2002 SUBARU IMPREZA tow

Instruments and controls
3-13
– CONTINUED –
The warning light comes on right after the
engine is started but goes out immediately, remaining off. The warning light remains on after the engine
has been started, but it goes out when the
vehicle speed reaches about 8 mph (12 km/h). The warning light comes on during driving, but
it goes out immediately and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery voltage
such as when the engine is jump started, the ABS
warning light may come on. This is due to the low
battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the battery becomes fully charged, the lightwill go out. Brake system warning light
CAUTION
Driving with the brake system warning light
on is dangerous. This indicates your brake
system may not be working properly. If thelight remains on, have the brakes inspected
by a SUBARU dealer immediately. If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating properly, do not drive the ve-
hicle. Have your vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
This light has the following two functions: Parking brake warning
The light comes on with the parking brake applied while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. It
goes out when the parking brake is fully released.
Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has
dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid
reservoir with the ignition switch in the “ON” position
and with the parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should come on
while driving (with the parking brake fully releasedand with the ignition switch positioned in “ON”), it
could be an indication of leaking of brake fluid or
worn brake pads. Have your vehicle checked by a
SUBARU dealer immediately. Door open warning lights
The door open warning light comes on if any door or
the rear gate is not fully closed.
(U.S.)
(Canada)

Instruments and controls
3-16
High/low beam change (dimmer)
HG3014CA
To change from low beam to high beam, push the
turn signal lever forward. When the headlights areon high beam, the high beam indicator light “a ”
on the instrument panel is also on.
To switch back to low beam, pull the lever back tothe detent position.
Headlight flasher
HG3014BA
To flash the headlights, pull the lever toward you and
then release it. The high beam will stay on for as
long as you hold the lever. The headlight flasher
works even though the lighting switch is in the “OFF”
position.
When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indicator light “a ” on the instrument panel
also comes on.
CAUTION
Do not hold the lever in the flashing position for more than just a few seconds.

Instruments and controls
3-22
To turn the wipers off, return the lever to the “OFF”
position.
Wiper intermittent time control (if equipped)
HB2023BA
When the wiper switch is in the “” position, turn
the dial to adjust the operating interval of the wiper. Operating interval can be adjusted continuously
from the shortest interval to the longest.
Two click stop positions of the dial may help you to
aim at your desired interval.
Mist (for a single wipe)
HG3011BA
For a single wipe of the wipers, pull the lever toward
you. The wipers operate until you release the lever.

Instruments and controls
3-25
– CONTINUED –
To turn on the defogger, push the switch. To turn it
off, push the switch again.The indicator light located on the switch lights up
while the rear window defogger is operating. NOTE
If your vehicle is equipped with the outside mir-
ror defogger, the outside mirror defogger oper- ates while the rear window defogger is operating.
CAUTION
Do not use sharp instruments or window
cleaner containing abrasives to clean the in-
ner surface of the rear window. They may
damage the conductors printed on the win-
dow. To prevent the battery from being dis-
charged, do not operate the defogger continu-
ously for any longer than necessary. Mirrors
Always check that the inside and outside mirrors are
properly adjusted before you start driving.
Inside mirror
HB4003BC
1) Tab
The inside mirror has a day and night position. Pull
the tab at the bottom of the mirror toward you for the
night position. Push it away for the day position. The
night position reduces glare from headlights.

Climate control
4-6
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “” position.
3. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the right.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the highestspeed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner, when the “
” position is selected, the air condi-
tioner automatically operates regardless of the posi-
tion of the air conditioner button. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left
air outlets. To stop warm air flow from these out- lets, turn the corresponding knob clockwise.
Heating and defrosting
HG4024AA
To direct warm air toward the floor and the wind- shield:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desiredspeed. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left
air outlets. To stop warm air flow from these out- lets, turn the corresponding knob clockwise.
Heating
HG4025AA

Climate control
4-7
– CONTINUED –
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “”
position
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left
air outlets. To stop warm air flow from these out-lets, turn the corresponding knob clockwise.
Bi-level heating
HG4026AA
This setting allows you to direct air of different tem-
peratures from the instrument panel and foot outlets.
The air from the foot outlets is slightly warmer than
from the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired
temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desiredspeed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully turned to
the red area or blue area decreases the temperature
difference between the air from the instrument panel
outlets and the air from the foot outlets.

8
8-1
– CONTINUED –
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) 8-3 . . . .
Catalytic converter 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic inspections 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in foreign countries 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips for AWD vehicles 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off road driving 8-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT 8-8 . . .
OUTBACK SPORT 8-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation during cold weather 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on snowy and icy roads 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion protection 8-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow tires 8-13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire chains 8-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rocking the vehicle 8-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading your vehicle 8-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle capacity weight 8-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) 8-17 . . . . . .
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) 8-18 . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer hitch (if equipped) 8-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connecting a trailer 8-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When you do not tow a trailer 8-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 8-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Warranties and maintenance 8-27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum load limits 8-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer hitches 8-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connecting a trailer 8-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing tips 8-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips

Driving tips
8-7
– CONTINUED –
AWD system, you should keep the following tips in mind: An AWD vehicle is better able to climb steeper
roads under snowy or slippery conditions than a two
wheel drive vehicle. There is little difference in han-
dling, however, during extremely sharp turns or sud-
den braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope
or turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed
and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the
same size, construction, brand, and load range as
the original tires listed on the tire placard. Using other
sizes, circumference or construction may result in se-
vere mechanical damage to the drive train of your ve-
hicle and may affect ride, handling, braking,
speedometer/odometer calibration, and clearance
between the body and tires. It also may be danger-
ous and lead to loss of vehicle control. If you use a temporary spare tire to replace a flat
tire, be sure to use the original temporary spare tire
stored in the vehicle. Using other sizes may result in
severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your
vehicle. Always check the cold tire pressure before start-
ing to drive. The recommended tire pressure is pro-
vided on the tire placard, which is located under thedoor latch on the driver ’s side.
Tire chains should always be placed on the front
wheels only. There are some precautions that you must ob-
serve when towing your vehicle. For detail informa-
tion, see the “Towing” section in chapter 8.
WARNING
Always maintain a safe driving speed ac-
cording to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn, during sudden braking or under other similar conditions. Always use the utmost care in driving –
overconfidence because you are driving an allwheel drive vehicle could easily lead to a seri-ous accident.