2002 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX check engine

Maintenance and service
11-29
– CONTINUED –
Power steering fluid Checking the fluid level
The power steering fluid expands greatly as its tem-
perature rises; the fluid level differs according to
fluid temperature. Therefore, the reservoir tank has
two different checking ranges for hot and coldfluids.
Check the power steering fluid level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and stop theengine.
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run: Check that the oil level is between “HOT MIN ” and
“ HOT MAX ” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is run: Check that the oil level is between “COLD MIN ” and
“ COLD MAX ” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the applicable “MIN”
line, add the recommended fluid as necessary tobring the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
HBB030BC
1) Reservoir tank
HBB031BC
1) Specified range

Maintenance and service
11-33
– CONTINUED –
Brake booster If the brake booster does not operate as described
below, have it checked by your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake pedal sev-
eral times, applying the same pedal force each time.
The distance the pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start the en-
gine. The pedal should move slightly down to the
floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the engine
and keep the pedal depressed for 30 seconds. The pedal height should not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for about one min-
ute then turn it off. Depress the brake pedal several
times to check the brake booster. Brake booster op-
erates properly if the pedal stroke decreases with
each depression. Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play and reserve dis-
tance according to the maintenance schedule in the“
Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”).
Checking the brake pedal free play
OM-H0224
1) 0.04 – 0.12 in (1.0 – 3.0 mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress the brake pedal
several times. Lightly press the brake pedal down
with one finger to check the free play with a force ofless than 2 lb (10 N, 1 kg).
If the free play is not within proper specification,
contact your SUBARU dealer.

Maintenance and service
11-34
Checking the brake pedal reserve dis- tance
OM-H0225
1) Left hand drive vehicles:
More than 2.56 in (65 mm)
Right hand drive vehicles:
More than 3.35 in (85 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approximately 66
lb (294 N, 30 kg) and measure the distance be-
tween the upper surface of the pedal pad and the
floor.
When the measurement is smaller than the specifi-
cation, or when the pedal does not operate smooth-
ly, contact with your SUBARU dealer. Clutch pedal (MT vehicles)
Check the clutch pedal free play and reserve dis-
tance according to the maintenance schedule in the“
Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Checking the clutch function
Check the clutch engagement and disengagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there are no
abnormal noises when the clutch pedal is de-
pressed, and that shifting into 1st or reverse feelssmooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal slowly tocheck that the engine and transmission smoothly
couple without any sign of slippage.

Maintenance and service
11-46
Windshield washer fluid
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer fluid be-
cause it could cause paint damage.
Check the level of the washer fluid at each fuel stop.
If the level is low, fill the fluid up to the neck of the
reservoir.Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield washer
fluid is unavailable use clean water.
In areas where water freezes in winter, use an anti-
freeze type windshield washer fluid. SUBARU Wind-
shield Washer Fluid contains 58.5% methyl alcohol
and 41.5% surfactant, by volume. Its freezing tem-
perature varies according to how much it is diluted,
as indicated below.
Washer Fluid
Concentration
Freezing
Temperature
30% 50%
100%10.4 °F ( –12 °C)
–4 °F ( –20 °C)
–49 °F ( –45 °C)
HGB001IA

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 . . . . . . . . . . . .