traction control SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2012 4.G Owners Manual

22
&Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-13
Front passenger ’s
seatbelt warning light 3-13
SRS airbag system
warning light3-14
/Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag ON indi- cator 3-14
/Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag OFF in- dicator 3-14
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunc-
tion indicator light3-15
Charge warning light 3-16
Oil pressure warning light
3-16
Rear differential oil
temperature warning
light (STI)3-16
ABS warning light 3-18 Mark Name Page
Brake system warning light
3-19
Door open warning light3-20
Hill start assist warn-
ing light/Hill start assist
OFF indicator light (STI)3-20
Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation indi-
cator light3-20
Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator
light/Traction Control
OFF indicator light (STI)3-21
Turn signal indicator lights
3-24
High beam indicator light3-24
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
3-24
Security indicator light 3-23
Headlight indicator light
3-24Mark Name Page
Cruise control indica-
tor light
3-24
Cruise control set in-
dicator light3-24
Low fuel warning light 3-20
Low tire pressure
warning light
(U.S.-spec. models)3-16
Shift-up indicator light (STI)
3-23
Driver
’s control center
differential auto indi-
cator light (STI) 3-24
Auto [+] mode indica-
tor light (STI)
3-24
Auto [
] mode indica-
tor light (STI) 3-25
Driver
’s control center
differential indicator
and warning lights (STI) 3-25
REV indicator light (STI)
3-25
Sport (S) mode indi-
cator light (STI)3-23

Ignition switch..................................................... 3-3
LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
Acc..................................................................... 3-4
ON...................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-4
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-4
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-5
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-5
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-5
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement upon turning on the ignition switch ............................................................... 3-6
Meter/Gauge needle illumination setting (except STI) ................................................................... 3-6
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-7
Odometer/Trip meter ............................................ 3-7
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-9
Fuel gauge .......................................................... 3-9
Temperature gauge ............................................ 3-10
REV indicator light and buzzer (STI). ................ 3-10
Setting the alarm-level engine speed ................... 3-11
Deactivating the REV alarm system ..................... 3-12
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-12
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-13
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-14
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-14
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light ................................................... 3-15
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-16 Oil pressure warning light
.................................. 3-16
Rear differential oil temperature warning light (STI) ................................................................ 3-16
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec. models) ........................................................... 3-16
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-18
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-19
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-20
Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF indicator light (STI) .......................................... 3-20
Door open warning light .................................... 3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light .. ..... 3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light/ Traction Control OFF indicator light (STI)..... ..... 3-21
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-23
SI-DRIVE indicator light (STI) .............................. 3-23
Shift-up indicator light (STI) ............................... 3-23
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-24
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-24
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-24
Cruise control set indicator light ........................ 3-24
Front fog light indicator light (if equipped) ..... ..... 3-24
Headlight indicator light ..................................... 3-24
Driver ’s control center differential auto indicator
light (STI) ........................................................ 3-24
Driver ’s control center differential indicator and
warning lights (STI) .......................................... 3-25
REV indicator light (STI) ..................................... 3-25
Clock .................................................................. 3-25
Information display ............................................ 3-26
Outside temperature indicator .. .......................... 3-27
Instruments and controls
3

3-12Instruments and controls
to OFF, OFF to ON, or the vehicle starts
moving before the setting procedure isfinished..Setting the speed is impossible
when the vehicle is moving.. The set engine speed may differ
from the engine speed shown by the
tachometer. Use the engine speed
shown by the tachometer as a roughguide.. If the setting operation is performed
with the engine switch turned off, the
REV indicator light turns off and the
setting operation is aborted when you
have stopped the setting operation for
approximately 10 seconds. . If the setting operation is performed
with the engine switch turned off, the
REV indicator light turns off and the
setting operation is aborted when you
open and close the driver ’s door.
& Deactivating the REV alarm system
To deactivate the REV indicator light and
buzzer functions of the REV alarm system,
set the thousands place of the alarm-level
engine speed to “–”. Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
illuminate momentarily and then turn off
when the ignition switch is initially turned
to the
“ON ”position. This permits check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the “ON ”position. For
the system check, the following lights
illuminate and turn off after several sec-
onds or after the engine has started:
: Seatbelt warning light (The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the driver fastens theseatbelt.)
: Front passenger ’s seatbelt warning
light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the front seat passenger
fastens the seatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
ON /
: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator light
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator light
: CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal- function indicator light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: Rear differential oil temperature warn-ing light (STI)
: Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.- spec. models)
/: ABS warning light
/: Brake system warning light
: Low fuel warning light
: Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF indicator light (STI)
: Door open warning light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indica-tor light/Traction Control OFF indicator
light (STI)
: Cruise control indicator light
: Cruise control set indicator light
: Shift-up indicator light (STI)
: REV indicator light (STI)
:Driver ’s control center differential
indicator and warning lights (STI)

NOTE .If the electrical circuit of the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system itself mal-
functions, only this particular warning
light illuminates. Under these circum-
stances, the ABS (Anti-lock Brake
System) remains fully operational.. The warning light illuminates when
the electronic control system of the
ABS/Vehicle Dynamics Control systemmalfunctions.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably inoperative under any of the
following conditions. Have your vehicle
checked at a SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately. . The warning light does not illuminate
when the ignition switch is turned to the “ ON ”position.
. The warning light illuminates while the
vehicle is running.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as
described in the following examples,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
may be considered to be operating
normally. . The warning light illuminates right
after the engine is started but turns off
immediately and remains off.. The warning light illuminates after the engine has started and turns off
while the vehicle is subsequently beingdriven..
The warning light illuminates during
driving, but turns off immediately and
remains off. ! Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
The indicator light flashes during activa-
tion of the skid suppression function and
during activation of the traction controlfunction. NOTE . The light may remain illuminated for
a short period of time after the engine
has been started, especially in cold
weather. This does not indicate the
existence of a problem. The light
should turn off as soon as the engine
has warmed up.. The indicator light illuminates when
the engine has developed a problem
and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/
malfunction indicator light is on.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably malfunctioning under the follow-
ing condition. Have your vehicle checked
at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. . The light does not turn off even after
the engine has warmed up for several minutes after it was started. &
Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator
light/Traction Control
OFF indicator light (STI)
This light has the function of indicating the
following conditions. .The Vehicle Dynamics Control system
has been deactivated (all models).. Only the Traction control system has
been deactivated (STI).
The light illuminates under the following conditions. . The Vehicle Dynamics Control system
is not operating (all models).. Only the Traction Control system is not
operating (STI). STI:
This light illuminates in yellow for approxi-
mately 1 second when the ignition switch
is turned to the “ON ”position. After that,
the light changes to green and remains
illuminated in green for 1 second, and then
turns off. It indicates that the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system is operating
normally. Instruments and controls
3-21
– CONTINUED –

3-22Instruments and controls
The indicator light shows the activated/deactivated conditions as follows.
Activated/deactivated status for each function
Traction Control Vehicle Dynamics
Control system ABS
Indicator light Turn off Activated Activated Activated
(Illuminates in
green)* Deactivated Activated Activated
(Illuminates in
yellow) Deactivated Deactivated
Activated
*: STI only For details about the Traction Control and Vehicle Dynamics Control system, refer to “ Vehicle Dynamics Control system ”F 7-28. !
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF in-
dicator light (yellow)
. This light illuminates when the Vehicle
Dynamics Control OFF switch is pressed
(except STI). . This light illuminates when the Vehicle
Dynamics Control mode switch is pressed
for more than 2 seconds (STI). . The light illuminates when the Vehicle
Dynamics Control system is deactivated.
NOTE . The light may remain illuminated for
a while after the engine has been
started, especially in cold weather. This
does not indicate the existence of a
problem. The light should turn off as
soon as the engine has warmed up.. The indicator light illuminates when
the engine has developed a problem
and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/
malfunction indicator light is on.
The Vehicle Dynamics Control system is
probably malfunctioning under the follow-
ing conditions. Have your vehicle checked
at a SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. . The light does not illuminate when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON ”
position.. The light does not turn off even after
the lapse of several minutes (the engine

has warmed up) after the engine has started. !Traction Control OFF indicator light (green –STI)
The light illuminates when the Vehicle
Dynamics Control mode switch is pressed
briefly to select the traction mode. For
details, refer to “Traction mode ”F 7-30.
& Security indicator light
The security indicator light deters potential
thieves by indicating that the vehicle is
equipped with an immobilizer system. It
begins flashing (approximately once every
3 seconds) approximately 60 seconds
after the ignition switch is turned from the“ON ”position to the “Acc ”or “LOCK ”
position or immediately after the key is pulled out.
If the security indicator light does not flash,
the immobilizer system may not be func-
tioning properly. If this occurs, contact
your SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
In case an unauthorized key is used (e.g.,
an imitation key), the security indicator
light illuminates.
NOTE . For the flashing pattern when arm-
ing the alarm system, refer to “Arming
the system ”F 2-16.
. Even if the security indicator light
flashes irregularly or its fuse blows (the
light does not flash if its fuse is blown),
the immobilizer system will function
normally. &
SI-DRIVE indicator light (STI)
1) Intelligent (I) mode
2) Sport (S) mode
3) Sport Sharp (S#) mode
This light indicates the current SI-DRIVE mode.
For details of SI-DRIVE mode, refer to “SI-
DRIVE (STI) ”F 7-22.
& Shift-up indicator light (STI)
While selecting the Intelligent (I) mode of
SI-DRIVE, this indicator light illuminates
and informs the driver about the upshift
timing for fuel-efficient driving. Instruments and controls
3-23
– CONTINUED –

7-18Starting and operating
Driver ’s Control Center Dif-
ferential (DCCD) (STI)
WARNING
Always use the utmost care when
driving. Being overconfident be-
cause you are driving a vehicle with
a driver ’s control center differential
could easily lead to a serious acci-dent.
CAUTION
All the indicator lights will flash in
the event that the driver ’s control
center differential has a malfunc-
tion. Have the vehicle inspected by
your SUBARU dealer.
The driver ’s control center differential
allows you to freely change the degree
of limitation of the differential action
(limited slip differential (LSD) torque) of
your vehicle ’s center differential.
By using the center differential control
switch, you can set an initial LSD torque to
match the road surface conditions, driving
conditions and your driving style.1) LSD torque
2) Traction torque
3) Initial LSD torque (maximum)
4) Initial LSD torque (minimum)
A) Initial LSD torque (adjustable)
B) Mechanical LSD torque
The driver ’s control center differential has
an auto mode and a manual mode. In the
auto mode, the system automatically
adjusts the initial LSD torque. In the
manual mode, you can change to the
desired mode manually by using the
center differential control switch.
NOTE
If you rapidly depress and release the
accelerator pedal while driving at low
speed, you may hear a knocking sound
from the vicinity of the center differen- tial and rear differential. This sound
occurs because of the structure of the
center differential. It does not indicate aproblem. &
To change mode of driver ’s
control center differential
Press the “AUTO-MANU ”switch on the
center console to switch from auto mode
to manual mode or vice versa. When you
select the auto mode, the “AUTO ”indica-
tor light illuminates. When you select the
manual mode, the “AUTO ”indicator light
turns off.

&Auto mode
In the auto mode, the system estimates
the driving and road conditions using
signals from the wheel speed sensor,
throttle position sensor, steering angle
sensor and brake switch, etc. According
to the result, it electronically and auto-
matically controls the degree of limitation
of the differential action (LSD torque) to
optimize the differential action of the
center differential. When the ignition
switch is turned ON, the “AUTO ”indicator
light on the combination meter illuminates. The auto mode has 3 modes as follows.
Mode Operation
AUTO [+] This mode emphasizes traction control and strengthens the
limitation of differential action
that is suitable for driving on
slippery roads for vehicle stabi-
lity.
AUTO This mode is suitable for most driving situations.
AUTO [ ] This mode is suitable when you
seek quick response from the
steering wheel and smooth driving.
! Mode setting method
In most situations, it is recommended that the “AUTO ”mode is selected.
Push the control switch forward to select the
“AUTO [+] ”mode. After setting the
mode, “
”on the combination meter
illuminates.
Pull the control switch rearward to select the “AUTO [ ]” mode. After setting the
mode, “
”on the combination meter
illuminates.
When the “AUTO [+] ”mode is selected,
pull the control switch rearward to change
to the “AUTO ”mode. When the “AUTO
[ ]” mode is set, push the control switch
forward to change to the “AUTO ”mode.
Starting and operating
7-19
– CONTINUED –

Pull the switch rearward to reduce the
initial LSD torque. When the lowest posi-
tion of the driver’s control center differen-
tial indicator light illuminates, the initial
LSD torque will be minimum. Under this
condition, only the Mechanical LSD torque
will limit the differential action.
CAUTION
. Do not operate the control switch
when a wheel slippage occurs.
Wait until the wheelspin has been
brought under control.
. Under any of the following con-
ditions after setting to the man-
ual mode, pull the center differ-
ential control switch to minimize
the initial LSD torque: .
When a temporary spare tire is
installed
. When your vehicle is towed
. When the vehicle is stopped
with the manual mode se-lected
NOTE . A higher initial LSD torque setting
gives the vehicle greater traction when
driving straight ahead but makes cor-
nering more difficult. Remember this
when adjusting the initial LSD torque.
In general, higher initial LSD torque
settings assist driving on slippery
roads and lower settings for non-slip-
pery roads. When the vehicle is stuck
in snow or mud, setting the initial LSD
torque to the maximum will help to free
the vehicle.. The setting of the initial LSD torque
will remain even when the auto mode is
selected or the ignition switch is turned
to the “LOCK ”position. However, the
initial LSD torque will be minimized
when the battery is disconnected andreconnected.. During cornering or when making
turns (especially when going into the
garage), the rotational difference be-
tween the front and rear wheels may cause a braking effect accompanied by
vibration and noise. This does not
indicate a problem. The phenomenon
will disappear when setting the initial
LSD torque to the minimum.
In the auto mode, it controls the initial
LSD torque automatically. While in the
auto mode, this phenomenon some-
times occurs depending on the driving
condition, however, it does not indicate
a problem..
Use the center differential indicator
light only as a rough indication of the
initial LSD torque.. If you operate the center differential
control switch while quickly accelerat-
ing or turning a tight corner, you may
feel slight shocks. This is due to
differential action by the center differ-
ential and does not indicate a problem. & Temporary release
When the driver stops the vehicle and
pulls the parking brake lever after manu-
ally setting the initial LSD torque, the LSD
torque is temporarily minimized. However
the indicator on the combination meter
continues to show the driver ’s selected
initial LSD torque. When the driver re-
leases the parking brake lever, the initial
LSD torque set by the driver is restored. Starting and operating
7-21

7-28Starting and operating
Vehicle Dynamics Control system
WARNING
Always use the utmost care in driving –overconfidence because
you are driving with a Vehicle Dy-
namics Control system equipped
vehicle could easily lead to a ser-
ious accident.
CAUTION
. Even if your vehicle is equipped
with Vehicle Dynamics Control
system, winter tires should be
used when driving on snow-cov-
ered or icy roads; in addition,
vehicle speed should be reduced
considerably. Simply having a
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem does not guarantee that the
vehicle will be able to avoid
accidents in any situation.
. Activation of the Vehicle Dy-
namics Control system is an
indication that the road being
travelled on has a slippery sur-
face; since having Vehicle Dy-
namics Control is no guarantee that full vehicle control will be
maintained at all times and under
all conditions, its activation
should be seen as a sign that
the speed of the vehicle should
be reduced considerably.
. Whenever suspension compo-
nents, steering components, or
an axle are removed from a
vehicle, have an inspection of
that system performed by an
authorized SUBARU dealer.
. The following precautions should
be observed in order to ensure
that the Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol system is operating properly: – All four wheels should be
fitted with tires of the same
size, type, and brand. Further-
more, the amount of wear
should be the same for all
four tires.
– Keep the tire pressure at the
proper level as shown on the
vehicle placard attached to
the driver ’s side door pillar.
– Use only the specified tem-
porary spare tire to replace a
flat tire. With a temporary
spare tire, the effectiveness
of the Vehicle Dynamics Con- trol system is reduced and
this should be taken into ac-
count when driving the vehi-
cle in such a condition.
. If non-matching tires are used,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control
system may not operate cor-
rectly.
. The Vehicle Dynamics Control
system helps prevent unstable
vehicle motion such as skidding
using control of the brakes and
engine power. Do not turn off the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem unless it is absolutely ne-
cessary. If you must turn off the
Vehicle Dynamics Control sys-
tem, drive very carefully based
on the road surface condition.
In the event of wheelspin and/or skidding
on a slippery road surface and/or during
cornering and/or an evasive maneuver,
the Vehicle Dynamics Control system
adjusts the engine ’s output and the
wheels ’respective braking forces to help
maintain traction and directional control. . Traction Control Function
The traction control function is designed to
prevent spinning of the driving wheels on
slippery road surfaces, thereby helping to
maintain traction and directional control.