catalytic converter SUBARU WRX 2016 Owners Manual

Fuel CAUTIONUse of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel
additive may cause engine damage.
& Fuel requirements ! STI
The engine is designed to operate at
maximum performance using unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI
(98 RON) or higher . If 93 AKI (98 RON)
fuel is not readily available in your area,
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
91 AKI (95 RON) may be used with no
detriment to engine durability or driveabil-
ity. However, you may notice a slight
decrease in maximum engine perfor-
mance while using 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel.
Use of 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel will not affect
your warranty coverage.
! Except STI
The engine is designed to operate using
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating
of 91 AKI (95 RON) or higher . If 91 AKI
(95 RON) fuel is not readily available,
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI (90 RON) may be used.
Regular unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 87 AKI (90 RON) or higher may
also be used. Using regular unleaded
gasoline will not be detrimental to engine
durability, nor will it affect your warranty
coverage. However, depending on your
driving habits and conditions, you may
notice a decrease in maximum engine
performance, fuel economy or slight en-
gine vibration or knocking. If you experi-
ence any of these conditions while using a
lower octane rated fuel, you may want to
return to using 91 AKI (95 RON) octane
rated fuel as soon as possible. Addition-
ally, if your vehicle knocks heavily or
persistently, the use of 91 AKI (95 RON)
or higher grade unleaded gasoline is
required.
! Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane
numbers and is commonly referred to as
the Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane
rating can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly when you drive
up a hill or when you accelerate. Contact
your SUBARU dealer if you use a fuel with the specified octane rating and your
vehicle knocks heavily or persistently.
! Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler
nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy.
! Gasoline for California-certified
LEV
If your vehicle was certified to California ’ s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur Cali-
fornia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your
vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting
Federal specifications. Gasoline sold out-
side California is permitted to have higher
sulfur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle ’ s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or
smell. SUBARU recommends that you try
a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning
your vehicle to an authorized dealer for
service. Starting and operating/Fuel
– CONTINUED –7-3

New vehicle break-in driving – the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km) ..................................... 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............ 8-2
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-4
Driving tips for AWD models .............................. 8-5
Driving precaution ............................................... 8-6
Winter driving ...................................................... 8-6Operation during cold weather ............................. 8-6 Driving on snowy and icy roads ........................... 8-8
Corrosion protection ............................................ 8-9
Snow tires ........................................................... 8-9
Tire chains ........................................................ 8-10
Rocking the vehicle ........................................... 8-10
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-10Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 8-11
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ 8-12
Trailer towing ..................................................... 8-12
Driving tips
8

exhaust fumes are entering the
vehicle, have the problem
checked and corrected as soon
as possible. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive
only with all windows fully open.
. Keep the trunk lid closed while
driving to prevent exhaust gas
from entering the vehicle.
NOTE Due to the expansion and contraction
of the metals used in the manufacture
of the exhaust system, you may hear a
crackling sound coming from the ex-
haust system for a short time after the
engine has been shut off. This sound is
normal. Catalytic converter
STI
Except STI
The catalytic converter is installed in the
exhaust system. It serves as a catalyst to reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust
gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust.
To avoid damage to the catalytic conver-
ter:
. Use only unleaded fuel. Even a small
amount of leaded fuel will damage the
catalytic converter.
. Never start the engine by pushing or
pulling the vehicle.
. Avoid racing the engine.
. Never turn off the ignition switch while
the vehicle is moving.
. Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel
the engine running rough (misfiring, back-
firing or incomplete combustion), have
your vehicle checked and repaired by an
authorized SUBARU dealer.
. Do not apply undercoating or rust
prevention treatment to the heat shield of
catalytic converter and the exhaust sys-
tem.
. Do not drive with an extremely low fuel
level.
WARNING
. Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive
or park the vehicle anywhere
near flammable materials (e.g.,
grass, paper, rags or leaves),
because the catalytic converter Driving tips/Catalytic converter
– CONTINUED –8-3

Booster ........................................................ 7-35, 11-27
Disc ..................................................................... 12-9
Fluid ............................................................ 11-25, 12-7
Pad and lining ...................................................... 11-30
Parking ........................................................ 7-44, 11-30
Pedal .................................................................. 11-27
System ................................................................. 7-35
Brake pedal
Free play ............................................................. 11-27
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-28
Brake system ............................................................ 7-35
Warning light ......................................................... 3-21
Braking ..................................................................... 7-35
Tips...................................................................... 7-35
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-30
BSD/RCTA ................................................................ 7-56
BSD/RCTA approach indicator light/warning buzzer .... 7-59
BSD/RCTA OFF switch ........................................... 7-61
BSD/RCTA warning indicator ................................... 7-60
Bulb
Chart .................................................................. 12-16
Replacing ............................................................. 11-44
C
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center
Console .................................................................. 6-5
Changing
Coolant ................................................................ 11-19
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-4
Oil and oil filter ..................................................... 11-15 Charge warning light ................................................... 3-17
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator
light ....................................................................... 3-16
Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-27
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-28
Clutch function ..................................................... 11-28
Clutch pedal free play ........................................... 11-28
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-18
Fluid level (brake fluid) .......................................... 11-25
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-26
Fluid level (power steering fluid) ............................. 11-24
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-38
Oil level (engine oil) .............................................. 11-13
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-21
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-28
Installation with ALR/ELR seatbelt ............................ 1-24
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-29
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-32
Child safety ................................................................... 4
Locks .................................................................... 2-32
Chime
Key........................................................................ 3-5
Light ..................................................................... 3-94
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-14
Cigarette lighter ........................................................... 6-9
Cleaning
Aluminum
wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ....................................................... 4-9
Climate control system ................................................. 4-3 Index
14-3