service SUBARU OUTBACK 2003 3.G Owners Manual

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Warranties
Warranties for U.S.A.
All SUBARU vehicles distributed by Subaru of America, Inc. and sold
at retail by an authorized SUBARU dealer in the United States comewith the following warranties:
SUBARU Limited Warranty
Emission Control Systems Warranty
Emissions Performance Warranty
All warranty information, including details of coverage and exclusions,
is in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Please read these war-
ranties carefully. Warranties for Canada
All SUBARU vehicles distributed by Subaru Canada, Inc. and sold at
retail by an authorized SUBARU dealer in Canada come with the fol-lowing warranties:
SUBARU Limited Warranty
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
Emission Control Warranty
All warranty information, including details of coverage and exclusions, is
in the “Warranty and Service Booklet”. Please read these warranties
carefully.
NOTE
This vehicle does not contain mercury devices or parts.

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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.

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Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need to take your SUBARU to the
dealer for scheduled maintenance and informs you how to keep your
SUBARU running properly.Chapter 12: Specifications
This chapter informs you about dimension and capacities of yourSUBARU.Chapter 13: Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
This chapter informs you about Uniform tire quality grading standards
and Reporting safety defects.Chapter 14: IndexThis is an alphabetical listing of all that
’s in this manual. You can use it to
quickly find something you want to read. Safety warnings
You will find a number of WARNINGs, CAUTIONs and NOTEs in this manual.
These safety warnings alert you to potential hazards that could result in
injury to you or others.
Please read these safety warnings as well as all other portions of this
manual carefully in order to gain a better understanding of how to use
your SUBARU vehicle safely.
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in which serious injury or deathcould result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in which injury or damage toyour vehicle, or both, could result if the caution is ignored.
NOTE A NOTE gives information or suggestions how to make better use of your vehicle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Keys and doors
Instruments and controls
Climate control
2
3
4
Audio
Interior equipment
Starting and operating
In case of emergency
5 67 9
Appearance care
Maintenance and service
Specifications
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects13
Index14
10
11
12
1
Driving tips8
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Table of contents

1
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1-29
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Front seatbelt pretensioners
WARNING
To obtain maximum protection, occupants should sit in an up-
right position with their seatbelts properly fastened. Refer to
“Seatbelts” section in this chapter.
Do not modify, remove or strike the front seatbelt retractor as-
semblies or surrounding area. This could result in accidental ac-tivation of the seatbelt pretensioners or could make the system
inoperative, possibly resulting in serious injury. Seatbelt preten-sioners have no user-serviceable parts. For required servicing of
front seatbelt retractors equipped with seatbelt pretensioners,
see your nearest SUBARU dealer. When discarding front seatbelt retractor assemblies or scrap-
ping the entire car due to collision damage or for other reasons,
consult your SUBARU dealer.
HB0373
Seatbelt retractor assembly (Pretensioner)
The driver
’s and front passenger ’s seatbelts have a seatbelt preten-
sioner. The seatbelt pretensioners are designed to be activated in the
event of an accident involving a moderate to severe frontal collision.
The pretensioner sensor also serves as a SRS frontal airbag sensor. If
the sensor detects a certain predetermined amount of force during a
frontal collision, the front seatbelt is quickly drawn back in by the re-
tractor to take up the slack so that the belt more effectively restrains

1-32
System servicing
WARNING
When discarding a seatbelt retractor assembly or scrapping
the entire car damaged by a collision, consult your SUBARU deal-
er. Tampering with or disconnecting the system ’s wiring could re-
sult in accidental activation of the seatbelt pretensioner and/orairbag or could make the system inoperative, which may result in
serious injury. The wiring harnesses of the seatbelt pretensionerand SRS airbag systems are covered with yellow insulation andthe connectors of the system are yellow for easy identification.Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to theseatbelt pretensioner and airbag systems. For required servicing
of the seatbelt pretensioner, see your nearest SUBARU dealer.
CAUTION
The front sub sensors are located in both front fenders and theairbag control module including the impact sensors is locatedunder the center console. If you need service or repair in those
areas or near the front seatbelt retractors, we recommend thatyou have an authorized SUBARU dealer perform the work.
NOTE If the front part of the vehicle is damaged in an accident to the extent that the seatbelt pretensioner does not operate, contactyour SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.

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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags1-63
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Flashing or flickering of the indicator light.
No illumination of the warning light when the ignition switch is first
turned to the “ON” position.
Continuous illumination of the warning light.
Illumination of the warning light while driving.
SRS airbag system servicing
WARNING
When discarding an airbag module or scrapping the entire car
damaged by a collision, consult your SUBARU dealer. The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable parts. Do not use
electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRS airbag
system. For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see your near-
est SUBARU dealer. Tampering with or disconnecting the sys-
tem’ s wiring could result in accidental inflation of the SRS airbag
or could make the system inoperative, which may result in seri-
ous injury. The wiring harnesses of the SRS airbag system arecovered with yellow insulation and system connectors are yellowfor easy identification.
CAUTION
If you need service or repair in areas listed below, we recommend
that you have an authorized SUBARU dealer perform the work. The
SRS airbag control module, impact sensors and airbag modules
are stored in these areas.
Under the center console
Inside each front fender
Steering wheel and column and nearby areas
Top of the dashboard on front passenger ’s side and nearby
areas Each front seat and nearby area (only for vehicles with SRS
side airbags) Inside each center pillar

3-14
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light
(for AT vehicles)
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
automatic transmission fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is unnecessary to stop the vehicle,
but avoid driving up steep grades or in stop and go traffic.
Automatic transmission control system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it may indicate that the auto-
matic transmission control system is not working properly. Contact
your nearest SUBARU dealer for service immediately.
ABS warning light
The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes out after about two seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly.
CAUTION
If the warning light behaves as follows, the ABS system may not
work properly.When the warning light is on, the ABS function shuts down; how-
ever, the conventional brake system continues to operate normal-
ly. The warning light does not come on when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON” position.
The warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned
to the “ON” position, but it does not go out even when the vehicle
speed exceeds approximately 8 mph (12 km/h). The warning light comes on during driving.
If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at the first available
opportunity by your SUBARU dealer.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below, the ABS system may be considered normal.
(U.S.) (Canada)

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Climate control4-21
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closed during the operation of the air conditioner for maximum cool-
ing efficiency.
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at a low engine speed (at idle
or low driving speeds) a few minutes each month during the off-sea-
son to circulate its oil. Checking air conditioning system before summer season
Check the air conditioner unit for refrigerant leaks, hose conditions,
and proper operation each spring. This check is best performed by
your SUBARU dealer. Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low tempera- ture weather condition
Under certain weather conditions (high relative humidity, low tempera-
tures, etc.) a small amount of water vapor emission from the air outlets
may be noticed. This condition is normal and does not indicate any
problem with the air conditioning system. Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded
To improve acceleration and gas mileage, the air conditioner com-
pressor is designed to temporarily shut off during air conditioner op-
eration whenever the accelerator is fully depressed such as during
rapid accerelation or when driving on a steep upgrade. Refrigerant for your climate control system
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly refrigerant HFC134a. There-
fore, the method of adding, changing or checking the refrigerant is
different from the method for CFC12 (freon). Consult your SUBARU
dealer for service. Repairs needed as a result of using the wrong
refrigerant are not covered under warranty.

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Interior equipment Interior light6-2
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Dome light 6-2
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Cargo area light (if equipped) 6-3
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Map light (if equipped) 6-3
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Sun visors 6-4
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Vanity mirror (if equipped) 6-5
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Storage compartment 6-5
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Glove box 6-6
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Center console 6-6
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Coin compartment 6-7
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Overhead console (if equipped) 6-7
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Cup holder 6-8
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Cigarette lighter socket (if equipped) 6-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtray 6-12
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OnSta r system (if equipped) 6-13
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OnStar subscription plans 6-14
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OnStar services 6-15
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OnStar personal calling 6-17
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OnStar virtual advisor 6-18
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OnStar system limitations 6-18
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Accessory power outlet 6-19
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Convenience hook 6-20
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Floor mat (if equipped) 6-22
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Luggage cover (if equipped) 6-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Convenient tie-down hooks (if equipped) 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Subfloor storage (if equipped) 6-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .