2020 Subaru Impreza Owners Manual - Hill start assist system

Hill start assist system

The Hill start assist system is a device to make the following vehicle operations easier.

Starting forward facing uphill

Starting backward facing downhill

Brake pedal

Clutch pedal (MT models only)

In both these cases, the Hill start assist system operates under the following con- ditions.

When the clutch pedal is depressed while the brake pedal is also depressed (MT models)

When the vehicle has stopped with the brake pedal depressed (CVT models)

Braking power is maintained temporarily (for approximately 2 seconds) by the Hill start assist system after the brake pedal is released. The driver is therefore able to start the vehicle in the same way as on a level grade, just using the clutch pedal (MT models only) and accelerator pedal (all models).

If the braking power of the Hill start assist system is insufficient after the brake pedal is released, apply more braking power by depressing the brake pedal again.

The Hill start assist system may not operate on slight grades. Also, the Hill start assist system does not operate in the following cases.

Starting and operating/Hill start assist system 7-45

When starting backward facing uphill

When starting forward facing downhill

While the parking brake is applied

While the ignition switch is in the “ACC” or “LOCK”/“OFF” position

While the Hill start assist warning light/

Hill start assist OFF indicator light is illuminated. Refer to “Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF indicator light”  3-22.

When using the Hill start assist system, a braking effect may be felt even after the brake pedal has been released. However, for MT models, this braking effect should disappear once the clutch pedal is re- leased.

& To activate/deactivate the Hill start assist system

Hill start assist OFF indicator light

To activate and deactivate the Hill start assist system, perform the following steps.

! To deactivate

Park your vehicle in a flat and safe location and apply the parking brake.

Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/ “OFF” position.

Restart the engine.

Confirm the following items.

The brake system warning light illuminates.

The Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light turns off.

The Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light turns off.

The ABS warning light turns off.

Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch

Press and hold the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch for 30 seconds until the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indica- tor light “” on the combination meter turns on and off.

Within 5 seconds, release the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch.

Hill start assist OFF indicator

Within 2 seconds, press back the Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF switch. The Hill start assist OFF indicator light turns on and off.

Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/ “OFF” position. Hill start assist is deacti- vated.

! To reactivate

To reactivate Hill start assist system, repeat steps 1 to 8. When the Hill start assist system is activated, the Hill start assist OFF indicator light turns off.

Refer to “Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF indicator light”  3-22.