2003 SUBARU IMPREZA belt

Driving tips
8-8
Off road driving
WARNING
Always maintain a safe driving speed ac-
cording to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharpturn, during sudden braking or under othersimilar 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.
All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT
Your AWD vehicle is neither a conventional off-road
vehicle nor an all terrain vehicle. It is a passenger
car designed primarily for on-road use. The AWD
feature gives it some limited off-road capabilities in
situation in which driving surfaces a relatively level,
obstruction-free and otherwise similar to on-road driving conditions. Operating it under other than those conditions could subject the vehicle to exces-
sive stress which might result in damage not eligible for repair under warranty. If you do take your
SUBARU off road, you should review the common
sense precautions in the next section (applicable to
the OUTBACK SPORT) for general guidance. Butplease keep in mind that your vehicle
’s off-road ca-
pabilities are more limited than those of the OUT-
BACK SPORT.
Never attempt to drive through pools and puddles,
or roads flooded with water. Water entering the
engine air intake or the exhaust pipe or water
splashing onto electrical parts may damage your
vehicle and may cause it to stall. OUTBACK SPORT
Because of the AWD feature and higher ground
clearance, your Subaru can be driven on ordinary
roads or off-road. But please keep in mind that an
AWD SUBARU is a passenger car and is neither a
conventional off-road vehicle nor an all-terrain ve-
hicle. If you do take your Subaru off-road, certain
common sense precautions such as the following should be taken: Make certain that you and all of your passengers
are wearing seat belts. Carry some emergency equipment, such as a
towing rope or chain, a shovel, wheel blocks, first

Driving tips
8-14
gerous and lead to loss of vehicle control. You must install four winter tires that are of
the same size, construction, brand, and loadrange. Mixing other sizes or constructions
may result in severe mechanical damage to
the drive train of your vehicle and may affect
ride, handling, braking and speedometer/ odometer calibration. It also may be danger-ous and lead to loss of vehicle control. Do not use a combination of radial, belted
bias or bias tires since it may cause danger-ous handling characteristics and lead to an accident.
Your vehicle is equipped with “all season tires ” as
original equipment, which are designed to provide
an adequate measure of traction, handling and
braking performance in year-round driving. In winter,
it may be possible to enhance performance through
use of tires designed specifically for winter drivingconditions.
The optional 17-inch tires for the WRX are summer
tires. Compared with winter and all-season tires,
summer tires give significantly less grip on snowy
and icy road surfaces. Therefore, use of winter tires
is strongly recommended when driving with such
road conditions. When you choose to install winter tires on your ve-
hicle, be sure to use the correct tire size and type.
You must install four winter tires that are of the samesize, construction, brand and load range and you
should never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires
since this may result in dangerous handling charac-
teristics. When you choose a tire, make sure that
there is enough clearance between the tire and ve-
hicle body.
Remember to drive with care at all times regardless
of the type of tires on your vehicle.
Tire chains
Driving on snowy grades or icy roads may require
the use of tire chains, in which case put the chains
on the front wheels only. Use only SAE class S type
chains that are of the correct size for your tires so asnot to damage the vehicle body or suspension.
When driving with tire chains, drive at speeds below 19 mph (30 km/h).
When a temporary spare tire is on a front wheel, re-
place the temporary spare tire with the rear tire onthe same side of the vehicle, and then fit chains on
the front tires.
Always use the utmost care when driving with tire

In case of emergency
9-15
– CONTINUED –
Be sure the jumper cables and clamps on
them do not have loose or missing insulation.
Do not jump start unless cables in suitablecondition are available. A running engine can be dangerous. Keep
your fingers, hands, clothing, hair and tools away from the cooling fan, belts and any other
moving engine parts. Removing rings,watches and ties is advisable.
When your vehicle does not start due to a run down
(discharged) battery, the vehicle may be jump
started by connecting your battery to another bat-
tery (called the booster battery) with jumper cables.
Jump starting is dangerous if it done incorrectly. If
you are unsure about the proper procedure for jump
starting, consult a competent mechanic.
How to jump start
1. Make sure the booster battery is 12 volts and the
negative terminal is grounded.
2. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, do notlet the two vehicles touch.
3. Turn off all unnecessary lights and accessories.
4. Connect the jumper cables exactly in the se-
quence illustrated.

11
11-1
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Maintenance schedule 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance precautions 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine hood 11-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 11-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5 liter model 11-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.0 liter (Turbo) model 11-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing the oil and oil filter 11-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-13 . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity under
severe driving conditions 11-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Synthetic oil 11-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system 11-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling fan, hose and connections 11-16 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant 11-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air cleaner element 11-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing the air cleaner element 11-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 11-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended spark plugs 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive belts 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission oil 11-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-26 . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission fluid 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) 11-29
. . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear differential gear oil 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the gear oil level 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering fluid 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended brake fluid 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended clutch fluid 11-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake booster 11-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pedal 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal free play 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance 11-37 . .
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch function 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch pedal free play 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of brake pad and lining 11-39 . . . . . . . .
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings 11-39 . . .
Parking brake stroke 11-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires and wheels 11-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 11-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance and service

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. Wear adequate eye protection to guard
against getting oil or fluids in your eyes. If something does get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water. 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
“ON” position, the cooling fan may operate

Maintenance and service
11-5
– CONTINUED –
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:
1. Pull the hood release knob under the instrument panel.

Maintenance and service
11-24
CAUTION
When disconnecting the spark plug cables,
always grasp the spark plug cap, not the cables. Make sure the cables are replaced in the
correct order.
Recommended spark plugs
Non-turbo models: RC10YC4 (Champion) BKR6E-11 (NGK)
BKR5E-11 (NGK)
Turbo models: PFR6G (NGK)
Drive belts
1) Power steering pump pulley
2) Air conditioner compressor pulley
3) Crank pulley
The alternator, power steering pump, and air condi-
tioner compressor depend on drive belts. Satisfacto-
ry performance requires that belt tension be correct.
To check belt tension, place a straightedge (ruler)
across two adjacent pulleys and apply a force of 22 lb (98 N, 10 kg) midway between the pulleys by us- ing a spring scale. Belt deflection should be the
amount specified. If a belt is loose, cracked, or

Maintenance and service
11-25
– CONTINUED –
worn, contact your SUBARU dealer.
in (mm)
Deflection
New beltUsed belt
A0.28 — 0.35
(7.0 — 9.0)0.35 — 0.43
(9.0 — 11.0)
B0.30 — 0.33
(7.5 — 8.5)0.35 — 0.40
(9.0 — 10.0)
Manual transmission oil Checking the oil level
Non-turbo model
1) Yellow handle