2002 SUBARU IMPREZA check oil

In case of emergency
9-19
– CONTINUED –
3. Secure the vehicle onto the carrier properly with safety chains. Each of safety chain should be
equally tightened and care must be taken not to pull
the chains so tightly that the suspension bottomsout.
CAUTION
If your vehicle has a front underspoiler and rear underspoiler (both optional), be carefulnot to scrape them when placing the vehicleon the carrier and when removing the vehicle
from the carrier.
Towing with all wheels on the ground
HG9001AA
1. Check the transmission and differential oil levels
and add oil to bring it to the upper level if necessary.
2. Release the parking brake and put the transmis-sion in neutral.
3. The ignition switch should be in the “ACC” posi-
tion while the vehicle is being towed.
4. Take up slack in the towline slowly to prevent
damage to the vehicle.
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”
position while the vehicle is being towed be-
cause the steering wheel and the direction ofthe wheels will be locked. Remember that the brake booster and pow-
er steering do not function when the engine is not running. Because the engine is turned off,
it will take greater effort to operate the brakepedal and steering wheel.

11
11-1
– CONTINUED –
Maintenance schedule 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance precautions 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine hood 11-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 11-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5 liter model 11-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.0 liter (Turbo) model 11-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil 11-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing the oil and oil filter 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-11 . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity under
severe driving conditions 11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system 11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hose and connections 11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant 11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air cleaner element 11-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing the air cleaner element 11-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 11-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended spark plugs 11-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive belts 11-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission oil 11-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission fluid 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) 11-26 . . . . . Checking the oil level 11-26
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-26 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear differential gear oil 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the gear oil level 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-28 . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering fluid 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended brake fluid 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended clutch fluid 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake booster 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pedal 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal free play 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance 11-34 . .
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch function 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch pedal free play 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of brake pad and lining 11-35 . . . . . . . .
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings 11-36 . . .
Parking brake stroke 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires and wheels 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire inspection 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressures and wear 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance and service

Maintenance and service
11-4
Always be very careful to avoid injury when
working on the vehicle. Remember that some of the materials in the vehicle may be hazard-
ous if improperly used or handled, for exam-ple, battery acid. Your vehicle should only be serviced by per-
sons fully competent to do so. Serious per-sonal injury may result to persons not experi-enced in servicing vehicles. Always use the proper tools and make cer-
tain that they are well maintained. Never get under the vehicle supported only
by a jack. Always use a safety stands to sup-port 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 per-
formed only by your SUBARU dealer. Ensure your eyes are free of oil and fluid, as
they can be harmful to your eyes. If you get one in your eyes, wash your eyes with clean
water. For your safety, you are wise to weareye protection.
Do not tamper with the wiring of the SRS
airbag system or seatbelt pretensioner sys-tem, or attempt to take its connectors apart,as that may activate the system or it can ren-der it inoperative. The wiring and connectorsof these systems are yellow for easy identifi- cation. NEVER use a circuit tester for these wiring. If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pretensionerneeds service, consult your nearest SUBARU
dealer. Before checking or servicing in the
engine compartment
Always stop the engine and set the parking
brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from mov- ing. Always let the engine cool down. Engine
parts become very hot when the engine is run-
ning and remain hot for some time after theengine is stopped. Do not spill engine oil, engine coolant, brake
fluid or any other fluid on hot engine compo-nents. This may cause a fire. Always remove the key from the ignition
switch. When the ignition switch is in the

Maintenance and service
11-9
– CONTINUED –
Engine oil Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuel stop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop theengine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert itagain.
HGB001BA
3. Be sure the dipstick is correctly inserted until it
stops with the graphic symbol i on its top ap-
pearing as shown in the illustration.
HBB061BC
1) Notch
2) Upper level 3) Lower level
4) Front of vehicle
4. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on it. If it is below the lower level, add oil to bring the level up to the upper level.
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recommended
grade and viscosity.
If you check the oil level just after stopping the en-
gine, wait a few minutes for the oil to drain back into
the oil pan before checking the level.
Just after driving or while the engine is warm, the

Maintenance and service
11-11
– CONTINUED –
5. Wipe the seating surface of the drain plug with a
clean cloth and tighten it securely with a new seal-ing washer after the oil has completely drained out.
HS0176
1) Oil filter
6. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
7. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a thin coat of engine oil to the seal.
8. Clean the rubber seal seating area of the lower
crank case and install the oil filter by hand turning.
Be careful not to twist or damage the seal.
9. Tighten it approximately two-thirds of a turn afterthe seal makes contact with the lower crank case.
CAUTION
Never over tighten the oil filter because that can result in an oil leak.
10. Pour the specified amount of engine oil throughthe filler neck.
Oil capacity: Non-turbo models: 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
Turbo models: 4.8 US qt (4.5 liters, 4.0 Imp qt)
11. Start the engine and make sure that no oil leaks
appear around the filter ’s rubber seal.
12. Run the engine until it reaches the normal oper-
ating temperature. Then stop the engine and wait a
few minutes to allow the oil drain back. Check the oil
level again and if necessary, add more engine oil. Recommended grade and viscosity
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recommended
grade and viscosity.

Maintenance and service
11-23
– CONTINUED –
Manual transmission oil Checking the oil level
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop theengine.
HGB001DB
Non-turbo model
1) Yellow handle
HGB001JA
Turbo model
HGB034BB
1) Upper level 2) Lower level

Maintenance and service
11-24
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level
on it. If it is below the lower level, add oil through thedipstick hole to bring the level up to the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and ad-
ditives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5
OM-H0205
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable
Temperature Automatic transmission fluid
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as
its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according
to fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two differ-ent scales for checking the level of hot fluid andcold fluid on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked without
warming up the fluid on the “COLD” range, we rec-
ommend checking the fluid level when the fluid is at
operating temperature.
Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the tem-
perature of the transmission fluid up to normal oper-
ating temperature; 140 to 176 °F (60 to 80 °C) is nor-
mal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set theparking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then shift it in the “P” position, and run the engine at id-
ling speed.

Maintenance and service
11-26
Front differential gear oil
(AT vehicles) Checking the oil level
Check the differential oil level monthly.
HGB001FB
1) Yellow handle
HBA010BC
1) Upper level 2) Lower level
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil levelon it. If it is below the lower level, add oil to bring thelevel up to the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and ad-
ditives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5