2002 SUBARU IMPREZA chapter 11

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-25
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SUBARU dealer as soon as possible. When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to
explain to the buyer that it has seatbelt preten-sioners by alerting him to the contents of thissection.
WARNING
To obtain maximum protection, the occu-
pants should sit in an upright position with their seatbelts properly fastened. Refer to the
“Seatbelts” section in this chapter.
Do not modify, remove or strike the front
seatbelt retractor assemblies or surrounding
area. This could result in accidental activationof the seatbelt pretensioners or could makethe system inoperative, possibly resulting in
serious injury. Seatbelt pretensioners have no
user-serviceable parts. For required servicingof front seatbelt retractors equipped with seat-
belt pretensioners, see your nearest SUBARU
dealer. When discarding front seatbelt retractor
assemblies or scrapping the entire car due to
collision damage or for other reasons, consult
your SUBARU dealer.
System monitors
HG1016BA
A diagnostic system continually monitors the readi-
ness of the seatbelt pretensioner while the vehicle is
being driven. The seatbelt pretensioners share the
control module with the SRS airbag system. There-
fore, if any malfunction occurs in a seatbelt preten-
sioner, the SRS airbag system warning light will illu-
minate. The SRS airbag system warning light will
show normal system operation by lighting for about
6 seconds when the ignition key is turned to the
“ON” position.
The following components are monitored by the indi- cator: Front sub sensor (Right hand side)

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-38
*SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)
*SRS: This stands for supplemental restraint system. This name is used because the airbag system sup- plements the vehicle’s seatbelts.
Vehicle with driver ’s and front pas-
senger’ s SRS airbags and lap/shoul-
der restraints
The supplemental restraint system (SRS) consists oftwo airbags (driver ’s and front passenger ’s frontal
airbags) or four airbags (driver ’s and front passen-
ger’ s frontal airbags and driver ’s and front passen-
ger’ s side airbags).
These SRS airbags are designed only as a sup-plement to the primary protection provided bythe seatbelt.
WARNING
To obtain maximum protection in the event
of an accident, the driver and all passengers in the vehicle should always wear seatbeltswhen the vehicle is moving. The SRS airbag is
designed only as a supplement to the primary protection provided by the seatbelt. It does
not do away with the need to fasten seatbelts.
In combination with the seatbelts, it offers thebest combined protection in case of a seriousaccident.Not wearing a seatbelt increases the chance of severe injury or death in a crash even when the car has the SRS airbag. For instructions and precautions concerningthe seatbelt system, see the
“Seatbelts” sec-
tions in this chapter. Do not sit or lean unnecessarily close to the
SRS airbag. Because the SRS airbag deployswith considerable speed – faster than the
blink of an eye – and force to protect in high
speed collisions, the force of an airbag can in-jure an occupant whose body is too close toSRS airbag. It is also important to wear your seatbelt to
help avoid injuries that can result when theSRS airbag contacts an occupant not in prop-er position such as one thrown forward during
pre-accident braking.Even when properly positioned, there remains
a possibility that an occupant may suffer mi- nor injury such as abrasions and bruises to
the face or arms because of the SRS airbag

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-40
strained at all times in a child restraint device or in a seatbelt, whichever is appropriate forthe child’s age, height and weight.
Secure ALL types of child restraint devices
(including forward facing child seats) in the
REAR seats at all times.
According to accident statistics, children are
safer when properly restrained in the rearseating positions than in the front seatingpositions.For instructions and precautions concerningthe child restraint system, see the “Child re-
straint systems ” section in this chapter.
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD FACING
CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT SEAT. DOING SO
RISKS SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH TO THE
CHILD BY PLACING THE CHILD ’S HEAD TOO
CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG. Never allow a child to stand up, or to kneel
on the front passenger ’s seat, or never hold a
child on your lap or in your arms. The SRS air- bag deploys with considerable force and caninjure or even kill the child.CAUTION
When the SRS airbag deploys, some smoke
will be released. This smoke could cause breathing problems for people with a history of asthma or other breathing trouble. If you oryour passengers have breathing problems af-
ter SRS airbag deploys, get fresh air promptly. A deploying SRS airbag releases hot gas.
Occupants could get burnt if they come into direct contact with the hot gas.
NOTE When you sell your vehicle, we urge you to ex- plain to the buyer that it is equipped with SRS
airbags by alerting him to the applicable sectionin this owner ’s manual.

Keys and doors
2-27
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If the latch is not released, contact your SUBARU
dealer.
In that case, use the key to release the latch, thenclose the trunk lid.
Also, if the movements of the release handle feel re-
stricted or not entirely smooth during operation, or the handle and/or handle base is cracked, contact
your SUBARU dealer. Rear gate (Wagon)
HGF013EB
1) Lock 2) Unlock
To unlock the rear gate, insert the key in the keyhole
and turn it clockwise. To lock the rear gate, insert
the key in the keyhole and turn it counterclockwise. If your vehicle is equipped with power door locking
switches, the rear gate can also be locked and
unlocked through use of the power door lockingswitches. Refer to the “Power door locking switches ”
section in this chapter.
To open the rear gate, first unlock the rear gate lock
then pull the outside handle up. To close the rear
gate, lower it slowly and push down firmly until the

Instruments and controls
3-9
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and high revving operation when engine is not
warmed up enough should be avoided.
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating range, safely stop the vehicle as soon as pos- sible. See the “In case of emergency ” in chapter 9.
Outside temperature indicator (if equipped)
The outside temperature indicator shows the outside
temperature in a range from –22°F to 122 °F ( –30 °C
to 50 °C).
The indicator can give a false reading under any of the following conditions: When there is too much sun.
During idling; while running at low speeds in a
traffic jam; when the engine is restarted immediately
following a shutdown. When the actual outside temperature falls outside
the specified indicator range. Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights come on
momentarily and then go out when the ignition
switch is initially turned to the
“ON” position. This
permits checking the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position. The following lights come on:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indica- tor lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL temperature warning light (AT vehicles)
ABS warning light
Brake system warning light
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out
bulb or a malfunction of the corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer for repair. Seatbelt warning light and chime
When the ignition switch is turned to the “ON” posi-
tion, the seatbelt warning light will come on and the
reminder chime will sound for about six seconds to
remind the driver to fasten the seatbelt.

Instruments and controls
3-14
Always make sure this light is out before you start to drive. Front-wheel drive warning light
(for AT vehicles – if equipped)
This light comes on when All Wheel Drive is disen-
gaged and the drive mechanism is switched to FrontWheel Drive for maintenance or similar purposes. Shift position indicator (AT vehicles)
This indicator shows the position of the shift lever. Turn signal indicator lights
These lights show the operation of the turn signal or
lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink rapidly, the
turn signal bulb may be burned out. Replace thebulb as soon as possible. Refer to the “Replacing
bulbs” section in chapter 11.
High beam indicator light
This light shows that the headlights are in the highbeam mode.This indicator light also comes on when operating
headlight flasher. Clock
HG3009BB
1) “S”
button
2) “H” button 3) “M”
button
To set the hour, press the “H” button. To set the min-
utes, press the “M” button. To reset the minutes the
“00” with a radio time signal, push the “S” button.
CAUTION
To ensure safety, do not attempt to set the time during driving, as an accident from inad- equate steering operation could result.

Instruments and controls
3-20
Wiper and washer
WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use the windshield
washer until the windshield is sufficiently
warmed by the defroster.Otherwise the washer fluid can freeze on the
windshield, blocking your view.
CAUTION
Do not operate the washer continuously for
more than ten seconds, or when the washer
fluid tank is empty. This may cause overheat-
ing of the washer motor. Check the washer
fluid level frequently, such as at fuel stops. Do not operate the wipers when the wind-
shield or rear window is dry. This may scratchthe glass, damage the wiper blades and causethe wiper motor to burn out. Before operating
the wiper on a dry windshield or rear window,
always use the windshield washer. In freezing weather, be sure that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear window before switching on the wipers.Attempting to operate the wiper with the
blades frozen to the window glass could
cause not only the wiper blades to be dam-aged but also the wiper motor to burn out. Ifthe wiper blade is frozen to the window glass,
be sure to operate the defroster, windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) or rear window
defogger before turning on the wiper.
If the wipers stop during operation because
of ice or some other obstruction on the win-
dow, the wiper motor could burn out even if the wiper switch is turned off. If this occurs, promptly stop the vehicle in a safe place, turnthe ignition switch to the “LOCK” position and
clean the window glass to allow proper wiperoperation. Use clean water if windshield washer fluid is
unavailable. In areas where water freezes in
winter, use SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluidor the equivalent. (See the “Windshield wash-
er fluid ” section in chapter 11.)
Also, when driving the vehicle when there are
freezing temperatures, use non-freezing type wiper blades. Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline
or a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.

Instruments and controls
3-21
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This will cause deterioration of the wiper blades.
NOTE The wiper operates only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position.
Clean your wiper blades and window glass
periodically with a washer solution to prevent
streaking, and to remove accumulations of roadsalt or road film. Keep the washer button
depressed at least for 1 second so that washersolution will be sprinkled all over the windshield
or rear window. Grease, wax, insects or other material on the
windshield or the wiper blade results in jerky wiper operation and streaking on the glass. Ifyou cannot remove those streaks after operating
the washer or if the wiper operation is jerky,
clean the outer surface of the windshield or rear
window and the wiper blades using a sponge or
soft cloth with a neutral detergent or mild-abra-
sive cleaner. After cleaning, rinse the window
glass and wiper blades with clean water. The
glass is clean if no beads form on the glass
when you rinse with water. If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after
following this procedure, replace the wiper blades with new ones. Refer to the
“Wiper blade
replacement” section (chapter 11) for replace-
ment instructions. Windshield wiper and washer switches
Windshield wipers
To turn the wipers on, push the wiper control lever down.
HG3010BB
1) OFF
2) : Intermittent
3) LO : Low speed
4) HI : High speed