ABS SUBARU OUTBACK 2004 4.G Owners Manual

21
–
CONTINUED –
TWarning and indicator light
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-10
SRS airbag system warning light 3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning
light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-11
Charge warning light 3-12
Oil pressure warning light 3-12
AT OIL temperature warn-
ing light (if equipped) 3-12
or ABS warning light 3-13
VDC warning light (if
equipped) 3-13
or Brake system warning light 3-14
Door open warning light 3-15
Low fuel warning light 3-15
Front-wheel drive warning
light (if equipped) 3-15
VDC operation indicator
light (if equipped) 3-15
VDC OFF indicator light (if equipped) 3-16
Security system indicator
light (if equipped) 3-16
Turn signal indicator lights 3-17
High beam indicator light 3-18
Cruise control set indicator light 3-18
Mark Name Page

3-1
3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .............................................. 3-3 LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
ACC .................................................................... 3-4
ON ....................................................................... 3-5
START ................................................................ 3-5
Key reminder chime .......................................... 3-5
Ignition switch light .......................................... 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) ........ 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ................................ 3-6
Meters and gauges ....................................... 3-7 Speedometer ..................................................... 3-7
Odometer/Trip meter ........................................ 3-7
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-8
Outside temperature indicator (if equipped) .. 3-8
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-8
Temperature gauge ........................................... 3-9
Warning and indicator lights ....................... 3-10 Seatbelt warning light and chime .................... 3-10
SRS airbag system warning light .................... 3-10
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................. 3-11
Charge warning light ........................................ 3-12
Oil pressure warning light ................................ 3-12
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) ............................................. 3-12
ABS warning light ............................................. 3-13
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) warning light (if equipped) ........................................... 3-13
Brake system warning light ............................. 3-14
Door open warning lights ................................. 3-15
Low fuel warning light ...................................... 3-15 Front-wheel drive warning light (for AT
vehicles except GT and vehicle with VDC) .. 3-15
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) operation indicator light (if equipped) ........................... 3-15
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) OFF indicator light (if equipped) ........................... 3-16
Security system status indicator light
(if equipped) .................................................... 3-16
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) ................................................... 3-17
Gear position indicator (AT vehicle with SPORTSHIFT) ................................................. 3-17
Turn signal indicator lights .............................. 3-17
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-18
Cruise control set indicator light .................... 3-18
Clock .............................................................. 3-18
Light control switch ...................................... 3-19 Headlights ......................................................... 3-19
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................... 3-20
Headlight flasher ............................................... 3-20
Daytime running light system ......................... 3-21
Turn signal lever ........................................... 3-21
Illumination brightness control ................... 3-22
Parking light switch ...................................... 3-23
Fog light switch (if equipped) ...................... 3-24
Wiper and washer ......................................... 3-24 Windshield wiper and washer switches ......... 3-26
Rear window wiper and washer switch (if equipped) .................................................... 3-27
Rear window defogger switch ..................... 3-28

3-10
Instruments and controls
Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights come on
momentarily and then go out when the ignition switch
is initially turned to the “ON” position. This permits
checking the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to
the “ON” position. The following lights come on:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
CHECK ENGINE warning light / Malfunction indica- tor lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL temperature warning light (AT vehicles) ABS warning light
VDC warning light (if equipped)
VDC operation indicator light (if equipped)
VDC OFF indicator light (if equipped)
Brake system warning light
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out
bulb or a malfunction of the corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer for repair. „
Seatbelt warning light and chime
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position,
the seatbelt warning light will come on and the remind-
er chime will sound for about six seconds to remind the
driver to fasten the seatbelt.
The seatbelt warning light remains on for about six
seconds and turns off automatically after six seconds.
The seatbelt reminder chime will turn off when the
driver’s side seatbelt is buckled or it will turn off auto- matically after six seconds. „ SRS airbag system warning light
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position,
the SRS airbag system warning light will come on for
about six seconds and go out. This shows the SRS
frontal airbag and SRS side airbag (if equipped) and
seatbelt pretensioners are in normal operation.
If this light comes on while driving or remains illuminat-
ed even after a period of about 6 seconds from when
the ignition has been turned on, it may indicate that the
SRS frontal airbag system or SRS side airbag system
(if equipped) or seatbelt pretensioner system is not
working properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer immediately.

3-13
Instruments and controls
– CONTINUED –
„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.
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; however, the conventional brake
system continues to operate normally. y The warning light does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position. y 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). y 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 described be-
low, the ABS system may be considered normal.y The warning light comes on right after the en-
gine is started but goes out immediately, remain-
ing off.y The warning light remains on after the engine
has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle
speed reaches about 8 mph (12 km/h).y The warning light comes on during driving, but
it goes out immediately and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when the engine is jump started, the ABS warning
light may come on. This is due to the low battery volt-
age and does not indicate a malfunction. When the
battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out. „ VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control)
warning light (if equipped)
This warning light comes on when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after the
engine has started. It indicates that the VDC system is
operational.
The VDC system is probably inoperative under any of
the following conditions. Immediately have your vehi-
cle checked at a SUBARU dealer.(U.S.) (Canada)

3-14
Instruments and controls
y
The VDC warning light does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position. y The VDC warning light remains on after the engine
has started and stays lit even when the vehicle speed
reaches about 8 mph (12 km/h).y The VDC warning light comes on while the vehicle
is running.y If the electrical circuit of the VDC system itself be-
comes faulty, the VDC warning light only comes on. At
this time, the ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) remains
fully operational.y The warning light comes on when the electronic
control system of the ABS/VDC system becomesfaulty.
The VDC system provides its ABS control through the
electrical circuit of the ABS system. Accordingly, if the ABS is inoperative, the VDC system also becomes un-
able to provide ABS control. As a result, the VDC sys-
tem becomes inoperative, causing the VDC warning
light to come on. Though both the VDC and ABS sys-
tems are inoperative in this case, the ordinary func-
tions of the brake system are still available. You will be
safe while 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 described be-
low, the VDC system may be considered normal.y The warning light comes on right after the en-
gine is started but goes out immediately, remain-
ing off.y The warning light remains on after the engine
has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle
speed reaches 8 mph about (12 km/h).y The warning light comes on during driving, but
it goes out immediately and remains off. „ Brake system warning light
yDriving with the brake system warning light
on is dangerous. This indicates your brake sys-
tem may not be working properly. If the light re-
mains on, have the brakes inspected by a
SUBARU dealer immediately. y If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are
operating properly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
(U.S.) (Canada)

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

7-32
Starting and operating
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
Always use the utmost care in driving – over-
confidence because you are driving with an
ABS equipped vehicle could easily lead to a se-
rious accident.
y
The ABS system does not always decrease
stopping distance. You should always maintain
a safe following distance from other vehicles. y When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel
roads, icy road, or over deep newly fallen snow,
stopping distances may be longer for a vehicle
with the ABS system than one without. When
driving under these conditions, therefore, re-
duce your speed and leave ample distance from
other vehicles. y When you feel the ABS system operating,
you should maintain constant brake pedal pres-
sure. Do not pump the brake pedal since doing
so may defeat the operation of the ABS system. The ABS system prevents the lock-up of wheels which
may occur during sudden braking or braking on slip-
pery road surfaces. This helps prevent the loss of
steering control and directional stability caused by
wheel lock-up.
When the ABS system is operating, you may hear a
chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake
pedal. This is normal when the ABS operates.
The ABS system will not operate when the vehicle
speed is below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). „
ABS system self-check
You may feel a slight shock in the brake pedal and hear the operating sound of ABS from the engine com-
partment just after the vehicle is started. This is
caused by an automatic functional test of the ABS sys-
tem being carried out and does not indicate any abnor-
mal condition.

7-33
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
„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.
If the warning light behaves as follows, the ABS
system may not be working properly.
When the warning light is on, the ABS function
shuts down; however, the conventional brake
system continues to operate normally. y
The warning light does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position.y 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). y 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 described be-
low, the ABS system may be considered normal. y The warning light comes on right after the en-
gine is started but goes out immediately, remain-
ing off. y The warning light remains on after the engine
has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle
speed reaches about 8 mph (12 km/h). y The warning light comes on during driving, but
it goes out immediately and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when the engine is jump started, the ABS warning
light may come on. This is due to the low battery volt-UB4010LA

7-38
Starting and operating
speed of approximately 8 mph (12 km/h). y
The VDC warning light turns on while the vehicle is
being driven. y When a malfunction has occurred in the VDC elec-
trical system, only the VDC warning light will turn on.
In such an event, the ABS will still be operating nor-
mally. y The VDC warning light will also turn on when a prob-
lem occurs with the ABS or VDC electronic control
systems.
Because the VDC system controls each brake throughthe ABS, whenever the ABS stops operating due to a
malfunction in that electrical system, the VDC will also
become unable to control all four brakes. Thus VDC
system operation halts and the VDC warning light
turns on. Although both the VDC system and the ABS
will be inoperable in this situation, it will still be possi-
ble to stop the vehicle using normal braking. The VDC
system and the ABS do not adversely affect operation
of the vehicle in any way when they are inoperable;however should such a situation occur, drive with care
and have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an
inspection of those systems at the first available op-
portunity.
NOTE
When the VDC warning light turns on and off in the
following way, it indicates that the VDC system is operating normally.y
Although turning on after the engine has been
started, the warning light quickly turns off and
stays off. y The warning light turns on after the engine is
started and does not turn off until the vehicle
reaches a speed of 8 mph (12 km/h). y The warning light turns on when the vehicle is
being driven; it then turns off and stays off. „ VDC OFF switch
UB7022AA

8-12
Driving tips
T
Parking in cold weather
Snow can trap dangerous exhaust gases under
your vehicle. Keep snow clear of the exhaust
pipe and from around your vehicle if you park
the vehicle in snow with the engine running.
Do not use the parking brake when parking for long
periods in cold weather since it could freeze in that po-
sition. Instead, observe the following:
1. Place the shift lever in “1” or “R” for manual trans-
mission vehicles, and in “P” for automatic transmission
vehicles.
2. Use tire stops under the tires to prevent the vehicle
from moving.
When the vehicle is parked in snow or when it snows,
raise the wiper blades off the glass to prevent damage
to them.
When the vehicle has been left parked after use on
roads heavily covered with snow, or has been left
parked during a snowstorm, icing may develop on the
brake system, which could cause poor braking action.
Check for snow or ice buildup on the suspension, disc
brakes and brake hoses underneath the vehicle. If there is caked snow or ice, remove it, being careful
not to damage the disc brakes and brake hoses andABS harness. T
Refueling in cold weather
To help prevent moisture from forming in the fuel sys-
tem and the risk of its freezing, use of an antifreeze ad-
ditive in the fuel tank is recommended during cold
weather.
Use only additives that are specifically designed for
this purpose. When an antifreeze additive is used, its
effect lasts longer if the tank is refilled whenever the
fuel level reaches half empty.
If your SUBARU is not going to be used for an extend-
ed period, it is best to have the fuel tank filled to capac-
ity. „ Driving on snowy and icy roads
Do not use the cruise control on slippery roads
such as snowy or icy roads. This may cause
loss of vehicle control.
To prevent skidding and slipping, avoid sudden brak-