Get Starting and operating -> VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) system Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) system

(if equipped)

WARNING

Always use the utmost care in driving — overconfidence because

you are driving with a VDC system equipped vehicle could easily

lead to a serious accident.

CAUTION

D Even if your vehicle is equipped with VDC, winter tires should

be used when driving on snow-covered or icy roads; in addition,

vehicle speed should be reduced considerably. Simply having a

VDC system does not guarantee that the vehicle will be able to

avoid accidents in any situation.

D Activation of the VDC system is an indication that the road

being travelled on has a slippery surface; since having VDC is no

guarantee 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.

D Whenever suspension components, steering components, or

an axle are removed from a vehicle equipped with VDC, have an

authorized SUBARU dealer perform an inspection of that system.

D The following precautions should be observed in order to

ensure that the VDC system is operating properly:

– 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.

– Keep the tire pressure at the proper level as shown on the

label attached to the vehicle’s door pillar.

– Use only the special temporary spare tire to replace a flat

tire. With a temporary spare tire, the effectiveness of the VDC

system is reduced and this should be taken into account when

driving with vehicle.

Starting and operating

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– CONTINUED –

In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding on a slippery road surface

and/or during cornering and/or an evasive maneuver, the VDC system

adjusts the engine’s output and the wheels’ respective braking forces to

help maintain traction and directional control.

D 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. Activation of this function is shown by

steady illumination of the VDC operation indicator light.

D Skid Suppression Function

The skid suppression function is designed to help maintain directional

stability by suppressing the wheels’ tendency to slide sideways dur-

ing steering operations. Activation of this function is shown by flash-

ing of the VDC operation indicator light.

NOTE

D Slight twitching of the brake pedal may be felt when the VDC-sys-

tem operates; a small degree of vehicle or steering wheel shaking

may also be noticed in this situation. These are normal characteris-

tics of VDC operation and are no cause for alarm.

D When driving off immediately after starting the engine, a short-

lived operation noise may be noticed coming from the engine

compartment. This noise is generated as a result of a check being

performed on the VDC system and is normal.

D Depending on the timing of activation of the brakes, certain situa-

tions may occur just after driving off where the brake pedal seems

to exhibit a jolting motion. This too is a consequence of the VDC

operational check and is normal.

D In the circumstances listed below, the vehicle may be more un-

stable than it feels to the driver. The Vehicle Dynamics Control Sys-

tem may therefore operate. Such operation does not indicate a sys-

tem fault.

D on gravel-covered or rutted roads

D on unfinished roads

D when the vehicle is towing a trailer

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D when the vehicle is fitted with snow tires or winter tires

D Activation of the VDC system will cause operation of the steering

wheel to feel slightly different compared to that for normal condi-

tions.

D Even if the vehicle is equipped with a VDC 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).

D It is always important to reduce speed when approaching a cor-

ner, even if the vehicle is equipped with VDC.

D 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-match-

ing tires are used, it is quite possible that the VDC system will be

unable to operate correctly as intended.

D Always turn off the engine before replacing a tire as failure to do

so may render the VDC system unable to operate correctly.

B VDC system monitor

HB4010FB

n VDC OFF indicator light

D The VDC OFF indicator light turns on initially when the ignition key

is turned to the ON position; it subsequently turns off 6 seconds after

the engine is started.

D This light turns on to indicate that the VDC system is in non-opera-

tion mode. This does not constitute failure of the VDC system.

Starting and operating

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NOTE

D The VDC OFF 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 nor-

mal. The light will turn off when the engine has reached a suitable

operating temperature.

D When an engine problem occurs and the CHECK ENGINE

warning light turns on, the VDC OFF indicator light will also turn

on.

The following two situations could indicate malfunction of the VDC

system; if either should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer

carry out an inspection of that system at the first available opportunity.

D The VDC OFF indicator light does not turn on when the ignition key

is turned to the ON position.

D The VDC OFF 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.

n VDC operation indicator light

The VDC operation indicator light turns on when the ignition key is

turned to the ON position; it turns off approximately two seconds later.

This indicator light flashes during activation of the skid suppression

function and is illuminated steadily during activation of the traction

control function.

The following two situations could indicate a malfunction of the VDC

system; if either should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer

carry out an inspection of that system at the first available opportunity.

D The VDC operation indicator light does not turn on when the igni-

tion key is turned to the ON position.

D The VDC operation indicator light does not turn off approximately

two seconds after the ignition key has been turned to the ON position.

n VDC warning light

The VDC warning light turns on when the ignition key is turned to the

ON position and off when the engine is started. This lighting pattern

indicates that the VDC system is operating normally.

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The following situations could indicate a malfunction of the VDC sys-

tem; if any should occur, have an authorized SUBARU dealer carry

out an inspection of the system at the first available opportunity.

D The VDC warning light does not turn on when the ignition key is

turned to the ON position.

D The VDC warning light does not turn off either when the engine is

started or when the vehicle reaches a speed of approximately 8 mph

(12 km/h).

D The VDC warning light turns on while the vehicle is being driven.

D When a malfunction has occurred in the VDC electrical system,

only the VDC warning light will turn on. In such an event, the ABS will

still be operating normally.

D The VDC warning light will also turn on when a problem occurs

with the ABS or VDC electronic control systems.

Because the VDC system controls each brake through the ABS,

whenever the ABS stops operating due to a malfunction in that electri-

cal system, the VDC will also become unable to control all four

brakes. Thus VDC system operation halts and the VDC warning light

turns on. Although both the VDC system and the ABS will be inoper-

able in this situation, it will still be possible to stop the vehicle using

normal braking. The VDC system and the ABS do not adversely affect

operation of the vehicle in any way when they are inoperable; how-

ever should such a situation occur, drive with care and have an autho-

rized SUBARU dealer carry out an inspection of those systems at the

first available opportunity.

NOTE

When the VDC warning light turns on and off in the following way,

it indicates that the VDC system is operating normally.

D Although turning on after the engine has been started, the

warning light quickly turns off and stays off.

D The warning light turns on after the engine is started and does

not turn off until the vehicle reaches a speed of 8 mph (12 km/h).

D The warning light turns on when the vehicle is being driven; it

then turns off and stays off.

Starting and operating

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J VDC OFF switch

HB7028ABHB7022AA

Note: Even when the lighting switch is turned to the “p” or “a” posi-

tion, the “OFF” portion of the symbol stamped on the switch will not illu-

minate in the dark. Only “VDC” portion will illuminate.

Pressing the VDC OFF switch to deactivate the VDC system can facilitate

the following operations:

D a standing start on a steeply sloping road with a snowy, gravel-cov-

ered, or otherwise slippery surface

D extrication of the vehicle when its wheels are stuck in mud or deep

snow

When the VDC OFF switch is pressed during engine operation, the VDC

OFF indicator light illuminates.

The VDC system will be deactivated and the vehicle will behave like a

model not equipped with the VDC system.

When the VDC OFF switch is pressed again to reactivate the VDC sys-

tem, the VDC OFF indicator light goes off.

If the vehicle reaches a speed of approximately 37 mph (60 km/h) after

the VDC OFF switch is pressed to deactivate the VDC system, the VDC

system automatically reactivates itself and the VDC OFF indicator light

goes off. While the vehicle is moving at a speed of approximately 37

mph (60 km/h) or higher, it is not possible to deactivate the VDC system

by pressing the VDC OFF switch.

With the VDC system deactivated, traction and stability enhancement of-

fered by VDC system is unavailable. Therefore you should not deactivate

Starting and operating -> VDC (Vehicle Dynamics Control) system for Your Subaru Outback SUV Second Generation (2000-2004)

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