2002 SUBARU IMPREZA Owners Manual

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owner’s manual for instructions and precautions
concerning the child restraint system, seatbelt sys- tem and SRS airbag system.
Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Never inhale engine exhaust gas. Engine ex-
haust gas contains carbon monoxide, a color-
less and odorless gas which is dangerous, oreven lethal, if inhaled. Always properly maintain the engine ex-
haust system to prevent engine exhaust gasfrom entering the vehicle. Never run the engine in a closed space,
such as a garage, except for the brief timeneeded to drive the vehicle in or out of it. Avoid remaining in a parked vehicle for a
lengthy time while the engine is running. Ifthat is unavoidable, then use the ventilationfan to force fresh air into the vehicle. Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille
free from snow, leaves or other obstructionsto ensure that the ventilation system always
works properly.
If at any time you suspect that exhaust
fumes are entering the vehicle, have the prob- lem checked and corrected as soon as pos-
sible. If you must drive under these condi-tions, drive only with all windows fully open. Keep the trunk lid or rear gate closed while
driving to prevent exhaust gas from enteringthe vehicle.
Drinking and driving
WARNING
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Alcohol in the bloodstream delays your reac-tion and impairs your perception, judgment and attentiveness. If you drive after drinking –
even if you drink just a little – it will increase
the risk of being involved in a serious or fatal
accident, injuring or killing yourself, your pas-sengers and others. In addition, if you are in-jured in the accident, alcohol may increase
the severity of that injury. Please don ’t drink and drive.
Drunken driving is one of the most frequent causes
of accidents. Since alcohol affects all people differ-

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ently, you may have consumed too much alcohol to drive safely even if the level of alcohol in your bloodis below the legal limit. The safest thing you can do
is never drink and drive. However if you have no
choice but to drive, stop drinking and sober up
completely before getting behind the wheel. Drugs and driving
WARNING
There are some drugs (over the counter and
prescription) that can delay your reaction time and impair your perception, judgment and at-
tentiveness. If you drive after taking them, it
may increase your, your passengers ’ and oth-
er persons ’ risk of being involved in a serious
or fatal accident.
If you are taking any drugs, check with your doctor
or pharmacist or read the literature that accompa-
nies the medication to determine if the drug you are
taking can impair your driving ability. Do not driveafter taking any medications that can make you
drowsy or otherwise affect your ability to safely oper- ate a motor vehicle. If you have a medical condition
that requires you to take drugs, please consult with your doctor.
Never drive if you are under the influence of any illic- it mind-altering drugs. For your own health and well-
being, we urge you not to take illegal drugs in the
first place and to seek treatment if you are addictedto those drugs.
Driving when tired or sleepy
WARNING
When you are tired or sleepy, your reaction
will be delayed and your perception, judgmentand attentiveness will be impaired. If you drive
when tired or sleepy, your, your passengers ’
and other persons ’ chances of being involved
in a serious accident may increase.
Please do not continue to drive but instead find a
safe place to rest if you are tired or sleepy. On long
trips, you should make periodic rest stops to refresh
yourself before continuing on your journey. When
possible, you should share the driving with others.

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Modification of your vehicle
CAUTION
Your vehicle should not be modified. Modifica- tion could affect its performance, safety or
durability, and may even violate governmentalregulations. In addition, damage or perfor-
mance problems resulting from modification may not be covered under warranties.
Car phones and driving
CAUTION
A driver ’s use of a car phone can be distract-
ing and if special care is not taken, can lead to an accident. If you use a car phone while driv-ing, make an extra effort to pay attention to
the road and to traffic at all times. If you can
safely do so, it is best to pull off to the side ofthe road before using your car phone.
Driving with pets
Unrestrained pets can interfere with your driving and
distract your attention from driving. In a collision or
sudden stop, unrestrained pets or cages can be
thrown around inside the vehicle and hurt you or
your passengers. Besides, the pets can be hurt un-der these situations. It is also for their own safety
that pets should be properly restrained in your
vehicle. Restrain a pet with a special traveling har-
ness which can be secured to the rear seat with a
seatbelt or use a pet carrier which can be secured
to the rear seat by routing a seatbelt through the
carrier’ s handle. Never restrain pets or pet carriers
in the front passenger ’s seat. For further information,
consult your veterinarian, local animal protection so-ciety or pet shop.
Tire pressures
Check and, if necessary, adjust the pressure of
each tire (including the spare) at least once a month
and before any long journey.
Check the tire pressure when the tires are cold. Use
a pressure gauge to adjust the tire pressures to the
values shown on the tire placard. Refer to the “Tires and wheels ” section in chapter 11
for detailed information.

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WARNING
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire pressures can cause the tires to deform
severely and to rapidly become hot. A sharp
increase in temperature could cause tread
separation, and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss of vehicle control could lead toan accident.
California proposition 65 warning
WARNING
Engine exhaust, some of its constituents, and certain vehicle components contain or emit
chemicals known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or other repro-ductive harm.

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1
Table of contents
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags Keys and doors Instruments and controls Climate control Audio
Interior equipment
Starting and operating Driving tips
In case of emergency Appearance careMaintenance and service Specifications
Index
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects

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Illustrated index Exterior
HGF024BB
1) Engine hood (page 11-5)
2) Headlight switch (page 3-15)
3) Replacing bulbs (page 11-56)
4) Wiper switch (page 3-21)
5) Door locks (page 2-3)
6) Tire pressure (page 11-38)
7) Flat tires (page 9-5)
8) Tire chains (page 8-14)
9) Front fog light switch (page
3-19)
10) Tie-down eyes (page 9-15)
11) Towing eye (page 9-15)

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HGF025BB
1) Rear window defogger switch
(page 3-24)
2) Fuel filler lid and cap (page
7-4)
3) Child safety locks (page 2-19)
4) Towing eye (page 9-15)
5) Trunk/Rear gate (page 2-23/2-27)