service SUBARU IMPREZA 2003 2.G Owners Manual

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Warranties Warranties for U.S.A.
All SUBARU vehicles distributed by Subaru of Amer-
ica, Inc. and sold at retail by an authorized SUBARU
dealer in the United States come with the followingwarranties: SUBARU Limited Warranty
Emission Control Systems Warranty
Emissions Performance Warranty
All warranty information, including details of cover-
age and exclusions, is in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. Please read these warranties care-
fully. Warranties for Canada
All SUBARU vehicles distributed by Subaru Canada,
Inc. and sold at retail by an authorized SUBARU
dealer in Canada come with the following warran-ties: SUBARU Limited Warranty
Anti-Corrosion Warranty
Emission Control Warranty
All warranty information, including details of cover- age and exclusions, is in the Warranty and Service
Booklet. Please read these warranties carefully.
NOTE
This vehicle does not contain mer- cury devices or parts.

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How to use this owner’s manual
Using your Owner ’s manual
Before you operate your vehicle, carefully read this
manual. To protect yourself and extend the service
life of your vehicle, follow the instructions in this
manual. Failure to observe these instructions may
result in serious injury and damage to your vehicle.
This manual is composed of fourteen chapters. Each chapter begins with a brief table of contents,so you can usually tell at a glance if that chapter
contains the information you want. Chapter 1: Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
This chapter informs you how to use the seat and
seatbelt and contains precautions for the SRS air- bags.Chapter 2: Keys and doors
This chapter informs you how to operate the keys,locks and windows.Chapter 3: Instruments and controls
This chapter informs you about the operation of
instrument panel indicators and how to use theinstruments and other switches.Chapter 4: Climate Control
This chapter informs you how to operate the climate control.Chapter 5: Audio
This chapter informs you how to operate your audiosystem.Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate interior equipment. Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and operateyour SUBARU.Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your SUBARU in various conditions and explains some safety tips on driving.Chapter 9: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you have a
problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engineoverheating. Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARUlooking good.
Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need to take
your SUBARU to the dealer for scheduled mainte-
nance and informs you how to keep your SUBARU
running properly.

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1
Table of contents
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
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Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags Keys and doors Instruments and controls Climate control Audio
Interior equipment
Starting and operating Driving tips
In case of emergency Appearance careMaintenance and service Specifications
Index
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-28
ating noise will be heard and a small amount of
smoke will be released. These occurrences are nor-
mal and not harmful. This smoke does not indicate a
fire in the vehicle.
Once the seatbelt pretensioner has been activated,
the seatbelt retractor remains locked. Consequently,
the seatbelt can not be pulled out and retracted and
therefore must be replaced. NOTE Seatbelt pretensioners are not designed to
activate in minor frontal impacts, in side or rear
impacts or in roll-over accidents. The driver ’s seat and passenger ’s seat preten-
sioners and frontal SRS airbag operate simulta-
neously. Pretensioners are designed to function on a
one-time-only basis. In the event that a preten-sioner is activated, both the driver ’s and front
passenger’ s seatbelt retractor assemblies must
be replaced only by an authorized SUBARU
dealer. When replacing seatbelt retractor assem-
blies, use only genuine SUBARU parts. If either front seatbelt does not retract or can-
not be pulled out due to a malfunction or activa-
tion of the pretensioner, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
If the front seatbelt retractor assembly or sur-
rounding area has been damaged, contact your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to
explain to the buyer that it has seatbelt preten-sioners by alerting him to the contents of this section.
WARNING
To obtain maximum protection, the occu-
pants should sit in an upright position with their seatbelts properly fastened. Refer to the
“Seatbelts” section in this chapter.
Do not modify, remove or strike the front
seatbelt retractor assemblies or surrounding
area. This could result in accidental activation of the seatbelt pretensioners or could make the system inoperative, possibly resulting in
serious injury. Seatbelt pretensioners have no
user-serviceable parts. For required servicingof front seatbelt retractors equipped with seat-
belt pretensioners, see your nearest SUBARU
dealer. When discarding front seatbelt retractor
assemblies or scrapping the entire car due to
collision damage or for other reasons, consult
your SUBARU dealer.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-30
tion of the seatbelt pretensioner and/or SRS airbag or could make the system inoperative,
which may result in serious injury. The wiring
harnesses of the seatbelt pretensioner and
SRS airbag systems are covered with yellowinsulation and the connectors of the system are yellow for easy identification. Do not use
electrical test equipment on any circuit relatedto the seatbelt pretensioner and SRS airbag
systems. For required servicing of the seat-
belt pretensioner, see your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
CAUTION
The front sub sensors are located in both front fenders and the SRS airbag control mod-
ule including the impact sensors is located
under the center console. If you need service or repair in those areas or near the front seat-belt retractors, we recommend that you have
an authorized SUBARU dealer perform thework.
NOTE If the front part of the vehicle is damaged in an
accident to the extent that the seatbelt preten- sioner does not operate, contact your SUBARUdealer as soon as possible.
Precautions against vehicle modifica- tion
CAUTION
Do not perform any of the following modifica- tions. Such modifications can interfere with proper operation of the seatbelt pretension- ers.Attachment of any equipment (bush bar,
winches, snow plow, skid plate, etc.) otherthan SUBARU genuine accessory parts to thefront end. Modification of the suspension system or
front end structure. Installation of a tire of different size and
construction from the tires specified on thetire placard attached to the driver ’s door jamb.
Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you want to
install any accessory parts to your vehicle.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-64
Frontal airbag module (Passenger ’s side)
Side airbag sensor (Driver ’s side — if equipped)
Side airbag sensor (Passenger ’s side — if
equipped) Side airbag module (Driver ’s side — if equipped)
Side airbag module (Passenger ’s side — if
equipped) Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver ’s side)
Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger ’s side)
All related wiring
In the event of a malfunction indicated by any of fol-
lowing, the vehicle should be taken promptly to your
nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system
checked. Unless checked and repaired, the SRS
airbags will not function reliably: Flashing or flickering of the indicator light.
No illumination of the warning light when the igni-
tion switch is first turned to the “ON” position.
Continuous illumination of the warning light.
Illumination of the warning light while driving.
SRS airbag system servicing
WARNING
When discarding an airbag module or scrap-
ping the entire car damaged by a collision,
consult your SUBARU dealer. The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable
parts. Do not use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRS airbag system.For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see
your nearest SUBARU dealer. Tampering withor disconnecting the system ’s wiring could re-
sult in accidental inflation of the SRS airbag
or could make the system inoperative, which
may result in serious injury. The wiring har-
nesses of the SRS airbag system are coveredwith yellow insulation and system connectorsare yellow for easy identification.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-65
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CAUTION
If you need service or repair in areas listed be-
low, we recommend that you have an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer perform the work. The
SRS airbag control module, impact sensors
and airbag modules are stored in these areas.Under the center console
Inside each front fender
Steering wheel and column and nearby
areas Top of the dashboard on front passenger ’s
side and nearby areas Each front seat and nearby area (only for ve-
hicles with SRS side airbags) Inside each center pillar
In the event that the SRS airbag is deployed, re-
placement of the system should be performed
only by an authorized SUBARU dealer. When the
components of the SRS airbag system are re-
placed, use only genuine SUBARU parts.
To ensure their long-term reliability, the SRS airbags must be inspected by a SUBARU dealer ten years
after the date of manufacture, which is shown on the
certification plate attached to the driver ’s door jamb. NOTE In the following cases, contact your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
The front part of the vehicle was involved in an
accident in which the SRS frontal airbags did not
deploy. The pad section of the steering wheel or front
passenger’ s frontal airbag cover is scratched,
cracked, or otherwise damaged. In addition, if your vehicle is equipped with SRS side airbags, contact your SUBARU dealer assoon as possible in the following cases. Either center pillar or a nearby area of the ve-
hicle was involved in an accident in which the
SRS side airbag did not deploy. The fabric or leather of either front seatback is
cut, frayed, or otherwise damaged.

Instruments and controls
3-13
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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)

Climate control
4-12
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperatureweather conditions
Under certain weather conditions (high relative hu-
midity, low temperatures, etc.) a small amount of wa-
ter vapor emission from the air outlets may be not-
iced. This condition is normal and does not indicate
any problem with the air conditioning system. Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded
To improve acceleration and gas mileage, the air
conditioner compressor is designed to temporarily
shut off during air conditioner operation whenever
the accelerator is fully depressed such as duringrapid acceleration or when driving on a steepupgrade. Refrigerant for your climate control system
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly refrigerant
HFC134a. Therefore, the method of adding, chang-
ing or checking the refrigerant is different from the
method for CFC12 (Freon). Consult your SUBARU
dealer for service. Repairs needed as a result of using the wrong refrigerant are not covered under
warranty.

Starting and operating
7-2
Fuel
CAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in quality or use of an inappropriate fuel additive may cause en- gine damage.
Fuel requirements
2.5 Liter models
The 2.5 Liter engine is designed to operate using
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or
higher.
2.0 Liter (turbo) models
The 2.0 Liter turbo engine is designed to operate
using premium unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 91 AKI or higher. If premium unleaded gas-
oline is not available, regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher may be tempo-
rarily used. For optimum engine performance and
driveability, it is recommended that you use pre-
mium grade unleaded gasoline.
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the ResearchOctane and Motor Octane numbers and is com-
monly referred to as the Anti Knock Index (AKI).Using a gasoline with a lower octane rating cancause persistent and heavy knocking, which can
damage the engine. Do not be concerned if your
vehicle sometimes knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when you accelerate. See your dealer or a
qualified service technician if you use a fuel with thespecified octane rating and your vehicle knocks
heavily or persistently.
Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed to acceptonly an unleaded gasoline filler nozzle. Under no
circumstances should leaded gasoline be used be-
cause it will damage the emission control system
and may impair driveability and fuel economy.
Gasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California ’s low emis-
sion vehicle (LEV) standards as indicated on the
underhood tune-up label. It is designed to optimize
engine and emission performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur California gaso-
line specifications. If you live in any other state than
California, your vehicle will operate on gasoline