ECO mode SUBARU BAJA 2006 1.G Owner's Manual

7-2
Starting and operating
Starting and operatingFuel
Use of a fuel which is low in quality or use of an
inappropriate fuel ad
ditive may cause engine
damage.
„ Fuel requirements
T Non-turbo models
The 2.5-liter engine is designed to operate using un-
leaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or
higher. T Turbo models
The 2.5-liter turbo engine is designed to operate using
premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
91 AKI or higher. If premium unleaded gasoline is not
available, regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 AKI or higher may be temporarily used.
For optimum engine performance and driveability, it is
required that you use premium grade unleaded gaso-
line. T
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the av erage 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 kno cks 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 Gasoline for Califo rnia-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California’s low emission
vehicle (LEV) standards as indicated on the under-
hood tune-up label, it is designed to optimize engine
and emission control system performance with gaso-
line that meets the clean bu rning low-sulfur California
gasoline specifications. If you live in any other state
than California, your vehicle will operate on gasoline
meeting Federal specifications. Gasoline sold outside

7-9
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
Starting the engine
Do not operate the starter motor continuously
for more than ten seconds. If the engine fails to
start after operating the starter for five to ten
seconds, wait for ten seconds or more before
trying again.
„ Manual transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the shift
lever into neutral.
Hold the clutch pedal to the floor while starting the en-
gine. The starter motor will only operate when the
clutch pedal is pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicator lights.
Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights” section
(chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release
the key immediately after the engine has started. If the engine does not start, try the following.
1) Turn the ignition switch to the “OFF” position and
wait for at least 10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is firmly set, turn the ignition switch to
the “START” position while depressing the acceler-
ator pedal slightly (about a quarter of the full stroke).
Release the accelerator pedal as soon as the en-
gine starts.
2) If this fails to start th e engine, turn the ignition
switch back to the “OFF” position and wait for at
least 10 seconds. Then fully depress the accelerator
pedal and turn the ignition switch to the “START”
position. If the engine starts, quickly release the ac-
celerator pedal.
3) If this fails to start th e engine, turn the ignition
switch again to the “OFF” position. After waiting for
10 seconds or longer, turn the ignition switch to the
“START” position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal.
4) If the engine still refuses to start, contact your
nearest SUBARU deale r for assistance.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have
gone off after the engine has started. The fuel injection
system automatically lowers the idle speed as the en-
gine warms up.
NOTE (Turbo models)
The engine may be difficult to start when the bat-

7-11
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
While the engine is warming up, make sure that the
selector lever is at the “P” or “N” position and that the
parking brake is applied.
NOTE (Turbo models)
The engine may be difficult to start when the bat-
tery has been disconnected and reconnected (for
maintenance or other purposes). This difficulty is
caused by the electronically controlled throttle’s
self-diagnosis function. To overcome it, keep the
ignition switch in the “O N” position for approxi-
mately 10 seconds before starting the engine.
Stopping the engine
Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is mov-
ing. This will cause loss of power to the power
steering and the brake booster, making steer-
ing and braking more difficult. It could also re-
sult in accidental activation of the “LOCK” po-
sition on the ignition switch, causing the steer-
ing wheel to lock.
The ignition switch should be turned off only when the
vehicle is stopped and the engine is idling.

7-13
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
„Shifting speeds
T Recommended shifting speeds
The best compromise between fuel economy and ve-
hicle performance during normal driving is ensured by
shifting up at the speeds listed in the following table. T Maximum allowable speeds
When shifting down a gear, ensure that the ve-
hicle is not travelling at a speed exceeding the
Maximum Allowable Speed for the gear which
is about to be selected. Failure to observe this
precaution can lead to engine over-revving and
this in turn can result in engine damage.
In addition, sudden application of engine
brakes when the vehicle is travelling on a slip- pery surface can lead to wheel locking; as a
consequence, control of the vehicle may be lost
and the risk of an accident increased.
The following table shows the maximum speeds that
are possible with each different gear.
Never exceed the speed limit below for each gear po-
sition except for brief acceleration in an emergency.
The tachometer’s needle wi ll enter the red area if
these speeds are exceeded. Failure to observe this
precaution can lead to excessive engine wear and
poor fuel economy.
mph (km/h)
Never exceed posted speed limits.
Shift up mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (65)4th to 5th 45 (73)
Gear Non-turbo models Turbo models 1st 31 (50) 29 (47)
2nd 52 (84) 48 (78)
3rd 74 (119) 71 (114)

7-40
Starting and operating
depressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTE
If the difference between the actual vehicle speed
when the control lever is pushed downward and
the speed last time you set is less than 4 mph (6.8
km/h), the vehicle speed will be lowered by 1 mph
(1.6 km/h). This occurs because the cruise control
system unit regards this lever operation as that in-
tended to decrease the vehicle speed. T
To decrease the speed (by control lever)
Push the control lever downward in the “SET, COAST”
direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches the de-
sired speed. Then, release the control lever. The vehi-
cle speed at that moment will be memorized and treat-
ed as the new set speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle speed
and the set speed is less than 4 mph (6.8 km/h), the
set speed can be lowered 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time
by pressing the control lever downward in the “SET,
COAST” direction quickly. T To decrease the speed (by brake pedal)
1. Depress the brake pedal to release cruise control
temporarily.
2. When the speed decreases to the desired speed, press the control lever downward in the “SET,
COAST” direction once. Now the desired speed is set
and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without
depressing the accelerator pedal. „
Cruise control set indicator light
T Non-turbo models
The light comes on when vehicle speed has been set. T Turbo models
The Cruise set indicator light comes on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes out
after approximately three seconds.
The light comes on when vehicle speed has been set.
NOTE y If you move the cruise control lever while turn-
ing the ignition switch “ON”, the cruise control
function is deactivated and the cruise control set
indicator light flashes. To reactivate the cruise
control function, turn the ignition switch back to
the “ACC” or “LOCK” posi tion, and then turn it
again to the “ON” position.y If this indicator light and the “ ” indicator
light flash simultaneously during driving, have the
vehicle checked by your nearest SUBARU dealer.

11 - 1
11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ................................. 11-3
Maintenance precautions ............................ 11-3 Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................. 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is
running ............................................................ 11-5
Engine hood .................................................. 11-5
Engine compartment overview ................... 11-8 Non-turbo models ............................................. 11-8
Turbo models .................................................... 11-9
Engine oil ...................................................... 11-10 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-10
Changing the oil and oil filter .......................... 11-12
Recommended grade and viscosity ................ 11-15
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .............................. 11-16
Cooling system .... ....................................... .. 11-17
Hose and connections ...................................... 11-18
Engine coolant .................................................. 11-18
Air cleaner element ...................................... 11-23 Replacing the air cleaner element ................... 11-23
Spark plugs ................................................... 11-25 Recommended spark plugs ............................. 11-26
Drive belts ..................................................... 11-26
Manual transmission oil ............................... 11-27 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-27
Recommended grade and viscosity ................ 11-29
Automatic transmission fluid ...................... 11-29 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-29
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-31
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ...... 11-32
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-32
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-33
Rear differential gear oil . .............................. 11-33
Checking the gear oil level .............................. 11-33
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-35
Power steering fluid ...................................... 11-36 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-36
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-38
Brake fluid ..................................................... 11-38 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-38
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-39
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) ............................ 11-40 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-40
Recommended clutch fluid .............................. 11-41
Brake booster ................................................ 11-42
Brake pedal .................................................... 11-42 Checking the brake pedal free play ................ 11-42
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ... 11-43
Clutch pedal (Manual transmission vehicles) ..................................................... 11-43Checking the clutch function .......................... 11-43
Checking the clutch pedal free play ............... 11-44
Replacement of brake pad and lining ......... 11-44 Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings .... 11-45
Parking brake stroke ......... ........................... 11-46
Tires and wheels ............. .............................. 11-46

11-11
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Non-turbo models
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level Turbo models
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on
it. If it is below the lower level, add oil to bring the level
up to the upper level.
y Use only engine oil with the recommended
grade and viscosity. y Be careful not to spill engine oil when adding
it. If oil touches the exhaust pipe, it may cause
1 2
3
UGB081BB
1 2
3
UGB082BB

11 -2 3
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Air cleaner elementAir cleaner element
Do not operate the engine with the air cleaner
element removed. The air cleaner element not
only filters intake air but also stops flames if the
engine backfires. If the air cleaner element is
not installed when the engine backfires, you
could be burned.
The air cleaner element func tions as a filter screen.
When the element is perforated or removed, engine
wear will be excessive and engine life shortened.
The air cleaner element is a viscous type. It is unnec-
essary to clean or wash the element. „ Replacing the air cleaner element
„Replacing
„ Air cleaner element
TNon-turbo models
Replace the air cleaner element according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. Under extremely dusty conditions, re-
place it more frequently. It is recommended that you
always use genuine SUBARU parts.
0
1) Bolt
1. Remove the bolt securing the rear air cleaner ele- ment case.
2. Unsnap the three clamps holding the rear air clean-
er element case.
1
UBB063BB

11 - 2 6
Maintenance and service
The spark plugs should be replaced according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. „
Recommended spark plugs
„Recommended
„ Spark plugs
Non-turbo models:
RC10YC4 (Champion)
BKR6E-11 (NGK)
BKR5E-11 (NGK)
Turbo models:
ILFR6B (NGK)
Drive beltsDrive belts
The alternator, power steering pump, and air condi-
tioner compressor depend on drive belts. Satisfactory
performance requires that belt tension be correct.
1) Power steering pump pulley
2) Air conditioner compressor pulley
3) Crank pulley
2
3 A
B
1
HSB033BB

13-7
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
– CONTINUED –
The maximum cold inflation pressure to which a
tire may be inflated. yRecommended inflation pressure
The cold inflation pressure recommended by a
vehicle manufacturer. y Intended outboard sidewall
1)The sidewall that contai ns a whitewall, bears
white lettering or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that is higher or
deeper than the same molding on the other
sidewall of the tire, or
2)The outward facing sidewall of an asymmet-
rical tire that has a particular side that must al-
ways face outward when mounting on a vehi-
cle.
y Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those stan-
dard items which may be replaced) of floor mats,
leather seats, cross bars and cargo bed extender
to the extent that these items are available as
factory-installed equipment (whether installed or
not). y Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard
equipment including the ma ximum capacity of fu-el, oil, and coolant and air conditioning. y
Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory weight, vehi-
cle capacity weight and production options weight. y Normal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of occupants (2
occupants). y Occupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle, 2 in front. y Production options weight
The combined weight of those installed regular
production options weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg)
in excess of those standards items which they
replace, not previously considered in curb weight
or accessory weight. y Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage and occu-
pants that can be added to the vehicle. y Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined by
distributing to each axle its share of the maxi-
mum loaded vehicle weight and dividing by two.
y Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined by