manual transmission SUBARU OUTBACK 2003 3.G Owners Manual

3-4n
Automatic transmission vehicles
HB2032CA
HB4016BA
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only when the selector
lever is in the “P” position.
n Manual transmission vehicles
OM-H0144
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only when the key is
pushed in while turning it. ACC
In this position the electrical accessories (radio, accessory power socket, etc.) can be used. ON
This is the normal operating position after the engine is started.

7
Starting and operating Fuel7-2
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Fuel requirements 7-2
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Fuel filler lid and cap 7-4
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State emission testing (U.S. only) 7-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preparing to drive 7-9
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Starting the engine 7-10
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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 –4F ( –20 C) 7-11 . . .
Starting a flooded engine 7-11
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Stopping the engine 7-12
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Manual transmission 7-12
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Automatic transmission (Brighton, L, Outback) 7-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selector lever 7-16
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Shift lock release 7-20
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Automatic transmission (with SPORTSHIFT mode – 2.5GT, 2.5GTLO) 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selector lever 7-22
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Selection of SPORTSHIFT mode (manual mode) 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift lock release 7-29
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Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) 7-30 . . .
Power steering 7-31
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Braking 7-31
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Braking tips 7-31
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Brake system 7-32
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Disc brake pad wear warning indicators 7-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) 7-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) system (if equipped) 7-36 . . . . . .
VDC OFF switch 7-41
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Parking your vehicle 7-42
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Cruise control (if equipped) 7-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

7-10Starting the engine
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter motor continuously for more than ten
seconds. If the engine fails to start after operating the starter forfive to ten seconds, wait for ten seconds or more before tryingagain.
Starting the engine for a 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 engine. 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
light” 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 within ten seconds, wait a while and then turn the ignition switch to the “START” position again while depressing the ac-
celerator pedal half way down.
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 engine warms up.
Starting the engine for an automatic transmission ve- hicle
CAUTION
If you restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, shift the se- lector lever into the “N” position. Do not attempt to place the se-
lector lever of a moving vehicle into the “P” position.

7-12Stopping the engine
WARNING
Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is moving. This will
cause loss of power to the power steering and the brake booster,making steering and braking more difficult. It could also result in
accidental activation of the “LOCK” position on the ignition
switch, causing the steering wheel to lock.
The ignition switch should be turned off only when the engine is idling.
Manual transmission
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the clutch disengaged (i.e., when the clutch pedal is depressed) or with the shift lever in the neutralposition. Engine braking has no effect in either of these condi-tions and the risk of an accident is consequently increased.
CAUTION
Shift into reverse ONLY when the vehicle has completelystopped. It may cause damage to the transmission to try shiftinginto reverse when the vehicle is moving.
The manual transmission is a fully synchromeshed 5-forward and 1-re-
verse speed transmission.

7-18n
While climbing a grade
When driving up a hill, undesired upshift to 4th gear is prevented from
taking place when the accelerator is released. This minimizes the
chance of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerat-
ing again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting result-ing in a smoother operation of the vehicle. NOTE
The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on the way the accelerator pedal is pressed to accelerate the vehicleagain. n While going down a hill
When descending a steep hill, depressing the brake pedal will cause
the transmission to downshift to 3rd gear, thus applying engine brak-
ing. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to up-
shift normally. NOTE In some cases, depressing the brake pedal on a downhill grade
does not result in an automatic downshift to 3rd gear. This canhappen when the automatic transmission fluid temperature is
very low, for example, during driving shortly after the vehicle has
been parked for an extended period of time. When the ATF tem-perature has risen to a certain level, automatic downshift normal-ly takes place. In the meantime, downshift manually for enginebraking as required.Also, downshifting when braking downhill will not occur at
speeds above approximately 50 mph (80 km/h). 3 (Third)
This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for
climbing a grade.
The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to
3rd according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position, press the acceler- ator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission

7
Starting and operating7-23
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CONTINUED –
The selector lever has seven positions,
“P”, “R”, “N”, “D”, “3”, “2” and
“1” , and also has a manual gate for using “SPORTSHIFT” mode.
The release button must be pushed to select the “P”, “R”, or “2” posi-
tions.
P (Park)
This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine.
In this position, the transmission is mechanically locked to prevent the
vehicle from rolling freely.
When you park the vehicle, first set the parking brake fully, then shift
into the “P” position. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmis-
sion. A shift interlock function is employed in the automatic transmission
system to ensure safe starting of the vehicle.
To shift the selector lever from the “P” to any other position, you have
to depress the brake pedal fully then push the release button on the selector lever when the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. This
prevents the vehicle from lurching when it is started.
If the shift lever does not move from the “P” position with the brake
pedal depressed, the release button pushed in, and the ignition
switch in the ON position, refer to the “Shift lock release ” section in
chapter 3. R (Reverse)
This position is for backing the vehicle.
To shift from the “N” to “R” position, first stop the vehicle completely
then move the lever to the “R” position while pushing the release but-
ton. N (Neutral)
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the selector lever in the “N” (neutral)
position. Engine braking has no effect in this condition and the risk of an accident is consequently increased.

7-24This position is for restarting a stalled engine.
In this position the wheels and transmission are not locked. In this
position, the transmission is neutral; the vehicle will roll freely, even onthe slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is on.
Avoid coasting with the transmission neutral.
During coasting, there is no engine braking effect.
D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving.
The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to
4th according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position, press the acceler- ator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission
will automatically downshift to 3rd, 2nd or 1st gear. When you release
the pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position.
To use the SPORTSHIFT mode, move the lever from this position intothe manual gate. n While climbing a grade
When driving up a hill, undesired upshift to 4th gear is prevented from
taking place when the accelerator is released. This minimizes the
chance of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when accelerat-
ing again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting result-ing in a smoother operation of the vehicle. NOTE
The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st gear, depending on the way the accelerator pedal is pressed to accelerate the vehicleagain. n While going down a hill
When descending a steep hill, depressing the brake pedal will cause
the transmission to downshift to 3rd gear, thus applying engine brake-
ing. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to up-
shift normally. NOTE In some cases, depressing the brake pedal on a downhill grade

7
Starting and operating7-25
–
CONTINUED –
does not result in an automatic downshift to 3rd gear. This can happen when the automatic transmission fluid temperature is
very low, for example, during driving shortly after the vehicle has
been parked for an extended period of time. When the ATF tem-perature has risen to a certain level, automatic downshift normal-ly takes place. In the meantime, downshift manually for enginebraking as required.Also, downshifting when braking downhill will not occur at
speeds above approximately 50 mph (80 km/h).
3 (Third)
This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for
climbing a grade.
The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable gear from 1st to
3rd according to the vehicle speed and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position, press the acceler- ator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission
will automatically downshift to 2nd or 1st gear. When you release the
pedal, the transmission will return to the original gear position. 2 (Second)
To shift from the “3” to “2” position, push the release button.
This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for
climbing a steep grade.
In this position, the transmission holds in the 2nd gear.
Use this position when starting off from a standstill on slippery road
surfaces such as mud or snow. It will ensure greater traction. 1 (First)
This position is for driving up or down very steep grades, or driving
through mud or sand, or on slippery surfaces. In this position, the
transmission holds in the 1st gear.
Selection of SPORTSHIFT mode (manual mode)
1. Select the SPORTSHIFT mode by moving the selector lever into the
manual gate from the “D” position with the vehicle stationary or moving.

7
Starting and operating7-27
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CONTINUED –
Upshifting Shift to the next-higher gear (in the 1st-to-4th-gear range) by pushing the
selector lever toward the
“+” end of the manual gate.
DownshiftingShift to the next-lower gear (in the 1st-to-4th-gear range) by pushing the
selector lever toward the “–” end of the manual gate.
4. To deselect the SPORTSHIFT mode, return the selector lever to the“D” position from the manual gate.
NOTE
Please read the following points carefully and bear them in mind when using the SPORTSHIFT mode. When the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid is
lower or higher than normal, warning beeps are emitted and the shiftposition indicator shows “–”. If these warnings are issued, deselect
the SPORTSHIFT mode to protect the automatic transmission fromdamage. Automatic gearshifts do not take place in the Sports Shift mode.
Perform gearshifts in accordance with road conditions so that thetachometer needle does not enter the red zone. If the engine speed
reaches a predetermined level, a fuel-cut function will operate. Shiftup if this happens. If you attempt to shift down when the engine speed is too high,
i.e., when a downshift would push the tachometer needle beyondthe red zone, beeps will be emitted to warn you that the downshift isnot possible. If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed is too low, the
transmission will not respond. You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from 4th to 2nd or from
2nd to 4th) by operating the selector lever twice in rapid succession. The transmission automatically selects 1st gear when the vehicle
stops moving. It will not permit a standing start in 2nd gear.

7
Starting and operating7-43
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CONTINUED –
To set the parking brake, press the brake pedal firmly and hold it down
while fully pulling up the parking brake lever.
HB4001BA
To release the parking brake, pull the lever up slightly, press the release
button, then lower the lever while keeping the button pressed.
When the parking brake is set while the engine is running, the parking
brake warning light comes on. After starting the vehicle, be sure that the
warning light has gone out before the vehicle is driven. Refer to the“
Warning and indicator lights ” section (chapter 3).
When parking your vehicle, always set the parking brake firmly and putthe shift lever in the “1” (1st) for an upgrade or “R” (Reverse) for a down-
grade for manual transmission vehicles, or in the “P” (Park) position for
automatic transmission vehicles. Always set the parking brake firmly
when parking your vehicle. Never rely on the transmission alone to holdthe vehicle.