2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX check engine

Maintenance and service
11-5
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“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
11-9
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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
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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
11-14
Do not splash the engine coolant over
painted parts. The alcohol contained in the en- gine coolant may damage the paint surface.
Hose and connections
Your vehicle employs an electric cooling fan which
is thermostatically controlled to operate when the
engine coolant reaches a specific temperature.If the radiator cooling fan does not operate even
when the engine coolant temperature gauge ex-
ceeds the normal operating range, the cooling fan
circuit may be defective. Check the fuse and re-
place it if necessary. If the fuse is not blown, havethe cooling system checked by your SUBARU deal-
er.
If frequent addition of coolant is necessary, there
may be a leak in the engine cooling system. It is rec-
ommended that the cooling system and connectionsbe checked for leaks, damage, or looseness.
Engine coolant
Checking the coolant level
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
HGB001CB
1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level mark
1. Check the coolant level on the outside of the res- ervoir while the engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the “LOW”
level mark, add coolant up to the “FULL” level mark.
If the reserve tank is empty, remove the radiator cap
and refill as required.

Maintenance and service
11-15
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HG0115
1) Rubber gaskets
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, re- install the caps and check that the rubber gaskets
inside the radiator cap are in the proper position. Changing the coolant
Change the engine coolant using the following pro-
cedures according to the maintenance schedule.
1. Remove the under cover.
2. Place a proper container under the drain plugand loosen the drain plug.
HGA000BD
1) Drain plug
3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the coolant from
the radiator. Then drain the coolant from the reserve
tank. Tighten the drain plug securely.

Maintenance and service
11-23
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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