engine SUBARU TRIBECA 2008 Owner's Guide

&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.
& Headlight flasher
CAUTION
Do not hold the lever in the flashing
position for more than just a few
seconds.
To flash the headlights, pull the lever
toward 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 light 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
WARNING
The brightness of the illumination of
the high beam headlights is reduced
by the daytime running light system.
The light switch must always be
turned to the “
”position when it
is dark outside.
The high beam headlights will automati-
cally come on at reduced brightness when
the engine has started, under the following
conditions:
. The parking brake is fully released.
. The light switch is in the “OFF”or “
”
position.
NOTEWhen the light switch is in the “
”
position, the front side marker lights,
parking lights and license plate lights
are illuminated.
Instruments and controls
3-27
ProCarManuals.com

Ventilator........................................................... 4-2
Air flow............................................................ 4-2
Ventilator ......................................................... 4-4
Automatic climate control system .................. 4-5
Control panel................................................... 4-5
Rear air conditioner (if equipped) ...................... 4-8
Temperature sensors ........................................ 4-9
Operating tips for heater and air
conditioner ................................................... 4-10
Cleaning ventilator grille ................................. 4-10
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight ....................................................... 4-10 Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant
circuit ........................................................... 4-10
Checking air conditioning system before summer season ......................................................... 4-10
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperature weather conditions .............. 4-10
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded ........................................... 4-10
Refrigerant for your climate control system ......................................................... 4-10
Air filtration system ........................................ 4-11
Replacing the air filter ..................................... 4-11
Climate control
4
ProCarManuals.com

Automatic climate control
systemNOTE.Operate the automatic climate con-
trol system when the engine is running.
. The blower fan rotates at a low
speed when the engine coolant tem-
perature is low.
For efficient defogging or dehumidify-
ing in cold weather, press the “A/C ”
button.
. Even when cooling is not necessary,
setting the temperature much lower
than the current outlet air temperature
turns on the air conditioner compres-
sor automatically and the “A/C ”indi-
cator light on the control panel comes
on.
. Seven-seater models each have a
rear air conditioner. The fan speed of
the rear air conditioner can be ad-
justed, but other adjustments (outlet
air temperature, air distribution, etc.)
are not possible for the rear air condi-
tioner. For details, refer to “Rear air
conditioner ”in this section.
The automatic climate control system
automatically controls outlet air tempera-
ture, fan speed, air flow distribution air-
inlet control, and air conditioner compres- sor operation. It activates when the
“AUTO
”button is pressed, and is used to
maintain a constant, comfortable climate
within the passenger compartment.
The temperature can be set within a range
of 65 to 85 8F (18 to 32 8C).
& Control panel1) Temperature control dial (driver ’s side)
2) Defroster button
3) Fan speed control dial
4) Rear window defogger button (Refer to the“Rear window defogger button ”in
chapter 3.)
5) Temperature control dial (passenger ’s
side)
6) Air conditioner button
7) Air flow mode selection button
8) Air inlet selection button
9) OFF button 10) AUTO button
!
AUTO button
AUTO mode operation:When the “AUTO”button is pressed, the
indicator light on the button comes on. In
this state, fan speed, air flow distribution,
air-inlet control, and air conditioner com-
pressor operation are automatically con-
trolled.
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
will go out. You can then manually control
the system as desired using the button
you operated.
Climate control
4-5
– CONTINUED –
ProCarManuals.com

4-10
Climate control
Operating tips for heater and
air conditioner&Cleaning ventilator grilleAlways 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 impaired
by any accumulation of insects and leaves
on the condenser.&Efficient cooling after parking
in direct sunlightAfter parking in direct sunlight, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes to
allow 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 conditioner for maximum cooling
efficiency.
&
Lubrication oil circulation in
the refrigerant circuitOperate 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-
sonCheck the air conditioner unit for refriger-
ant leaks, hose conditions, and proper
operation each spring. Have your
SUBARU dealer perform this check.&Cooling and dehumidifying in
high humidity and low tem-
perature weather conditionsUnder 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
system.
&Air conditioner compressor
shut-off when engine is
heavily loadedTo improve acceleration and gas mileage,
the air conditioner compressor is designed
to temporarily shut off during air condi-
tioner operation whenever the accelerator
is fully depressed such as during rapid
acceleration or when driving on a steep
upgrade.&Refrigerant for your climate
control systemYour air conditioner uses ozone friendly
refrigerant HFC134a. Therefore, the meth-
od of adding, changing or checking the
refrigerant is different 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.
ProCarManuals.com

To use the vanity mirror, swing down the
sun visor and open the vanity mirror cover.
The light beside the vanity mirror comes
on when the mirror cover is opened.NOTEUse of the vanity mirror light for a long
period of time while the engine is not
running can cause battery discharge.
Storage compartment
CAUTION
.Always keep the storage com-
partment closed while driving to
reduce the risk of injury in the
event of sudden stops or an
accident.
. Do not store spray cans, contain-
ers with flammable or corrosive
liquids or any other dangerous
items in the storage compart-
ment.
& Glove box1) Lock
2) UnlockTo open the glove box, pull the handle. To
close it, push the lid firmly upward.
To lock the glove box, insert the key and
turn it clockwise.
Interior equipment
6-5
–CONTINUED –
ProCarManuals.com

6-10
Interior equipment
Electrical power (12V DC) from the battery
is available at any of the outlets when the
ignition switch is either in the“Acc”or “ON ”
position.
You can use an in-vehicle use electrical
appliance by connecting it to an outlet.
When both outlets are used at the same
time, the total power consumption of the
electric appliances must be 120W or less.
CAUTION
. Do not attempt to use a cigarette
lighter in the accessory power
outlet.
. Do not place any foreign objects,
especially metal ones such as
coins or aluminum foil, into the
accessory power outlet. That
could cause a short circuit. Al-
ways put the cap on the acces-
sory power outlet when it is not
in use.
. Use only electrical appliances
which are designed for 12V DC
and which consume less than
120W. Overloading the accessory
power outlet can cause a short
circuit. Do not use double adap-
ters or more than one electrical
appliance.
. If the plug on your electric appli- ance is either too loose or too
tight for the accessory power
outlet, this can result in a poor
contact or cause the plug to get
stuck. Only use plugs that fit
properly.
. Use of an electric appliance in the
accessory power outlet for a long
period of time while the engine is
not running can cause battery
discharge.
. Before driving your vehicle, make
sure that the plug and the cord
on your electrical appliance will
not interfere with your shifting
gears and operating the accel-
erator and brake pedals. If they
do, do not use the electrical
appliance while driving.
NOTEIt is possible, when using the outlet in
the center console (lower compart-
ment) with the lid closed, to pass the
electrical appliance ’s cord through a
gap between the center console (lower
ProCarManuals.com

Rear view camera (if
equipped)When the ignition switch is“ON”and the
selector lever is set to “R”, the rear view
camera automatically displays the rear
view image from the vehicle.
WARNING
. Since the rear view camera uses
a wide-angle lens, the image on
the monitor is different from the
actual view in terms of distance.
. Since the range of the image on
the monitor is limited, you should
always check the rear view with
your eyes and move backward at
a slow speed.
. Do not disassemble or modify the
camera, switch or wiring. If
smoke comes out or you smell
a strange odor, stop using the
rear view camera immediately.
Contact your Subaru dealer for
an inspection. Continued use
may result in accident, fire or
electric shock.
CAUTION
. If your vehicle is washed with a
high-pressure washer, do not
allow water to contact the camera
directly. Entry of water in the
camera lens may result in con-
densation, malfunction, fire or
electric shock.
. Since the camera is a precision
device, do not subject it to strong
impacts. Otherwise, malfunction,
fire or electric shock may occur.
. If mud or snow sticks to or is
frozen on the camera, you must
be very careful removing it.
Otherwise, damage done to the
camera may cause a fire or
electric shock. Pour lukewarm
water over the camera to remove
mud or ice.
. Do not put a flame close to the
camera or wiring. Otherwise, da-
mage or fire may occur.
. When replacing the fuse, be sure
to use a fuse with the specified
rating. Use of a fuse with a
different rating may result in a
malfunction.
. If the rear view camera is used for
a long time while the engine is not operated, the battery may
become completely discharged.
NOTE.
Do not wipe the camera with alcohol,
benzine or paint thinner. Otherwise,
discoloration may occur. To remove
contamination, wipe the camera with a
cloth moistened with a diluted neutral
detergent and then wipe it with a dry
cloth.
. When waxing the vehicle, be careful
not to apply the wax to the camera. If it
comes in contact with the camera,
moisten a clean cloth with a diluted
neutral detergent to remove the wax.
. The camera lens has hard coating to
help prevent scratches. However, when
washing the vehicle or cleaning the
camera lens, be careful not to scratch
the camera lens. Do not use a washing
brush directly on the camera lens. The
monitor screen may be adversely af-
fected.
. Strong light shined on the camera
lens may develop white light stripes
around the light source. This is not a
malfunction.
Interior equipment
6-21
– CONTINUED –
ProCarManuals.com

Fuel................................................................... 7-2
Fuel requirements ............................................ 7-2
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................ 7-3
State emission testing (U.S. only) ................... 7-5
Preparing to drive ............................................ 7-7
Starting the engine ........................................... 7-7
Stopping the engine ......................................... 7-8
Remote engine start system (dealer option) ............................................... 7-8
Starting your vehicle ........................................ 7-9
Remote start safety features ............................. 7-9
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start ............................................................... 7-9
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown ....................................................... 7-9
Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the vehicle ......................................................... 7-10
Service mode ................................................. 7-10
Remote transmitter programming and programmable feature option ........................ 7-10
System maintenance ....................................... 7-11
Automatic transmission ................................. 7-12
Selector lever................................................. 7-13
Selector lever reverse inhibiting function . ....... 7-14
Selection of manual mode .............................. 7-15
Maximum speeds ........................................... 7-16
Driving tips .................................................... 7-16
SPORT mode ................................................. 7-17 Shift lock release
............................................ 7-17
Power steering............................................... 7-18
Braking ........................................................... 7-18
Braking tips .................................................... 7-18
Brake system ................................................. 7-19
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators .......... 7-19
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)...................... 7-20
ABS system self-check................................... 7-20
ABS warning light ........................................... 7-21
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
system ......................................................... 7-22
Steps to take if EBD system fails .................... 7-22
Vehicle Dynamics Control system ................ 7-23
Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor....... 7-25
Traction Control system OFF switch ................ 7-26
Tire pressure monitoring system
(TPMS) ......................................................... 7-27
Parking your vehicle ..................................... 7-29
Parking brake................................................. 7-29
Parking tips .................................................... 7-29
Cruise control ................................................ 7-30
To set cruise control ....................................... 7-30
To temporarily cancel the cruise control .......... 7-31
To turn off the cruise control ........................... 7-31
To change the cruising speed .. ....................... 7-32
Cruise control indicator light ........................... 7-33
Cruise control set indicator light ..................... 7-33
Starting and operating
7
ProCarManuals.com

7-2
Starting and operating
Fuel
CAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel
additive may cause engine damage.&Fuel requirementsThe engine is designed to operate using
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
87 AKI or higher.
! Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane
numbers and is commonly referred 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
sometimes 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 knocks heavily or
persistently. !
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy.
! California fuel
If your vehicle was certified to California
Emission Standards as indicated on the
underhood tune-up label, it is designed to
optimize engine and emission control
system performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur Cali-
fornia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your
vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting
Federal specifications. Gasoline sold out-
side California is permitted to have higher
sulfur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle’ s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or
smell. SUBARU recommends that you try
a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning
your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service. The CHECK ENGINE warning
light/Malfunction indicator lamp may also
turn on. If this occurs, return to your
authorized SUBARU dealer for diagnosis.
If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs
may not be covered by your warranty.
!
MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and
the CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp may turn on. If this
happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is
determined that the condition is caused
by the type of fuel used, repairs may not
be covered by your warranty.
! Gasoline for cleaner air
CAUTION
Do not let fuel spill on the exterior
surfaces of the vehicle. Fuels con-
taining alcohol may cause paint
damage, which is not covered under
the SUBARU Limited Warranty.
Your use of gasoline with detergent
additives will help prevent deposits from
forming in your engine and fuel system.
This helps keep your engine in tune and
your emission control system working
properly, and is a way of doing your part
for cleaner air. If you continuously use a
ProCarManuals.com

7-4
Starting and operating
WARNING
Before opening the fuel filler cap,
first touch the vehicle body or a
metal portion of the fuel pump or
similar object to discharge any
static electricity that may be present
on your body. If your body is carry-
ing an electrostatic charge, there is
a possibility that an electric spark
could ignite the fuel, which could
burn you. To avoid acquiring a new
static electric charge, do not get
back into the vehicle while refueling
is in progress.1) Open
2) Close
3. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it
slowly counterclockwise.
WARNING
.Gasoline vapor is highly flam-
mable. Before refueling, always
first stop the engine and close all
vehicle doors and windows.
Make sure that there are no
lighted cigarettes, open flames
or electrical sparks in the adja-
cent area. Refueling must be
performed outside. Quickly wipe
up any spilled fuel.
. When opening the cap, grasp it
firmly and turn it slowly to the
left. Do not remove the cap
quickly. Fuel may be under pres-
sure and spray out of the fuel
filler neck, especially in hot
weather. If you hear a hissing
sound while you are removing
the cap, wait for the sound to
stop and then slowly open the
cap to prevent fuel from spraying
out and creating a fire hazard.
. When refueling, insert the fuel
nozzle securely into the fuel filler
pipe. If the nozzle is lifted or not
fully inserted, its automatic stop-
ping mechanism may not func- tion, causing fuel to overflow the
tank and creating a fire hazard.
. Stop refueling when the auto-
matic stop mechanism on the
fuel nozzle activates. If you con-
tinue to add fuel, temperature
changes or other conditions
may cause fuel to overflow from
the tank and create a fire hazard.
4. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler
pump automatically turns off. Do not add
any more fuel.
CAUTION
Make sure that the cap is tightened
until it clicks to prevent fuel spillage
in the event of an accident.
5. Put the cap back on, turn it clockwise
until you hear a clicking noise. Be certain
not to catch the tether under the cap while
tightening.
6. Close the fuel filler lid completely.
If you spill any fuel on the painted surface,
rinse it off immediately. Otherwise, the
painted surface could be damaged.
ProCarManuals.com