automatic transmission SUBARU IMPREZA 2002 2.G Owners Manual

Instruments and controls
3-2
Ignition switch
HB3014BA
The ignition switch has four positions: LOCK, ACC,
ON and START. LOCK
The key can only be inserted or removed in this position. The ignition switch will lock the steering
wheel when you remove the key.
If turning the key is difficult, turn the steering wheel
slightly to the right and left as you turn the key.
Automatic transmission vehicles
HB4016BA
HB2032CA
The key can be turned from “ACC” to “LOCK” only

Instruments and controls
3-12
CAUTION
Do not operate the engine with the oil pres- sure warning light on. This may cause serious engine damage.
AT OIL TEMPerature warning
light (for AT vehicles)
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it may indicate that the automatic transmission fluid
temperature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is unnecessary
to stop the vehicle, but avoid driving up steep
grades or in stop and go traffic.
Automatic transmission control system warn- ing
If the light flashes after the engine starts, it may indi-
cate that the automatic transmission control system
is not working properly. Contact your nearest
SUBARU dealer for service immediately. ABS warning light
The ABS warning light comes on when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON” position and goes out after about two seconds.This is an indication that the ABS system is working
properly.
CAUTION
If the warning light behaves as follows, the
ABS system may not work properly. When the warning light is on, the ABS func-
tion shuts down; however, the conventional
brake system continues to operate normally.
The warning light does not come on when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. The warning light comes on when the igni-
tion switch is turned to the “ON” position, but
it does not go out even when the vehiclespeed exceeds approximately 8 mph (12km/h). The warning light comes on during driving.
If these occur, have the ABS system repaired at the first available opportunity by your
SUBARU dealer.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as shown below, the ABS system may be considered normal.
(U.S.) (Canada)

Instruments and controls
3-17
– CONTINUED –
Daytime running light system
WARNING
The tail lights, parking lights, and side marker
lights are not turned on by the daytime run-ning light system. The light switch must al- ways be turned to the “a ” position when it
is dark outside.
The low beam headlights will automatically come on
at reduced brightness when the engine has started,
under the following conditions: The parking brake is fully released.
The light switch is in the “OFF” or “p ” position.
The automatic transmission selector lever is set at
other than the “P” position. Turn signal lever
HB2015BC
1) Right turn
2) Left turn
3) Lane change for right
4) Lane change for left
To activate the right turn signal, push the turn signal
lever up. To activate the left turn signal, push the
turn signal lever down. When the turn is finished, the
lever will return automatically. If the lever does not
return after cornering, return the lever to the neutralposition by hand.
To signal a lane change, push the turn signal lever up or down slightly and hold it during the lane
change. The turn signal indicator lights will flash in

Instruments and controls
3-26
Compass mirror (if equipped)
HB6019BC
1) Left button
2) Auto dimming indicator
3) Photosensor
4) Right button
The inside electronic compass mirror has an anti-
glare feature which automatically reduces glare
coming from headlights of vehicles behind you. It also contains a built-in compass. By pressing and releasing the left button, the au-
tomatic dimming function is toggled on or off. Whenthe automatic dimming function is on, the auto dim-
ming indicator light (green) located to the right of the button will illuminate.
By pressing and releasing the right button, the
compass display is toggled on or off. When the
compass is on, an illuminated compass reading will
appear in the lower part of the mirror.
Even with the mirror in anti-glare mode, the mirror
surface turns bright if the transmission is shifted into
reverse. This is to ensure good rearward visibility
during reversing.
n Photosensors
HB6020BA
The mirror has a photosensor attached on both the
front and back sides. If the glare from the headlights
of vehicles behind you strikes the mirror, these sen-
sors detect it and make the reflection surface of the
mirror dimmer to help prevent you from being

7
7-1
– CONTINUED –
Fuel 7-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel requirements 7-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel filler lid and cap 7-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
State emission testing (U.S. only) 7-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Preparing to drive 7-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine 7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine for a manual transmission vehicle 7-8
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine for an automatic
transmission vehicle 7-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting the engine during cold weather below –4 °F ( –20 °C) 7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting a flooded engine 7-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stopping the engine 7-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission 7-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shifting speeds 7-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips 7-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 7-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selector lever for automatic transmission 7-14 . . . .
Shift lock release 7-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear viscous limited slip differential
(LSD) (if equipped) 7-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering 7-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 7-21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking tips 7-21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 7-21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators 7-22 . . . . . .
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) 7-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ABS system self-check 7-23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS warning light 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Parking your vehicle 7-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control (if equipped) 7-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To set cruise control 7-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To temporarily cancel the cruise control 7-28 . . . . . .
To turn off the cruise control 7-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
To change the cruising speed 7-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Starting and operating

Starting and operating
7-8
Starting the engine
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter motor continuously
for more than ten seconds. If the engine fails to start after operating the starter for five to ten seconds, wait for ten seconds or more be-fore trying again.
Starting the engine for a manual transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the
shift lever into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor while starting the engine.
The starter motor will only operate when the clutch
pedal is pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicatorlights. Refer to the “Warning and indicator light ” sec-
tion (chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release the key immediately after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait
a while and then turn the ignition switch to the
“START”
position again while depressing the accel-
erator pedal half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have
gone off after the engine has started. The fuel injec-
tion system automatically lowers the idle speed as
the engine warms up.
Starting the engine for an automatic transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Shift the selector lever to the “P” or “N” position
(preferably “P” position).
The starter motor will only operate when the select lever is at the “P” or “N” position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicator lights. Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights ”
section (chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release
the key immediately after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait

Starting and operating
7-13
– CONTINUED –
labor.
On steep downgrades, downshift the transmission
to 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as necessary; this helps to
maintain a safe speed and to extend brake pad life.
In this way, the engine provides a braking effect. Re-
member, if you “ride” (over use) the brakes while de-
scending a hill, they may overheat and not work
properly. Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission is electronically con-
trolled with 4-forward speeds and 1-reverse speed. NOTE
Immediately after a disconnected battery is re-
connected or ATF (automatic transmission fluid) is replaced, you may feel that the automatic
transmission operation is somewhat unusual.
This results from erasure or invalidation of data
the on-board computer has collected and storedin memory to allow the transmission to shift at the most appropriate times for the current condi- tion of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be re-stored as the vehicle continues to be driven for awhile.
WARNING
Do not shift from the
“P” or “N” position into
the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” or “R” position while de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may
cause the vehicle to jump forward or back- ward.

Starting and operating
7-14
CAUTION
Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after
the vehicle is completely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause dam- age to the transmission. Do not race the engine for more than five
seconds in any position except the “N” or “P”
position when the brake is set or the tires areon blocks. This may cause the automatic
transmission fluid to overheat. Avoid shifting from one of the forward driv-
ing positions into the “R” position or vice
versa until the vehicle has completelystopped. Such shifting may cause damage tothe transmission.
Selector lever for automatic transmis- sion
HB7010AA

Starting and operating
7-16
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the selector lever in the “N” (neutral) position. Engine braking
has no effect in this condition and the risk ofan accident is consequently increased.
D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving.The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable
gear from 1st to 4th according to the vehicle speed
and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position,
press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor andhold that position. The transmission will automatical-
ly downshift to 3rd, 2nd or 1st gear. When you re-
lease the pedal, the transmission will return to the
original gear position.
n While climbing a grade
When driving up hill, undesired upshift to 4th gear is
prevented from taking place when the accelerator
pedal is released. This minimizes the chances of subsequent downshifting to a lower gear when ac-
celerating again. This prevents repeated upshifting
and downshifting resulting in a smoother operation of the vehicle.
NOTE The transmission may downshift to 2nd or 1st
gear, depending on the way the accelerator pedalis pressed to accelerate the vehicle again. n While going down a hill
When descending a steep hill, depressing the brake
pedal will cause the transmission to downshift to 3rd
gear, thus applying engine braking. Reacceleration
for a short time will cause the transmission to upshift
normally. NOTE In some cases, depressing the brake pedal on a downhill grade does not result in an automatic
downshift to 3rd gear. This can happen when theautomatic transmission fluid temperature is very
low, for example, during driving shortly after the
vehicle has been parked for an extended period
of time. When the ATF temperature has risen to a
certain level, automatic downshift normally takes
place. In the meantime, downshift manually forengine braking as required.Also, downshifting when braking downhill willnot occur at speeds above approximately 48 mph(78 km/h).

Starting and operating
7-17
– CONTINUED –
3 (Third)
This position is for using engine braking when going down a hill or for climbing a grade.The transmission automatically shifts into a suitable
gear from 1st to 3rd according to the vehicle speed
and the acceleration you require.
When more acceleration is required in this position,
press the accelerator pedal fully to the floor and hold that position. The transmission will automatical-
ly downshift to 2nd or 1st gear. When you release
the pedal, the transmission will return to the originalgear position.
2 (Second)
This position is for using engine braking when goingdown a hill or for climbing a steep grade.In this position, the transmission holds in the 2nd
gear.
Use this position when starting off from a standstill
on slippery road surfaces such as mud or snow. It
will ensure greater traction.
1 (First)
This position is for driving up or down very steep
grades, or driving through mud or sand, or on slip-
pery surfaces. In this position, the transmission
holds in the 1st gear.
Maximum speeds
The following tables show the maximum speeds that
are possible with each different gear. The tachome-ter’ s needle will enter the red area if these speeds
are exceeded.
When shifting down a gear, it is important to confirm
that the current vehicle speed is not in excess of the
Maximum Allowable Speed of the gear which is
about to be selected.Exceeding the Maximum Allowable Speeds will
result in over-revving of the engine. In addition a
powerful engine brake will engage and control of the vehicle may be lost. mph (km/h)
2.5 liter models2.0 liter turbo
RSTS, OUTBACKSPORTmodelsWRX
129 (47)35 (56)40 (65)
258 (93)64 (103)73 (118)
NOTE In order to prevent over-revving during accel-
eration of the vehicle, the transmission will auto-
matically shift to the next highest gear if the Max-