2002 SUBARU IMPREZA Owners Manual

Appearance care
10-6
wear prematurely. Regular cleaning with a soft,
moist, natural fiber cloth should be performed
monthly, taking care not to soak the leather or allowwater to penetrate the stitched seams.A mild detergent suitable for cleaning woolen fab-
rics may be used to remove difficult dirt spots, rub-
bing 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 headrests be covered, or the windows
shaded, to prevent fading or shrinkage.
Minor surface blemishes or bald patches may be
treated with a commercial leather spray lacquer. You will discover that each leather seat section will de-
velop soft folds or wrinkles, which is characteristic of
genuine leather. Synthetic leather upholstery
The synthetic leather material used on the SUBARU may be cleaned using mild soap or detergent and
water, after first vacuuming 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. NOTE Strong cleaning agents such as solvents, paint
thinners, window cleaner or gasoline must neverbe used on leather or synthetic interior materials.

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
11-2
Wheel balance 11-41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear indicators 11-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire rotation 11-42
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire replacement 11-43 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel replacement 11-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel covers 11-44 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheels (If equipped) 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid 11-46 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of windshield wiper blades 11-47 . .
Battery 11-50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 11-51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Main fuse 11-53
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation of accessories 11-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing bulbs 11-55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight 11-56
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front turn signal light and parking light 11-58 . . . . . .
Front fog light (if equipped) 11-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front side marker light 11-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear combination lights 11-63 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
License plate light 11-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Room light, spot light and cargo area light 11-66 . . .
Trunk light 11-67
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High mount stop light 11-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Maintenance and service
11-3
– CONTINUED –
Maintenance schedule
The scheduled maintenance items required to be
serviced at regular intervals are shown in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
For details of your maintenance schedule, read theseparate “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.Maintenance precautions
When maintenance and service are required, it is
recommended that all work be done by an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and service by yourself,
you should familiarize yourself with the information
provided in this section on general maintenance andservice for your SUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service could cause
improper or unsafe vehicle operation. Any problems
caused by improper maintenance and service per-
formed by you are not eligible for warranty cover-age.
WARNING

Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle must
NEVER be performed on a single two-wheel
dynamometer or similar apparatus. Attempt-ing to do so will result in transmission dam-age and in uncontrolled vehicle movement and may cause an accident or injuries to per-
sons nearby. Always select a safe area when performing
maintenance on your vehicle.

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
11-5
– CONTINUED –
“ON” position, the cooling fan may operate
suddenly even when the engine is stopped. When you do checking or servicing in the engine compartment whilethe engine is running
A running engine can be dangerous. Keep your fingers, hands, clothing, hair and toolsaway from the cooling fan, belts and any other
moving engine parts. Removing rings, watches and ties is advisable. Engine hood
To open the hood:
HBB001BA
1. Pull the hood release knob under the instrument panel.

Maintenance and service
11-6
HGB000BA
2. Release the secondary hood release located
under the front grille by moving the lever toward theleft.
HBB003BA
Lift up the hood, release the hood prop from its
retainer and put the end of the hood prop into theslot in the hood.
To close the hood:
1. Lift the hood slightly and remove the hood prop
from the slot in the hood and return the prop to its
retainer.
2. Lower the hood until it approaches about 6 in.
(15 cm) from the closed position and let it drop.
3. After closing the hood, be sure the hood is
securely locked.
If this does not close the hood, release it from a
slightly higher position. Do not push the hood forci-
bly to close it. It could deform the metal.
WARNING
Always check that the hood is properly locked before you start driving. If it is not, it might flyopen while the vehicle is moving and block
your view, which may cause an accident and
serious bodily injury.

Maintenance and service
11-7
– CONTINUED –
Engine compartment overview 2.5 liter model
HGB004BB
1) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-23) or Differential
gear oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-26)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11-18)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-31)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-24)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-30)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-46)
7) Fuse box (page 11-51)
8) Battery (page 11-50)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-29)