2000-2004 Subaru Outback SUV Starting and operating -> Braking User Manual
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Starting and operating -> Braking for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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Starting and operating
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Power steering
CAUTION
Do not hold the steering wheel at the fully locked position left or
right for more than five seconds. This may damage the power
steering pump.
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 it will 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 adjacent to the power
steering pump which is located at the right-front area of the engine
compartment. This noise is normal. It does not indicate power steer-
ing system trouble.
Braking
J 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.
B 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.
B Use of engine braking
Remember to make use of engine braking in addition to foot braking.
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When descending 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.
B Braking when a tire is punctured
Do not depress the brake pedal suddenly when a tire is punctured.
This could cause 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.
J Brake system
B Two separate circuits
Your vehicle has two separate circuit brake systems. Each circuit
works diagonally 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 dis-
tance will be needed to stop the vehicle.
B 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, resulting in poor braking power.
The brakes will continue to work even when the brake booster com-
pletely stops functioning. If this happens, however, you will have to
push the pedal much harder than normal and the braking distance
will increase.
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Starting and operating
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J Disc brake pad wear warning indicators
OM-H0163
The disc brake pad wear warning indicators 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, immediately have your vehicle checked by your SUBARU deal-
er.
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)
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
D The ABS system does not always decrease stopping distance.
You should always maintain a safe following distance from other
vehicles.
D When driving on badly surfaced roads, gravel roads, icy road,
or over deep newly fallen snow, stopping distances may be long-
er for a vehicle with the ABS system than one without. When driv-
ing under these conditions, therefore, reduce your speed and

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