Subaru Legacy BN/BS (2015-2019) Owners Manual: Electronic parking brake

CVT models

1) Parking brake switch
2) Indicator light
3) Release the electronic parking brake
4) Apply the electronic parking brake

MT models

1) Parking brake switch
2) Indicator light
3) Release the electronic parking brake
4) Apply the electronic parking brake

Your vehicle is equipped with an electronic parking brake. You can apply/release the parking brake by operating the parking brake switch.

To apply: Depress the brake pedal and pull up the parking brake switch.

To release: Press the parking brake switch firmly while the ignition switch is in the "ON" position and the brake pedal is depressed.

Electronic parking brake indicator light

When the parking brake is applied while the ignition switch is in the "ON" position, the following indicator lights illuminate.

•  the indicator light on the parking brake switch
•  the electronic parking brake indicator light on the combination meter (for details, refer to "Electronic parking brake indicator light" .)

NOTE

•  The parking brake will not be released under the following conditions even if the parking brake switch is pressed.

•  The ignition switch is in the "ACC" or "LOCK"/"OFF" position.
•  The brake pedal (all models) and/ or clutch pedal (MT models) are not depressed.

•  The electronic parking brake system uses motors to apply the parking brake. Therefore, operating sounds from the motors will be heard when applying or releasing the parking brake. Make sure that the motor sounds are heard when applying or releasing the parking brake.
•  When the electronic parking brake system has a malfunction or the electronic parking brake operation is prohibited temporarily, if the parking brake switch is operated, a chirp sound is heard and the electronic parking brake indicator light flashes.
•  When you cannot release the parking brake due to, for example, a system malfunction, contact your SUBARU dealer and have your SUBARU dealer release the parking brake.
•  If the operation of the electronic parking brake switch is stopped midway or performed extremely slowly, the system may detect an error and turn on the brake system warning light. However, this does not indicate a malfunction if the warning light turns off after operating the switch.
•  When the electronic parking brake has not been used for a long period of time, the electronic parking brake may operate automatically after the ignition switch is turned to the "LOCK"/"OFF" position. This occurs due to checking the proper operation of the electronic parking brake and does not indicate a malfunction.
•  If the electronic parking brake switch is malfunctioning and the electronic parking brake cannot be released, refer to the instructions described in "Automatic release function by accelerator pedal" .
•  After activating the electronic parking brake, you may hear a short sound several minutes after the electronic parking brake indicator light and the indicator light on the electronic parking brake switch illuminate as the system confirms proper engagement. This sound is different from the apply and release sound.

  This can occur:

•  If the brakes are extremely hot.
•  If the car is parked on a steep incline.
•  If the electronic parking brake is applied after the ignition switch is turned OFF.

This is a normal operating sound under any of these conditions.

Automatic release function by accelerator pedal

The electronic parking brake system has an automatic release function. The parking brake will be automatically released by depressing the accelerator pedal. However, the automatic release function does not operate under the following conditions.

•  Any door (other than the trunk lid or rear gate) is open.
•  The driver's seatbelt is not fastened.
•  The clutch pedal is released from the fully depressed position to partially engaged position (MT models).

If the parking brake is automatically released, the electronic parking brake indicator light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch turn off.

NOTE Even if you have applied the parking brake, the parking brake will be automatically released when the accelerator pedal is depressed.

Hill Holder function

The electronic parking brake system has a Hill Holder function. If the Hill Holder function is activated, the parking brake will be automatically applied when stopping on an uphill slope with the brake pedal depressed. In this case, the electronic parking brake indicator light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch illuminate.

The Hill Holder function also operates while driving uphill in reverse.

NOTE

•  The Hill Holder function may not activate on a gentle uphill slope. In this case, manually apply the electronic parking brake.
•  If you do not depress the brake pedal sufficiently, the Hill Holder function may not operate properly. However, this is not a malfunction. When stopping on an uphill slope, depress the brake pedal firmly and release it after the electronic parking brake indicator light illuminates.
•  Depending on the condition of the road surface and braking force, the brakes operate temporarily and feel different than usual.
•  When the electronic parking brake system has a malfunction while the Hill Holder function is activated, a chirp sound is heard, the Hill Holder indicator light turns off and the brake system warning light turns on.
•  When the hill holder activates on a slope, the electronic parking brake is engaged. The electronic parking brake will release when you accelerate from the stop. If you manually release the electronic parking brake while the hill holder is activated, the hill holder function is canceled and will not reengage until the vehicle has moved some distance. In that case, you will need to manually engage the electronic parking brake if needed.

Hill Holder switch

CVT models

MT models

You can activate/deactivate the Hill Holder function by pressing the Hill Holder switch.

To activate: Press the Hill Holder switch.

To deactivate: Press the Hill Holder switch again.

Deactivate the Hill Holder function under the following conditions.

•  When towing a trailer (Outback)
•  When carrying a heavy load
•  When you do not frequently use the parking brake when stopping on an uphill slope

NOTE

•  If the Hill Holder switch is pressed for more than 30 seconds, the Hill Holder indicator light turns off and the system ignores any further pressing of the switch. To activate the switch again, turn the ignition switch to the "LOCK"/ "OFF" position and restart the engine.
•  When the Hill Holder function is deactivated while the Hill Holder function has a malfunction, if you press the Hill Holder switch, a chirp sounds.

Hill Holder indicator light

When the Hill Holder function is activated, the Hill Holder indicator light illuminates.

Refer to "Hill Holder indicator light" .

Emergency brake

NOTE

•  While using the emergency brake, the electronic parking brake indicator light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch illuminate and a chirp sounds.
•  While using the emergency brake, a sound may be heard from the engine compartment. This is the operating sound of the brake that is activated by the Vehicle Dynamics Control system, and does not indicate a malfunction.

If the foot brake has a malfunction, you can stop the vehicle by pulling the parking brake switch continuously.

While applying the emergency brake, the electronic parking brake indicator light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch illuminate and a chirp sounds.

Electronic parking brake system warning

If a malfunction occurs in the electronic parking brake system, the brake system warning light turns on. Refer to "Electronic parking brake system warning" .