automatic transmission SUBARU IMPREZA 2002 2.G User Guide

Starting and operating
7-26
running, the parking brake warning light comes on.
After starting the vehicle, be sure that the warning
light has gone out before the vehicle is driven. Referto the “Warning and indicator lights ” section (chap-
ter 3).
When parking your vehicle, always set the parking
brake firmly and put the shift lever in the “1” (1st) for
an upgrade or “R” (Reverse) for a downgrade for
manual transmission vehicles, or in the “P” (Park)
position for automatic transmission vehicles. Always
set the parking brake firmly when parking your ve-
hicle. Never rely on the transmission alone to hold the vehicle.
HG7006AA
When parking on a hill, always turn the steering
wheel. When the vehicle is headed up the hill, the front wheels should be turned away from the curb.
HG7007AA
When facing downhill, the front wheels should be
turned into the curb.
CAUTION
If your vehicle has a front underspoiler and rear underspoiler (both optional), pay atten-tion to blocks and other obstructions on the ground when parking. The underspoilers could be damaged by contact with them.

Starting and operating
7-28
HG0312
3. Push the control lever downward in the “SET,
COAST” direction and release it. Then release the
accelerator pedal.
The vehicle will maintain the desired speed.
Vehicle speed can be temporarily increased while
driving with the cruise control activated. Simply de-
press the accelerator pedal to accelerate the ve-
hicle. When the accelerator pedal is released, the
vehicle will return to and maintain the previous cruis-ing speed.
To temporarily cancel the cruise con- trol
There are four ways to cancel the cruise control tem- porarily:
Depress the brake pedal.
Pull the control lever in the “CANCEL” direction. (if
so equipped) Depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission
vehicles only). Shift the selector lever into the “N” position (auto-
matic transmission vehicles only).
To resume the cruise control after it has been tem- porarily canceled and with vehicle speed of about
20 mph (32 km/h) or more, push the control lever
upward in the “ACCEL, RESUME ” direction to return
to the original cruising speed automatically.
To turn off the cruise control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control: Push the main switch again.
Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position (but only when the vehicle is completely stopped). To change the cruising speed
To increase the speed
1. Push the control lever upward in the “ACCEL, RE-
SUME” direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches

Driving tips
8-15
– CONTINUED –
chains — overconfidence because you are driving
with tire chains could easily lead to a serious acci-dent.
CAUTION
Tire chains cannot be fitted with optional
215/45 R17 tires for the WRX because of lack
of clearance between the tire and body.
Rocking the vehicle
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow,
sand, or mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly
and move the selector lever back and forth between
“D” and “R” repeatedly. Do not race the engine. Forthe best possible traction, avoid spinning the wheels
when trying to free the vehicle.
When the road surface is extremely slippery, you
can obtain better traction by starting the vehicle with the transmission in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and
AT). Refer to the “Automatic transmission” section in
chapter 7 for information on holding the transmis- sion in 2nd position. Loading your vehicle
WARNING

Never allow passengers to ride on the
folded rear seatback, in the trunk or in the car-
go area. Doing so may result in serious injury. Never stack luggage or other cargo higher
than the top of the seatback because it couldtumble forward and injure passengers in the event of a sudden stop or accident. Keep lug-
gage or cargo low, as close to the floor aspossible.
HG1006BA

Driving tips
8-37
– CONTINUED –
sudden downshifts. When driving uphill in hot weather, the air condi-
tioner may turn off automatically to protect the
engine from overheating. When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to
the water temperature gauge pointer (for all
vehicles) and AT OIL TEMP warning light (for AT
vehicles) since the engine and transmission are rel-
atively prone to overheating under these conditions.
If the water temperature gauge pointer approaches
the OVERHEAT zone or the AT OIL TEMP warning
light illuminates, immediately switch off the air condi-
tioner and stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place. Refer to the “Engine overheat ” section in chapter 9,
and “Warning and indicator lights ” section in chap-
ter 3. If your vehicle has a automatic transmission, avoid
using the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an
uphill slope instead of using the parking brake or
foot brake. That may cause the transmission fluid to
overheat. Also, if your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission, avoid driving with the gearselector lever in “D” when towing a heavy trailer to
prevent fluid overheating.
Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. You should not park on a hill or slope. But if parkingon a hill or slope cannot be avoided, you shouldtake the following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under boththe vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release the
regular brakes slowly until the blocks absorb theload.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then apply the
parking brake; slowly release the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual transmis- sion) or
“P” (automatic transmission) and shut off the
engine.

In case of emergency
9-5
– CONTINUED –
Flat tires
If you have a flat tire while driving, never brake sud- denly; keep driving straight ahead while gradually
reducing speed. Then slowly pull off the road to asafe place. Changing a flat tire
WARNING
Do not jack up the vehicle on an incline or a
loose road surface. The jack can come out of
the jacking point or sink into the ground and this can result in a severe accident. Use only the jack provided with your ve-
hicle. The jack supplied with the vehicle is de-signed only for changing a tire. Never get un-der the vehicle while supporting the vehicle with this jack. Always turn the engine off before raising the
flat tire off the ground using the jack. Neverswing or push the vehicle supported with the
jack. The jack can come out of the jackingpoint due to a jolt and this can result in a
severe accident. 1. Park on a hard, level surface, whenever possible,
then stop the engine.
2. Set the parking brake securely and shift a manual
transmission vehicle in reverse or an automatictransmission vehicle in the
“P” (Park) position.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher and have ev-
eryone get out of the vehicle.
HGS038BA
4. Put wheel blocks at the front and rear of the tire
diagonally opposite the flat tire.

In case of emergency
9-20
CAUTION
If transmission failure occurs, transport
your vehicle on a flat-bed truck. Do not run the engine while being towed in
this method. Transmission damage could re- sult if the vehicle is towed with engine run-ning. For vehicles with automatic transmission,
the traveling speed must be limited to less than 20 mph (30 km/h) and the traveling dis- tance to less than 31 miles (50 km). Forgreater speeds and distances, transport your
vehicle on a flat-bed truck. Maintenance tools
HG9010AA
Your vehicle is equipped with the following mainte-
nance tools:
Wheel cover remover (vehicles with wheel covers)
Screwdriver
Towing eye
Wheel nut wrench

11
11-1
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Maintenance schedule 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance precautions 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine hood 11-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 11-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5 liter model 11-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.0 liter (Turbo) model 11-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil 11-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing the oil and oil filter 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-11 . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity under
severe driving conditions 11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system 11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hose and connections 11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant 11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air cleaner element 11-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing the air cleaner element 11-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 11-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended spark plugs 11-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive belts 11-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission oil 11-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission fluid 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) 11-26 . . . . . Checking the oil level 11-26
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-26 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear differential gear oil 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the gear oil level 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-28 . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering fluid 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended brake fluid 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended clutch fluid 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake booster 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pedal 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal free play 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance 11-34 . .
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch function 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch pedal free play 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of brake pad and lining 11-35 . . . . . . . .
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings 11-36 . . .
Parking brake stroke 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires and wheels 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire inspection 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressures and wear 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance and service

Maintenance and service
11-7
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Engine compartment overview 2.5 liter model
HGB004BB
1) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-23) or Differential
gear oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-26)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11-18)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-31)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-24)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-30)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-46)
7) Fuse box (page 11-51)
8) Battery (page 11-50)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-29)

Maintenance and service
11-24
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level
on it. If it is below the lower level, add oil through thedipstick hole to bring the level up to the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and ad-
ditives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5
OM-H0205
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable
Temperature Automatic transmission fluid
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as
its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according
to fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two differ-ent scales for checking the level of hot fluid andcold fluid on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked without
warming up the fluid on the “COLD” range, we rec-
ommend checking the fluid level when the fluid is at
operating temperature.
Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the tem-
perature of the transmission fluid up to normal oper-
ating temperature; 140 to 176 °F (60 to 80 °C) is nor-
mal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set theparking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then shift it in the “P” position, and run the engine at id-
ling speed.

Maintenance and service
11-25
– CONTINUED –
HGB001EB
1) Yellow handle
HBA008BC
A) HOT range
B) COLD range 1) Upper level
2) Lower level 4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid level on the gauge. If it is below the lower level on the
“HOT”
range, add the recommended automatic transmis-sion fluid up to the upper level.
Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked without time
to warm up the automatic transmission, check to see that the fluid level is between the lower level and upper level on the “COLD” range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level. Be care-
ful not to overfill. Recommended fluid
“ Dexron III ” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid