heating SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2012 4.G Owners Manual

2
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 audio system.
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
operate your SUBARU.
Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your
SUBARU in various conditions and ex-
plains 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 engine overheating.
Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your
SUBARU looking good.
Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need
to take your SUBARU to the dealer for
scheduled maintenance and informs you
how to keep your SUBARU running
properly.Chapter 12: Specifications
This chapter informs you about dimen-
sions and capacities of your SUBARU.
Chapter 13: Consumer information and
Reporting safety defects
This chapter informs you about Uniform
tire quality grading standards and Report-
ing safety defects.
Chapter 14: Index
This is an alphabetical listing of all that
’sin
this manual. You can use it to quickly find
something you want to read.
& Safety warnings
You will find a number of WARNINGs,
CAUTIONs and NOTEs in this manual.
These safety warnings alert you to poten-
tial hazards that could result in injury to
you or others.
Please read these safety warnings as well
as all other portions of this manual care-
fully in order to gain a better understand-
ing of how to use your SUBARU vehicle
safely.
WARNING
A WARNING indicates a situation in
which serious injury or death could
result if the warning is ignored.
CAUTION
A CAUTION indicates a situation in
which injury or damage to your
vehicle, or both, could result if the
caution is ignored.
NOTE
A NOTE gives information or sugges-
tions how to make better use of yourvehicle. & Safety symbol
You will find a circle with a slash through it
in this manual. This symbol means “Do
not ”, “Do not do this ”,or “Do not let this
happen ”, depending upon the context.

1-6Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
Seat heater (if equipped)
The seat heater is equipped in the front seats.
The seat heater operates when the igni-
tion switch is either in the “Acc ”or “ON ”
position.
CAUTION
. There is a possibility that people
with delicate skin may suffer
slight burns even at low tempera-
tures if they use the seat heater
for a long period of time. When
using the heater, always be sure
to warn the persons concerned.
. Do not put anything on the seat
which insulates against heat,
such as a blanket, cushion, or
similar items. This may cause the
seat heater to overheat.
NOTE
Use of the seat heater for a long period
of time while the engine is not running
can cause battery discharge. &
Type A seat heater
1) HI–Rapid heating
2) LO–Normal heating
3) OFF –Off
A) Left-hand side
B) Right-hand side To turn on the seat heater, push the
“LO ”
or “HI ”position on the switch, as desired,
depending on the temperature.
Selecting the “HI ”position will cause the
seat to heat up quicker.
To turn off the seat heater, lightly press the
opposite side of the current position.
The indicator located on the switch illumi-
nates when the seat heater is in operation.
When the vehicle ’s interior is warmed
enough or before you leave the vehicle,
be sure to turn the switch off.
& Type B seat heater
Each seat heater has four levels of
adjustment. To use the heater in the
right-hand seat, turn the “R ” adjustment
dial forward until the “
”mark reaches the

3-10Instruments and controls
&Temperature gauge
1) Normal operating range
The temperature gauge shows engine
coolant temperature when the ignition
switch is in the “ON ”position.
The coolant temperature will vary in
accordance with the outside temperature
and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately
until the pointer of the temperature gauge
reaches near the middle of the range.
Engine operation is optimum with the
engine coolant at this temperature range
and high revving operation when the
engine is not warmed up enough should
be avoided.
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal
operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
Refer to “Engine overheating ”F9-
12. REV indicator light and buz-
zer (STI)
The REV alarm system issues a warning
using the REV indicator light (and a
buzzer if additionally selected) when the
engine speed reaches a level previously
set using the trip knob.
If you press the trip knob, the odometer/
trip meter will show the engine speed that
has already been set.

Front fog light switch (if equipped)
The front fog lights operate only when the
light switch is in the“”position.
However, the front fog lights turn off when
the headlights are switched to high beam.
To turn on the front fog lights, turn the front
fog light switch on the turn signal lever
upward to the “
”position. To turn off the
front fog lights, turn the switch back down
to the “OFF ”position.
The indicator light on the combination
meter will illuminate when the front fog
lights are illuminated. Wiper and washer
WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use the
windshield washer until the wind-
shield is sufficiently warmed by the
defroster.
Otherwise the washer fluid can
freeze on the windshield, blocking
your view.
CAUTION
. Do not operate the washer con-
tinuously for more than 10 sec-
onds, or when the washer fluid
tank is empty. This may cause
overheating of the washer motor.
Check the washer fluid level
frequently, such as at fuel stops.
. Do not operate the wipers when
the windshield or rear window is
dry. This may scratch the glass,
damage the wiper blades and
cause the wiper motor to burn
out. Before operating the wiper
on a dry windshield or rear
window, always use the wind-
shield washer. Instruments and controls
3-33
– CONTINUED –

Place the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position when the interior has cooled
to a comfortable temperature and the road
is no longer dusty.
WARNING
Continued operation with the air
inletselectionbuttonintheON
position may fog up the windows.
Switch to the OFF position as soon
as the outside dusty conditionclears.
& Heater operation
NOTE . When the “
”or “”position is
selected, the air conditioner compres-
sor automatically operates regardless
of the position of the air conditioner
button to defog the windshield more
quickly. At the same time, the air inlet
selection is automatically switched to
the OFF position (outside air). How-
ever, the air conditioner indicator light
does not illuminate at this time.. When defrosting, defogging or heat-
ing, warm air is also emitted from the
right and left air outlets. To stop warm
airflow from these outlets, turn the
corresponding thumb wheel down. !
Defrosting or defogging the wind-shield
To direct warm air to the windshield and
front door windows:
1. Set the airflow control dial to the “
”
position.
2. Turn the temperature control dial all
the way to the right.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the
highest speed. !
Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the windshield:
1. Set the airflow control dial to the “
”
position.
2. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
3. Set the fan speed control dial to the
desired speed. Climate control
4-5
– CONTINUED –

4-6Climate control
!Heating
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the airflow control dial to the “
”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the
desired speed. !
Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of
different temperatures from the instrument
panel and foot outlets. The air from the
foot outlets is slightly warmer than from
the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the airflow control dial to the “
”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the
desired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully
turned to the red area or blue area
decreases the temperature difference
between the air from the instrument panel outlets and the air from the foot outlets. !
Ventilation
To force outside air through the instrument
panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position.
2. Set the airflow control dial to the “
”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the
way left.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the
desired speed.
When driving on a dusty road, set the air
inlet selection button to the “ON ”position.
WARNING
Continued operation with the air

&Fan speed control dial
The fan operates only with the ignition
switch in the ON position. The fan speed
control dial is used to select the AUTO
(automatic control) mode or to select the
desired fan speed. The dial ’s positions
and their functions are as follows. OFF: The fan does not operate.
AUTO: The fan speed is adjusted auto-
maticallyinaccordancewiththeair
temperature inside and outside the pas-
senger compartment, the intensity of sun-
light, and other factors. SUBARU recom-
mends using the AUTO position.
Other positions: The fan speed can be
adjusted in 7 steps. NOTE
With the fan speed control dial in the
AUTO position and the airflow control
dial in the
“
”, “”,or “”position,
the fan does not operate during engine
warm-up until the engine coolant tem-
perature exceeds approximately 122 8F
(50 8C).
& Temperature control dial
This dial is used to set the desired interior
temperature. With the dial set to your
desired temperature, the system automa-
tically adjusts the temperature of air
supplied from the outlets such that the
desired temperature is achieved andmaintained.
If the dial is turned fully counterclockwise, the system gives maximum cooling per-
formance. If the dial is turned fully clock-
wise, the system gives maximum heatingperformance. &
Airflow control dial
Each dial position activates the following
air outlets. AUTO: The airflow control is adjusted
automatically in accordance with the air
temperature inside and outside the pas-
senger compartment, the intensity of sun-
light, and other factors. SUBARU recom-
mends using the AUTO position.
(Ventilation): Instrument panel outlets
(Bi-level): Instrument panel outlets and
foot outlets
(Heat): Foot outlets, both side outlets of Climate control
4-9
– CONTINUED –

4-12Climate control
properly and become damaged, the sys-
tem may not be able to control the interior
temperature correctly. To avoid damaging
the sensors, observe the following pre-cautions. –Do not subject the sensors to impact.
– Keep water away from the sensors.
– Do not cover the sensors.
The sensors are located as follows.– Solar sensor: beside the windshield
defroster grille.– Interior air temperature sensor: near
the ignition switch.– Outside temperature sensor: behind
the front grille. Operating tips for heater and
air conditioner &
Cleaning ventilation grille
Always keep the front ventilation inlet grille
free of snow, leaves, or other obstructions
to ensure efficient heating and defrosting.
Since the condenser is located in front of
the radiator, this area should be kept clean
because cooling performance is impaired
by any accumulation of insects and leaves
on the condenser. &Efficient cooling after parking
in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes to
allow outside air to circulate into the heated interior. This results in quicker
cooling by the air conditioner. Keep the
windows closed during the operation of
the air conditioner for maximum cooling
efficiency. &
Lubrication oil circulation in
the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at
a low engine speed (at idle or low driving
speeds) a few minutes each month during
the off-season to circulate its oil. & Checking air conditioning
system before summer sea-son
Check the air conditioner unit for refriger-
ant leaks, hose conditions, and proper
operation each spring. Have the air con-
ditioning system checked by your
SUBARU dealer. & Cooling and dehumidifying in
high humidity and low tem-
perature weather conditions
Under certain weather conditions (high
relative humidity, low temperatures, etc.) a
small amount of water vapor emission
from the air outlets may be noticed. 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 condi-
tioner operation whenever the accelerator
is fully depressed such as during rapid
acceleration or when driving on a steepupgrade. & Refrigerant for your climate
control system
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly
refrigerant HFC134a. Therefore, the meth-
od of adding, changing 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. Air filtration system
Replace the filter element according to the
replacement schedule as follows. This
schedule should be followed to maintain
the filter
’s dust collection ability. Under
extremely dusty conditions, the filter
should be replaced more frequently. It is
recommended that you have your filter
checked or replaced by your SUBARU
dealer. For replacement, use only a
genuine SUBARU air filter kit.
Replacement schedule: Every 12 months or 7,500 miles (12,000
km) whichever comes first
CAUTION
Contact your SUBARU dealer if the
following occurs, even if it is not yet
time to change the filter: . Reduction of the airflow through
the vents.
. Windshield gets easily fogged or
misted.
NOTE
The filter can influence the air condi-
tioning, heating and defroster perfor- mance if not properly maintained. &
Replacing an air filter
1. Remove the glove box. (1) Open the glove box.(2) Remove the damper shaft from the
glove box. Climate control
4-13
– CONTINUED –

tight for the accessory power
outlet, this can result in a poor
contact or cause the plug to get
stuck. Only use plugs that fit
properly.
. Use of an electric appliance in the
accessory power outlet for a long
period of time while the engine is
not running can cause batterydischarge.
. Before driving your vehicle, make
sure that the plug and the cord
on your electrical appliance will
not interfere with your shifting
gears and operating the accel-
erator and brake pedals. If they
do, do not use the electrical
appliance while driving. &
Use with a cigarette lighter (if equipped)
To use the accessory power outlet below
the climate control as a cigarette lighter
socket, purchase the cigarette lighter plug,
which is an optional accessory. A cigarette
lighter plug is available from your
SUBARU dealer.
The cigarette lighter operates only when
the ignition switch is in the “ON ”or “Acc ”
position.
To use the cigarette lighter, push in the
knob and wait a few moments. It will
automatically spring up when ready foruse.
WARNING
To avoid being burned, never grasp
the lighter by the end with the
heating element. Doing so could
result in injury and could also
damage the heating element.
CAUTION
. Do not hold the lighter pushed in,
because it will overheat.
. The electrical power socket lo-
cated in the center console is
originally designed to use a gen- uine SUBARU cigarette lighter
plug. Do not use a non-genuine
cigarette lighter plug in the sock-
et. Doing so may cause a short-
circuit and overheating, resulting
in a fire.
. If the socket is ever used for a
plug-in accessory such as a cell
phone, that may damage the
portion of the socket ’s internal
mechanism that causes a cigar-
ette lighter plug to “pop out ”
after its lighter element is heated.
Therefore, do not place a cigar-
ette lighter plug in a socket that
has been used, even once, to
power a plug-in accessory. Doing
so may cause the plug to stick
and overheat, creating a potential
fire hazard. Interior equipment
6-9