2008 Subaru Impreza Owners Manual

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transmission to 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as necessary; this helps to maintain a safe speed and to extend brake pad life. In this way, the engine provides a braking effect. Remember, if you “ride” (over use) the brakes while descending a hill, they may overheat and not work properly. The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the vehicle rapidly accelerates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This – CONTINUED – 7-16 Starting and operating phenomenon is not an indication of a problem in your vehicle. Automatic transmission The automatic transmission is electroni- cally controlled and provides 4 forward speeds and 1 reverse speed. Also, it has a manual mode and a SPORT mode. WARNING Do not shift from the “P” or “N” position into the “D” or “R” position while depressing the accelerator pedal. This may cause the vehicle to jump forward or backward. CAUTION . Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after the vehicle is comple- tely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause damage to the transmission. . Do not race the engine for more than 5 seconds in any position except the “N” or “P” position when the brake is set or when chocks are used in the wheels. This may cause the automatic transmission fluid to overheat. . Avoid shifting from one of the forward driving positions into the “R” position or vice versa until the vehicle has completely stopped. Such shifting may cause damage to the transmis- sion. . When parking the vehicle, first securely apply the parking brake and then place the selector lever in the “P” position. Avoid parking for a long time with the selector lever in any other position as doing so could result in a dead battery. NOTE . When the engine coolant tempera- low, your vehicle’s auto- ture is still matic transmission will up-shift at high- er engine speeds than when the cool- ant temperature is sufficiently high in order to shorten the warm-up time and improve driveability. The gearshift tim- ing will automatically shift to the nor- mal timing after the engine has warmed up. . Immediately after ATF (automatic transmission fluid) is replaced, you may feel that the automatic transmis- sion operation is somewhat unusual. This results from invalidation of data which the on-board computer has collected and stored in memory to allow the transmission to shift at the most appropriate times for the current condition of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be restored as the vehicle continues to be driven for a while. NOTE (non-turbo models only) To protect the engine while the “P” or “N” position is selected, the engine is controlled so that the engine speed does not become too high even if the accelerator pedal is fully depressed. & Selector lever : Shift possible with brake pedal de- pressed : Shift possible with brake pedal not depressed The selector lever has four positions, “P”, “R”, “N”, “D” and also has manual gate for using “SPORT” mode or manual mode. ! P (Park) This position is for parking the vehicle and starting the engine. In this position, the transmission is me- chanically 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 transmission. To shift the selector lever from the “P” to any other position, you should depress the brake pedal fully then move the selector lever. This prevents the vehicle from lurching when it is started. ! R (Reverse) This position is for backing the vehicle. To shift from the “N” to “R” position, stop the vehicle completely then move the lever to the “R” position. When the ignition switch has been turned to the “LOCK” position, movement of the selector lever from the “N” position to the “R” position is possible for a limited time period by depressing the brake pedal, and then it becomes impossible. For details, Starting and operating 7-17 refer to “Selector lever reverse inhibiting function” in this section. ! N (Neutral) This position is for restarting a stalled engine. In this position the wheels and transmis- sion are not locked. In this position, the transmission is neutral; the vehicle will roll freely, even on the slightest incline unless the parking brake or foot brake is on. Avoid coasting with the transmission in neutral. During coasting, there is no engine brak- ing effect. NOTE the selector lever is in the “N” If position when you stop the engine for parking, you may not subsequently be able to move it to the “R” and “P” positions. turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position. You will then be able to move the selector lever to the “P” position. this happens, If 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 in- – CONTINUED – 7-18 Starting and operating creased. ! 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 accelerator 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 “SPORT” mode, move the lever from this position into the manual gate. To use the manual mode, move the lever from this position into the manual gate then move it toward the “+” and “−” ends. ! 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 accel- erating again. This prevents repeated upshifting and downshifting resulting 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 accel- erate the vehicle again. ! While going down a hill When you are descending a hill or any other slope while braking with the “SPORT” mode selected, the transmission may downshift to 3rd or 2nd gear depend- ing on how hard you depress the brake pedal, causing engine braking to work. Reacceleration for a short time will cause the transmission to upshift normally. NOTE . A 4th-to-3rd automatic downshift will not occur at speeds above 50 mph (80 km/h) and a 3rd-to-2nd auto- matic downshift will not occur at speeds above 24 mph (38 km/h). . Automatic downshifts to 3rd or 2nd may occur even when driving on a level road depending on conditions, such as how hard you depress the brake pedal. & Selector lever reverse inhi- biting function The function becomes operational when the vehicle reaches a speed of approxi- mately 6 mph (10 km/h). Once opera- tional, it prevents the selector lever from being moved from the “N” position to the “R” position. When the vehicle speed drops below 6 mph (10 km/h), the function is canceled. The selector lever can then be moved to the “R” and “P” positions. When the ignition switch has been turned to the “LOCK” position, movement of the selector lever from the “N” position to the “R” position is possible for a limited time period by depressing the brake pedal and then becomes impossible. Also, the se- lector lever cannot be moved to the “R” position after it has been placed in the “P” position and then placed again in the “N” position. When the movement of the selector lever from the “N” position to the “R” position has become impossible, turn the ignition switch back to the “ON” position then move the selector lever to the “P” position. Pressing the selector lever release button also makes it possible to move the selector lever to the “P” position at this time. This function prevents accidental move- to the “R” ment of position while the vehicle is moving. the selector lever ! Selector lever release button & Selection of manual mode Starting and operating 7-19 If you inadvertently have turned the igni- tion switch to the “LOCK” position with the selector lever in the “N” position, proceed as follows. To remove the shift lock to the “Shift release cover, lock release” section in this chapter. Then, with a screwdriver inserted into the hole, move the selector lever to the “P” position. If the selector lever reverse inhibiting function fails, have the vehicle inspected by the nearest SUBARU dealer. refer With the vehicle either moving or station- ary, move the selector lever from the “D” position to the manual gate then move it to the “+” end or “−” end of the manual gate to select manual mode. 1) Upshift indicator 2) Downshift indicator 3) Gear position indicator indicator When the manual mode is selected, the gear position indicator and upshift indica- tor and/or downshift in the combination meter illuminate. The gear position indicator shows the currently selected gear in the 1st-to-4th-gear range. The upshift and downshift indicators show when a gear shift is possible. When the ” is illuminated, up- upshift shifting is possible. When the downshift ” is illuminated, downshifting indicator “ is possible. When both indicators are illuminated, upshifting and downshifting are both possible. When the vehicle stops (for example, at traffic signals), the down- shift indicator turns off. indicator “ – CONTINUED – 7-20 Starting and operating Gear shifts can be performed by using the selector lever. Using the selector lever Shift to the next-higher gear by briefly pushing the selector lever toward the “+” end of the manual gate. Shift to the next-lower gear by briefly pulling the selector lever toward the “−” end of the manual gate. NOTE Please read the following points care- fully and bear them in mind when using the manual mode. . If you attempt to shift down when the engine speed is too high, i.e., when a downshift would push the tachometer needle beyond the red zone, beeps will be emitted to warn you that the down- shift is not possible. . If you attempt to shift up when the vehicle speed is too low, the transmis- sion will not respond. . You can perform a skip-shift (for example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating the selector lever twice in rapid suc- cession. . The transmission automatically se- lects 1st gear when the vehicle stops moving. . If the temperature of the automatic transmission fluid becomes too high, the “AT OIL TEMP” warning light will come on and upshifts to 4th gear will not be possible. Immediately stop the vehicle in a safe place and let the engine idle until the warning light goes off. In addition, sudden application of engine braking caused by down shifting when the vehicle is travel- ling on a slippery surface can lead to wheel locking; as a consequence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of an accident in- creased. The following tables show the maximum speeds that are possible with each differ- ent gear. it is important When down shifting, to confirm that the current vehicle speed is not in excess of the Maximum Allowable Speed of the gear which is about to be selected. Non–turbo models mph (km/h) & Maximum speeds Gear position Manual mode “D” position 30 (48) 63 (101) 99 (160) WARNING When down shifting, ensure that the vehicle 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. Turbo models mph (km/h) Gear position Manual mode 36 (58) 65 (105) 105 (169) “D” position 26 (42) 65 (104) 104 (168) NOTE In order to prevent over-revving during deceleration of the vehicle, the trans- mission will remain in the current gear if the speed of the vehicle is in excess of the Maximum Allowable Speed for the gear to which the selector lever has been moved. & Driving tips . On a road surface where there is a risk of wheelspin (for example, a snow- or gravel-covered road), you can pull away from a standstill (safely and easily) by first selecting the 2nd gear of the manual mode. . Always apply the foot or parking brake when the vehicle is stopped in the “D” or “R” position. . Always set the parking brake when parking your vehicle. Do not hold the vehicle with only the transmission. . Do not keep the vehicle in a stationary Starting and operating 7-21 position on an uphill grade by using the “D” position. Use the brake instead. . The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the vehicle rapidly acceler- ates or rapidly pulls away from a standstill. This phenomenon does not indicate a problem. & SPORT mode Turbo models SPORT mode is used when power is needed for rapid acceleration or for uphill driving. To select this mode, move the selector lever from the “D” position to the manual gate. Non-turbo models When selected, the SPORT mode indica- tor light on the instrument panel will turn on. To deselect SPORT mode, move the – CONTINUED – 6. Remove the screwdriver from the hole. Depress the brake pedal and start the engine. Take your vehicle to the nearest SUBARU dealer immediately to have the system repaired. 7-22 Starting and operating selector lever to the “D” position or select manual mode. To subsequently reselect SPORT mode, move the selector lever to the “D” position and from there to the manual gate. In this mode, the transmission shifts up at higher vehicle speeds and shifts down more responsively than in normal mode. & Shift lock release If the selector lever does not move from the “P” position with the brake pedal depressed and the ignition switch in the “ON” position, perform the following steps: To override the shift lock: 1. Set engine. 2. Take out the screwdriver from the tool bag. the parking brake and stop the 3. Remove the cover by prying on the edge with a flat-head screwdriver. Insert the screwdriver into the hole. 4. 5. Push down on the screwdriver and move the selector lever from the “P” to the “N” position. Power steering it will The power steering system operates only when the engine is running. If you lose power steering assist because the engine stops or the system fails to function, you can steer but take much more effort. NOTE Right after the engine has been started and before it has warmed up, you may hear a noise coming from areas adja- cent to the power steering pump which is located at the right-front area of the engine compartment. This noise is normal. indicate power steering system trouble. It does not CAUTION Do not hold the steering wheel at the fully locked position left or right for more than 5 seconds. This may damage the power steering pump. Braking & Braking tips WARNING Never rest your foot on the brake pedal while driving. This can cause dangerous overheating of the brakes and needless wear on the brake pads and linings. ! When the brakes get wet When driving in rain or after washing the vehicle, the brakes may get wet. As a result, brake stopping distance will be longer. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a safe speed while lightly depressing the brake pedal to heat up the brakes. ! Use of engine braking Remember to make use of engine braking in addition to foot braking. When descend- ing a grade, if only the foot brake is used, the brakes may start working improperly because of brake fluid overheating, caused by overheated brake pads. To help prevent this, shift into a lower gear to get stronger engine braking. ! Braking when a tire is punctured Do not depress the brake pedal suddenly when a tire is punctured. This could cause Starting and operating 7-23 a loss of control of the vehicle. Keep driving straight ahead while gradually reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place. & Brake system ! Two separate circuits Your vehicle has two separate circuit brake systems. Each circuit works diag- onally across the vehicle. If one circuit of the brake system should fail, the other half of the system still works. If one circuit fails, the brake pedal will go down much closer to the floor than usual and you will need to press it down much harder. And a much longer distance will be needed to stop the vehicle. ! Brake booster The brake booster uses engine manifold vacuum to assist braking force. Do not turn off the engine while driving because that will turn off the brake booster, result- ing in poor braking power. The brakes will continue to work even when the brake booster completely stops functioning. If this happens, however, you will have to push the pedal much harder than normal and the braking distance will increase. – CONTINUED – 7-24 Starting and operating ! Brake assist system (if equipped) WARNING Do not be overconfident about the brake assist. It is not a system that brings more braking ability to the vehicle beyond its braking capabil- ity. Always use the utmost care when driving regarding vehicle speed and safe distance. cate any malfunctions, and the brake assist system is operating properly. . You might feel that the brake pedal is applied by lighter force and gener- ates a greater braking force. . You might hear clicking (knocking) sounds around brake pedal. & Disc brake pad wear warning indicators CAUTION When you need to brake suddenly, continue depressing the brake pedal strongly to bring the effect of the brake assist. Brake assist is a driver assistance system. It assists the brake power when the driver cannot depress the brake pedal strongly and the brake power is insufficient. Brake assist generates the brake power according to the speed at which the driver depresses the brake pedal. NOTE When you depress the brake pedal strongly or suddenly, the following phenomena occur. However, even though these occur, they do not indi- The disc brake pad wear warning indica- tors on the disc brakes give a warning noise when the brake pads are worn. If a squeaking or scraping noise is heard from the disc brakes while braking, im- mediately have your vehicle checked by your SUBARU dealer. ABS (Anti-lock Brake Sys- tem) The ABS system prevents the lock-up of wheels which may occur during sudden braking or braking on slippery road sur- faces. This helps prevent the loss of steering control and directional stability caused by wheel lock-up. When the ABS system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal when the ABS operates. The ABS system will not operate when the vehicle speed is below approximately 6 mph (10 km/h). WARNING Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving with an ABS equipped vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident. CAUTION . The ABS system does not always decrease stopping distance. You should always maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles. . When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel roads, icy roads, or over deep newly fallen snow, stopping distances may be long- er for a vehicle with the ABS system than one without. When driving under these conditions, therefore, reduce your speed and leave ample distance from other vehicles. . When you feel the ABS system operating, you should maintain constant brake pedal pressure. Do not pump the brake pedal since doing so may defeat the operation of the ABS system. & ABS system self-check Just after the vehicle is started, you may feel on the brake pedal a vibration similar to when the ABS operates, and you may also hear the sound of the ABS working from the engine compartment. This is caused by an automatic functional test of the ABS system being carried out and does not indicate any abnormal condition. & ABS warning light Turbo models Non-turbo models The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” Starting and operating 7-25 position and goes out after approximately 2 seconds. This is an indication that the ABS system is working properly. When driving with an insufficient battery voltage such as when the engine is jump started, the ABS warning light may come on. This is due to the low battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction. When the battery becomes fully charged, the light will go out. CAUTION the warning light behaves as If described below, the ABS system may not be working properly. When the warning light is on, the ABS function shuts down; however, the conventional brake system con- tinues to operate normally. . 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 dur- – CONTINUED – 7-26 Starting and operating ing driving. If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at the first available oppor- tunity by your SUBARU dealer. NOTE If the warning light behavior is as described below, the ABS system may be considered normal. . The warning light comes on right after the engine is started but goes out immediately, remaining off. . The warning light remains on after the engine has been started, but it goes out when the vehicle speed reaches approximately 8 mph (12 km/h). . The warning light comes on during driving, but it goes out immediately and remains off. Electronic Brake Force Dis- tribution (EBD) system & Steps to take if EBD system fails The EBD system maximizes the effective- ness of the brakes by allowing the rear brakes to supply a greater proportion of the braking force. It functions by adjusting the distribution of braking force to the rear wheels in accordance with the vehicle’s loading condition and speed. The EBD system is an integral part of the ABS system and uses some of the ABS system’s components to perform its func- tion of optimizing the distribution of brak- ing force. If any of the ABS components used by the EBD function fail, the EBD system also stops working. When the EBD system is operating, you may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal and does not indicate a malfunction. Turbo models Non-turbo models If a malfunction occurs in the EBD system, If the brake fluid level is not below the 5. “MIN” mark, the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected. 6. is below the “MIN” mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair. the brake fluid level If WARNING . Driving with the brake system warning light on is dangerous. This indicates your brake system may not be working properly. If the light remains on, have the brakes inspected by a SUBARU dealer immediately. . If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating prop- erly, do not drive the vehicle. Have your vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for re- pair. the system stops working and the brake system warning light and ABS warning light come on simultaneously. The EBD system may be faulty if the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously during driving. 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 applied harder than usual and the vehi- cle’s motion may therefore become some- what 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, apply the parking brake and then restart it. If both 3. Release the parking brake. 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 illuminated after the engine has been restarted, shut down the engine again, apply the parking brake, and check the brake fluid level. Starting and operating 7-27 Vehicle Dynamics Control system (if equipped) WARNING Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence because you are driving with a Vehicle Dy- namics Control system equipped vehicle could easily lead to a ser- ious accident. CAUTION . Even if your vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control, winter tires or snow chains should be used when driving on snow-covered or icy roads; in addition, vehicle speed should be reduced considerably. Simply having a Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system does not guarantee that the vehicle will be able to avoid accidents in any situation. the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system is an indication that the road being travelled on has a slippery sur- face; since having Vehicle Dy- namics Control is no guarantee – CONTINUED – . Activation of 7-28 Starting and operating that full vehicle control will be maintained at all times and under all conditions, its activation should be seen as a sign that the speed of the vehicle should be reduced considerably. . Whenever suspension compo- nents, steering components, or an axle are removed from a vehicle equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control, have an authorized SUBARU dealer per- form an inspection of that sys- tem. . The following precautions should be observed in order to ensure that the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system is operating properly: – All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size, type, and brand. Further- more, the amount of wear should be the same for all four tires. – Keep the tire pressure at the proper level as shown on the vehicle placard attached to the driver’s side door pillar. – Use only the specified tem- porary spare tire to replace a flat tire. With a temporary spare tire, the effectiveness of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is reduced and this should be taken into account when driving the vehicle in such a condition. In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding on a slippery road surface and/or during cornering and/or an evasive maneuver, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system adjusts the engine’s output and the wheels’ respective braking forces to help maintain traction and directional control. . Traction Control Function The traction control function is designed to prevent spinning of the driving wheels on slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to maintain traction and directional control. this function is shown by Activation of steady illumination of the Vehicle Dy- namics Control operation indicator light. . Skid Suppression Function The skid suppression function is designed to help maintain directional stability by suppressing the wheels’ tendency to slide sideways during steering operations. Acti- vation of this function is shown by flashing of the Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light. NOTE . Slight twitching of the brake pedal may be felt when the Vehicle Dynamics Control system operates; a small de- gree of vehicle or steering wheel shak- ing may also be noticed in this situa- tion. These are normal characteristics of Vehicle Dynamics Control operation and are no cause for alarm. . When driving off immediately after starting the engine, a short-lived opera- tion noise may be noticed coming from the engine compartment. This noise is generated as a result of a check being performed on the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and is normal. . Depending on the timing of activa- tion of the brakes, the brake pedal may seem to jolt when you drive off after starting the engine. This is a conse- quence of the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol operational check and is normal. . In the circumstances listed in the the vehicle may be more following, unstable than it feels to the driver. The Vehicle Dynamics Control System may therefore operate. Such operation does not indicate a system fault. – on gravel-covered or roads – on unfinished roads – when the vehicle is fitted with rutted to operate correctly as intended. . Always turn off the engine before replacing a tire as failure to do so may render the Vehicle Dynamics Control system unable to operate correctly. & Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor ! Vehicle Dynamics Control opera- tion indicator light Turbo models snow tires or winter tires . Activation of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system will cause operation of the steering wheel to feel slightly different compared to that for normal conditions. . Even if the vehicle is equipped with a Vehicle Dynamics Control system, it is important that winter tires be used when driving on snow-covered or icy roads. (All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size and brand.) Furthermore, if snow chains are to be used, they should be fitted on the front wheels. When a vehicle is fitted with snow chains, however, the effective- ness of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is reduced and this should be taken into account when driving the vehicle in such a condition. . It to reduce is always important speed when approaching a corner, even if the vehicle is equipped with Vehicle Dynamics Control. . All four wheels should be fitted with tires of the same size, type, and brand; furthermore, the amount of wear should be the same for all four tires. If these precautions are not observed and non-matching tires are used, it is quite possible that the Vehicle Dy- namics Control system will be unable Starting and operating 7-29 Non-turbo models light The indicator turns on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position; it turns off approximately 2 seconds later. This indicator light flashes during activa- tion of the skid suppression function and is illuminated steadily during activation of the traction control function. The following two situations could indicate the Vehicle Dynamics a malfunction of Control system; if either should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of that system at the first available opportunity. . The indicator light does not turn on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. . The indicator light does not turn off approximately 2 seconds after the ignition – CONTINUED – 7-30 Starting and operating switch has been turned to the ON position. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light indicating that This single light has the function of indicating malfunctions in the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the function of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is not operating. It comes on in the event of a malfunction in the system and is illuminated whenever the system is not operating. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light The warning light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes off several seconds after engine startup. This lighting pattern indicates that the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system is operating normally. The following situations could indicate a malfunction of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system; if any should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of the system at the first available opportunity. . The warning light does not turn on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. . The warning light turns on while the vehicle is being driven. . When a malfunction has occurred in the Vehicle Dynamics Control electrical system, only the warning light will turn on. In such an event, the ABS will still be Turbo models Non-turbo models operating normally. . The warning light will also turn on when a problem occurs with the ABS or Vehicle Dynamics Control electronic control sys- tems. Because the Vehicle Dynamics Control system controls each brake through the ABS, whenever the ABS stops operating due to a malfunction in that electrical system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control will also become unable to control all four brakes. Thus Vehicle Dynamics Control system operation halts and the warning light turns on. Although both the Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the ABS will be inoperable in this situation, it will still be possible to stop the vehicle using normal braking. The Vehicle Dynamics Control system and the ABS do not adversely affect operation of the vehicle in any way when they are inoperable; however should such a situation occur, drive with care and have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of those systems at the first available oppor- tunity. NOTE When the warning light turns on and off in the following way, it indicates that the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is operating normally. . Although turning on after the engine has been started, the warning light quickly turns off and stays off. . The warning light turns on when the vehicle is being driven; it then turns off and stays off. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF in- dicator light This light comes on to indicate that the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is in non-operation mode. This does not con- stitute failure of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. NOTE . The indicator light may stay on for a while after the engine has been started, especially in cold weather. This occurs because the engine has not yet warmed up and is completely normal. The light will turn off when the engine has reached a suitable operating tem- perature. . When an engine problem occurs and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/ malfunction indicator lamp turns on, the indicator light will also come on. The following two situations could indicate malfunction of the Vehicle Dynamics Control system; if either should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of that system at the first available opportunity. . The indicator light does not turn on when the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. . The indicator light fails to turn off after the engine is started, even when several minutes have passed to allow the engine to heat up sufficiently. & Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch Pressing the switch to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system can facilitate the following operations: . a standing start on a steeply sloping road with a snowy, gravel-covered, or otherwise slippery surface Starting and operating 7-31 . extrication of wheels are stuck in mud or deep snow the vehicle when its the “ ” indicator light When the switch is pressed during engine operation, in the combination meter illuminates. The Vehi- cle Dynamics Control system will be deactivated and the vehicle will behave like a model not equipped with the Vehicle Dynamics Control system. When the switch is pressed again to reactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the “ ” indicator light goes off. With the Vehicle Dynamics Control system deactivated, traction and stability en- hancement offered by Vehicle Dynamics Control system is unavailable. Therefore you should not deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except under above-mentioned situations. NOTE . When the switch has been pressed to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system automatically reacti- vates itself the next time the ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK” position and the engine is restarted. . If the switch is held down for 10 seconds or longer, the indicator light goes off, the Vehicle Dynamics Control system is activated, and the system – CONTINUED – Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec. models) 7-32 Starting and operating ignores any further pressing of the switch. To make the switch usable again, turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK” position and restart the en- gine. . When the switch is pressed to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system, the vehicle’s running per- formance is comparable with that of a vehicle that does not have a Vehicle Dynamics Control system. Do not de- activate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system except when absolutely neces- sary. Turbo models Non-turbo models The tire pressure monitoring system pro- vides the driver with a warning message by sending a signal from a sensor that is installed in each wheel when tire pressure is severely low. The tire pressure monitoring system will activate only when the vehicle is driven at speeds above 20 mph (32 km/h). Also, this system may not react immediately to a sudden drop in tire pressure (for example, a blow-out caused by running over a sharp object). WARNING If the low tire pressure warning light comes on while driving, never brake suddenly and keep driving straight ahead while gradually reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to a safe place. Otherwise an acci- dent involving serious vehicle da- mage and serious personal injury could occur. Check the pressure for all four tires and adjust the pressure to the COLD tire pressure shown on the tire placard on the door pillar on the driver’s side. Even when the vehicle is driven a very short distance, the tires get warm and their pressures increase Starting and operating 7-33 cluding interference that may cause undesired operation. Changes or modifications not ex- pressly approved by the party respon- sible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equip- ment. accordingly. Be sure to let the tires cool thoroughly before adjusting their pressures to the standard values shown on the tire placard. Refer to the “Tires and wheels” section in chapter 11. The tire pres- sure monitoring system does not function when the vehicle is station- ary. After adjusting the tire pres- sures, increase the vehicle speed to at least 20 mph (32 km/h) to start the TPMS re-checking of the tire infla- tion pressures. If the tire pressures are now above the severe low pressure threshold, the low tire pressure warning light should go off a few minutes later. If this light still comes on while driving after adjusting the tire pres- sure, a tire may have significant damage and a fast leak that causes the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire as soon as possible. When a spare tire is mounted or a wheel rim is replaced without the original pressure sensor/transmitter being transferred, the low tire pres- sure warning light will illuminate steadily after blinking for approxi- mately one minute. This indicates the TPMS is unable to monitor all four road wheels. Contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible for tire and sensor replacement and/ or system resetting. Do not inject any tire liquid or aerosol tire sealant into the tires, as this may cause a malfunction of the tire pressure sensors. If the light illuminates steadily after blinking for approximately one minute, promptly contact a SUBARU dealer to have the system inspected. CAUTION Do not place metal film or any metal parts in the cargo room/truck. This may cause poor reception of the signals from the tire pressure sen- sors, and the tire pressure monitor- ing system will not function prop- erly. NOTE This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful inter- this device must ference, and (2) accept any interference received, in- CAUTION Never drive while the parking brake is set because this will cause un- necessary wear on the brake lin- ings. Before starting to drive, always make sure that the parking brake has been fully released. & Parking tips When parking your vehicle, always set the parking brake firmly and put the shift lever in the “1” (1st) for an upgrade or “R” (Reverse) for a downgrade for manual transmission vehicles, or in the “P” (Park) position for automatic transmission vehi- cles. Always set the parking brake firmly when parking your vehicle. Never rely on the transmission alone to hold the vehicle. 7-34 Starting and operating Parking your vehicle & Parking brake To set the parking brake, press the brake pedal firmly and hold it down while fully pulling up the parking brake lever. 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 in chapter 3. When parking on a hill, always turn the steering wheel. When the vehicle is headed up the hill, the front wheels should be turned away from the curb. When facing downhill, should be turned into the curb. the front wheels WARNING . Never leave unattended children or pets in the vehicle. They could accidentally injure themselves or others through inadvertent op- eration of the vehicle. Also, on hot or sunny days, the tempera- ture in a closed vehicle could quickly become high enough to cause severe or possibly fatal injuries to people. . Do not park the vehicle over flammable materials such as dry grass, waste paper or rags, as they may burn easily if they come near hot engine or exhaust sys- tem parts. . Be sure to stop the engine if you take a nap in the vehicle. If engine exhaust gas enters the passenger compartment, occu- pants in the vehicle could die from carbon monoxide (CO) con- tained in the exhaust gas. CAUTION If your vehicle has a front under- spoiler and rear underspoiler (both optional), pay attention to blocks Starting and operating 7-35 and other obstructions on the ground when parking. The under- spoilers could be damaged by con- tact with them. Hill start assist system (Man- ual transmission – if equipped) CAUTION The Hill start assist system is a device only for helping the driver to START the vehicle on an uphill grade. To prevent accidents when the vehicle is parked on a slope, be sure to firmly set the parking brake. When setting the parking brake, make sure that the vehicle remains stationary when the clutch pedal is released. The Hill start assist system is a device to make starting on an uphill grade easier. – CONTINUED – 7-36 Starting and operating Cruise control is not Cruise control enables you to maintain a constant vehicle speed without holding your foot on the accelerator pedal and it is operative when the vehicle speed is 25 mph (40 km/h) or more. Make sure the main switch is turned “OFF” when the cruise control in use to avoid unintentionally setting the cruise control. NOTE If you press the main switch button while turning the ignition switch “ON”, the cruise control function is deacti- vated and the “CRUISE” indicator light flashes. To reactivate the cruise control function, turn the ignition switch back to the “Acc” or “LOCK” position, and then turn it again to the “ON” position. WARNING Do not use the cruise control under any of the following conditions. This may cause loss of vehicle control: . driving up or down a steep grade . driving on slippery or winding roads . driving in heavy traffic On an uphill grade, when the clutch pedal is depressed while the brake pedal is also depressed, braking power is maintained temporarily by the Hill start assist system when the brake pedal is released. The driver is therefore able to start the vehicle the same way as on a level grade, just using the clutch and accelerator pedal. The Hill start assist system does not operate when the vehicle is facing down- hill. And the Hill start assist system may not operate on slight grades. When starting in reverse and using the Hill start assist system, a braking effect may be felt even after the brake pedal has been released. However, this braking effect should disappear once the clutch pedal is released. A slight jolt may be felt when the vehicle begins to move forward after being re- versed. If the braking power of the Hill start assist system is insufficient after the brake pedal is released, apply more braking power by pressing the brake pedal again. & To set cruise control Starting and operating 7-37 release it. Then release the accelerator pedal. 1. Push the “CRUISE” main switch but- ton. Non-turbo models ” indicator light on the combi- The “ nation meter will come on. 2. Depress the accelerator pedal until the vehicle reaches the desired speed. Turbo models Turbo models 3. Push the “SET/COAST” button and Non-turbo models the “ this time, At illuminated in the combination meter. ” indicator light is – CONTINUED – 7-38 Starting and operating The vehicle will maintain the desired speed. Vehicle speed can be temporarily in- creased while driving with the cruise control activated. Simply depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehi- cle. When the accelerator pedal is re- leased, return to and maintain the previous cruising speed. & To temporarily cancel the the vehicle will cruise control . Shift the selector lever into the “N” position (automatic transmission vehicles only). . Shift the shift lever into neutral position (manual transmission vehicles only). The “ ” indicator light in the combination meter goes off when the cruise control is canceled. & To turn off the cruise control There are two ways to turn off the cruise control: . Push the “CRUISE” main switch button again. . Turn the ignition switch to the “Acc” or “LOCK” position (but only when the vehicle is completely stopped). & To change the cruising speed ! To increase the speed (by button) The cruise control can be temporarily canceled in the following ways: To resume the cruise control after it has been temporarily canceled and with vehi- cle speed of approximately 20 mph (32 km/h) or more, push the “RES/ACC” button to return to the original cruising speed automatically. The “ ” indicator light in the combination meter will automatically come on at this time. Push the “RES/ACC” button and hold it the vehicle reaches the desired until release the button. The speed. Then, vehicle speed at that moment will be memorized and treated as the new set speed. . Push the “CANCEL” button. . Depress the brake pedal. . Depress the clutch pedal transmission vehicles only). (manual 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 increased 1 mph (1.6 km/h) each time by pressing the “RES/ACC” button quickly. ! To increase the speed (by accel- erator pedal) 1. Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the vehicle to the desired speed. 2. Push the “SET/COAST” button once. Now the desired speed is set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without depressing the accelerator pedal. NOTE If the difference between the actual vehicle speed when the button is pushed 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 operation as that intended to decrease the vehicle speed. ! To decrease the speed (by button) Starting and operating 7-39 desired speed, press the “SET/COAST” button once. Now the desired speed is set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed without depressing the accelerator pedal. Push the “SET/COAST” button and hold it the vehicle reaches the desired until release the button. The speed. Then, vehicle speed at that moment will be memorized and treated 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 “SET/COAST” button quickly. ! To decrease the speed (by brake pedal) 1. Depress the brake pedal cruise control temporarily. 2. When the speed decreases to the to release – CONTINUED – 7-40 Starting and operating & Cruise control indicator light Turbo models “ON” position and goes out after approxi- mately 3 seconds. The light comes on when the “CRUISE” main switch is pressed. NOTE . If you press the “CRUISE” main switch button while turning the ignition switch “ON”, the cruise control func- tion is deactivated and the cruise control indicator light flashes. To re- activate the cruise control function, turn the ignition switch back to the “Acc” or “LOCK” position, and then turn it again to the “ON” position. . If this indicator light and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction in- dicator lamp flash simultaneously dur- ing driving, have the vehicle checked by your nearest SUBARU dealer. & Cruise control set indicator light Turbo models Non-turbo models The cruise control indicator light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the Non-turbo models The cruise control set indicator light comes on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after approximately 3 seconds. The light comes on when vehicle speed has been set. Starting and operating 7-41 — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) ..................................... Fuel economy hints ............................................ Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ........... Catalytic converter .............................................. Periodic inspections ........................................... Driving in foreign countries ............................... Driving tips for AWD vehicles ............................ Off road driving ................................................... All AWD models except OUTBACK ...................... OUTBACK........................................................... Winter driving ...................................................... Operation during cold weather............................. 8-2 8-2 8-2 8-3 8-4 8-4 8-5 8-6 8-6 8-6 8-8 8-8 Driving tips Driving on snowy and icy roads ........................... Corrosion protection.......................................... Snow tires ......................................................... Tire chains ........................................................ Rocking the vehicle ........................................... Loading your vehicle......................................... Vehicle capacity weight...................................... GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ Roof molding and crossbar (if equipped)............ Trailer towing ..................................................... 8-9 8-10 8-10 8-11 8-11 8-11 8-12 8-13 8-13 8-15 8-2 Driving tips New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) The performance and long life of your vehicle are dependent on how you handle and care for your vehicle while it is new. Follow these instructions during the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km): . Do not race the engine. And do not allow engine speed to exceed 4,000 rpm except in an emergency. . Do not drive at one constant engine or vehicle speed for a long time, either fast or slow. . Avoid starting suddenly and rapid acceleration, except in an emergency. . Avoid hard braking, except emergency. in an The same break-in procedures should be applied to an overhauled engine, newly mounted engine or when brake pads or brake linings are replaced with new ones. Fuel economy hints The following suggestions will help to save fuel. . Select the proper gear position for the speed and road conditions. . Avoid sudden acceleration or decelera- tion. Always accelerate gently until you reach the desired speed. Then try to maintain that speed for as long as possible. . Do not pump the accelerator and avoid racing the engine. . Avoid unnecessary engine idling. . Keep the engine properly tuned. . Keep the tires inflated to the correct pressure shown on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driver’s side. Low pressure will increase tire wear and fuel consumption. . Use the air conditioner only when necessary. . Keep the front and rear wheels in proper alignment. . Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or cargo. Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) WARNING . Never inhale engine exhaust gas. Engine exhaust gas contains carbon monoxide, a colorless and odorless gas which is dan- gerous, or even lethal, if inhaled. . Always properly maintain the en- gine exhaust system to prevent engine exhaust gas from enter- ing the vehicle. . Never run the engine in a closed space, such as a garage, except for the brief time needed to drive the vehicle in or out of it. . Avoid remaining in a parked vehicle for a lengthy time while the engine is running. If that is unavoidable, then use the venti- lation fan to force fresh air into the vehicle. . Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille free from snow, leaves or other obstructions to ensure that the ventilation system al- ways works properly. . If at any time you suspect that exhaust fumes are entering the vehicle, have the problem checked and corrected as soon as possible. If you must drive under these conditions, drive only with all windows fully open. . Keep the trunk lid (4-door) or rear gate (5-door) closed while driving to prevent exhaust gas from entering the vehicle. NOTE Due to the expansion and contraction of the metals used in the manufacture of the exhaust system, you may hear a crackling sound coming from the ex- haust system for a short time after the engine has been shut off. This sound is normal. Catalytic converter Turbo models Non-turbo models The catalytic converter is installed in the exhaust system. It serves as a catalyst to Driving tips 8-3 reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust. To avoid damage to the catalytic conver- ter: . Use only unleaded fuel. Even a small amount of leaded fuel will damage the catalytic converter. . Never start the engine by pushing or pulling the vehicle. . Avoid racing the engine. . Never turn off the ignition switch while the vehicle is moving. . Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel the engine running rough (misfiring, back- firing or incomplete combustion), have your vehicle checked and repaired by an authorized SUBARU dealer. . Do not apply undercoating or rust prevention treatment to the heat shield of catalytic converter and the exhaust sys- tem. . Do not drive with an extremely low fuel level. WARNING . Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive or park the vehicle anywhere near flammable materials (e.g., grass, paper, rags or leaves), because the catalytic converter – CONTINUED – 8-4 Driving tips operates at very high tempera- tures. . Keep everyone and flammable materials away from the exhaust pipe while the engine is running. The exhaust gas is very hot. Periodic inspections Driving in foreign countries To keep your vehicle in the best condition at all times, always have the recom- mended maintenance services listed in the maintenance schedule in the “War- ranty and Maintenance Booklet” per- formed at the specified time or mileage intervals. When planning to use your vehicle in another country: . Confirm the availability of the correct requirements” fuel. Refer section in chapter 7. . Comply with all quirements of each country. regulations and re- to the “Fuel Driving tips 8-5 . Tire chains should always be placed on the front wheels only. . There are some precautions that you must observe when towing your vehicle. For detail information, refer to the “Towing” section in chapter 9. WARNING . Always maintain a safe driving speed according to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn, during sudden brak- ing or under other similar condi- tions. . Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence be- cause you are driving an All- Wheel Drive vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident. Driving tips for AWD vehicles All-Wheel Drive distributes the engine power to all four wheels. AWD vehicles provide better traction when driving on slippery, wet or snow-covered roads and when moving out of mud, dirt and sand. By shifting power between the front and rear wheels, SUBARU AWD can also provide added traction during acceleration and added engine braking force during deceleration. Therefore, your SUBARU AWD vehicle may handle differently than an ordinary two wheel drive vehicle and it contains some features unique to AWD. For safety purposes as well as to avoid damaging the AWD system, you should keep the following tips in mind: . An AWD vehicle is better able to climb steeper roads under snowy or slippery conditions than a two wheel drive vehicle. There is little difference in handling, however, during extremely sharp turns or sudden braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope or turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. . When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the same size, construction, brand, and load range as the original tires listed on the tire placard. Using other sizes, circumference or construction may result in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle and may affect ride, handling, braking, speedometer/od- ometer calibration, and clearance be- tween the body and tires. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. . If you use a temporary spare tire to replace a flat tire, be sure to use the original temporary spare tire stored in the vehicle. Using other sizes may result in severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your vehicle. . Always check the cold tire pressure before starting to drive. The recom- mended tire pressure is provided on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driver’s side. 8-6 Driving tips Off road driving WARNING . Always maintain a safe driving speed according to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn, during sudden brak- ing or under other similar condi- tions. . Always use the utmost care in driving – overconfidence be- cause you are driving an All- Wheel Drive vehicle could easily lead to a serious accident. CAUTION Do not drive on rough roads or over curbs in a vehicle that has 17-inch or other ultra-low-profile tires. The wheels and tires could be damaged by shock forces, leading to abnor- mal vibration or poor straight-line tracking. Driving would then be more difficult. & All AWD models except OUTBACK Your AWD vehicle is neither a conven- tional off-road vehicle nor an all terrain vehicle. It is a passenger vehicle designed primarily for on-road use. The AWD feature gives it some limited off-road capabilities in situations in which driving surfaces are relatively level, obstruction- free and otherwise similar to on-road driving conditions. 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 next section (applicable to the OUTBACK) for general guidance. But please keep in mind that your vehicle’s off-road capabil- ities are more limited than those of the OUTBACK. Never attempt to drive through pools and puddles, or roads flooded with water. Water entering the engine air intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall. & OUTBACK Your Subaru can be driven on ordinary roads or off-road. But please keep in mind that an AWD SUBARU is a passenger vehicle and is neither a conventional off- road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. If you do take your SUBARU off-road, certain common sense precautions such as the following should be taken: . Make certain that you and all of your passengers are wearing seatbelts. . Carry some emergency equipment, such as a towing rope or chain, a shovel, wheel blocks, first aid kit and cell phone or citizens band radio. . Drive carefully. Do not take unneces- sary risks by driving in dangerous areas or over rough terrain. . Slow down and employ extra caution at all times. When driving off-road, you will not have the benefit of marked traffic lanes, banked curves, traffic signs and the like. . Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead, drive either straight up or straight down the slopes. A vehicle can much more easily tip over sideways than it can end over end. Avoid driving straight up or down slopes that are too steep. . Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, espe- cially at higher speeds. Driving tips 8-7 . Never equip your vehicle with tires larger than those specified in this manual. . Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle under hard-driving conditions such as rough roads or off roads will necessitate more frequent replacement of engine oil, brake fluid and transmission oil than that specified in the maintenance schedule described in the “Warranty and Mainte- nance Booklet”. Remember that damage done to your Subaru while operating it off-road and not using common sense precautions such as those listed above is not eligible for warranty coverage. . Wash the vehicle’s underbody after off- road driving. Suspension components are particularly prone to dirt buildup, so they need to be washed thoroughly. . Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering wheel. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure your hands. Instead drive with your fingers and thumbs on the outside of the rim. . If driving through water, such as when crossing shallow streams, first check the depth of the water and the bottom of the stream bed for firmness and ensure that the bed of the stream is flat. Drive slowly and completely through the stream. The water should be shallow enough that it does not reach the vehicle’s undercar- riage. Water entering the engine air intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto electrical parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall. Never attempt to drive through rushing water; regardless of its depth, it can wash away the ground from under your tires, resulting in possible loss of traction and even vehicle rollover. . Always check your brakes for effec- tiveness immediately after driving in sand, mud or water. Do this by driving slowly and stepping on the brake pedal. Repeat that process several times to dry out the brake discs and brake pads. . Do not drive or park over or near flammable materials such as dry grass or fallen leaves, as they may burn easily. The exhaust system is very hot while the it engine is running and right after the engine stops. This could create a fire hazard. . After driving through tall grass, mud, rocks, sand, rivers, etc., check that there is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stones, sand, etc. adhering to or trapped on the underbody. Clear off any such matter from the underbody. If the vehicle is used with

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2008 Subaru Impreza Owners Manual