light SUBARU OUTBACK 2004 4.G Owners Manual

6-14
Interior equipment
1-888-ONSTAR7 (888-667-8277). „
OnStar services button
Press this button, and you will be connected to an On-
Star Advisor. You will hear a chime, followed by the
words “Connecting to OnStar”. The connection pro-
cess will normally take about 15 seconds. Your sys-
tem is equipped with backup connection retry capabil-
ities. If you do not immediately connect to OnStar, DO
NOT DISCONNECT. A series of retry attempts will be
made automatically. If you wish to cancel your call to
the OnStar center, simply press the OnStar Communi-
cation button. „ OnStar emergency button
In an emergency, press this button to connect with an
OnStar Advisor. Your call will be given the highest pri-
ority, and you will hear a chime followed by the words
“Connecting to OnStar Emergency.” The Advisor will
attempt to locate your vehicle, find out what kind of as-
sistance you require, and contact a nearby emergency
services provider who can dispatch ambulance, fire,
police or other emergency services. Please use this
button only for true emergencies. If you press this but-
ton by mistake, please stay on the line and tell the ad-
visor that there is no emergency. „
OnStar communication button (White DOT)
Press this button at the end of a call. You’ll hear the
words “OnStar Request Ended.” Also, press this but-
ton to answer a call from the OnStar Center, or cancel
a call if one of the other buttons is accidentally
pressed. This button is also used to access OnStar
Personal Calling and Virtual Advisor services, if those
services have been activated. „ System status light
y Solid green – Indicates the OnStar system in the
vehicle is powered ON and ready to make or receive
calls.y Blinking green – The light blinks green to indicate
a call is being connected or in progress. If you notice
this light blinking while you are not on a call, press the
OnStar Communication (white dot) button. y Red – This signals that your OnStar system may not
be functioning properly. Press the OnStar button to at-
tempt to contact an OnStar advisor. If the connection
is made, the advisor will assist you in making sure your
OnStar system is operating properly. If you cannot
contact the OnStar Center, please take your vehicle to
the nearest SUBARU dealership for diagnosis and
service.

6-16
Interior equipment
(flat tire, out of gas, or engine trouble), just call OnStar.
We will contact your vehicle manufacturer’s roadside
service provider for the help you need to get you quick-
ly back on the road.
*3: There will be no charge for Roadside Assistance as long
as the basic limited warranty on your vehicle has not expired. T
Stolen vehicle location
OnStar doesn’t just protect you, it protects your vehi-
cle, too. If your vehicle is ever stolen, just contact On-
Star. We will put you in touch with the authorities and
aid them in locating your vehicle. Ask your insurance
carrier about possible premium discounts. T AccidentAssist
AccidentAssist provides step-by-step guidance about
what to do in case of an accident. Working with leading
insurance companies we have developed a “best
practices” list to assist you through most accident sit-
uations. OnStar AccidentAssist can make the process
of completing a police report and/or insurance claim
less stressful. T Remote door unlock/vehicle alert
If you’ve locked your keys in your vehicle, just call On-
Star at 1-888-466-7827 (888-4ONSTAR) and an Advi-
sor will send a signal to attempt to unlock your door. If
you’re having trouble locating your vehicle, OnStar can flash your lights and sound your horn for you. This
feature is disabled 48 hours after the vehicle is parked
in order to maintain battery charge. T
OnStar MED-NET *4
OnStar MED-NET securely stores your personal med-
ical information (e.g., physician’s name, emergency
contacts, medications, chronic conditions) and in an
emergency, can quickly send it to a medical facility.
This important information can help assist with diagno-
sis and treatment.
*4: Requires activation and additional fee for Safe & Sound
and Directions & Connections subscribers. To enroll or for
more OnStar Med-Net information, call 1-800-320-3991. T Route support
With OnStar Route Support, an Advisor can help you
find your way, no matter how far off course you are.
You can get exact street directions, or guidance to
nearby gas stations, restaurants, hotels or ATMs. T RideAssist
If you need a lift, anytime of the day or night, just call
OnStar. We’ll contact a transportation provider and
send them right to you. T Information and convenience services
Our Advisors have access to over six million service

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Interior equipment
– CONTINUED –
Accessory power outlet „In the luggage compartment (if
equipped)
Electrical power (12V DC) from the battery is on tap at
the outlet when the ignition switch is either in the
“ACC” or “ON” position.
You can use an in-car use electrical appliance by con-
necting it to the outlet.
NOTE
The trim cover has a notch through which the con-
nected electrical appliance’s cord can be passed.
y Do not attempt to use a cigarette lighter in the
accessory power outlet. y Do not place any foreign objects, especially
metal ones such as coins or aluminum foil, into
the accessory power outlet. That could cause a
short circuit. Always put the cap on the acces-
sory power outlet when it is not in use.y Use only electrical appliances which are de-
signed for 12V DC and which consume less
than 120W. Overloading the accessory power
outlet can cause a short circuit. Do not use dou-
ble adapters or more than one electrical appli-
ance.y If the plug on your electric appliance is either
too loose or too tight for the accessory power
outlet, this can result in a poor contact or cause
the plug to get stuck. Only use plugs that fit
properly. y Use of an electric appliance in the accessory
power outlet for a long period of time while the
engine is not running can cause battery dis-
charge.
UB7008EA

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Interior equipment
Make sure the driver’s floor mat is placed back
in its proper location and correctly secured on
its retaining pin. If the floor mat slips forward
and interferes with the movement of the pedals
during driving, it could cause an accident.
Luggage cover (if equipped)
Do not place anything on the extended cover.
Putting excessive weight on the extended cov-
er can break it and an object on the cover could
tumble forward in the event of a sudden stop or
collision. This could cause serious injury.
The luggage cover is provided for covering the cargo
area and to protect its contents from direct sunlight.
This cover is detachable to make room for additional
cargo.
HS6039BA

6-24
Interior equipment
1. Rewind the cover.
2. To take it off the cover rails, lift it out while pressing
the release knobs located both sides of the cover
housing.
3. Store the cover in the cargo area.
To install the cover:
Hang the both ends of the cover housing on the cover
rails. Make sure that the cover is mounted securely by
pulling it up.
Convenient tie-down hooks (if
equipped)
The convenient tie-down hooks are designed
only for securing light cargo. Never try to se-
cure cargo that exceeds the capacity of the
hooks. The maximum load capacity is 44 lbs (20
kg) per hook.
The cargo area is equipped with four tie-down hooks
UB7018BA

7-1
7
Starting and operating
Fuel ................................................................ 7-2 Fuel requirements ............................................. 7-2
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................ 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) ............... 7-7
Preparing to drive ......................................... 7-9
Starting the engine ....................................... 7-10 Starting the engine for a manual transmission vehicle ...................................... 7-10
Starting the engine for an automatic transmission vehicle ...................................... 7-10
Starting the engine during cold weather
below –4 °F (–20 °C) ......................................... 7-11
Starting a flooded engine ................................. 7-11
Stopping the engine ..................................... 7-12
Manual transmission .................................... 7-12 Shifting speeds ................................................. 7-13
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-14
Automatic transmission (L, L-S, OUTBACK) .................................... 7-15Selector lever .................................................... 7-16
Shift lock release .............................................. 7-20
Automatic transmission (with SPORTSHIFT mode – 2.5GT, 2.5GTLO) .. 7-21Selector lever .................................................... 7-22
Selection of SPORTSHIFT mode (manual mode) ................................................ 7-25
Shift lock release .............................................. 7-28
Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) .............................................. 7-29 Power steering .............................................. 7-30
Braking ........................................................... 7-30
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-30
Brake system .................................................... 7-31
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........ 7-31
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................... 7-32 ABS system self-check .................................... 7-32
ABS warning light ............................................. 7-33
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) system (if equipped) ............................................... 7-34VDC system monitor ........................................ 7-36
VDC OFF switch ................................................ 7-38
Parking your vehicle ..................................... 7-40
Cruise control (if equipped) ......................... 7-42 To set cruise control ........................................ 7-43
To temporarily cancel the cruise control ....... 7-44
To turn off the cruise control ........................... 7-44
To change the cruising speed ......................... 7-45

7-2
Starting and operating
Starting and operatingFuel
Use of a fuel which is low in quality or use of an
inappropriate fuel additive may cause engine
damage.
„ Fuel requirements
T 2.5 Liter models
The 2.5 Liter engine is designed to operate using un-
leaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or
higher. T 3.0 Liter models
The 3.0 Liter engine is designed to operate using pre-
mium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91
AKI or higher. Regular unleaded gasoline with an oc-
tane rating of 87 AKI may be used if necessary. For
optimum engine performance and driveability, it is rec-
ommended that you use premium grade unleaded
gasoline. T Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the Research Oc- tane and Motor Octane numbers and is commonly re-
ferred to as the Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane rating can cause
persistent and heavy knocking, which can damage the
engine. Do not be concerned if your vehicle some-
times knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when
you accelerate. See your dealer or a qualified service
technician if you use a fuel with the specified octane
rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or persistently. T
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed to accept
only an unleaded gasoline filler nozzle. Under no cir-
cumstances should leaded gasoline be used because
it will damage the emission control system and may
impair driveability and fuel economy. T California fuel
If your vehicle was certified to California Emission
Standards as indicated on the underhood tune-up la-
bel. It is designed to optimize engine and emission
control system performance with gasoline that meets
the clean burning low-sulfur California gasoline speci-
fications. If you live in any other state than California,
your vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting Federal
specifications. Gasoline sold outside California is per-
mitted to have higher sulfur levels, which may affect
the performance of your vehicle’s catalytic converter

7-3
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or smell.
SUBARU recommends that you try a different brand of
unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if
the problem is fuel related before returning your vehi-
cle to an authorized dealer for service. The CHECK
ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp may
also turn on. If this occurs, return to your authorized
SUBARU dealer for diagnosis. If it is determined that
the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, re-
pairs may not be covered by your warranty. TMMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-enhancing additive
called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tri-
carbonyl). If you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and the CHECK
ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on. If this happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty. T Gasoline for cleaner air
Do not let fuel spill on the exterior surfaces of
the vehicle. Fuels containing alcohol may cause paint damage, which is not covered un-
der the SUBARU Limited Warranty.
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. This helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly, and is a
way of doing your part for cleaner air. If you continu-
ously use a high quality fuel with the proper detergent
and other additives, you should never need to add any
fuel system cleaning agents to your fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. Use of these fuels can also help keep the
air cleaner. Oxygenated blend fuels, such as MTBE
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol (ethyl or grain
alcohol) may be used in your vehicle, but should con-
tain no more than 15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the
proper operation of your SUBARU.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now produc-
ing reformulated gasolines, which are designed to re-
duce vehicle emissions. SUBARU approves the use of reformulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains, you should
ask your service station operators if their gasolines
contain detergents and oxygenates and if they have

7-6
Starting and operating
1) Open
2) Close
2. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it slowly coun-
terclockwise.
y Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. Before
refueling, always first stop the engine and make
sure that there are no lighted cigarettes, open
flames or electrical sparks in the adjacent area. y When opening the cap, do not remove the
cap quickly. Fuel may be under pressure and
spray out of the fuel filler neck especially in hot
weather, which may cause injury.
3. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler pump auto-
matically clicks off. Do not add any more fuel.
4. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise until you hear
a clicking noise. Be certain not to catch the tether un-
der the cap while tightening.
5. Close the fuel filler lid completely.
If you spill any fuel on the painted surface, rinse it off
immediately. Otherwise, the painted surface could be
damaged.
NOTE
1 2
UB7030BB
HS3023AA

7-7
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
yYou will see the “FUEL DOOR ” sign in the
combination meter. This indicates that the fuel fill-
er door (lid) is located on the right side of the ve-
hicle. y If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks
or if the tether is caught under the cap, the CHECK
ENGINE warning light may come on. Refer to the
“Warning and indicator lights” section located in
chapter 3.
y Never add any cleaning agents to the fuel
tank. The addition of a cleaning agent may
cause damage to the fuel system. y Make sure that the cap is tightened until it
clicks to prevent fuel spillage in the event of an
accident. y Do not let fuel spill on the exterior surfaces of
the vehicle. Fuels may cause paint damage,
which is not covered under the SUBARU Limit-
ed Warranty. y Always use a genuine SUBARU fuel filler cap.
If you use the wrong cap, it may not fit or have
proper venting, and your fuel tank and emis-
sion control system might be damaged.
State emission testing (U.S. only)
Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle must
NEVER be performed on a single two-wheel dy-
namometer. Attempting to do so will result in
uncontrolled vehicle movement and may cause
an accident or injuries to persons nearby.
Resultant vehicle damage due to improper test-
ing is not covered under the SUBARU Limited
Warranty and is the responsibility of the state
inspection program or its contractors or licens-
ees.
At state inspection time, remember to tell your in-
spection or service station in advance not to place
your SUBARU AWD vehicle on a two-wheel dyna-
mometer. Otherwise, serious transmission dam-
age will result.
Some states have started using dynamometers in
their state inspection programs in order to meet their