tow SUBARU OUTBACK 2003 3.G Owners Manual

xii
Illustrated index
Exterior
HBF003BB
1 Hood lock release (page 11-5)
2 Headlight switch (page 3-20)
3 Bulb replacement (page 11-57)
4 Wiper switch (page 3-26)
5 Moonroof (page 2-30)
6 Roof rail (page 8-20) 7
Door locks (page 2-3)
8 Tire pressure (page 11-39)
9 Flat tires (page 9-4)
Q Tire chains (page 8-16)
W Fog light switch (page 3-24)
E Tie-down hooks (page 9-16)
R Towing hook (page 9-16)

xiii
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HBB027CB
1 Rear wiper switch (page 3-28)
2 Rear window defogger switch (page 3-29)
3 Fuel filler lid (page 7-4)
4 Child safety locks (page 2-20)
5 Towing hook (page 9-16) 6
Trunk/Rear gate (page 2-24/2-29)
7 Tie-down hooks (page 9-16)
8 Bulb replacement (page 11-61) HBF013BB

1-48
SRS frontal airbag
WARNING
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD SAFETY SEAT
IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR
DEATH TO THE CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD ’S HEAD TOO
CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG. Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the front pas-
senger’ s seat, or never hold a child on your lap or in your arms.
The SRS airbag deploys with considerable force and can injure oreven kill the child. The SRS airbag deploys with considerable speed and force.
Occupants who are out of proper position when the SRS airbag
deploys could suffer very serious injuries. Because the SRS air-bag needs enough space for deployment, the driver should al-ways sit upright and well back in the seat as far from the steeringwheel as practical while still maintaining full vehicle control and
the front passenger should move the seat as far back as possibleand sit upright and well back in the seat. It is also important to wear your seatbelt to help avoid injuriesthat can result when the SRS airbag contacts an occupant not inproper position such as one thrown toward the front of the carduring pre-accident braking.
HB0306 HB0307
Never install rearward facing child restraint system in the front passen-
ger’
s seat.
Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel on the front passenger ’s
seat

1-50
HB1047BB
The driver’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed in the center portion of the
steering wheel. The passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed near the
top of the dashboard under an “SRS AIRBAG ” mark.
In a moderate to severe frontal collision, the driver ’s and front passen-
ger’ s SRS frontal airbags deploy and supplement the seatbelts by reduc-
ing the impact on the driver ’s and front passenger ’s head and chest.
Operation
CAUTION
Do not touch the SRS airbag system components around the steering wheel and dashboard with bare hands right after deploy-ment. Doing so can cause burns because the components can bevery hot as a result of deployment.

1-56
HB0353
HB0352
Do not sit or lean unnecessary close
to the front door.Do not rest your arm on either front door or its internal trim.
HB0354
Never allow a child to kneel on the front passenger ’s seat facing the side
window.
HB0355
Never allow a child to wrap his/her arms around the front seatback.
WARNING
Do not attach accessories to the door trim or near either SRS
side airbags and do not place objects near the SRS side airbags. In the event of the SRS side airbag deployment, they could bepropelled dangerously toward the vehicle ’s occupants and cause
injuries. Do not put any kind of cover or clothes or other objects over
either front seatback and do not attach labels or stickers to thefront seat surface on or near the SRS side airbag. They could pre-vent proper deployment of the SRS side airbag, reducing protec-tion available to the front seat ’s occupant.

2
Keys and doors2-3
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Door locks
Locking and unlocking from the outside
OM-H2394
To lock the door from the outside with the key, turn the key toward the
rear. To unlock the door, turn the key toward the front.
Lift the outside door handle to open an unlocked door.
HB2024CB
HB2024BD
To lock the door from the outside without the key, rotate the lock lever
rearward and then close the door.
To lock the door from the outside using the power door locking switch,
push the switch forward ( “LOCK” side) and then close the door. In this
case, all closed doors and the rear gate (for station wagon) arelocked at the same time.

2-6
Remote keyless entry system (if equipped)
CAUTION
Do not expose the transmitter to severe shocks, such as those
experienced as a result of dropping or throwing. Do not take the transmitter apart except when replacing the
battery. Do not get the transmitter wet. If it gets wet, wipe it dry with a
cloth immediately. This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the followingtwo conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,including interference that may cause undesired operation.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party
responsible for compliance could void the user ’s authority to
operate the equipment.
Two transmitters are provided for your vehicle.
The keyless entry system has the following functions. Locking and unlocking the doors (and rear gate on the station wagon)
without a key Sounding a panic alarm
Arming and disarming the security system (if your vehicle is equipped
with an optional security system). See the next section “Security system
(if equipped) ” for detailed information.
The operable distance of the keyless entry system is approximately 30
feet (10 meters). However, this distance will vary depending on environ-
mental conditions. Range may be reduced near sources of RF interfer-
ence such as power plants and radio/television broadcasting towers.
The keyless entry system does not operate when the key is inserted in the ignition switch.

3
Instruments and controls3-3
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Ignition switch
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to “LOCK” while the vehicle is be-
ing driven or towed because that will lock the steering wheel, pre- venting steering control. And when the engine is turned off, it
takes a much greater effort than usual to steer.
The ignition switch has four positions: LOCK, ACC, ON and START.
HB4000CA
LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed in this position. The ignition
switch will lock the steering wheel when you remove the key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the steering wheel slightly to the right
and left as you turn the key.

3
Instruments and controls3-13
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To prevent serious damage to the emission control system, you should do the following:
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on
steadily after several driving trips. You should have your vehicle
checked by an authorized SUBARU dealer immediately.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
charging system is not working properly. If the light comes on while driving or does not go out after the engine
starts, stop the engine at the first safe opportunity and check the alterna-
tor belt. If the belt is loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but
the light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately. Oil pressure warning light
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure warning light on. This may cause serious engine damage.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the
engine oil pressure is low and the lubricating system is not working prop-
erly.If the light comes on while driving or does not go out after the engine
starts, stop the engine at the first safe opportunity and check the engine
oil level. If the oil level is low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is at
the proper level but the light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer immediately.

3-16while driving with this condition, but you should have your vehicle checked at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below, the VDC system may be considered normal.
The warning light comes on right after the engine is started but
goes out immediately, remaining off. The warning light remains on after the engine has been started,
but it goes out when the vehicle speed reaches 8 mph about (12km/h). The warning light comes on during driving, but it goes out im-
mediately and remains off. Brake system warning light
WARNING
Driving with the brake system warning light on is dangerous.
This indicates your brake system may not be working properly. If the light remains on, have the brakes inspected by a SUBARU
dealer immediately. If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating prop-
erly, do not drive the vehicle. Have your vehicle towed to the
nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
This light has the following two functions: Parking brake warning
The light comes on with the parking brake applied while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. It goes out when the parking brake is
fully released. Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition switch in
the “ON” position and with the parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should come on while driving (with
the parking brake fully released and with the ignition switch posi- (U.S.)
(Canada)