Subaru Outback Manuals 2015 Outback Owner's Manual | Page 408

Starting and operating/Parking your vehicle parking brake switch is stopped mid- way or performed extremely slowly, the system may detect an error and flash the brake system warning light. How- ever, this does not indicate a malfunc- tion 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 elec- tronic parking brake cannot be re- leased, refer to the instructions de- scribed in “Automatic release function by accelerator pedal” F7-43. After activating the EPB, you may hear a short sound several minutes after the indicator lamp illuminates as the sys- tem 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 ac- celerator pedal The electronic parking brake system has an automatic release function. The park- ing brake will be automatically released by depressing the accelerator pedal. How- ever, 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 en- gaged position (MT models). If the parking brake is automatically released, the brake system warning 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 auto- matically released when the accelera- tor pedal is depressed. 7-43 ! 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 stop- ping on an uphill slope with the brake pedal depressed. In this case, the brake system warning light and the indicator light on the parking brake switch illuminate. 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 func- tion may not operate properly. How- ever, this is not a malfunction. When stopping on an uphill slope, depress the brake pedal firmly and release it after the brake system warning 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 indica- tor light turns off and the brake system warning light flashes. CONTINUED