tow bar SUBARU LEGACY 2005 4.G Owners Manual

1-65
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
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!Subaru advanced frontal airbag sys- tem
Your vehicle is equipped with a Subaru advanced
frontal airbag system that complies with the new ad-
vanced frontal airbag requirements in the amended
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No.
208.
The Subaru advanced frontal airbag system automat-
ically determines the deployment force of the driver’s
SRS frontal airbag at the time of deployment as well as
whether or not to activate the front passenger’s SRS
frontal airbag and, if activated, the deployment force of
the SRS frontal airbag at the time of deployment.
Your vehicle has warning labels on the driver’s and
front passenger’s sun visors beginning with the phrase
“EVEN WITH ADVANCED AIR BAGS” and a tag at-
tached to the glove box lid beginning with the phrase
“Even with Advanced Air Bags”. Make sure that you
carefully read the instructions on the warning labels
and tag.
Always wear your seatbelt. Subaru advanced frontal
airbag system is a supplemental restraint system and
must be used in combination with a seatbelt. All occu-
pants should wear a seatbelt or be seated in an appro-
priate child restraint system.
The driver’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed in the center
portion of the steering wheel. The front passenger’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed near the top of the dash-
board under an “SRS AIRBAG” mark.
In a moderate to severe frontal collision, the driver’s
and front passenger’s SRS frontal airbags deploy and
supplement the seatbelts by reducing the impact on
the driver’s and front passenger’s head and chest.
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING CHILD
SAFETY SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO
RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE
CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD’S HEAD TOO
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2-6
Keys and doors
NOTE
Even if the security indicator light flashes irregu-
larly or its fuse blows (the light does not flash if its
fuse is blown), the immobilizer system will func-
tion normally. !
Key replacement
Your key number plate and security ID plate will be re-
quired if you ever need a replacement key made. Any
new key must be registered for use with your vehicle’s
immobilizer system before it can be used. Up to four
keys can be registered for use with one vehicle.
For security, all the keys registered with your vehicle’s
immobilizer system will have their ID codes erased
and re-registered when a new key is made. Therefore,
all of your vehicle’s keys must be presented when a
new key is registered. Any key that is not re-registered
when a new key is made cannot be used after the oth-
er keys are re-registered. For information on replace-
ment keys and on the registration of keys with your im-
mobilizer system, contact your SUBARU dealer.Door locks ! Locking and unlocking from the out- side
To lock the door from the outside with the key, turn the
key toward the rear. To unlock the door, turn the key
toward the front.
Lift the outside door handle to open an unlocked door.
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Keys and doors
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Alarm system
The alarm system helps to protect your vehicle and
valuables from theft. The horn sounds and the turn
signal lights flash if someone attempts to break into your vehicle.
The system can be armed and disarmed with the re-
mote transmitter.
The system does not operate when the key is inserted
into the ignition switch.
Your vehicle’s alarm system has been set for activa-
tion at the time of shipment from the factory. You can
set the system for deactivation yourself or have it done
by your SUBARU dealer. !System alarm operation
The alarm system will give the following alarms when
triggered: " The vehicle’s horn will sound and the turn signal
lights will flash for 30 seconds. " If any door (or the rear gate/trunk lid) remains open
after the 30-second period, the horn will continue to
sound for a maximum of 3 minutes. If the door (or the
rear gate/trunk lid) is closed while the horn is sound-
ing, the horn will stop sounding with a delay of up to 30 seconds.
The alarm is triggered by: "
Opening a door, the rear gate or trunk lid
" Physical impact to the vehicle, such as forced entry
(only vehicles with shock sensors (dealer option)) ! Activating and deactivating the alarm
system
To change the setting of your vehicle’s alarm system
for activation or deactivation, do the following.
1. Disarm the alarm system (see “Disarming the sys-
tem” in this section).
2. Sit in the driver’s seat and shut all doors (and the
rear gate if your vehicle is a Station wagon).
3. Cycle the ignition switch from “LOCK” to “ON” three
times within 10 seconds, finally placing it in the “ON”
position.
4. Within 10 seconds after step 3, open the driver’s
door and then close it. The current setting will be dis-
played on the odometer/trip meter screen.
5. Within 10 seconds after step 4, operate the driver’s
door locking switch as follows:
To deactivate:
Move the door locking switch to the unlock position
(toward the rear) three times. The odometer/trip meter
screen will display “AL OF”.

2-24
Keys and doors
To activate:
Repeat moving the door locking switch to the lock po-
sition (toward the front) three times. The odometer/trip
meter screen will display “AL ON”.
When the setting has been successfully changed, a
buzzer will sound and the odometer/trip meter screen
will display the new setting.
NOTE
You may have the above setting change done by
your SUBARU dealer. !
If you have accidentally triggered the
alarm system
! To stop the alarm
Do any of the following operations: " Insert the key in the door lock of the driver’s door
and turn it to the unlock position. " Press any button on the remote transmitter.
" Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position (only
vehicle with immobilizer)." Cycle the ignition switch from the “LOCK” to “ON”
position three times within 5 seconds (only vehicle
without immobilizer). !
Arming the system
! To arm the system using remote transmitter
1. Close all windows and the moonroof (if so
equipped).
2. Remove the key from the ignition switch.
3. Open the doors and get out of the vehicle.
4. Make sure that the engine hood (and the trunk lid)
are locked.
5. Close all doors (and the rear gate on the Station
wagon).
: Press to Arm the system.
: Press to Disarm the system.
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3-26
Instruments and controls
NOTE
This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is
not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause of
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indica-
tor lamp coming on could be a loose or missing fuel fill-
er cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until it clicks.
Make sure nothing is interfering with the sealing of the
cap. Tightening the cap will not make the CHECK EN-
GINE warning light turn off immediately. It may take
several driving trips. If the light does not go out, take
your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU dealer im-
mediately. !
If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire
condition has been detected which may damage the
emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control
system, you should do the following:" Reduce vehicle speed.
" Avoid hard acceleration.
" Avoid steep uphill grades.
" Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
" Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and come on steadily after several driving trips. You
should have your vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately. !
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the charging system is not working
properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first safe
opportunity and check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good condition but the
light remains on, contact your nearest SUBARU deal-
er immediately. ! Oil pressure warning light
Do not operate the engine with the oil pressure
warning light on. This may cause serious en-
gine damage.
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the engine oil pressure is low and the

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Instruments and controls
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"The warning light does not come on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position. " 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). " The warning light comes on during driving.
If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at
the first available opportunity by your SUBARU
dealer.
The ABS warning light comes on together with the
brake system warning light if the EBD system be-
comes faulty. For further details of the EBD system
fault warning, refer to “Brake system warning light”.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as described be-
low, the ABS system may be considered normal." The warning light comes on right after the en-
gine is started but goes out immediately, remain-
ing off." 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)." The warning light comes on during driving, but
it goes out immediately and remains off. When driving with an insufficient battery voltage suchas 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. !
Brake system warning light
"Driving 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 SUB-
ARU dealer immediately." If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are
operating properly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the nearest SUBA-
RU dealer for repair.
This light has the following two functions: ! 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 parking brake is fully released.
(U.S.) (Canada)

3-30
Instruments and controls
!
Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has
dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid res-
ervoir 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 near-
est safe place and check the brake fluid level. If the flu-
id level is below the “MIN” mark in the reservoir, do not
drive the vehicle. Have the vehicle towed to the near-
est SUBARU dealer for repair. ! Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) sys-
tem warning
The brake system warning light also illuminates 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 simulta-
neously during driving.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conventional braking
system will still function. However, the rear wheels will
be more prone to locking when the brakes are applied
harder than usual and the vehicle’s motion may there- fore 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
out, the EBD system may be faulty.
Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and
have the system inspected.
4. If both warning lights come on again and stay illu-
minated 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 inspect-
ed.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the “MIN” mark, DO
NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed
to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair. !
Low fuel warning light
The low fuel warning light comes on when the tank is
nearly empty about 2.6 US gal (10.0 liters, or 2.2 Imp
gal). It only operates when the ignition switch is in the“ON” position.

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Starting and operating
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
out, the EBD system may be faulty.
Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and
have the system inspected.
4. If both warning lights come on again and stay illu-
minated 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 inspect-
ed.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the “MIN” mark, DO
NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed
to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
"
Driving 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 SUB-
ARU dealer immediately. " If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating properly, do not drive the vehicle.
Have your vehicle towed to the nearest SUBA-
RU dealer for repair.

8-1
8
Driving tips
New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) ................ 8-2
Fuel economy hints ...................................... 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .... 8-3
Catalytic converter ....................................... 8-4
Periodic inspections .................................... 8-6
Driving in foreign countries ......................... 8-7
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ..................... 8-7
Off road driving ............................................ 8-9
Winter driving ............................................... 8-12 Operation during cold weather ........................ 8-12
Driving on snowy and icy roads ...................... 8-13
Corrosion protection ........................................ 8-14
Snow tires .......................................................... 8-15
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-17
Rocking the vehicle .......................................... 8-17
Loading your vehicle ................................... 8-18 Vehicle capacity weight .................................... 8-19
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........ 8-20
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) ............... 8-21
Trailer hitch (if equipped) ............................ 8-27 Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-27
When you do not tow a trailer .......................... 8-30
Trailer towing ................................................ 8-31 Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-31
Maximum load limits ......................................... 8-31
Trailer hitches ................................................... 8-37
Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-38 Trailer towing tips ............................................. 8-40

8-9
Driving tips
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"There are some precautions that you must observe
when towing your vehicle. For detail information, see
“Towing” section in chapter 9.Off road driving
" Always maintain a safe driving speed accord-
ing to the road and weather conditions in order
to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn,
during sudden braking or under other similar
conditions." Always use the utmost care in driving – over-
confidence because you are driving an all
wheel drive vehicle could easily lead to a seri-
ous accident.
! All AWD models except OUTBACK
Your AWD vehicle is neither a conventional off-road
vehicle nor an all terrain vehicle. It is a passenger car
designed primarily for on-road use. The AWD feature
gives it some limited off-road capabilities in situations
in which driving surfaces a relatively level, obstruction-
free and otherwise similar to on-road driving condi-
tions. Operating it under other than those conditions
could subject the vehicle to excessive stress which
might result in damage not eligible for repair under
warranty. If you do take your SUBARU off road, you
should review the common sense precautions in the