SUBARU WRX 2018 Owners Manual

(490,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
Exterior care&Washing
CAUTION
TYPE RA: Do not use automatic car
washes. Doing so may damage the
rear wing or its finish.
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 ped-
al to heat up the brakes.
.Do not wash the engine compart-
ment and area adjacent to it. If
water enters the engine air intake
or electrical parts, it will cause
engine trouble or a malfunction
of electrical equipment.
.When washing the inner fenders,
underbody, bumpers and pro-
truding objects such as exhaust
pipes and exhaust finishers, be
careful to prevent injuries from
contacting sharp ends..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.
NOTEWhen having your vehicle washed in an
automatic car wash, make sure before-
hand 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 sun-
light.
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 rinsedoff 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. Wear
rubber gloves and use a hand brush when
washing down underbody, inner fenders
and suspension to effectively remove mud
and dirt off.
!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 suspension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and inside
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 suspension
and axle parts, as they are particularly
prone to mud and sand buildup. Do not use
a sharp-edged tool to remove caked mud.
Appearance care/Exterior care
10-2

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北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
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.!Precautions for TYPE RA
!Precautions when cleaning the
carbon roof and rear wing
CAUTION
.When cleaning, take care that you
do not apply strong force to a
single point. Depending on the
degree of force and the location,
there is the risk of denting the
carbon roof or rear wing.
.After acid rain falls, it is recom-
mended that the vehicle be
washed before the water on the
paint evaporates.
.Promptly wash off any bird drop-
pings, insects, pollen, tree sap, or
similar substance that adheres to
the paint. If it is not promptly
washed off, it may penetrate the
paint.
.Remove any dirt using a neutral deter-
gent. Do not use hard brushes or abrasive
cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh
chemical cleaners.
.As the CFRP parts may change color if
they are exposed to ultraviolet rays for
extended periods of time, we recommend
that your vehicle be stored in a placewhere it will not be exposed to direct
sunlight.
.Do not use wax that contains abrasives.
NOTEDue to the characteristics of the carbon
roof, white cloudy areas may occur in
spots on the roof, however these do not
affect performance in any way.
!Precautions when cleaning
around the rear bumper cherry
red stripeRear bumper cherry red stripePrecautions when using a high-pres-
sure washer:
.Keep a distance of 12 in (30 cm) or
more between the washer nozzle and the
stripe.
–CONTINUED–
Appearance care/Exterior care
10-3
10

(492,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
.Do not continually wash the same
location.
.If using a high-temperature, high-pres-
sure washer, avoid cleaning the stripe.
Doing so may cause the stripe to peel off.
Precautions when using a solvent to
wash the car:
.Some solvents may adversely affect
seal adhesion performance. Be sure to
check the precautions listed on the solvent
before using it.
.If dirt is difficult to remove, a neutral
detergent diluted with water should be
used to carefully wipe off the dirt.&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 sur-
face 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 recommended. 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 a compound or an incorrect
polishing technique will result in removing
the paint layer and exposing the under-
coat. When in doubt, it is always best to
contact your SUBARU dealer or an auto
paint specialist.
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 alloy wheels.Promptly wipe the alloy 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 alloy
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/Exterior care
10-4

(493,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
Corrosion protectionYour SUBARU has been designed and
built to resist corrosion. Special materials
and protective finishes have been used on
most parts of the vehicle to help maintain
fine appearance, strength, and reliable
operation.&Most common causes of cor-
rosionThe most common causes of corrosion
are:
.The accumulation of moisture retaining
dirt and debris in body panel sections,
cavities, and other areas.
.Damage to paint and other protective
coatings caused by gravel and stone chips
or minor accidents.
Corrosion is accelerated on the vehicle
when:
.It is exposed to road salt or dust control
chemicals, or used in coastal areas where
there is more salt in the air, or in areas
where there is considerable industrial
pollution.
.It is driven in areas of high humidity,
especially when temperatures range just
above freezing.
.Dampness in certain parts of thevehicle remains for a long time, even
though other parts of the vehicle may be
dry.
.High temperatures will cause corrosion
to parts of the vehicle which cannot dry
quickly due to lack of proper ventilation.
&To help prevent corrosionWash the vehicle regularly to prevent
corrosion of the body and suspension
components. Also, wash the vehicle
promptly after driving on any of the
following surfaces.
.roads that have been salted to prevent
them from freezing in winter
.mud, sand, or gravel
.coastal roads
After the winter has ended, it is recom-
mended that the underbody be given a
very thorough washing.
Before the beginning of winter, check the
condition of underbody components, such
as the exhaust system, fuel and brake
lines, brake cables, suspension, steering
system, floor pan, and fenders. If any of
them are found to be rusted, they should
be given an appropriate rust prevention
treatment or should be replaced. Contact
your SUBARU dealer to perform this kind
of maintenance and treatment if you needassistance.
Repair chips and scratches in the paint as
soon as you find them.
Check the interior of the vehicle for water
and dirt accumulation under the floor mats
because that could cause corrosion. Oc-
casionally check under the mats to make
sure the area is dry.
Keep your garage dry. Do not park your
vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated gar-
age. In such a garage, corrosion can be
caused by dampness. If you wash the
vehicle in the garage or put the vehicle into
the garage when wet or covered with
snow, that can cause dampness.
If your vehicle is operated in cold weather
and/or in areas where road salts and other
corrosive materials are used, the door
hinges and locks, and hood latch should
be inspected and lubricated periodically.
Appearance care/Corrosion protection
10-5
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(494,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
Cleaning the interiorUse a soft, damp cloth to clean the climate
control panel, audio equipment, instru-
ment panel, center console, combination
meter panel, and switches. (Do not use
organic solvents.)&Seat fabricRemove loose dirt, dust or debris with a
vacuum cleaner. If the dirt is caked on the
fabric or hard to remove with a vacuum
cleaner, use a soft brush then vacuum it.
Wipe the fabric surface with a tightly wrung
cloth and dry the seat fabric thoroughly. If
the fabric is still dirty, wipe using a solution
of mild soap and lukewarm water then dry
thoroughly.
If the stain does not come out, try a
commercially-available fabric cleaner.
Use the cleaner on a hidden place and
make sure it does not affect the fabric
adversely. Use the cleaner according to its
instructions.
CAUTION
When cleaning the seat, do not use
benzine, paint thinner, or any similar
materials. Doing so could damage
the surface and cause the color todeteriorate.
&Leather seat materialsThe leather used by SUBARU is a high
quality natural product which will retain its
distinctive appearance and feel for many
years with proper care.
Allowing dust or road dirt to build up on the
surface can cause the material to become
brittle and to wear prematurely. Regular
cleaning with a soft, moist, natural fiber
cloth should be performed monthly, taking
care not to soak the leather or allow water
to penetrate the stitched seams.
A mild detergent suitable for cleaning
woolen fabrics may be used to remove
difficult dirt spots, rubbing with a soft, dry
cloth afterwards to restore the luster. If
your SUBARU is to be parked for a long
time in bright sunlight, it is recommended
that the seats and head restraints be
covered, or the windows shaded, to pre-
vent fading or shrinkage. Make sure to
remove any seat covers and head restraint
covers when operating the vehicle.
Minor surface blemishes or bald patches
may be treated with a commercial leather
spray lacquer. You will discover that each
leather seat section will develop soft folds
or wrinkles, which is characteristic of
genuine leather.
&Synthetic leather upholsteryThe synthetic leather material used on the
SUBARU may be cleaned using mild soap
or detergent and water, after first vacuum-
ing or brushing away loose dirt. Allow the
soap to soak in for a few minutes and wipe
off with a clean, damp cloth. Commercial
foam-type cleaners suitable for synthetic
leather materials may be used when
necessary.
CAUTION
Strong cleaning agents such as
solvents, paint thinners, window
cleaner or fuel must never be used
on leather or synthetic interior ma-
terials. Doing so could damage the
surface and cause the color to
deteriorate.
Appearance care/Cleaning the interior
10-6

(495,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
&Climate control panel, audio
panel, instrument panel, con-
sole panel, and switchesUse a soft, damp cloth to clean the climate
control panel, audio equipment, instru-
ment panel, center console, combination
meter panel, and switches.
CAUTION
.Do not use organic solvents such
as paint thinners or fuel, or
strong cleaning agents that con-
tain those solvents. Doing so
could damage the surface and
cause the color to deteriorate.
.Do not use chemical solvents that
contain silicone on the vehicle
audio system, electrical compo-
nents of the air-conditioner or
any switches. If silicone adheres
to these parts, it may cause
damage to electrical compo-
nents.
&MonitorTo clean the audio/navigation/multi-func-
tion display monitor, wipe it with a silicone
cloth or with a soft cloth. If the monitor is
extremely dirty, clean it with a soft cloth
moistened with neutral detergent then
carefully wipe off any remaining detergent.
CAUTION
.Do not spray neutral detergent
directly onto the monitor. Doing
so could damage the monitor’s
components.
.Do not wipe the monitor with a
hard cloth. Doing so could
scratch the monitor.
.Do not use cleaning fluid that
contains thinner, fuel, or any
other volatile substance. Such
cleaning fluid could erase the
lettering on the switches at the
bottom of the monitor.
Steering wheel with ultra-
suede covering (if equipped)In order to maintain the characteristic
texture and appearance of ultra-suede,
regular cleaning of the steering wheel is
recommended.NOTEIf the steering wheel is used continually
without cleaning, the surface will ap-
pear worn. This is due to dirt from
hands and other sources which causes
the ultra-suede fibers to harden. This is
not a defect.
Follow the procedure below and perform
cleaning.&Regular cleaningIt is recommended that regular cleaning
(approximately once a month) be per-
formed by following the procedure below.
1. Dampen a cloth or similar item with
warm water at approximately 1048F
(408C), then strongly wring it out and wipe
over the entire steering wheel.
2. When the surface of the ultra-suede is
dry, use a lint brush or similar means to
straighten the fibers.
–CONTINUED–
Appearance care/Steering wheel with ultra-suede covering
10-7
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(496,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
NOTE.When wiping, be careful not to
strongly disturb the ultra-suede piles.
.Use a clean cloth. When wiping,
rinse the cloth carefully and fully re-
move all dirt from it.&Liquid dirtFor any spillage cleaning, carry out the
following methods.
.Spilled liquids: Use tissue paper or
similar material to gently absorb the liquid.
.If mud, coffee, or other dirt hardens
after drying, use a lint brush or similar
means and gently brush the spot to
remove the dirt.
If the dirt cannot be removed after per-
forming the above cleaning, refer to“Dirt
from hands”F10-8.&Dirt from handsIf the texture or appearance has been
diminished by dirt from hands or other
sources, follow the procedure below for
cleaning.
Items to prepare:
A) Cloth dampened with neutral detergent
solution (5 - 10%) and strongly wrung out
B) Cloth dampened with warm water at
approximately 1048F (408C)Procedure:
1. Use a lint brush or similar means and
gently brush to remove adhering dust and
dirt.
2. Use the cloth that was dampened with
neutral detergent solution (5 - 10%) and
strongly wrung out (A) and grip the steer-
ing wheel with it, then wipe by moving the
cloth around the steering wheel as shown
in the figure.
3. In order to remove the remaining
neutral detergent on the ultra-suede, use
the cloth that was dampened with warm
water at approximately 1048F (408C) (B) to
grip the steering wheel with it, then wipe by
moving the cloth around the steering
wheel. Rinse the cloth with warm water
and repeat this step 3 times.
4. If the surface piles become disturbed,brush gently using a lint brush or similar
means.
CAUTION
.Do not use benzene, gasoline, or
other organic solvent, acidic or
alkaline detergents, dyes, bleach,
or similar substances. Doing so
may cause discoloration, wrin-
kles, or peeling of the paint.
.Do not use commercially avail-
able cleaners. They may contain
components that cause disco-
loration, wrinkles, and paint to
peel off.
.Strongly wring out the cloth dam-
pened with the neutral detergent
solution or warm water. If water
or detergent enters the steering
wheel switches or airbag, there is
the risk of causing malfunctions.
Appearance care/Steering wheel with ultra-suede covering
10-8

(499,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
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...................................................... 11-5
When checking or servicing in the engine
compartment while the engine is running............ 11-5
Maintenance tips................................................... 11-6
Removing and reinstalling clips............................ 11-6
Engine hood.......................................................... 11-9
Engine compartment overview.......................... 11-11
STI...................................................................... 11-11
Except STI.......................................................... 11-12
Engine oil............................................................. 11-13
Engine oil consumption...................................... 11-13
Checking the oil level.......................................... 11-13
Changing the oil and oil filter.............................. 11-15
Recommended grade and viscosity..................... 11-15
Synthetic oil........................................................ 11-16
Cooling system................................................... 11-16
Cooling fan, hose and connections..................... 11-17
Engine coolant.................................................... 11-17
Air cleaner element............................................. 11-18
Replacing the air cleaner element........................ 11-19
Spark plugs......................................................... 11-21
Recommended spark plugs................................. 11-21
Drive belts........................................................... 11-21Manual transmission oil......................................11-22
Recommended grade and viscosity..................... 11-22
Continuously variable transmission fluid..........11-22
Front differential gear oil (CVT models) and
rear differential gear oil....................................11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity..................... 11-23
Power steering fluid (STI)...................................11-23
Checking the fluid level...................................... 11-23
Recommended fluid............................................ 11-24
Brake fluid............................................................11-24
Checking the fluid level...................................... 11-24
Recommended brake fluid.................................. 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT models).....................................11-25
Checking the fluid level...................................... 11-25
Recommended clutch fluid................................. 11-26
Brake booster......................................................11-26
Brake pedal..........................................................11-27
Checking the brake pedal free play..................... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ......... 11-27
Clutch pedal (MT models)...................................11-27
Checking the clutch function .............................. 11-27
Checking the clutch pedal free play.................... 11-28
Hill start assist system.......................................11-28
Replacement of brake pad andlining................11-28
Breaking-in of new brake pads (models with
electronic parking brake system)..................... 11-29
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings
(models without electronic parking brake
system)........................................................... 11-29
Maintenance and service
11

(500,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
Parking brake stroke (models without
electronic parking brake system)................... 11-30
Tires and wheels................................................. 11-30
Types of tires...................................................... 11-30
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)
(if equipped)..................................................... 11-30
Tire inspection.................................................... 11-32
Tire pressures and wear...................................... 11-32
Wheel balance.................................................... 11-34
Wear indicators................................................... 11-35
Rotational direction of tires................................. 11-35
Tire rotation........................................................ 11-36
Tire replacement................................................. 11-36
Wheel replacement............................................. 11-37
Alloy wheels........................................................ 11-38
Windshield washer fluid..................................... 11-38
Replacement of wiper blades............................ 11-39
Windshield wiper blade assembly........................ 11-40
Windshield wiper blade rubber............................ 11-40
Battery................................................................. 11-41Fuses....................................................................11-42
Installation of accessories..................................11-44
Replacing bulbs...................................................11-44
Headlights (models with LED headlights)............ 11-44
High beam headlight
(models without LED headlights)..................... 11-44
Low beam headlight*, front side marker light,
parking light* and front turn signal light*......... 11-46
Front turn signal light
(models with LED headlights).......................... 11-48
Front fog light
(models with the LED front fog light)............... 11-48
Front fog light (models without the LED front
fog light) (if equipped)..................................... 11-49
Rear combination lights...................................... 11-49
License plate light.............................................. 11-50
Other bulbs........................................................ 11-51
Replacing battery................................................11-51
Safety precautions.............................................. 11-51
Replacing battery of access key fob................... 11-52
Replacing transmitter battery.............................. 11-53
Maintenance and service

(501,1)
北米Model "A1700BE-B" EDITED: 2017/ 10/ 11
Maintenance scheduleU.S. models
The scheduled maintenance items re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the“Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. For details, read the
separate“Warranty and Maintenance
Booklet”.
Canada models
The scheduled maintenance items re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the“Warranty and Service
Booklet”. For details, read the separate
“Warranty and Service Booklet”.
Other models
Some items of your vehicle are required to
be serviced at scheduled intervals. For
details about your maintenance schedule,
read the separate“Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet”.NOTEYou can set a reminder to be displayed
when a scheduled maintenance item is
almost due. For details, refer to“Main-
tenance settings”F3-59.
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 sec-
tion 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 performed
on a single two-wheel dynam-
ometer or similar apparatus. At-
tempting to do so will result in
transmission damage and in un-
controlled 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 avoidinjury 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
guard against getting oil or fluids
–CONTINUED–
Maintenance and service/Maintenance schedule
11-3
11