traction control SUBARU IMPREZA WRX STI 2012 Owners Manual

11
10
Getting
Started Instrument
Panel Gauges
Personalize Controls While
OperatingSafety / In Case
of Emergency Additional
Information
Impreza WRX STI Gauges
Immediate Attention
Trip meter A/B selection and trip
meter reset knob
Fuel Gauge
Trip meter and odometer
Tachometer
Temperature Gauge
Caution
Informational
Seatbelt warning
Front passenger
seatbelt warning
SRS airbag system
Security indicator light
Door open
Charge warning
Oil pressure warning
REV indicator Brake system
Rear differential oil
temp warning
High beam indicator light
ABS warning
Low fuel
Vehicle Dynamics
Control/Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation
Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF / Traction Control
OFF
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Malfunction indicator Speedometer
Tire pressure warning light
Front passenger frontal
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Front passenger frontal
airbag OFF
Turn signals
Front fog light indicator light
(if equipped)
Headlight indicator light
Cruise control
indicator light
Cruise control set
indicator light
Driver’s control center
differential auto indicator
Sport (S) mode
Intelligent (I) mode
Sport Sharp (S#) mode
Shift-up indicator
Getting
Started Instrument
Panel Gauges
Personalize Controls While
OperatingSafety / In Case
of Emergency Additional
Information
11
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GetGttintigStartedInsItrument PanelGaugesPerPsonalilizeConCtrotlslWhiWhile lOperatingSafSfetyt / /In ICasCeof EmergencyAddAdditiiional lInformation
Gauges

23
22
Getting
Started Instrument
Panel Gauges
Personalize Controls While
OperatingSafety / In Case
of Emergency Additional
Information
22While OperatingVehicle Dynamics Control OFF Switch (Impreza WRX only)Pressing the switch to deactivate the Vehicle Dynamics Control system can help in the
following situations:
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TOPXMulti-Mode Vehicle Dynamics Control Switch
(Impreza WRX STI only)Traction Mode
Press the switch to enter traction mode. This mode restricts the functions of the Traction
Control System and Vehicle Dynamics Control system and thus delays utilizing their functions
as a reaction to vehicle behavior. This mode should be used in driving situations where the
vehicle dynamic performance will improve without decreasing engine torque control. The
indicator light in the gauge cluster will turn green.
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF Mode
Press and hold the switch to enter Vehicle Dynamics Control Off mode. This mode should be
used in emergency situations, such as getting out of mud or deep snow. The indicator light in
the gauge cluster will turn yellow.
Fuel Filler Lid ReleaseTo open the fuel filler lid, pull the fuel filler lever up and release.
23
GetGttintigStartedInsItrument PanelGauGgesPerPsonalilizeConCtrotlslWhile OperatingSafSfetyt / /In ICasCe of EmergencyAddAdditiiional lInformation
While
Operating
REV Alarm System
(Impreza WRX STI only)The REV alarm system automatically issues a warning
using the REV indicator light whenever the tachometer
needle enters the red zone. The REV alarm level can
be set manually to an engine speed of your choosing
between 2,000 and 7,000 rpm using the trip knob.
The trip knob is also used to select a warning alarm
buzzer in addition to the light. The REV alarm set
level can be viewed in the odometer/tripmeter by
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and then pressing the trip knob. Please refer to our Owner’s Manual for more
detailed instructions on setting the engine speed alarm level and select\
ing the
warning buzzer.
6-Speed Manual Transmission
(Impreza WRX STI only)This manual transmission is a fully
synchromeshed 6 - forward and 1 - reverse
speed transmission. Before you can shift into
reverse gear, you must raise the slider ring
and hold it in that position. Only pull the slider
ring up when shifting into Reverse gear.

Black plate (24,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
22& Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-13Front passenger’s
seatbelt warning light 3-13SRS airbag system
warning light3-14
/
Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag ON indi-
cator 3-14
/
Front passenger
’s
frontal airbag OFF in-
dicator 3-14CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunc-
tion indicator light3-15Charge warning light 3-16Oil pressure warning
light
3-16Rear differential oil
temperature warning
light (STI)3-16ABS warning light 3-18 Mark Name Page
Brake system warning
light
3-19Door open warning
light3-20Hill start assist warn-
ing light/Hill start assist
OFF indicator light
(STI)3-20Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation indi-
cator light3-20Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator
light/Traction Control
OFF indicator light
(STI)3-21Turn signal indicator
lights
3-24High beam indicator
light3-24Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)3-24Security indicator light 3-23Headlight indicator
light
3-24Mark Name Page
Cruise control indica-
tor light
3-24Cruise control set in-
dicator light3-24Low fuel warning light 3-20Low tire pressure
warning light
(U.S.-spec. models)3-16Shift-up indicator light
(STI)
3-23Driver
’s control center
differential auto indi-
cator light (STI) 3-24Auto [+] mode indica-
tor light (STI)
3-24Auto [] mode indica-
tor light (STI) 3-25Driver
’s control center
differential indicator
and warning lights
(STI) 3-25REV indicator light
(STI)
3-25Sport (S) mode indi-
cator light (STI)3-23

Black plate (5,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 2
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

Black plate (130,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
3-12
Instruments and controls
to OFF, OFF to ON, or the vehicle starts
moving before the setting procedure is
finished.
. 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 rough
guide.
. 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
systemTo 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 lightsSeveral 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 the
seatbelt.): 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)

Black plate (139,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
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 system
malfunctions.
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.NOTEIf 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 being
driven.
.
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 control
function.
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

Black plate (140,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
3-22
Instruments 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

Black plate (141,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
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” F7-30.&
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#) modeThis 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 –
3

Black plate (268,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
7-18
Starting 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 torqueThe 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.NOTEIf 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 a
problem.
&
To change mode of driver ’s
control center differentialPress 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.

Black plate (269,1)
北米Model "A1130BE-A" EDITED: 2011/ 6/ 7
& Auto modeIn 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 –
7