, use the hazardwarning flasher to alert the other drivers.
HB2014BB
HB2007BA
The light switch operates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position.
Headlights
To turn on the headlights, turn the knob on the end of the turn signal
lever.
first position
Parking lights, instrument panel illumination, tail lights and license
plate light are on.
second position
Headlights, parking lights, instrument panel illumination, tail lights,
and license plate light are on.

3
Instruments and controls3-21
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CONTINUED –

High/low beam change (dimmer)
To change from low beam to high beam, push the turn signal lever
forward. When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indi-cator light “a ” on the instrument panel is also on.
To switch back to low beam, pull the lever back to the detent position. Headlight flasher CAUTION
Do not hold the lever in the flashing position for more than just a few seconds.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever toward you and then release it.
The high beam will stay on for as long as you hold the lever. The
headlight flasher works even though the lighting switch is in the “OFF”
position.
When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indicator light “ a ” on the instrument panel also comes on.
Daytime running light system
WARNING
The tail lights, parking lights, and side marker lights are notturned on by the daytime running light system. The light switchmust always be turned to the “a ” position when it is dark out-
side.
The low beam headlights will automatically come on at reduced bright-
ness when the engine has started, under the following conditions: The parking brake is fully released.
The light switch is in the “OFF” or “p ” position.

3
Instruments and controls3-23
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When the lighting switch is in the
“p ” or “a ” position, you can adjust
brightness of the instrument panel illumination for better visibility.
To brighten, turn the control dial counterclockwise.
To darken, turn the control dial clockwise.
Parking light switch
HB2018BA
The parking light switch operates regardless of the ignition switch posi- tion.
By pushing the front end of this switch, following lights will come on. – Parking lights
– Front and rear side marker lights
– Tail lights
– License plate lights
To turn off, push the rear end of the parking light switch.
Avoid leaving these lights on for a long time because that will run down
the battery.

3
Instruments and controls3-29
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CONTINUED –
Rear window defogger switch
CAUTION
Do not use sharp instruments or window cleaner containing
abrasives to clean the inner surface of the rear window. They may
damage the conductors printed on the window. To prevent the battery from being discharged, do not operate
the defogger continuously for any longer than necessary.
The rear window defogger operates only when the ignition switch is inthe “ON” position.
The rear window defogger switch is located on the climate control panel.
The defogger will automatically shut off after about 15 minutes. If the win-
dow clears before that time, push the switch to turn it off. It also turns off
when the ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. If
defrosting or defogging is desired when you restart your vehicle, you
have to push the switch to turn it on again.
For vehicles with manual heating and air conditioning systems
HB5009BB
To turn on the defogger, push the switch. To turn it off, push the switch again.
The indicator light located on the switch lights up while the rear win-dow defogger is operating.