SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2012 4.G Owners Manual

13-14Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
The GVWR and front and rear
GAWRs are determined by not only
the maximum load rating of tires but
also loaded capacities of the vehi-cle ’s suspension, axles and other
parts of the body.
Therefore, this means that the
vehicle cannot necessarily be
loaded up to the tire ’s maximum
load rating on the tire sidewall. & Adverse safety conse-
quences of overloading on
handling and stopping and
on tires
Overloading could affect vehicle
handling, stopping distance, and
vehicle and tire performance in the
following ways. This could lead to
an accident and possibly result in
severe personal injury. . Vehicle stability will deteriorate.
. Heavy and/or high-mounted
loads could increase the risk of
rollover. . Stopping distance will increase.
. Brakes could overheat and fail. .
Suspension, bearings, axles and
other body parts could break or
experience accelerated wear that
will shorten vehicle life.
. Tires could fail.
. Tread separation could occur.
. Tire could separate from its rim.
& Steps for Determining Cor-
rect Load Limit
1. Locate the statement “The com-
bined weight of occupants and
cargo should never exceed XXX
kg or XXX lbs. ”on your vehicle ’s
placard.
2. Determine the combined weight
of the driver and passengers that
will be riding in your vehicle. 3. Subtract the combined weight of
the driver and passengers from
XXX kg or XXX lbs. 4. The resulting figure equals the
available amount of cargo and
luggage load capacity. For exam-
ple, if the “XXX ”amount equals
1,400 lbs (635 kg) and there will be
five- 150 lbs (68 kg) passengers in your vehicle, the amount of avail-
able cargo and luggage load capa-
city is 650 lbs. (1,400
750 (5 6
150) = 650 lbs)
5. Determine the combined weight
of luggage and cargo being loaded
on the vehicle. That weight may not
safely exceed the available cargo
and luggage load capacity calcu-
lated in Step 4. 6. If your vehicle will be towing a
trailer, load from your trailer will be
transferred to your vehicle. Consult
this manual to determine how this
reduces the available cargo and
luggage load capacity of your ve-hicle. NOTE
Your vehicle is neither designed
nor intended to be used for
trailer towing. Therefore, never
tow a trailer with your vehicle.

Uniform tire quality grading standards
This information indicates the rela-
tive performance of passenger car
tires in the area of treadwear,
traction, and temperature resis-
tance. This is to aid the consumer
in making an informed choice in the
purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maxi-
mum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new
pneumatic tires for use on passen-
ger cars. However, they do not
apply to deep tread, winter type
snow tires, space-saver or tempor-
ary use spare tires, tires with
nominal rim diameters of 12 inches
or less, or to some limited produc-
tion tires.
All passenger car tires must con-form to Federal Safety Require-
ments in addition to these grades.
& Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified
government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one and one-half (1-
1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires
depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may
depart significantly from the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in
road characteristics and climate. & Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire ’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on spe- cified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked
C may have poor traction perfor- mance.
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accel-
eration, cornering, hydroplan-
ing, or peak traction charac-teristics.
& Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing thetire ’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified indoor labora-
tory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-15
– CONTINUED –

13-16Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dards No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive
speed, underinflation, or ex-
cessive loading, either sepa-
rately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possi-
ble tire failure. Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.)
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a
crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Subaru of
America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety
defect exists in a group of vehi-
cles, it may order a recall and
remedy campaign. However,
NHTSA cannot become involved
in individual problems between
you, your dealer, or Subaru of
America, Inc. To contact NHTSA,
you may call the Vehicle Safety
Hotline toll-free at 1-888-327-4236
(TTY: 1-800-424-9153); go to
http://www.safercar.gov; or write
to: Administrator, NHTSA, 1200
New Jersey Avenue, SE, West Building, Washington, DC 20590.
You can also obtain other informa-
tion about motor vehicle safety
from http://www.safercar.gov.

Index
14

14-2Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................................... 7-26
Warning light ......................................................... 3-18
Accessories ....................................................... 5-4, 11-39
Accessory power outlet ................................................. 6-8
Active head restraint ..................................................... 1-5
Air cleaner element ................................................... 11-13
Air conditioner Automatic climate control system ............................... 4-8
Manual climate control system ................................... 4-3
Air filtration system ..................................................... 4-13
Airflow selection Automatic climate control system ............................... 4-8
Manual climate control system ................................... 4-3
Alarm system ............................................................ 2-15
Aluminum wheel ....................................................... 11-30
Cleaning ............................................................... 10-3
Antenna system ........................................................... 5-3
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ..................................... 7-26
Arming the system ..................................................... 2-16
Armrest ....................................................................... 1-8
Ashtray ..................................................................... 6-10
Audio Antenna system ....................................................... 5-3
Auxiliary input jack ................................................. 5-23
Bluetooth
®audio .................................................... 5-33
CD player operation ............................................... 5-16
Control button ........................................................ 5-31
FM/AM radio operation ........................................... 5-10
iPod
®operations .................................................... 5-26
Power and sound controls ......................................... 5-7 Satellite radio operations
......................................... 5-13
Set ........................................................................ 5-4
USB storage device operations ................................ 5-26
Auto-dimming mirror/compass .............................. 3-37, 3-38
Automatic climate control system ................................... 4-8
Automatic transmission Fluid ..................................................................... 12-7
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-12
Auxiliary input jack ...................................................... 5-23
B Battery .................................................................... 11-36
Drainage prevention function ..................................... 2-5
Jump starting .......................................................... 9-9
Replacement (remote engine start transmitter) ........... 7-12
Replacement (remote keyless entry system) .............. 2-11
Bluetooth
®audio ........................................................ 5-33
Booster seat .............................................................. 1-27
Bottle holder ............................................................... 6-7
Brake Assist .................................................................... 7-25
Booster ....................................................... 7-25, 11-20
Fluid ........................................................... 11-18, 12-7
Pad and lining ...................................................... 11-22
Parking ....................................................... 7-33, 11-23
Pedal .................................................................. 11-20
System .................................................................. 7-25
Brake pedal Free play ............................................................. 11-20
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-21
Brake system ............................................................. 7-25

Warning light......................................................... 3-19
Braking ..................................................................... 7-24
Tips...................................................................... 7-24
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-22
Bulb Chart .................................................................. 12-14
Replacing ............................................................. 11-39
C
Cargo area Cover ................................................................... 6-12
Light ............................................................. 6-2, 11-47
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-13
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center Console .................................................................. 6-5
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Center and side ventilators ............................................ 4-3
Changing
Coolant ................................................................ 11-12
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-5
Oil and oil filter ...................................................... 11-9
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-16
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light ....................................................................... 3-15
Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-20
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-21
Clutch function ...................................................... 11-21
Clutch pedal free play ............................................ 11-21
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-12 Fluid level (brake fluid)
.......................................... 11-18
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-19
Fluid level (power steering fluid) .. ........................... 11-17
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-31
Oil level (engine oil) ................................................ 11-8
Oil level (manual transmission oil) .......................... 11-15
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-21
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-27
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ... ............................. 1-24
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-29
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-31
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks .................................................................... 2-20
Chime
Key........................................................................ 3-4Light ..................................................................... 3-29
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-13
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ...................................................... 4-12
Climate control system
Automatic ............................................................... 4-8
Manual ................................................................... 4-3
Clock ........................................................................ 3-25
Clutch Fluid ........................................................... 11-19, 12-7
Pedal .................................................................. 11-21
Compass ........................................................... 3-37, 3-38
Continuously variable transmission Fluid ..................................................................... 12-7 Index
14-3

14-4Index
Coolant ............................................................ 11-12, 12-8
Cooling system ......................................................... 11-11
Corrosion protection ................................................... 10-4
Cruise control ............................................................ 7-37
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-24
Set indicator light ................................................... 3-24
Cup holder .................................................................. 6-5
Front passenger ’s .................................................... 6-5
Rear passenger ’s..................................................... 6-7
D
Daytime running light system ....................................... 3-30
Defogger ................................................................... 3-45
Deicer ...................................................................... 3-45
Differential gear oil Front .................................................................... 12-6
Rear ............................................................ 11-16, 12-6
Dimensions ............................................................... 12-2
Disarming the alarm system ........................................ 2-17
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................ 7-25
Dome light ........................................................ 6-2, 11-47
Door Locks ..................................................................... 2-4
Open warning light ................................................. 3-20
Drive belts. ............................................................... 11-15
Driver ’s Control Center Differential ............................... 7-18
Auto indicator light ................................................. 3-24
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-25
Driving AWD vehicles .......................................................... 8-4
Car phone/cell phone .................................................. 8 Drinking.
.................................................................... 7
Drugs ........................................................................ 7
Foreign countries ..................................................... 8-4
Pets .......................................................................... 8
Snowy and icy roads ............................................... 8-7
Tips ................................................. 7-16, 7-17, 8-2, 8-4
Tired or sleepy ........................................................... 8
Winter .................................................................... 8-6
E
Electrical system ........................................................ 12-3
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system... 3-19, 7-26
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ............................. 1-12
Engine Compartment overview ............................................ 11-6
Coolant ....................................................... 11-12, 12-8
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................. 6, 8-2
Hood .................................................................... 11-5
Oil ................................................................ 11-8, 12-5Overheating ........................................................... 9-12
Starting .................................................................. 7-9
Stopping ................................................................ 7-10
Exterior care .............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ..................................................................... 9-5
Floor mat ................................................................... 6-10
Fluid level
Brake .................................................................. 11-18
Clutch ................................................................. 11-19
Power steering ..................................................... 11-17

Fog lightBulb .................................................................... 11-42
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-24
Switch .................................................................. 3-33
Folding mirror switch .................................................. 3-45
Front
Differential gear oil ................................................. 12-6
Fog light ...................................................... 3-33, 11-42
Fog light indicator light ............................................ 3-24
Seatbelt pretensioners ............................................ 1-19
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-42
Front seats .................................................................. 1-2
Active head restraint ................................................. 1-5
Forward and backward adjustment ............................. 1-3
Head restraint adjustment ......................................... 1-4
Reclining ................................................................. 1-3
Seat cushion height adjustment ................................. 1-4
Fuel ........................................................................... 7-3
Consumption indicator ............................................ 3-26
Economy hints ......................................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-4
Gauge .................................................................... 3-9
Requirements .................................................. 7-3, 12-4
Fuses ...................................................................... 11-37
Fuses and circuits .................................................... 12-10
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) .............................. 8-11
Glove box ................................................................... 6-5
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) .......................... 8-11H
Hands-free system.
..................................................... 5-35
Hazard warning flasher .......................................... 3-5, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment Front seat ............................................................... 1-4
Rear seat ............................................................... 1-8
Headlight Beam leveler. ......................................................... 3-31
Bulb replacement ................................................. 11-39
Bulb replacing ...................................................... 11-39
Bulb wattage ........................................................ 12-14
Control switch ........................................................ 3-29
Flasher .................................................................. 3-30
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-24
Heater operation (manual climate control system) ... ......... 4-5
High beam indicator light ............................................. 3-24
High mount stop light ................................................ 11-47
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................................. 3-29
Hill start assist (MT models) ............................... 7-35, 11-22
OFF indicator light .................................................. 3-20
To activate/deactivate .............................................. 7-35
Warning light .......................................................... 3-20
HomeLink
®................................................................. 3-38
Hook Cargo tie-down ....................................................... 6-13
Shopping bag ........................................................ 6-11
Towing and tie-down ............................................... 9-13
Horn ......................................................................... 3-48
Hose and connections ............................................... 11-11 Index
14-5

14-6Index
I
Ignition switch .............................................................. 3-3
Light ....................................................................... 3-4
Illumination brightness control ...................................... 3-31
Immobilizer. ................................................................. 2-2
Indicator light (security indicator light) ....................... 3-23
Indicator light Cruise control ........................................................ 3-24
Cruise control set ................................................... 3-24
Front fog light ........................................................ 3-24
Headlight .............................................................. 3-24
High beam ............................................................ 3-24
Hill start assist OFF ................................................ 3-20
Immobilizer. ........................................................... 3-23
REV ..................................................................... 3-25Security ................................................................ 3-23
Shift-up ................................................................. 3-23
SI-DRIVE .............................................................. 3-23
Traction control OFF ............................................... 3-21
Turn signal ............................................................ 3-24
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF ................................ 3-21
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation ................. 3-20, 3-21
Information display ..................................................... 3-26
Inside mirror .............................................................. 3-37
Interior lights ............................................................... 6-2
Internal trunk lid release handle ................................... 2-24
iiPod
®operations ........................................................ 5-26 J
Jack and jack handle
................................................... 9-4
Jack-up point .............................................................. 9-5
Jump starting .............................................................. 9-9
K
Key............................................................................ 2-2 Number .................................................................. 2-2
Reminder chime ...................................................... 3-4
Replacement. .......................................................... 2-3
L
Leather seat materials ................................................. 10-5
License plate light ..................................................... 11-45
Light
Back-up (4-door) .................................................. 11-43
Back-up (5-door) .................................................. 11-45
Brake/Tail and rear side marker (4-door) .................. 11-43
Cargo area ............................................................. 6-2
Control switch ........................................................ 3-29
Dome ..................................................................... 6-2
Front fog ..................................................... 3-33, 11-42
Front position ......................................................... 3-29
High mount stop ................................................... 11-47
Ignition switch ......................................................... 3-4
License plate ....................................................... 11-45
Map .............................................................. 6-3, 11-46
Rear combination ................................................. 11-43
Trunk .................................................................. 11-47
Turn signal ........................................ 3-30, 11-42, 11-43
Limited slip differential (LSD). ....................................... 7-24

Loading your vehicle.................................................. 8-10
Low fuel warning light ................................................. 3-20
Low tire pressure warning light .................................... 3-16
Lower and tether anchorage ........................................ 1-29
LSD (Limited slip differential) ....................................... 7-24
Lubricants ................................................................. 12-5
M Maintenance Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule .............................................................. 11-3
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-19
Tools ...................................................................... 9-3
Malfunction indicator light (check engine warning light) ... 3-15Manual Climate control system ............................................. 4-3
Transmission oil ............................................ 11-15, 12-6
Transmission-5 speeds ........................................... 7-16
Transmission-6 speeds ........................................... 7-14
Map light ........................................................... 6-3, 11-46
Meters and gauges ...................................................... 3-5
Mirror defogger .......................................................... 3-45
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-37
Moonroof .......................................................... 2-27, 9-17
N
New vehicle break-in driving .......................................... 8-2
O
Odometer/Trip meter .................................................... 3-7
Oil filter ..................................................................... 11-9 Oil level
Engine .................................................................. 11-8
Manual transmission ............................................. 11-15
Rear differential gear ............................................ 11-16
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-16
Outside Mirror defogger ...................................................... 3-45
Mirrors .................................................................. 3-44
Temperature indicator .............................................. 3-27
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-12
PParking Brake .................................................................... 7-33
Brake stroke ........................................................ 11-23
Tips ...................................................................... 7-33
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel ................................................................... 7-3
Power Door locking switch .................................................. 2-6
Outside mirrors .............................................. 3-44, 3-45
Steering ................................................................ 7-24
Steering fluid ................................................ 11-17, 12-7
Windows ............................................................... 2-20
Precautions against vehicle modification ................ 1-21, 1-57
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-8
RRear Combination lights ................................................ 11-43
Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-16, 12-6 Index
14-7