lights SUBARU OUTBACK 2006 Owner's Manual

Instruments and controls
3-21
– CONTINUED –This light has the following three func-
tions:
T 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 park-
ing brake is fully released.
T 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 positioned in “ON”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn
brake pads. If this occurs, immediately
stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place
and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid
level is below the “MIN” mark in the reser-
voir, do not drive the vehicle. Have the ve-
hicle towed to the nearest SUBARU deal- er for repair.
T Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD) system warning
The brake system warnin g light also illu-
minates if a malfunction occurs in the EBD
system. In that event, it comes on together
with the ABS warning light.
The EBD system may be faulty if the brake
system warning light and ABS warning
light illuminate simultaneously during driv-
ing.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conven-
tional braking system will still function.
However, the rear wheels will be more
prone to locking when the brakes are ap-
plied harder than usual and the vehicle’s
motion may therefore become somewhat
harder to control.
If the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously,
take the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat
place.
2. Shut down the engine, then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. If both
warning lights go ou t, the EBD system
may be faulty.
Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU
dealer and have t he system inspected.
4. If both warning lights come on again
and stay illuminated after the engine has been restarted, shut down the engine
again, apply the parking brake, and check
the brake fluid level.
5. If the brake fluid level is not below the
“MIN” mark, the EBD system may be
faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest
SUBARU dealer and have the system in-
spected.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the
“MIN” mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. In-
stead, have the vehicle towed to the near-
est SUBARU dealer for repair.
„ Low fuel warning light The low fuel warning light comes on when
the tank is nearly em pty approximately 2.6
US gal (10.0 liters, or 2.2 Imp gal). It only
operates when the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
NOTE This light does not go out unless the
tank is replenished up to an internal
fuel quantity of approximately 3.7 US
gal (14 liters, 3.1 Imp gal).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.

3-24 Instruments and controls
chapter 2.)
If the indicator light does not flash, it may
indicate that immobilizer system may be
faulty. Contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer immediately.
In the event that an unauthorized key (for
example, an unauthorized duplicate) is
used, the security indicator light comes
on.
„ SPORT mode indicator
light (AT vehicles)This light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position and
goes out after the engine has started.
When the selector lever is moved to the
manual gate, the SPORT mode is select-
ed and the indicator light comes on. (Refer
to the “Automatic transmission – 4-speed”
or “Automatic transmission – 5-speed”
section in chapter 7.)
T Automatic transmission control
system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts,
it may indicate that the automatic trans-
mission control system is not working
properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU
dealer for service immediately. „ Selector lever position indi-
cator (AT vehicles)
This indicator shows the position of the
selector lever. „ Gear position indicator (AT
vehicles)
When the manual mode is selected, the
gear position indicator (which shows the
current gear selectio n) and the upshift/
downshift indicator light up. (Refer to the
“Automatic transmission – 4-speed” or
“Automatic transmission – 5-speed” sec-
tion in chapter 7.)
„ Turn signal indicator
lights These lights show the operation of the
turn signal or lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink
rapidly, the turn signal bulb may be
burned out. Replace the bulb as soon as 300192 300266

Instruments and controls
3-25
– CONTINUED –possible. Refer to the “Replacing bulbs”
section in chapter 11.
„ High beam indicator
lightThis light shows that the headlights are in
the high beam mode.
This indicator light also comes on when
the headlight flasher is operated.
„ Cruise control indica-
tor lightThe cruise control indicator light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON” position and goes out after approxi-
mately three seconds.
This light comes on when the “CRUISE”
main switch is pressed.
NOTE If you move the cruise control lever or
press the main switch button while
turning the ignition switch “ON”, the
cruise control function is deactivated
and the “CRUISE” indicator light flash-
es. To reactivate the cruise control
function, turn the ig nition switch back
to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position, and
then turn it again to the “ON” position. „ Cruise control set indica-
tor light The cruise control set indicator light
comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position and goes out
after approximately three seconds.
This light comes on when vehicle speed
has been set.
„ Headlight indicator light This indicator light comes on when the
light switch is turned to the “ ” posi-
tion (to turn on the parking lights) or to the
“ ” position (to turn on the headlights).
„ Front fog light indicator
light This indicator light is on while the front fog
lights are on. Clock NOTE If your vehicle is equipped with a navi-
gation system, refer to the separate
“Operating Instructions for Monitor
System”.
The clock shows the time while the igni-
tion switch is in the “ACC” or “ON” posi-
tion. 400257

Instruments and controls
3-31
– CONTINUED –Light control switch
The light switch operates only when the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position. „ Headlights
To turn on the headlights, turn the knob on
the end of the turn signal lever.
first position
Parking lights, instrument panel illumina-
tion, tail lights and license plate light are
on.
second position
Headlights, parking li ghts, instrument pan-
el illumination, tail lights, and license plate
light are on. „ High/low beam change (dim-
mer)
To change from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal lever forward. When
the headlights are on high beam, the high
beam indicator light “ ” on the instru-
ment panel is also on.
To switch back to low beam, pull the lever
back to the detent position.To prevent battery discharge result-
ing from accidentally leaving your
lights on when your vehicle is
parked, the light switch operates
only when the ignition switch is in
the “ON” position. In any other posi-
tion, the vehicle’s lights will be out.
If you park your vehicle on a road-
side at night, use the hazard warn-
ing flasher to alert the other drivers. 300506
300507

3-32 Instruments and controls
„ Headlight flasher
To flash the headlights, pull the lever to-
ward you and then release it. The high
beam will stay on for as long as you hold
the lever. The headlight flasher works
even though the lighting switch is in the
“OFF” position.
When the headlights are on high beam,
the high beam indicator light “ ” on
the instrument panel also comes on. „ Daytime running light system
The low beam headlights will automatical-
ly come on at reduced brightness when
the engine has started, under the follow-
ing conditions:
y The parking brake is fully released.
y The light switch is in the “OFF” or
“ ” position. Turn signal lever
To activate the right turn signal, push the
turn signal lever up. To activate the left
turn signal, push the turn signal lever
down. When the turn is finished, the lever
will return automatically. If the lever does
not return after corner ing, return the lever
to the neutral position by hand.
To signal a lane change, push the turn sig-
nal lever up or down slightly and hold it
during the lane change. The turn signal in-
dicator lights will flash in the direction of
the turn or lane change. The lever will re-
turn automatically to the neutral position
when you release it.Do not hold the le ver in the flashing
position for more than just a few
seconds. 300508
The tail lights, parking lights, and
side marker lights are not turned on
by the daytime running light system.
The light switch must always be
turned to the “ ” position when
it is dark outside. 300509

Instruments and controls
3-33
Illumination brightness con-
trol
The brightness of clock display, audio, air
conditioner, information display and in-
strument panel illumination dims when the
light switch is in the “ ” or “ ” po-
sitions. You can adjust brightness of the
instrument panel illumination for better
visibility.
In turbo models, you can also adjust the
brightness of the instrument panel illumi-
nation when the lighting switch is in the
OFF position.
To brighten, turn the control dial upward.
To darken, turn the control dial downward.
NOTE
When the control dial is turned fully up- ward, the illumination brightness be-
comes the maximum and the automatic
dimming function does not work at all.
Parking light switch
The parking light switch operates regard-
less of the ignition switch position.
By pushing the front end of this switch, fol-
lowing lights will come on.
– Parking lights
– Front and rear side marker lights
– Tail lights
– License plate lights
To turn off, push the rear end of the park-
ing light switch.
Avoid leaving these lights on for a long
time because that will run down the bat-
tery.300510 300178

3-34 Instruments and controls
Front fog light switch (if
equipped)
The front fog lights operate only when the
light switch is in the “ ” position.
However, the front fog lights turn off when
the headlights are switched to high beam.
To turn on the front fog lights, turn the front
fog light switch on the turn signal lever up-
ward to the “ ” position. To turn off the
front fog lights, turn the switch back down
to the “OFF” position. The indicator light located on the combi-
nation meter will illuminate when the front
fog lights are on. Wiper and washer300512 300282
In freezing weather, do not use the
windshield washer until the wind-
shield is sufficien tly warmed by the
defroster.
Otherwise the washer fluid can
freeze on the windshield, blocking
your view.
y Do not operate the washer contin-
uously for more than ten seconds,
or when the washer fluid tank is
empty. This may cause overheat-
ing of the washer motor. Check
the washer fluid level frequently,
such as at fuel stops.
y Do not operate the wipers when
the windshield or rear window is
dry. This may scratch the glass,
damage the wiper blades and
cause the wiper mo tor to burn out.
Before operating the wiper on a
dry windshield or rear window, al-
ways use the windshield washer.

3-38 Instruments and controls
Windshield wiper deicer (if
equipped)
The windshield wiper deicer operates only
when the ignition switch is in the “ON” po-
sition.
Before turning on the windshield wiper de-
icer, remove any snow from the wind-
shield. To turn on the windshield wiper de-
icer, push the button. The indicator light
located on the button lights up while the
windshield wiper deicer is operating.
The windshield wiper deicer will automati-
cally shut off after approximately 15 min-
utes. If the windshield wiper blades have
been deiced completely before that time,
push the button to turn it off. It also turns
off when the ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. If deicing is not
complete, you have to push the button to
turn the deicer on again.
Your SUBARU dealer can set your wind-
shield wiper deicer for continuous opera-
tion. Contact your SUBARU dealer for de-
tails.
Once the windshield wiper deicer has
been set for continuous operation, press-
ing the button results in continuous opera-
tion. The windshield wi per deicer automat-
ically stops operating if any one of the fol-
lowing conditions occurs during continu-
ous operation.
y The outside temperature becomes 41 ° F
(5 ° C) or higher.
y The vehicle speed remains at 9 mph (15
km/h) or lower for 15 minutes.
y The battery voltage decreases below
the permissible level. Rear window defogger but-
ton
Vehicle with manual climate control sys-
tem300515 300291

Instruments and controls
3-39
Vehicle with automatic climate control
system
The rear window defogger operates only
when the ignition switch is in the “ON” po-
sition.
The rear window defogger button is locat-
ed on the climate control panel.
To turn on the defogger, push the button.
To turn it off, pu sh the button again.
The indicator light located on the button
lights up while the rear window defogger is
operating.
The defogger will automatic ally shut off af-
ter approximately 15 minutes. If the win-
dow clears before that time, push the but-
ton to turn it off. It also turns off when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ACC” or “LOCK” position. If defrosting or defogging
is desired when you restart your vehicle,
you have to push the button to turn it on
again.
Your SUBARU dealer can set your rear
window defogger for continuous opera-
tion. Contact your SUBARU dealer for de-
tails.
Once the rear window defogger has been
set for continuous operation, the rear win-
dow defogger repeatedly operates for 15
minutes, stops for two minutes, and again
operates for 15 minutes. If the battery volt-
age drops below the permissible level,
continuous operation is canceled and op-
eration stops as described in the follow-
ing.
y If the battery voltage drops below the
permissible level within 15 minutes of de-
pression of the button, continuous opera-
tion is canceled and the rear window de-
fogger stops operating 15 minutes later.
y If the battery voltage drops below the
permissible level after the rear window de-
fogger has, following depression of the
button, operated for 15 minutes, stopped
operating for two minutes, and started op-
erating again, the rear window defogger
immediately stops operating. NOTE If your vehicle is equipped with the out-
side mirror defogger, the outside mir-
ror defogger operates while the rear
window defogger is operating.300598
y Do not use sharp instruments or
window cleaner containing abra-
sives to clean the inner surface of
the rear window. They may dam-
age the conductors printed on the
window.
y To prevent the ba ttery from being
discharged, do not operate the de-
fogger continuously for any long-
er than necessary.

3-40 Instruments and controls
Mirrors Always check that the inside and outside
mirrors are properly adjusted before you
start driving.
„ Inside mirror
The inside mirror has a day and night po-
sition. Pull the tab at the bottom of the mir-
ror toward you for t he night position. Push
it away for the day position. The night po-
sition reduces glare from headlights. „ Auto-dimming mirror/com-
pass (if equipped)
1) Left button
2) Auto dimming indicator
3) Photosensor
4) Right button
The auto-dimming mirror/compass has an
anti-glare feature which automatically re-
duces glare coming from headlights of ve-
hicles behind you. It also contains a built-
in compass.
y By pressing and releasing the left but-
ton, the automatic dimm ing function is tog-
gled on or off. When the automatic dim-
ming function is on, the auto dimming indi-
cator light (green) located to the right of
the button will illuminate.
y By pressing and releasing the right but- ton, the compass display is toggled on or
off. When the compass is on, an illuminat-
ed compass reading will appear in the
lower part of the mirror.
Even with the mirror in anti-glare mode,
the mirror surface turns bright if the trans-
mission is shifted into reverse. This is to
ensure good rearward visibility during re-
versing.
T Photosensors
The mirror has a photosensor attached on
both the front and back sides. If the glare
from the headlights of vehicles behind you
strikes the mirror, these sensors detect it
and make the reflection surface of the mir-
ror dimmer to help prevent you from being
blinded. For this reason, use care not to300293 1
23 4 300517
300518