2002 SUBARU IMPREZA Owners Manual

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-2
For U.S.A.
The following information has been compiled ac-
cording to Code of Federal Regulations “Title 49,
Part 575 ”.
Uniform tire quality grading standards
This information indicates the relative performance
of passenger car tires in the area of treadwear, trac-
tion, and temperature resistance. This is to aid the
consumer in making an informed choice in the pur-
chase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maxi-mum section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The quality grades apply to new pneumatic tires for
use on passenger cars. However, they do not apply
to deep tread, winter type snow tires, space-saver
or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rimdiameters of 12 inches or less, or to some limited
production tires.
All passenger car tires must confirm to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based
on the wear rate of the tire when tested under con-
trolled conditions on a specified government testcourse.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1-1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the actual conditions
of their use, however, and may depart significantly
from the norm due to variations in driving habits,
service practices and differences in road character-istics and climate. Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA,
A, B and C. Those grades represent the tire ’s ability
to stop on wet pavement as measured under con-
trolled conditions on specified government test sur-
faces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may
have poor traction performance.

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-3
– CONTINUED –
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on straight-ahead braking tractiontests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning, or peak traction charac- teristics.
Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and
C, representing the tire ’s resistance to the genera-
tion of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when
tested under controlled conditions on a specified in-
door laboratory test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire to degenerate
and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The grade C corresponds
to a level of performance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on the laboratory
test wheel than the minimum required by law.
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is estab- lished for a tire that is properly inflated andnot overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-tion, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-4
Reporting safety defects (USA) If you believe that your vehicle has a de- fect which could cause a crash or could
cause injury or death, you should immedi-
ately inform the National Highway TrafficSafety Administration (NHTSA) in additionto notifying Subaru of America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar complaints, it
may open an investigation, and if it finds
that a safety defect exists in a group of ve-
hicles, it may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA cannot be-
come involved in individual problems be-
tween you, your dealer, or Subaru of Amer-
ica, Inc. To contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-free at
1-800-424-9393 (or 366-0123 in the Wash-
ington D.C. area) or write to: NHTSA, U.S.
Department of Transportation, Washington,
D.C. 20590. You can also obtain other in-
formation about motor vehicle safety fromthe Hotline.

14
14-1
Index

Index
14-2
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) 7-22. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS system self-check 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ABS warning light 3-12, 7-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
ACC 3-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Accessory power socket 6-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air cleaner element 11-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when
engine is heavily loaded 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air conditioner operation 4-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air filtration system (if equipped) 4-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air flow selection 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT 8-8 . . .
Aluminum wheels (If equipped) 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Antenna system 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Arming the system 2-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Armrest (if equipped) 1-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ashtray 6-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (for AT vehicles) 3-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Audio set 5-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) 1-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission 7-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission fluid 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B
Battery
11-50
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake booster 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pedal 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system warning light 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking 7-21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Braking tips 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings 11-36 . . .
Built in CD changer operation 5-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Bulb chart 12-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CCapacities 12-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cargo anchorage eyelets (if equipped) 6-14 . . . . . . . .
Cassette player operation 5-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Catalytic converter 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CD changer control (If optional in-dash CD
changer is connected) 5-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center and side ventilators 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center console 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center visor 6-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing a flat tire 9-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing the oil and oil filter 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charge warning light 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index
14-3
CHECK ENGINE warning light/ Malfunction indicator lamp 3-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking air conditioning system before summer season 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal free play 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance 11-34 . .
Checking the clutch function 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch pedal free play 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-24, 11-29, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
11-30, 11-31
Checking the gear oil level 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-9, 11-23, 11-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child restraint systems 1-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child safety locks 2-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette lighter (if equipped) 6-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette lighter socket (if equipped) 6-9 . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning aluminum wheels 10-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning the interior 10-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning ventilator grille 4-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate control system 4-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock 3-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Compact disc player operation 5-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connecting a trailer 8-24, 8-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control panel 4-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and
low temperature weather condition 4-11 . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system 11-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion protection 8-13, 10-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control (if equipped) 7-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder 6-6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D
Daytime running light system 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions 12-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disarming the system 2-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators 7-22 . . . . . . .
Dome light 6-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door locks 2-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door open warning lights 3-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive belts 11-22 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in foreign countries 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on snowy and icy roads 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips 7-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips for AWD vehicles 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight 4-10 Electrical power socket located on the lower part of the instrument panel 6-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electrical system 12-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) 1-12 . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index
14-4
Engine12-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 11-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant 11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) 8-3 . . . . . . .
Engine hood 11-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil 11-9
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine overheating 9-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Exterior care 10-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
F
Fastening the seatbelt 1-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tires 9-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Floor mat (if equipped) 6-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
FM reception 5-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fog light switch (if equipped) 3-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Folding down the rear seat – Wagon 1-9 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fore and aft adjustment 1-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) 11-26 . . . . . . . . . .
Front fog light (if equipped) 11-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front seatbelt pretensioners 1-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front seats 1-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front side marker light 11-62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front turn signal light and parking light 11-58 . . . . . . . .
Front-wheel drive warning light
(for AT vehicles – if equipped) 3-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel 7-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel economy hints 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Fuel filler lid and cap 7-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel gauge 3-7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel requirements 7-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse panel located behind the coin tray 12-6 . . . . . . .
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment 12-8 .
Fuses 11-51
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses and circuits 12-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
G
Glove compartment 6-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) 8-17 . . . . .
H
Hazard warning flasher 3-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight 11-56
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight flasher 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlights 3-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headrest adjustment (if equipped) 1-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head restraint adjustment 1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater operation 4-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High beam indicator light 3-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High/low beam change (dimmer) 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High mount stop light 11-67 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn 3-31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hose and connections 11-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
How to jump start 9-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index
14-5
I
If no steam is coming from the engine compartment 9-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If steam is coming from the engine compartment 9-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you park your vehicle in case of an
emergency 9-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ignition switch 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illuminated entry 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illumination brightness control 3-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In center console (if equipped) 6-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In instrument panel 6-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside mirror 3-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation of accessories 5-2, 11-54 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation of child restraint systems by use of lower and tether anchorages 1-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installing child restraint systems with seatbelt 1-31 Interior light 6-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
In the luggage compartment (if equipped) 6-7 . . . .
J
Jack and jack handle 9-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 9-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
K
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) 3-4 . . . . . . . . Keyless entry system (if equipped) 2-6
. . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key number 2-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Key reminder chime 3-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 2-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L
Leather seat materials 10-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
License plate light 11-65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Light control switch 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading your vehicle 8-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LOCK 3-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locking and unlocking from the inside 2-4 . . . . . . . . .
Locking and unlocking from the outside 2-3 . . . . . . .
Locking the doors 2-7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant
circuit 4-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luggage area light (if equipped) 6-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Luggage cover (if equipped) 6-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M
Main fuse 11-53
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance precautions 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance schedule 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance tools 9-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission 7-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission oil 11-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum load limits 8-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .