Subaru Solterra (2023 year). Manual in english

401

5-5. Driving tips

Dri
vin

WARNING

●

When driving off-road or in rug-

ged terrain, do not drive at

excessive speeds, jump, make

sharp turns, strike objects, etc.

This may cause loss of control

or vehicle rollover causing

death or serious injury. You are

also risking expensive damage

to your vehicle’s suspension

and chassis.

NOTICE

■

To prevent the water damage

Take all necessary safety mea-

sures to ensure that water dam-

age to the traction battery, EV

system or other components does

not occur.

●

Water entering the motor com-

partment may cause severe

damage to the EV system.

●

Water entering the transmis-

sion will cause deterioration in

transmission quality. The mal-

function indicator may come on,

and the vehicle may not be driv-

able.

●

Water can wash the grease

from wheel bearings, causing

rusting and premature failure,

and may also enter the tran-

saxle case, reducing the gear

oil’s lubricating qualities.

■

When you drive through

water

If driving through water, such as

when crossing shallow streams,

first check the depth of the water

and the bottom of the riverbed for

firmness. Drive slowly and avoid

deep water.

■

Inspection after off-road driv-

ing

●

Sand and mud that has accu-

mulated around brake discs

may affect braking efficiency

and may damage brake system

components.

●

Always perform a maintenance

inspection after each day of off-

road driving that has taken you

through rough terrain, sand,

mud, or water. For scheduled

maintenance information, refer

to the “Warranty & Mainte-

nance Booklet” or “Warranty

and Service Booklet”.

403

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Interior features

6-1. Using the air conditioning

system and defogger

ALL AUTO (“ECO”) control

..................................

404

Automatic air conditioning

system.......................

406

Remote Air Conditioning

System ......................

413

Heated steering wheel/seat

heaters/seat ventilators

..................................

415

6-2. Using the interior lights

Interior lights list ..........

418

6-3. Using the storage features

List of storage features

421

Luggage compartment fea-

tures ..........................

424

6-4. Using the other interior

features

Electronic sunshade....

429

Other interior features .

431

Garage door opener....

442

404

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

6-1.Using the air conditioning system and defogger

: if equipped

Press the ALL AUTO (“ECO”)
switch

The indicator on the ALL AUTO
(“ECO”) switch illuminates, and the
automatic air conditioning system,
seat heaters and ventilators

, and

heated steering wheel

operate in

automatic mode.
If any of the system is operated
manually, the indicator turns off.
However, all other functions con-
tinue to operate in automatic mode.
Even if ALL AUTO (“ECO”) control
is turned off, the air conditioner,
seat heater / ventilator, and steer-
ing heater will not be turned off.
If the front window glass becomes
cloudy due to a drop in the outside

air temperature while the ALL
AUTO (“ECO”) control is operating,
you can remove the cloudiness by
pressing the AUTO switch on the
air conditioner control panel.

: If equipped

■

Automatic air conditioning
system (



P.406)

The temperature can be
adjusted independently for each
seat.

■

Seat heaters and ventilators
(if equipped) (



P.415)

Heating or ventilation is auto-
matically selected according to
the set temperature of the air
conditioning system, the out-
side temperature, etc.

■

Heated steering wheel (if
equipped) (



P.415)

Heated steering wheel operates
automatically according to the
set temperature of the air condi-
tioning system, the outside tem-
perature, etc.

■

Passenger detection functions

When a passenger is detected in

the front passenger seat, the seat

heater and ventilator will operate

automatically.

■

Seat heater/ventilator (if

equipped) operation

If the seat heater/ventilator switch is

set to auto, it will operate without

performing the passenger detection.

When the ALL AUTO (“ECO”)

switch is pressed in that state, the

ALL AUTO (“ECO”)

control

The seat heaters, seat venti-
lators

and heated steering

wheel

are each automati-

cally controlled according
to the set temperature of the
air conditioning system, the
outside and cabin tempera-
ture, etc. ALL AUTO
(“ECO”) controls the power
consumption in order to
both extend the cruising
range and maintain comfort-
able conditions.

Turning on ALL AUTO
(“ECO”) control

Operation of each system

406

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

ALL AUTO (“ECO”) switch (



P.404)

Automatic mode switch

“OFF” switch

Outside/recirculated air mode switch

“A/C” switch

Front seat concentrated airflow mode (S-FLOW) switch

Windshield wiper de-icer switch

“SYNC” switch

Right-hand side temperature control switch

Airflow mode control switch

Fan speed control switch

Left-hand side temperature control switch

Rear window and outside rear view mirror defogger switch

Windshield defogger switch

Automatic air conditioning system

Air outlets and fan speed are automatically adjusted accord-
ing to the temperature setting.

Air conditioning controls

407

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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■

Adjusting the temperature
setting

Operate the temperature con-
trol switch upwards to increase
the temperature and downwards
to decrease the temperature.

If “A/C” is not pressed, the system
will blow ambient temperature air or
heated air.

■

Setting the fan speed

Operate the fan speed control
switch upwards to increase the
fan speed and downwards to
decrease the fan speed.

Press the “OFF” switch to turn off
the fan.

■

Change the airflow mode

Operate the airflow mode con-
trol switch upwards or down-
wards.

The mode changes as follows each
time the switch is operated.

Air flows to the upper body.

Air flows to the upper body
and feet.

Air flows to the feet.

Air flows to the feet and the
windshield defogger oper-
ates.

■

Switching between outside
air and recirculated air
modes

Press the outside/recirculated
air mode switch.

The mode switches between out-
side air mode (the indicator is off)
and recirculated air mode (the indi-
cator is on) each time the switch is
pressed.

■

Set cooling and dehumidifi-
cation function

Press the “A/C” switch.

When the function is on, the indica-
tor illuminates on the “A/C” switch.

■

Defogging the windshield

Defoggers are used to defog the
windshield and front side win-
dows.
Press the windshield defogger
switch.
Set the outside/recirculated air
mode switch to outside air mode
if the recirculated air mode is
used. (It may switch automati-
cally.)
To defog the windshield and the
side windows quickly, turn the
air flow and temperature up.
To return to the previous mode,
press the windshield defogger
switch again when the wind-
shield is defogged.

408

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

When the windshield defogger
switch is on, the indicator illumi-
nates on the windshield defog-
ger switch.

■

Defogging the rear window
and outside rear view mir-
rors

Defoggers are used to defog the
rear window and to remove rain-
drops, dew and frost from the
outside rear view mirrors.
Press the rear window and out-
side rear view mirror defogger
switch.
The defoggers will automati-
cally turn off after a period of
time.

■

Windshield wiper de-icer

This feature is used to prevent
ice from building up on the wind-
shield and wiper blades.
Press the windshield wiper de-
icer switch.

The indicator comes on when
the windshield wiper de-icer is
on.
The windshield wiper de-icer will
automatically turn off after a
period of time.

■

Fogging up of the windows

●

The windows will easily fog up

when the humidity in the vehicle is

high. Turning “A/C” switch on will

dehumidify the air from the outlets

and defog the windshield effec-

tively.

●

If you turn “A/C” switch off, the

windows may fog up more easily.

●

The windows may fog up if the

recirculated air mode is used.

■

When driving on dusty roads

Close all windows. If dust thrown up

by the vehicle is still drawn into the

vehicle after closing the windows, it

is recommended that the air intake

mode be set to outside air mode and

the fan speed to any setting except

off.

■

Outside/recirculated air mode

●

Setting to the recirculated air

mode temporarily is recom-

mended in preventing dirty air

from entering the vehicle interior

and helping to cool the vehicle

when the outside air temperature

is high.

●

Outside/recirculated air mode may

automatically switch depending on

the temperature setting or the

inside temperature.

■

When the outside temperature

exceeds 75°F (24°C) and the air

conditioning system is on

●

In order to reduce the air condi-

tioning power consumption, the air

conditioning system may switch to

409

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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recirculated air mode automati-

cally. This may also reduce elec-

tricity consumption.

●

Recirculated air mode is selected

as a default mode when the power

switch is turned to ON.

●

It is possible to switch to outside

air mode at any time by pressing

the outside/recirculated air mode

switch.

■

When the outside temperature

falls to nearly 32°F (0°C)

The dehumidification function may

not operate even when “A/C” switch

is pressed.

■

Ventilation and air conditioning

odors

●

To let fresh air in, set the air condi-

tioning system to the outside air

mode.

●

During use, various odors from

inside and outside the vehicle may

enter into and accumulate in the

air conditioning system. This may

then cause odor to be emitted

from the vents.

●

To reduce potential odors from

occurring:

• It is recommended that the air

conditioning system be set to out-

side air mode prior to turning the

vehicle off.

• The start timing of the blower may

be delayed for a short period of

time immediately after the air con-

ditioning system is started in auto-

matic mode.

●

When parking, the system auto-

matically switches to outside air

mode to encourage better air cir-

culation throughout the vehicle,

helping to reduce odors that occur

when starting the vehicle.

■

Air conditioning filter



P.497

■

Air conditioning system refrig-

erant

●

A label regarding the refrigerant of

the air conditioning system is

attached to the hood at the loca-

tion shown in the following illustra-

tion.

●

The meaning of each symbol on

the label are as follows:

■

Noise from air conditioning sys-

tem

Approximately 90 seconds after the

power switch turned to OFF, you

may hear sound coming from air

conditioning system. This is the

sound of a air conditioning system

initialize and, it does not indicate a

malfunction.

■

Customization

Some functions can be customized.

(Customizable features:



P.579)

Caution

Air conditioning system

Air conditioning system
lubricant type

Requires registered
technician to service air
conditioning system

Flammable refrigerant

410

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

Press the automatic mode
switch.

The dehumidification function

begins to operate. Air outlets and

fan speed are automatically

adjusted according to the tempera-

ture setting and humidity.

Adjust the temperature set-
ting.

To stop the operation, press
the “OFF” switch.

If the fan speed setting or air
flow modes are operated, the
automatic mode indicator goes
off. However, automatic mode
for functions other than that
operated is maintained.

■

Using automatic mode

Fan speed is adjusted automati-

cally according to the temperature

setting and the ambient conditions.
Therefore, the fan may stop for a

while until warm or cool air is ready

to flow immediately after the auto-

matic mode switch is pressed.

To turn on the “SYNC” mode,
perform any of the following pro-
cedures:



Press the “SYNC” mode
switch.



Adjust the front passenger’s
side temperature setting.

The indicator comes on when the
“SYNC” mode is on.

WARNING

■

To prevent the windshield

from fogging up

Do not use the windshield defog-

ger switch during cool air opera-

tion in extremely humid weather.

The difference between the tem-

perature of the outside air and

that of the windshield can cause

the outer surface of the wind-

shield to fog up, blocking your

vision.

■

To prevent burns

●

Do not touch the rear view mir-

ror surfaces when the outside

rear view mirror defoggers are

on.

●

Do not touch the glass at lower

part of the windshield or to the

side of the front pillars when the

windshield wiper de-icer is on.

NOTICE

■

To prevent 12-volt battery dis-

charge

Do not leave the air conditioning

system on longer than necessary

when the EV system is off.

■

When repairing/replacing

parts of the air conditioning

system

Have repair/replacement per-

formed by your SUBARU dealer.

When a part of the air conditioning

system, such as the evaporator, is

to be replaced, it must be

replaced with a new one.

Using automatic mode

Adjusting the temperature
for driver and front pas-
senger seats separately
(“SYNC” mode)

411

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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■

Location of air outlets

The air outlets and air volume
change according to the
selected air flow mode.

■

Adjusting the air flow direc-
tion and opening/closing
the air outlets



Front

Direct air flow to the left or right, up
or down

Move the knob fully to the out-
side to close the vent.

Direct air flow to the left or right, up
or down

Move the knob fully downward
to close the vent.



Rear

Direct air flow to the left or
right, up or down

Turn the knob to open or
close the vent

Air outlet layout and oper-
ations

412

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

This function automatically con-
trols the air conditioning airflow
so that priority is given to the
front seats. Unnecessary air
conditioning is suppressed, con-
tributing to increased electricity
consumption efficiency.
Front seat concentrated airflow
mode operates in the following
situations.



No passengers are detected
in the rear seats



The windshield defogger is
not operating

While operating,

illuminates.

■

Manually turning front seat
concentrated airflow mode
on/off

In front seat concentrated air-
flow mode, directing airflow to
the front seats only and to all
seats can be switched via switch
operation. When the mode has
been switched manually, auto-
matic airflow control stops oper-
ating.

Press

on the air conditioning

operation panel and switch the
airflow.



Indicator illuminated: Airflow
to the front seats only



Indicator off: Airflow to all the
seats

■

Operation of automatic airflow

control

●

In order to maintain a comfortable

interior, airflow may be directed to

seats without passengers immedi-

ately after the EV system is

started and at other times depend-

ing on the outside temperature.

●

After the EV system is started, if

passengers move around inside

or enter/exit the vehicle, the sys-

tem cannot accurately detect the

presence of passengers and auto-

matic airflow control will not oper-

ate.

■

Operation of manual airflow

control

Even if the function is manually

switched to directing airflow to only

the front seats, when a rear seat is

occupied, it may automatically direct

airflow to all seats.

WARNING

■

To not interrupt the wind-

shield defogger from operat-

ing

Do not place anything on the

instrument panel which may cover

the air outlets. Otherwise, air flow

may be obstructed, preventing the

windshield defoggers from defog-

ging.

Front seat concentrated
airflow mode (S-FLOW)

413

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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■

To return to automatic airflow

control

With the indicator off, turn the

power switch off.

After 60 minutes or more elapse,

turn the power switch to ON.

Check the temperature setting
of the air conditioning system.
(



P.407)

The Remote Air Conditioning Sys-
tem will operate in accordance with
the temperature settings of the air
conditioning system.

Press and hold “A/C” on the
wireless remote control to oper-
ate the Remote Air Conditioning

Remote Air Condition-

ing System

The Remote Air Condition-
ing System uses electrical
energy stored in the trac-
tion battery and allows the
air conditioning to be oper-
ated by remote control.

If the Remote Air Condition-
ing System is used while
the charging cable is con-
nected to the vehicle, the
reduction of charge in the
traction battery will be sup-
pressed to allow you to use
electricity from an external
power source.

Charging will be conducted
automatically after the
Remote Air Conditioning Sys-
tem is stopped.

Before leaving the vehicle

Activating the Remote Air
Conditioning System

414

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

System.

The system will shut off if a door is
opened.
The system can be stopped by
pressing “A/C” twice.



Type A



Type B

■

Operating conditions

The system will only operate if all of

the following conditions are met:

●

The power switch is OFF.

●

All doors are closed.

●

The hood is closed.

■

Remote Air Conditioning Sys-

tem automatic shut-off

The system will automatically shut

off under the following conditions:

●

About 20 minutes have passed

since operation began

●

Any one of the operating condi-

tions is not met

The system may also shut off if the

charge level of the traction battery

drops to low.

■

Conditions affecting operation

The system may not start in the fol-

lowing situations:

●

The charge level of the traction

battery is low

●

When the EV system is cool (for

example, after being left for a long

time in low temperatures)

■

Windshield defogger

When defogging the windshield

using the Remote Air Conditioning

System, defogging may be insuffi-

cient due to the power being

restricted more than during normal

air conditioning operation. Also, the

outside of the windshield may fog up

due to the outside temperature,

humidity or air conditioning set tem-

perature.

■

Security feature

Any unlocked doors will be automat-

ically locked when the system is

operating. The emergency flashers

flash to indicate that the doors have

been locked.

■

Conditions affecting operation



P.183

■

While the Remote Air Condi-

tioning System is operating

●

Depending on the operating con-

dition of the Remote Air Condition-

ing System, the electric fan may

spin and an operating noise may

be heard.

However, this does not indicate a

malfunction.

●

The Remote Air Conditioning Sys-

tem may stop operating temporar-

ily if other features that use

electricity (for example, the seat

heater, lights, windshield wipers)

are in operation or if the charge

level of the 12-volt battery

becomes low.

●

The headlights, windshield wiper,

meter, etc. will not operate.

415

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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■

Electronic key battery depletion



P.160

■

When the electronic key bat-

tery is fully depleted



P.500

■

Customization

Setting (e.g. Operation using “A/C”

on the wireless remote control) can

be changed. (Customizable fea-

tures:



P.580)

: If equipped

WARNING

■

Precautions for the Remote

Air Conditioning System

●

Do not use the system if people

are in the vehicle.

Even when the system is in use,

the internal temperature may

still reach a high or low level

due to features such as the

automatic shut-off. Children and

pets left inside the vehicle may

suffer heatstroke dehydration or

hypothermia, or could result in

death or serious injury.

●

Depending on the surrounding

environment, signals from the

wireless switch may transmit

further than expected. Pay

appropriate attention to the

vehicle’s surroundings and use

the switch only when necessary.

●

Do not operate “A/C” if the hood

is open. The air conditioning

may operate unintentionally and

objects may be drawn into the

electrical cooling fan.

NOTICE

■

To prevent the traction bat-

tery from being discharged

through incorrect operation

Use “A/C” only when necessary.

Heated steering
wheel

/seat heat-

ers/seat ventilators



Heated steering wheel

Warms up the grip of the
steering wheel



Seat heaters

Warm up the seat upholstery



Seat ventilators

Maintain good airflow on the
seat upholstery by sucking air
into the seats

WARNING

■

To prevent minor burn inju-

ries

Care should be taken if anyone in

the following categories comes in

contact with the steering wheel or

seats when the heater is on:

●

Babies, small children, the

elderly, the sick and the physi-

cally challenged

●

Persons with sensitive skin

●

Persons who are fatigued

●

Persons who have taken alco-

hol or drugs that induce sleep

(sleeping drugs, cold remedies,

etc.)

416

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

Turns the heated steering wheel
on/off

Each time the switch is pressed,
the operation condition changes as
follows.
AUTO (lit)



Hi (2 segments lit)



Lo (1 segment lit)



Off

The AUTO indicator

and/or level

indicator

illuminates during

operation.

■

The heated steering wheel can

be used when

The power switch is in ON.

■

Front

Turns the seat heaters on/off

Each time the switch is pressed,
the operation condition changes as
follows.
AUTO (lit)



Hi (3 segments lit)



Mid (2 segments lit)



Lo (1 seg-

ment lit)



Off

The AUTO indicator

and/or level

indicator

illuminates during

operation.

■

Rear outboard seats (If
equipped)

Each time the switch is pressed,
the operation condition changes
as follows.
Hi (3 segments lit)



Mid (2

segments lit)



Lo (1 segment

lit)



Off

When not in use, put the switch
in the neutral position. The indi-
cator will turn off.

NOTICE

■

To prevent damage to the

seat heaters and seat ventila-

tors

Do not put heavy objects that

have an uneven surface on the

seat and do not stick sharp

objects (needles, nails, etc.) into

the seat.

■

To prevent 12-volt battery dis-

charge

Do not use the functions when the

EV system is off.

Heated steering wheel

Seat heaters

417

6-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger

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■

The seat heaters can be used

when

The power switch is in ON.

Turns the seat ventilators on/off

Each time the switch is pressed,
the operation condition changes as
follows.
AUTO (lit)



Hi (3 segments lit)



Mid (2 segments lit)



Lo (1 seg-

ment lit)



Off

The AUTO indicator

and/or level

indicator

illuminates during

operation.

■

The seat ventilators can be

used when

The power switch is in ON.

■

Air conditioning system-linked

control mode

When the seat ventilator fan speed

level is Hi, the seat ventilator fan

speed becomes higher according to

the fan speed of the air conditioning

system.

WARNING

■

To prevent causes of over-

heating and minor burn inju-

ries

Observe the following precautions

when using a seat heater

●

Do not cover the seat with a

blanket or cushion when using

the seat heater.

●

Do not use seat heater more

than necessary.

Seat ventilators (front
seats)

Subaru Solterra (2023 year). Manual in english - page 25