climate control SUBARU OUTBACK 2006 User Guide

4-4 Climate control
T Temperature control dial
This dial regulates the temperature of air
flow from the air outlets over a range from
the blue side (cool) to red side (warm).
T Fan speed control dial The fan operates only when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position. The
fan speed control dial is used to select four
fan speeds.
T Air flow control dial
This dial has the following five positions:
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets and the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets, the foot outlets, and some
through the windshield defroster outlets. : Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets, the windshi eld defroster outlets,
and the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument
panel outlets and the windshield defroster
outlets.
NOTE In a vehicle equipped with an air condi-
tioner, when the dial is placed in the
“ ” position or “ ” position the
air conditioner compressor automati-
cally operates to quickly defog the
windshield. However the indicator on
the air conditioner button will not come
on. At the same time, the air inlet selec-
tion is automatically set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet selection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button.400346
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Climate control
4-5
– CONTINUED –T Air conditioner button
The air conditioner operates only when
the engine is running.
Push the air conditioner button while the
fan is in operation to turn on the air condi-
tioner. The indicator light will come on.
Push it again to turn off the air conditioner. T Air inlet selection button
ON position (Recirculation): Interior air is
recirculated inside the vehicle.
Push the air inlet button to the ON posi-
tion. The indicator light will come on.
Place this button in the ON position when
you wish to cool the cabin quickly (in a ve-
hicle with an air conditioner) or are driving
on a dusty road.
OFF position (Outside air): Outside air is
drawn into the passenger compartment.
Push the air inlet button again to the OFF
position. The indicator light will go off.
Place this button in the OFF position when
you reach a road that is not dusty and
when you wish to achieve a comfortable
temperature in the cabin. „ Heater operation T Defrosting or defogging the wind-
shield
To direct warm air to the windshield and
front door windows:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Turn the temperature control dial all the
way to the right.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the
highest speed.
NOTE y In a vehicle equipped with an air con-
ditioner, when the dial is placed in the
“ ” position or “ ” position the
air conditioner compressor automati-
cally operates to quickly defog the
windshield. However the indicator on
the air conditioner button will not come
on. At the same time, the air inlet selec-400349 400350
Continued operation in the ON posi-
tion may fog up the windows.
Switch to the OFF position as soon
as the outside dusty condition
clears.

4-6 Climate control
tion is automaticall y set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet sel ection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button.
y Warm air also comes out from the
right and left air outlets. To stop warm
air flow from these outlets, turn the
corresponding wheel to the “ ” po-
sition.
T Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the
windshield:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“OFF” position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ”position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
NOTE y In a vehicle equipped with an air con-
ditioner, when the dial is placed in the
“ ” position or “ ” position the
air conditioner comp ressor automati-
cally operates to quickly defog the
windshield. However the indicator on the air conditioner button will not come
on. At the same time, the air inlet selec-
tion is automatically set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet selection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button.
y Warm air also comes out from the
right and left air outlets. To stop warm
air flow from these outlets, turn the
corresponding wheel to the “ ” po-
sition.
T Heating
To direct warm ai r toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
NOTE Warm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outl ets, turn the corre-
sponding wheel to the “ ” position. T Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of dif-
ferent temperatures from the instrument
panel and foot outlets. The air from the
foot outlets is slightly warmer than from
the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully
turned to the red area or blue area de-
creases the temperature difference be-
tween the air from the instrument panel
outlets and the air from the foot outlets.
T Ventilation
To force outside air through the instru-
ment panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the
way left.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.

Climate control
4-7
– CONTINUED –When driving on a dusty road, set the air
inlet control button to the ON position.
„ Air conditioner operationT Cooling or dehumidifying
For cooling and dehumidification of the
passenger compartment, air flows through
the instrument panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the air conditioner button to the
“ON” position.
4. Set the temperature control dial to the
blue side.
5. Set the fan speed control dial at the de-
sired speed.
T Defrosting or defogging
To direct warm air to the windshield and
front door windows:
1. Set the air outlet control dial to the “ ” position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
red side.
3. Set the fan speed control dial at the
highest speed.
NOTE In a vehicle equipped with an air condi-
tioner, when the dial is placed in the
“ ” position or “ ” position the
air conditioner compressor automati-
cally operates to quickly defog the
windshield. However the indicator on
the air conditioner button will not come
on. At the same time, the air inlet selec-
tion is automatically set to “outside
air” mode.
In this state, you cannot select “recir-
culation” mode by manually pressing
the air inlet selection button.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button. Automatic climate control
system (if equipped) NOTE y Operate the automatic climate con-
trol system when the engine is run-
ning.
y The blower fan rotates at a low speed
when the engine coolant temperature
is low.
For efficient defogging or dehumidify-
ing in cold weather, press the “A/C”
button.
y Even when cooling is not necessary,
setting the temperature much lower
than the current outlet air temperature
turns on the air c onditioner compres-
sor automatically and the “A/C” indica-
tor light on the control panel comes on.
The automatic climate control system au-
tomatically controls outlet air temperature,
fan speed, air flow distribution air-inlet
control, and air conditioner compressor
operation. It activates when the “AUTO”
button is pressed, and is used to maintain
a constant, comfortabl e climate within the
passenger compartment.
The temperature can be set within a range
of 65 to 85 ° F (18 to 32 ° C).Continued operation in the ON posi-
tion may fog up the windows.
Switch to the OFF position as soon
as the outside dusty condition
clears.

4-8 Climate control
„ Control panel
1) AUTO button
2) Temperature control dial (driver’s side)
3) Defroster button
4) Temperature control dial (passenger’s
side)
5) Rear window defogger button (Refer to
the “Rear window defogger button” sec-
tion in chapter 3.)
6) Air conditioner button
7) Air flow mode selection button
8) Fan speed control button
9) Air inlet selection button
10) OFF button T AUTO button
AUTO mode operation:
When the “AUTO” button is pressed, the
indicator light “AUTO” on the display
comes on. In this state, fan speed, air flow
distribution, air-inlet control, and air condi-
tioner compressor o peration are automat-
ically controlled.
Manual mode operation:
If you operate any of the buttons on the
control panel other than the “OFF” button
and temperature control dial during auto-
matic mode operation, the indicator light
“AUTO” on the control panel will go out.
You can then manually control the system
as desired using t he button you operated.
To change the system back to the AUTO
mode, press the “AUTO” button. T OFF button
The Automatic Clim ate Control system
turns off (the air conditioner compressor
and fan turn off) when the “OFF” button is
pressed.
When the “OFF” button is pressed, the
outside air introduction mode (air inlet se-
lection OFF) is automatically selected.12
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Climate control
4-9
– CONTINUED –T Temperature control dial
Driver’s side
Passenger’s side
It is possible to make separate tempera- ture settings for the driver’s side and pas-
senger’s side. Each temperature setting is
shown on the display. With the dial set at
your desired temperature, the system au-
tomatically adjusts the temperature of air
supplied from the outlets such that the de-
sired temperature is achieved and main-
tained.
If the dial is turned fully counterclockwise,
the system gives maximum cooling perfor-
mance. If the dial is turned fully clockwise,
the system gives ma ximum heating per-
formance.
T – Defroster button
To defrost or dehumidify the windshield
and front door windows, push the defrost-
er button “ ”. When the “ ” button
is pushed, regardless whether the air con- ditioner is operating or not, outside air is
drawn into the passenger compartment,
the air conditioner compressor turns on,
air flow is directed towards the windshield
and front door windows, and the indicator
light on the button comes on.
After eliminating the fogging from the
windshield, return t he climate control sys-
tem to the AUTO mode by pushing the
“AUTO” button or turn off by pushing the
“OFF” button.
Alternatively, push the “ ” button
again to return the system to the setting
that was selected before you activated the
defroster.
T Fan speed control button
The fan speed control button has 6 differ-
ent fan speed positions.400583
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4-10 Climate control
The fan speed is shown by the display.
T A/C – Air conditioner button
If the windshield starts to fog when the cli-
mate control system is operated in the
AUTO mode, push the air conditioner but-
ton “A/C” to defog and dehumidify.
When this button is pushed, the air condi-
tioner compressor turns on and the indica-
tor light “A/C” on the display comes on. Af-
ter eliminating the fogging from the wind-
shield, set the syst em back to the AUTO
mode by pushing the “AUTO” button.
NOTE The air conditioner compressor does
not operate when the outside air tem-
perature is below 32 ° F (0 ° C). T Air flow mode selection button
Select the desired air flow mode by push-
ing the air flow mode selection button. The
selected air flow mode is shown by the
display.
(Ventilation): Air flows through the in-
strument panel outlets.
(Bi-level): Air flows through the instru-
ment panel outlets a nd the foot outlets.
(Heat): Air flows through the instru-
ment panel outlets, the foot outlets, and
some through the windshield defroster
outlets.
(Heat-def): Air flows through the instru-
ment panel outlets, the windshield defrost- er outlets, and the foot outlets.
T Air inlet selection button
Select air flow by pushing the air inlet se-
lection button “ / ”.
The selected air inlet setting is shown on
the control panel.
(Recirculation): In terior air recircu-
lates inside the passenger compartment.
Use this position when quickly cooling
down the passenger compartment or to
prevent outside air from entering the pas-
senger compartment. When the recircula-
tion mode is selected, a “ ” indicator
light appears on the display.
(Outside air): Outside air is drawn
into the passenger compartment. When
the climate control sy stem is operated in
the “AUTO” mode, this position is selected400586 400587
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Climate control
4-11automatically. (There is one exception:
When the temperature control dial is
turned fully counterclockwise, the recircu-
lation mode is automatically selected.)
When the outside air mode is selected, a
“ ” indicator light appears on the
display.
NOTE When driving on a dusty road or be-
hind a vehicle that emits unpleasant
exhaust gases, set the air inlet selec-
tion button to the “ ” position.
From time to time, return the air inlet
selection button to the “ ” posi-
tion to draw outsid e air into the pas-
senger compartment. „ Temperature sensors
1) Solar sensor
2) Interior air temperature sensor
The automatic climate control system em-
ploys several sensors. These sensors are
delicate. If they are treated incorrectly and
become damaged, the system may not be
able to control the interior temperature
correctly. To avoid damaging the sensors,
observe the following precautions:
– Do not subject the sensors to impact.
– Keep water away from the sensors.
– Do not cover the sensors.
The sensors are located as follows:
– Solar sensor: beside windshield de-
froster grille
– Interior air temperature sensor: on the side of the driver-si de part of the center
panel
– Outside temperature sensor: behind
front grille.
Continued operation in the “ ”
position may fog up the windows.
Switch to the “ ” position as
soon as the outside dusty condition
clears. 1
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4-12 Climate control
Operating tips for heater and
air conditioner „ Cleaning ventilator grille
Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille
free of snow, leaves, or other obstructions
to ensure efficient heating and defrosting.
Since the condenser is located in front of
the radiator, this area should be kept
clean because cooling performance is im-
paired by any accumulation of insects and
leaves on the condenser.
„ Efficient cooling after parking
in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes to al- low outside air to circulate into the heated
interior. This results in quicker cooling by
the air conditioner. Keep the windows
closed during the operation of the air con-
ditioner for maximum cooling 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-season to circulate its oil.
„ Checking air conditioning
system before summer sea-
son Check the air conditioner unit for refriger-
ant leaks, hose conditions, and proper op-
eration each spring. Have your SUBARU
dealer perform this check.
„ Cooling and dehumidifying in
high humidity and low tem-
perature weather condition Under certain weather conditions (high
relative humidity, low temperatures, 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 sys-
tem.
„ Air conditioner compressor
shut-off when engine is
heavily loaded To improve acceleration and gas mileage,
the air conditioner compressor is de-
signed to temporarily shut off during air
conditioner operation whenever the accel-
erator is fully depressed such as during
rapid acceleration or when driving on a
steep upgrade.
„ Refrigerant for your climate
control system Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly
refrigerant HFC134a. Therefore, the
method of adding, changing or checking
the refrigerant is diffe rent 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.400590

Climate control
4-13
Air filtration system (if
equipped) If your vehicle’s air conditioning system is
equipped with an air filtration system, re-
place the filter element according to the
replacement schedule shown in the fol-
lowing. This schedule should be followed
to maintain the filter’s dust collection abili-
ty. Under extremely dusty conditions, the
filter should be replaced more frequently.
Have your filter checked or replaced by
your SUBARU dealer. For replacement,
we recommend the use of a genuine
SUBARU air filter kit. Replacement schedule:
Every 12 months or 9,300 miles (15,000
km) whichever comes first NOTE The filter can influence the air condi-
tioning, heating and defroster perfor-
mance if not properly maintained.
Contact your SUBARU dealer if the
following occurs, even if it is not yet
time to change the filter:
– Reduction of the air flow through
the vents.
– Windshield gets easily fogged or
misted.