2022 Subaru Outback Auto Start-Stop System User Manual

2022 Subaru Outback Auto Start-Stop System

Auto Start-Stop System

The Auto Start-Stop system is designed to automatically stop and restart the engine when the vehicle is stationary for a short period of time (while waiting for a traffic light or in a traffic jam) after the engine has warmed up. The system operates in order to reduce fuel consumption, exhaust emissions and undesired idling noise.

System Operation

CAUTION
The Auto Start-Stop system is designed to automatically stop and restart the engine for a short period of time during idling. Do not use the system when parking the vehicle normally.

So that it can be used safely and comfortably, in addition to driver operations, the Auto Start-Stop system is designed to constantly monitor the vehicle conditions as well as the environment inside and outside the vehicle, in order to control the stopping and restarting of the engine. After the vehicle has been completely stopped by depressing the brake pedal with the select lever in the “D” position, the engine will be automatically stopped. If you release the brake pedal with the select lever kept in the “D” position, the engine will be automatically restarted.
However, when the Auto Vehicle Hold ON indicator light illuminates, the engine will not restart.

If the engine is temporarily stopped by the system, the Auto Start-Stop indicator light on the combination meter will illuminate in green. This indicator light will turn off when the system restarts the engine.

NOTE

• After starting the engine, if the vehicle is left idling without being driven, the Auto Start-Stop system will not operate.
• Your vehicle is equipped with a special high-performance battery. When replacing the vehicle battery, be sure to replace it with a genuine SUBARU battery (or equivalent) designed specifically for use in a vehicle equipped with the Auto Start-Stop system. For details, consult your SUBARU dealer.

Operational conditions

The engine can be automatically stopped by the Auto Start-Stop system when all of the following conditions are met.

• The engine is sufficiently warmed up.
• The engine hood is closed.
• The driver’s door is closed.
• The driver’s seatbelt is fastened.
• The malfunction indicator light (CHECK ENGINE warning light) is off.
• The airflow mode selection is set to a mode other than mode.
• The rear window defogger is not in use.
• X-MODE has been turned off (if equipped).
  After the vehicle is stopped, the engine will be automatically stopped when the following conditions are met.
• The steering wheel is in the straight-ahead position.
• The steering wheel is not being operated.

NOTE

• After the vehicle is stopped, the engine may not automatically stop under the following conditions.
  • The vehicle is stopped on a road with a steep slope.
  • The vehicle is stopped by hard braking.
  • Negative pressure in the brake booster is not sufficient.
• After the vehicle is stopped, the engine may not automatically stop if the brake pedal is not fully depressed.
  Make sure to depress the brake pedal firmly when stopping the vehicle.
• In the following cases, it may take some time for the Auto Start-Stop system to operate.
  • When the battery is discharged because the vehicle has not been used for a long period of time, etc.
  • The coolant temperature is low.
  • When the battery terminals have been reconnected after replacing the battery, etc.

Non-operational conditions

1. In any of the following cases, the Auto The start-Stop system will not operate.
2. When the Auto Start-Stop warning light/Auto Start-Stop OFF indicator light is illuminating.
3. When the malfunction indicator light (CHECK ENGINE warning light) is illuminating.
4. The electronic parking brake is applied.
5. When the engine hood is opened.
6. When the vehicle is at an altitude of more than approximately 10,000 ft (3,000 m).
7. When the CVT fluid is not sufficiently warmed up.
8. When the temperature of the CVT fluid is abnormally high.
9. When the vehicle battery is not in good condition.
10. When using the climate control system, the temperature difference between the set temperature and the temperature inside the vehicle is significant.
11. When using the climate control system, the amount of airflow is significant.

NOTE
The Auto Start-Stop system may not operate if the malfunction indicator light (CHECK ENGINE warning light) or other warning lights on the combination meter are illuminating.

Engine restart operational conditions

In any one of the following cases, the engine will be automatically restarted even if the brake pedal is kept depressed.

• When slightly releasing the brake pedal on road with a steep slope and the vehicle begins rolling.
• When further depressing the brake pedal.
• When depressing the accelerator pedal.
• When you move the select lever to the “R” position.
• When turning the steering wheel.
• When operating the electronic parking brake switch.
• When activating X-MODE (if equipped).
• When the airflow mode selection set to mode.
• When the climate control system can no longer maintain the set temperature.
• When unbuckling the driver’s seatbelt.
• When opening the driver’s door.
• When activating the rear window defogger.
• When the Auto Vehicle Hold function is released, refer to “Auto Vehicle Hold function” P372.

Engine restart non-operational conditions

To ensure safety, the engine will not be automatically restarted if the engine hood is opened when the Auto Start-Stop system is in operation, even if the brake pedal is released. In this case, check the surrounding area and restart the engine by normal operation. Also, when the Auto Vehicle Hold operation indicator light is illuminated, the engine will not restart. To ensure safety, the engine will not be automatically restarted if you open the engine hood when the Auto Start-Stop system is in operation, even if you release the brake pedal. In this case, check the surrounding area and restart the engine by normal operation.

NOTE

• When the Auto Start-Stop system is in operation, the brake pedal may feel stiff. However, this is not a malfunction.
• In the following conditions, the engine will be automatically restarted even if you keep the brake pedal depressed.
  • When the battery is discharged.
  • When the negative pressure in the brake booster has lowered
• In the following cases, the length of time that the engine is temporarily stopped by the Auto Start-Stop system may be shorter.
  • When the climate control system is in operation.
  • When the outside temperature is high, or when it is low (because the climate control system can no longer maintain the set temperature).
  • When consumption of electricity by electrical components is high.
• When the engine is automatically restarted by the Auto Start-Stop system, the power provided via the accessory power outlet will be reduced. Depending on the connected appliance, the power of the appliance may temporarily turn off.

Auto Start-Stop warning light

The Auto Start-Stop warning light will illuminate in yellow when initially turning the ignition switch to the “ON” position. The light will turn off after the engine has started.

CAUTION
If the Auto Start-Stop warning light does not turn off after the engine has started, the Auto Start-Stop system may be malfunctioning. We recommend that you contact your authorized SUBARU dealer for an inspection.

To turn on/off the Auto Start-Stop system

To turn the Auto Start-Stop system on and off, operate the center information display. Refer to “Auto Start-Stop ON/OFF icon” P216 (11.6-inch display models) or “Auto Start-Stop ON/OFF icon” P242 (dual 7.0-inch display models). When the Auto Start-Stop system is turned OFF, the Auto Start-Stop OFF indicator light on the combination meter display (color LCD) will illuminate While the engine is temporarily stopped by the system, if the Auto Start-Stop system turns off, the engine will be restarted even if you do not release the brake pedal.

NOTE

• If the engine is restarted when the Auto Start-Stop system is not operational and the ignition switch has been turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position, the Auto Start-Stop system will turn on again.
• Be sure to turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position when leaving the vehicle. Failure to do so could result in the battery discharging.

Auto Start-Stop No Activity Detected indicator light 

If the operational conditions are not met when the vehicle is stopped, the engine will not stop and the Auto Start-Stop No Activity Detected indicator light will illuminate. It will turn off when the vehicle begins to drive.

Displaying the Auto Start-Stop System Status

Approximate indications of the time that the engine has been stopped by the Auto Start-Stop system and/or the amount of fuel saved can be displayed on the combination meter display (color LCD).
For details, refer to “Basic Screens” P208.

System Warning

So that it can be used safely and comfortably, the Auto Start-Stop system is designed to constantly monitor the vehicle conditions as well as the environment inside and outside the vehicle in addition to driver operations, and to provide various warnings to the driver via the warning light and/or indicator light illuminating and a buzzer sounding. For details about the warning light and indicator light, refer to “Auto Start-Stop Warning Light (Yellow)” P200.

Warning buzzer

The buzzer will sound when the engine hood is opened while the engine is stopped by the Auto Start-Stop system. When this occurs, the buzzer will stop sounding when the following operations are performed.

• The engine is restarted by normal operation. (Refer to “Preparing to Drive” P337.)
• The ignition switch is turned to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position.

Display of warning messages

If a warning message is displayed on the combination meter display (color LCD) while driving, a malfunction may have occurred in the Auto Start-Stop system. In this case, the Auto Start-Stop warning light will illuminate. We recommend that you have your vehicle inspected at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.