SUBARU BRZ 2018 Owners Manual

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4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
CAUTION
■
When using a high pressure car wash
Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if they
come into contact with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts
■ Cleaning the rear bumper cherry red stripe (tS models)
● When using a high pressure car wash (pressure washer) to wash your
vehicle, keep the nozzle a safe distance (11.9 in. [30 cm] or more) from the
stripe. Do not use the high pressure car wash on the same area continu-
ously.
● When using a heated or steam high pressure car wash or extra high-pres-
sure pressure washer, do not point the nozzle directly at the stripe, other-
wise the stripe may come off or be damaged.
● Carefully read the label of a car wash soap before using it, as some car
wash soaps may adversely affect the adhesion strength of the stripe.
● If dirt cannot be removed from the stripe, clean it off using a soft cloth
dampened with a neutral detergent diluted with water.
■ Avoiding damage to the under spoilers (tS models)
● When cleaning the under spoilers, do not use organic substances such as
gasoline, paint thinner, acidic or alkaline solutions, or other detergent.
● The under spoilers may deform if exposed to high temperatures or
extreme heat.

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Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle's interior and
keep it in top condition:
■Protecting the vehicle interior
● Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
● If dirt cannot be removed, wipe it off with a soft cloth damp-
ened with neural detergent diluted to approximately 1%.
● Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off remaining traces of detergent and water.
■ Cleaning the leather areas
● Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool
detergent.
●Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remain-
ing moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded ventilated
area.
■ Cleaning the synthetic leather areas
● Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe it off with a soft cloth dampened with neutral detergent
diluted to approximately 1%.
● Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off remaining traces of detergent and water.

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Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
■
Caring for leather areas
SUBARU recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a
year to maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■ Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a
sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not apply
water. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possi-
ble.
■ Seatbelts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
WARNING
■Water in the vehicle
● Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle.
Doing so may cause electrical components etc. to malfunction or catch
fire.
● Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
(→ P. 98)
Electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or severe injury.
■ Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off
the windshield, obstructing the driver's view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.

344 4-1. Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
CAUTION
■Cleaning detergents
●Do not use organic substances such as benzene or gasoline, acidic or
alkaline solutions, dye, bleach or other detergent. Doing so may discolor
the vehicle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces.
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel's or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
● Do not use a chemical agent containing silicone (highly-polymerized sili-
con compound) when cleaning any of the electrical appliances such as the
air conditioning, all switches and their surrounding areas.
If silicon (highly-polymerized silicon compound) contacts these compo-
nents, it may cause the electrical appliances to malfunction.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces.
●Remove any dust, dirt, sand, oil spots etc. on leather surfaces immedi-
ately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or that contain wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components under the floor of the vehicle, and
may also cause the body to rust.

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Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
CAUTION
■
Cleaning the inside of the rear window
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires.
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires. Use a cloth dampened
with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in
strokes running parallel to the heater wires.
■ When cleaning the instrument panel
When small grains of sand and so forth have gotten into instrument panel’s
surface and cannot be wiped away using a cloth, use a clay bar without add-
ing water. Forcibly trying to wipe the surface clean with a brush or sponge
may scratch the surface or fragments of the cloth may be left in the surface.

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Cleaning and protecting the Alcantara® area∗
∗: If equipped
The following procedures will protect and keep your vehicle’s
Alcantara
® upholstery in top condition:
■Day-to-day cleaning
Perform the following procedures regularly (approximately once
a month).
Wipe the entire Alcantara
® area with a soft cloth that has
been dampened with lukewarm water (approximately 104 °F
[40 °C]) and squeezed out.
Do not wipe too hard. Doing so may make the Alcantara® uphol-
stery surface become uneven. Also, only use a clean cloth.
Once dry, brush the area with a soft brush.
■ Liquid stains
● If liquid is spilled, lightly pat the area with a tissue paper or
similar to soak up the liquid.
● When mud, coffee, etc., has dried on the Alcantara
® uphol-
stery, remove it by lightly brushing the area with a soft brush
or similar.
We recommend using a vacuum cleaner to clean up the area after
the above has been performed.
When a stain cannot be removed using the above procedures,
remove it by performing the following:
Lightly wipe the stained area from the outside to the inside
from multiple angles with a soft cloth that has been damp-
ened with lukewarm water (approximately 104 °F [40 °C])
and squeezed out.
Do not wipe the area so strongly that it causes the Alcantara®
upholstery surface to become uneven. Also, prepare a clean
cloth, and always use a clean area of the cloth.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 1

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■
When removing dirt or dust from the Alcantara® areas
Remove dirt or dust from the Alcantara
® areas by lighting brushing with a
soft brush. If this does not remove the dirt or dust, remove it using adhesive
tape.
CAUTION
■ When soaking up spilled liquids
Do not press down too firmly with the cloth, tissue paper etc., as doing so
may cause the liquid to further penetrate the material, making soaking up
the liquid more difficult.
If the Alcantara® upholstery surface becomes uneven,
lightly brush it with a soft brush.
Allow the surface to dry completely.
■ Oil stains
You will need the following items:
●A cloth that has been dampened with benzene
● A dry cloth
Using a dry cloth or tissue paper, wipe away as much of the
oil as possible to prevent the stained area from expanding.
After patting the area from the outside to the inside from
multiple angles using the cloth dampened with benzene,
soak up the oil and benzene that floats up by patting the
area with a dry cloth.
If the Alcantara
® upholstery surface becomes uneven,
lightly brush it with a soft brush.
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
■Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine SUBARU parts be used for repair to ensure
performance of each system. If non-SUBARU parts are used in replacement
or if a repair shop other than a SUBARU dealer performs repairs, warranty
coverage may be affected. To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance is essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform
regular checks. SUBARU recommends the following maintenance.
■ General maintenance
Should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done by your-
self or by a SUBARU dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Should be performed at specified intervals according to the
maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet” (except for Canada) or “Warranty and
Service Booklet” (for Canada).
■Do-it-yourself maintenance
You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect war-
ranty coverage.
The use of SUBARU Service Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet” (except for Canada) or “Warranty and Service
Booklet” (for Canada).

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Maintenance and care
BRZ_U (A4450BE-A)
■
Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a SUBARU dealer
● SUBARU technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information. They are well informed about the
operations of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your SUBARU dealer will promptly
take care of it.

350 4-2. Maintenance
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WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
It could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.
■ Warning in handling of battery
●Before beginning work on or near any battery, be sure to extinguish all cig-
arettes, matches, and lighters. Never expose a battery to an open flame or
electric sparks. Batteries give off a gas which is highly flammable and
explosive.
● For safety, in case an explosion does occur, wear eye protection or shield
your eyes when working near any battery. Never lean over a battery.
● Do not let battery fluid contact eyes, skin, fabrics, or paint because battery
fluid is a corrosive acid. If battery fluid gets on your skin or in your eyes,
immediately flush the area with wa ter thoroughly. Seek medical help
immediately if acid has entered the eyes.
If battery fluid is accidentally swallowed, immediately drink a large amount
of milk or water, and seek medical attention immediately.
● To lessen the risk of sparks, remove rings, metal watchbands, and other
metal jewelry. Never allow metal tools to contact the positive battery termi-
nal and anything connected to it WHILE you are at the same time in con-
tact with any other metallic portion of the vehicle because a short circuit
will result.
● Keep everyone including children away from the battery.
● Charge the battery in a well ventilated area.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Batteries also contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer. Wash hands after handling.