2003 SUBARU IMPREZA lock

In case of emergency
9-24
Jack and jack handleThe jack is stored on the left side of the trunk or
cargo area.
To take out the jack, turn the jackscrew counter-
clockwise to loosen it, then remove the jack.
Sedan
1) Jack
2) Jack handle 3) Spare tire

Appearance care
10-3
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Do not wash the same area continuously.
If a stain will not come out easily, wash by hand.
Some warm water washers are of the high tempera-
ture, high pressure type, and they can damage or
deform the resin parts such as mouldings, or causewater to leak into the vehicle. Waxing and polishing
Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing and polishing.Use a good quality polish and wax and apply them
according to the manufacturer ’s instructions. Wax or
polish when the painted surface is cool.
Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim, as well
as the painted surfaces. Loss of wax on a painted
surface leads to loss of the original luster and also
quickens the deterioration of the surface. It is rec-
ommended that a coat of wax be applied at least
once a month, or whenever the surface no longer re-
pels water. If the appearance of the paint has diminished to the
point where the luster or tone cannot be restored,
lightly polish the surface with a fine-grained com-
pound. Never polish just the affected area, but in-
clude the surrounding area as well. Always polish in
only one direction. A No. 2000 grain compound is recommended. Never use a coarse-grained com-
pound. Coarser grained compounds have a smallergrain-size number and could damage the paint. Af-
ter polishing with a compound, coat with wax to re-
store the original luster. Frequent polishing with a
compound or an incorrect polishing technique will
result in removing the paint layer and exposing the
undercoat. When in doubt, it is always best to con-tact your SUBARU dealer or an auto paint specialist. NOTE Be careful not to block with windshield washer nozzles with wax when waxing the vehicle.
Cleaning aluminum wheels
Promptly wipe the aluminum wheels clean of any
kind of grime or agent. If dirt is left on too long, it
may be difficult to clean off. Do not use soap containing grit to clean the
wheels. Be sure to use a neutral cleaning agent, and
later rinse thoroughly with water. Do not clean the
wheels with a stiff brush or expose them to a high- speed washing device. Clean the vehicle (including the aluminum wheels)
with water as soon as possible when it has been
splashed with sea water, exposed to sea breezes, or
driven on roads treated with salt or other agents.

Appearance care
10-5
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the mats to make sure the area is dry.
Keep your garage dry. Do not park your vehicle in adamp, poorly ventilated garage. In such a garage,
corrosion can be caused by dampness. If you washthe vehicle in the garage or put the vehicle into the
garage when wet or covered with snow, that can cause dampness.
If your vehicle is operated in cold weather and/or in
areas where road salts and other corrosive materials
are used, the door hinges and locks, trunk lid lock,
and hood latch should be inspected and lubricated
periodically. Cleaning the interior
Use a vacuum cleaner to get rid of the dust and dirt.
Wipe the vinyl areas with a clean, damp cloth.
Seat fabric
Remove loose dirt, dust or debris with a vacuum
cleaner. If the dirt is caked on the fabric or hard to
remove with a vacuum cleaner, use a soft blush then vacuum it.
Wipe the fabric surface with a tightly wrung cloth
and dry the seat fabric thoroughly. If the fabric is still
dirty, wipe using a solution of mild soap and luke-
warm water then dry thoroughly.
If the stain does not come out, try a commercially-
available fabric cleaner. Use the cleaner on a hid-
den place and make sure it does not affect the fab-
ric adversely. Use the cleaner according to itsinstructions. Leather seat materials
The leather used by SUBARU is a high quality natu-
ral product which will retain its distinctive appear-
ance and feel for many years with proper care.
Allowing dust or road dirt to build up on the surfacecan cause the material to become brittle and to

Maintenance and service
11-7
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WRX:
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 12 in.
(30 cm) from the closed position and let it drop.
After closing the hood, be sure the hood is securelylocked.
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 fly open while the vehicle is moving and block
your view, which may cause an accident and
serious bodily injury.

Maintenance and service
11-40
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the parking brake to cool
down. Repeat this procedure.
5. Check the parking brake stroke. If the parking
brake stroke is out of the specified range, adjust it
by turning the adjusting nut located on the parking
brake lever.Parking brake stroke: 7 – 8 notches / 44 lb (196 N, 20 kg)
WARNING
A safe location and situation should be se- lected for break-in driving.
CAUTION
Pulling the parking brake lever too forcefully
may cause the rear wheels to lock. To avoid
this, be certain to pull the lever up slowly and
gently. Parking brake stroke
Check the parking brake stroke according to the
maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet ”. When the parking brake is properly
adjusted, braking power is fully applied by pulling
the lever up seven to eight notches gently but firmly(about 44 lb, 196 N, 20 kg). If the parking brake le-
ver stroke is not within the specified range, have thebrake system checked and adjusted at your
SUBARU dealer.

Maintenance and service
11-52
1) Stopper
2. Remove the wiper blade assembly by holding its
pivot area and pushing it in the direction shown by
the arrow while depressing the wiper blade stopper.1) Metal support
3. Grasp the locked end of the blade rubber as-
sembly and pull it firmly until the stoppers on the
rubber are free of the metal support.

Maintenance and service
11-53
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1) Metal spines
4. If the new blade rubber is not provided with two
metal spines, remove the metal spines from the oldblade rubber and install them in the new blade rub-
ber.5. Align the claws of the metal support with the
grooves in the rubber and slide the blade rubber as-
sembly into the metal support until it locks.

Maintenance and service
11-54
1) Stopper
Be sure to position the claws at the end of the metal
support between the stoppers on the rubber as
shown. If the rubber is not retained properly, thewiper blade may scratch the windshield.
6. Install the wiper blade assembly to the wiper
arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
7. Slowly lower the arm in position. Battery
WARNING

Before beginning work on or near any bat-
tery, be sure to extinguish all cigarettes,
matches, and lighters. Never expose a batteryto an open flame or electric sparks. Batteriesgive off a gas which is highly flammable andexplosive. For safety, in case an explosion does occur,
wear eye protection or shield your eyes when
working near any battery. Never lean over a
battery. Do not let battery fluid contact eyes, skin,
fabrics, or paint because battery fluid is a cor- rosive acid. If battery fluid gets on your skin or in your eyes, immediately flush the area
with water thoroughly. Seek medical help im-
mediately if acid has entered the eyes.If battery fluid is accidentally swallowed,
immediately drink a large amount of milk or
water, and seek medical attention immediately. To lessen the risk of sparks, remove rings,
metal watchbands, and other metal jewelry.
Never allow metal tools to contact the positive