engine SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 2012 Owners Manual

Black plate (326,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
10-2
Appearance care
Exterior care& Washing
CAUTION
. When washing the vehicle, the
brakes may get wet. As a result,
the brake stopping distance will
be longer. To dry the brakes,
drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly depressing the
brake pedal to heat up the
brakes.
. Do not wash the engine compart-
ment and area adjacent to it. If
water enters the engine air in-
take, electrical parts or the power
steering fluid reservoir, it will
cause engine trouble or a mal-
function of power steering.
. Do not use any organic solvents
when washing the surface of the
bulb assembly cover. However, if
a detergent with organic solvents
is used to wash the cover sur-
face, completely rinse off the
detergent with water. Otherwise,
the cover surface may be da-
maged.
. For 5-door models, since your
vehicle is equipped with a rear wiper, automatic car-wash
brushes could become tangled
around it, damaging the wiper
arm and other components. Ask
the automatic car-wash operator
not to let the brushes touch the
wiper arm or to fix the wiper arm
on the rear window glass with
adhesive tape before operating
the machine.
NOTEWhen having your vehicle washed in
an automatic car wash, make sure
beforehand that the car wash is of
suitable type.
The best way to preserve your vehicle’
s
beauty is frequent washing. Wash the
vehicle at least once a month to avoid
contamination by road grime.
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty
of lukewarm or cold water. Do not wash
the vehicle with hot water and in direct
sunlight.
Salt, chemicals, insects, tar, soot, tree
sap, and bird droppings should be washed
off by using a light detergent, as required.
If you use a light detergent, make certain
that it is a neutral detergent. Do not use
strong soap or chemical detergents. All cleaning agents should be promptly
flushed from the surface and not allowed
to dry there. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly
with plenty of lukewarm water. Wipe the
remaining water off with a chamois or soft
cloth.
!
Washing the underbody
Chemicals, salts and gravel used for
deicing road surfaces are extremely cor-
rosive, accelerating the corrosion of un-
derbody components, such as the exhaust
system, fuel and brake lines, brake
cables, floor pan and fenders, and sus-
pension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and in-
side of the fenders with lukewarm or cold
water at frequent intervals to reduce the
harmful effects of such agents.
Mud and sand adhering to the underbody
components may accelerate their corro-
sion.
After driving off-road or on muddy or
sandy roads, wash the mud and sand off
the underbody. Carefully flush the suspen-
sion and axle parts, as they are particu-
larly prone to mud and sand buildup. Do
not use a sharp-edged tool to remove
caked mud.

Black plate (327,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
CAUTION
. Be careful not to damage brake
hoses, sensor harnesses, and
other parts when washing sus-
pension components.
. Be careful not to flush the engine
bottom for a long time. It may
cause damage of some electrical
parts.
! Using a warm water washer
. Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm)
or more between the washer nozzle and
the vehicle.
. Do not wash the same area continu-
ously.
. If a stain will not come out easily, wash
by hand. Some warm water washers are
of the high temperature, high pressure
type, and they can damage or deform the
resin parts such as moldings, or cause
water to leak into the vehicle.& Waxing and polishingAlways wash and dry the vehicle before
waxing and polishing.
Use a good quality polish and wax and
apply them according to the manufac-
turer ’s instructions. Wax or polish when
the painted surface is cool. Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim,
as well as the painted surfaces. Loss of
wax on a painted surface leads to loss of
the original luster and also quickens the
deterioration of the surface. It is recom-
mended that a coat of wax be applied at
least once a month, or whenever the
surface no longer repels water.
If the appearance of the paint has dimin-
ished to the point where the luster or tone
cannot be restored, lightly polish the
surface with a fine-grained compound.
Never polish just the affected area, but
include the surrounding area as well.
Always polish in only one direction. A
No. 2000 grain compound is recom-
mended. Never use a coarse-grained
compound. Coarse-grained compounds
have a smaller grain-size number and
could damage the paint. After polishing
with a compound, coat with wax to restore
the original luster. Frequent polishing with
acompoundoranincorrectpolishing
technique will result in removing the paint
layer and exposing the undercoat. When
in doubt, it is always best to contact your
SUBARU dealer or an auto paint specia-
list.
CAUTION
Do not use any agents with organic
solvents on the surface of the bulb
assembly cover. However, if a polish
or wax with organic solvents is
applied to the cover surface, com-
pletely wipe off the polish or wax.
Otherwise, the cover surface may be
damaged.
NOTEBe careful not to block the windshield
washer nozzles with wax when waxing
the vehicle.&
Cleaning aluminum wheels. Promptly wipe the aluminum wheels
clean of any kind of grime or agent. If dirt
is left on too long, it may be difficult to
clean off.
. Do not use soap containing grit to
clean the wheels. Be sure to use a neutral
cleaning agent, and later rinse thoroughly
with water. Do not clean the wheels with a
stiff brush or expose them to a high-speed
washing device.
. Clean the vehicle (including the alumi-
num wheels) with water as soon as
possible when it has been splashed with
sea water, exposed to sea breezes, or
driven on roads treated with salt or other
agents.
Appearance care
10-3
10

Black plate (21,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 2
Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine
compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Engine hood....................................................... 11-5
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-6
Turbo models except STI.................................... 11-6
STI..................................................................... 11-7
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-8
Checking the oil level ......................................... 11-8
Changing the oil and oil filter .............................. 11-9
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-10
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-10
Cooling system ................................................ 11-11
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-11
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-12
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-13
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-13
Spark plugs...................................................... 11-14
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-14
Drive belts........................................................ 11-15
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-15
Checking the oil level....................................... 11-15
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Rear differential gear oil.................................. 11-16
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Power steering fluid........................................ 11-17
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-17
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-17
Brake fluid........................................................ 11-18
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-18
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-18
Clutch fluid....................................................... 11-19
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-19
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-19
Brake booster.................................................. 11-20
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-20
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-20
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-21
Clutch pedal ..................................................... 11-21
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-21
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-21
Hill start assist system.................................... 11-22
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-22
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....... 11-22
Parking brake stroke....................................... 11-23
Tires and wheels .............................................. 11-23
Types of tires................................................... 11-23
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) ...................................................... 11-24
Tire inspection ................................................. 11-25
Tire pressures and wear .................................. 11-25
Wheel balance ................................................. 11-27
Wear indicators ............................................... 11-28
Tire rotation direction mark .............................. 11-28
Tire rotation ..................................................... 11-29
Maintenance and service
11

Black plate (333,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
Maintenance scheduleThe scheduled maintenance items re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the “Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet ”.
For details of your maintenance schedule,
read the separate “Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet ”.
Maintenance precautionsWhen maintenance and service are re-
quired, it is recommended that all work be
done by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and service
by yourself, you should familiarize yourself
with the information provided in this
section on general maintenance and
service for your SUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service could
cause improper or unsafe vehicle opera-
tion. Any problems caused by improper
maintenance and service performed by
you are not eligible for warranty coverage.
WARNING
.Testing of an All-Wheel Drive
model must NEVER be per-
formed on a single two-wheel
dynamometer or similar appara-
tus. Attempting to do so will
result in transmission damage
and in uncontrolled vehicle
movement and may cause an
accident or injuries to persons
nearby.
. Always select a safe area when
performing maintenance on your
vehicle. .
Always be very careful to avoid
injury when working on the vehi-
cle. Remember that some of the
materials in the vehicle may be
hazardous if improperly used or
handled, for example, battery
acid.
. Your vehicle should only be ser-
viced by persons fully competent
to do so. Serious personal injury
may result to persons not experi-
enced in servicing vehicles.
. Always use the proper tools and
make certain that they are well
maintained.
. Never get under the vehicle sup-
ported only by a jack. Always use
safety stands to support the
vehicle.
. Never keep the engine running in
a poorly ventilated area, such as
a garage or other closed areas.
. Do not smoke or allow open
flames around the fuel or battery.
This will cause a fire.
. Because the fuel system is under
pressure, replacement of the fuel
filter should be performed only
by your SUBARU dealer.
. Wear adequate eye protection to
Maintenance and service
11-3
–CONTINUED –
11

Black plate (334,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
11-4
Maintenance and service
guard against getting oil or fluids
in your eyes. If something does
get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water.
. Do not tamper with the wiring of
the SRS airbag system or seat-
belt pretensioner system, or at-
tempt to take its connectors
apart, as that may activate the
system or it can render it inop-
erative. NEVER use a circuit
tester for this wiring.
If your SRS airbag or seatbelt
pretensioner needs service, con-
sult your nearest SUBARU deal-
er.
& Before checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
WARNING
. Always stop the engine and set
the parking brake firmly to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving.
. Always let the engine cool down.
Engine parts become very hot
when the engine is running and
remain hot for some time after
the engine is stopped.
. Do not spill engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components.
This may cause a fire.
. Always remove the key from the
ignition switch. When the ignition
switch is in the “ON ”position,
thecoolingfanmayoperate
suddenly even when the engine
is stopped.
. Before performing any servicing
on a vehicle equipped with a
remote engine start system (a
dealer option) temporarily place
that system in the service mode
to prevent it from unexpectedly
starting the engine.
& When checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
CAUTION
Do not contact the belt cover while
checking the components in the
engine compartment. Doing so may
cause your hand to slip off the belt
cover and result in an unexpected
injury.

Black plate (335,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
& When checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
while the engine is running
WARNING
A running engine can be dangerous.
Keep your fingers, hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from the cooling
fan, belts and any other moving
engine parts. Removing rings,
watches and ties is advisable.
Engine hood
WARNING
Always check that the hood is
properly locked before you start
driving. If it is not, it might fly open
while the vehicle is moving and
block your view, which may cause
an accident and serious bodily in-
jury.
To open the hood:
1. If the wiper blades are lifted off the
windshield, return them to their original
position.2. Pull the hood release knob under the
instrument panel.
3. Release the secondary hood release
by moving the lever between the front
grille and the hood toward the left.
4. Lift up the hood.
To close the hood:
1. Lower the hood to a height of approxi-
mately 5.9 in (15 cm) above its closed
position and then let it drop.
2. After closing the hood, be sure the
hood is securely locked.
If this does not close the hood, release it
from a slightly higher position. Do not push
thehoodforciblytocloseit.Itcould
deform the metal.
Maintenance and service
11-5
11

Black plate (336,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
11-6
Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview& Turbo models except STI
1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-17)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-15)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-19)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-18)
5) Fuse box (page 11-37)
6) Battery (page 11-36)
7) Windshield washer tank (page 11-31)
8) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-12)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-12)
12) Air cleaner case (page 11-13)

Black plate (337,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
& STI
1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-17)
2) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-19)
3) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-18)
4) Fuse box (page 11-37)
5) Battery (page 11-36)
6) Windshield washer tank (page 11-31)
7) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
8) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-12)
9) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
10) Radiator cap (page 11-12)
11) Air cleaner case (page 11-13) Maintenance and service
11-7
11

Black plate (338,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
11-8
Maintenance and service
Engine oilNOTE. The engine oil consumption rate is
not stabilized, and therefore cannot be
determined until the vehicle has tra-
veled at least several thousand miles
(kilometers). Even after break-in, when
the vehicle is used under severe driv-
ing conditions such as those men-
tionedintheWarrantyandMainte-
nance Booklet, engine oil is consumed
or deteriorated more quickly than un-
der normal driving conditions. If you
drive your vehicle under these severe
conditions, you should check the oil
level at least at every second fuel fill-up
time, and change the oil more fre-
quently. Please refer to the Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet for more de-
tails.
. If the oil consumption rate seems
abnormally high after the break-in
period, for example more than 1 quart
per 1,200 miles or 1 liter per 2,000
kilometers, contact your SUBARU deal-
er.
& Checking the oil levelCheck the engine oil level at each fuel
stop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.2. Pull out the level gauge that has the
“
”symbol on top, wipe it clean, and
insert it again.
3. Be sure the level gauge is correctly
inserted until it stops.
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level4. Pull out the level gauge again and
check the oil level on it. If it is below the
lower level, add oil to bring the level up to
the upper level.
CAUTION
. Use only engine oil with the
recommended grade and vis-
cosity.
. Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If
engine oil gets on the exhaust

Black plate (339,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
pipe, be sure to wipe it off.
. If the level gauge is not pulled out
easily, twist the level gauge right
and left, then pull it out. Other-
wise, you may be injured acci-
dentally straining yourself.
If you check the oil level just after stopping
the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan before checking
the level.
Just after driving or while the engine is
warm, the engine oil level reading may be
in a range between the upper level and
the notch mark. This is caused by thermal
expansion of the engine oil.
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not
add any additional oil above the upper
level when the engine is cold.
& Changing the oil and oil filter
CAUTION
. If you change your own oil, be
sure to drain all the oil from the
filter before disposal.
. Do not dispose of used engine oil
by placing it in the trash, or by
pouring it onto the ground, into
sewers, or into any body of water.
Check with your local govern- ment office for the proper dis-
posal options available to you.
Change the oil and oil filter according to
the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
The engine oil and oil filter must be
changed more frequently than listed in
the maintenance schedule when driving
on dusty roads, when short trips are
frequently made, or when driving in
extremely cold weather.
1. Warm up the engine by letting the
engine idle for approximately 10 minutes
to ease draining the engine oil.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
4. Drain out the engine oil by removing
the drain plug while the engine is still
warm. The used oil should be drained into
an appropriate container and disposed of
properly.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself with
hot engine oil.
5. Wipe the seating surface of the drain
plug with a clean cloth and tighten it
securely with a new sealing washer after
the oil has completely drained out.
6. Remove the under cover.7. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench.
8. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a
Maintenance and service
11-9
– CONTINUED –
11