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 illuminated, have the brakes inspected by a SUBARU dealer immediately.
If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating properly, do not drive the vehicle. Have your vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
This light has the following functions:
Parking brake warning
The light illuminates with the parking brake applied while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. It turns off when the parking brake is fully released.
Brake fluid level warning
This light illuminates when the brake fluid level has dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition switch in the “ON” position and with the parking brake fully released. If the brake system warning light should illuminate while driving (with the parking brake fully released and with the ignition switch positioned in “ON”), it could be an indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn brake pads. If this occurs, immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid level is below the “MIN” mark in the reservoir, do not drive the vehicle. Have the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system warning
The brake system warning light also illuminates if a malfunction occurs in the EBD system. In that event, it illuminates together with the ABS warning light.
The EBD system may be malfunctioning if the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously during driving. Even if the EBD system fails, the conventional 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 vehicle’s motion may therefore become somewhat harder to control.
If the brake system warning light and ABS warning light illuminate simultaneously, take the following steps:
- Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat place.
- Shut down the engine, apply the parking brake and then restart it.
- Release the parking brake. If both warning lights turn off, the EBD system may be malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected.
- If both warning lights illuminate again and remain illuminated after the engine has been restarted, shut down the engine again, apply the parking brake, and check the brake fluid level.
- If the brake fluid level is not below the “MIN” mark, the EBD system may be malfunctioning. Drive carefully to the nearest SUBARU dealer and have the system inspected.
- If the brake fluid level is below the “MIN” mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. Instead, have the vehicle towed to the nearest SUBARU dealer for repair.
Vacuum pump system warning (turbo models, except STI)
This light illuminates when a malfunction is detected in the vacuum pump system.
NOTE
The vacuum pump system assists the boost pressure when driving at high altitudes while the engine is cold.
Electronic parking brake system warning
The brake system warning light flashes when the electronic parking brake system is malfunctioning. If the warning light flashes, promptly park in a safe location as soon as possible and contact your SUBARU dealer.
The brake system warning light remains illuminated when the parking brake cannot be released even if the parking brake switch is pulled.
Parking brake apply inhibit warning
The brake system warning light flashes for 10 seconds and a chirp sound will be heard if the parking brake switch is operated when the parking brake cannot be applied.
Frequent operation warning
The brake system warning light flashes for 20 seconds and a chirp sound will be heard if the parking brake switch is operated too frequently. In this case, the operation of the parking brake switch is restricted to protect the electronic parking brake system.
NOTE
Wait until the warning light turns off.