2003 SUBARU IMPREZA light

Appearance care
10-6
wear prematurely. Regular cleaning with a soft,
moist, natural fiber cloth should be performed
monthly, taking care not to soak the leather or allowwater to penetrate the stitched seams.A mild detergent suitable for cleaning woolen fab-
rics may be used to remove difficult dirt spots, rub-
bing with a soft, dry cloth afterwards to restore the
luster. If your SUBARU is to be parked for a long
time in bright sunlight, it is recommended that the
seats and headrests be covered, or the windows
shaded, to prevent fading or shrinkage.
Minor surface blemishes or bald patches may be
treated with a commercial leather spray lacquer. You will discover that each leather seat section will de-
velop soft folds or wrinkles, which is characteristic of
genuine leather. Synthetic leather upholstery
The synthetic leather material used on the SUBARU may be cleaned using mild soap or detergent and
water, after first vacuuming or brushing away loose
dirt. Allow the soap to soak in for a few minutes and
wipe off with a clean, damp cloth. Commercial foam-type cleaners suitable for synthetic leather materials
may be used when necessary. NOTE Strong cleaning agents such as solvents, paint
thinners, window cleaner or gasoline must neverbe used on leather or synthetic interior materials.

Maintenance and service
11-2
Tire inspection 11-41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressures and wear 11-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel balance 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear indicators 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire rotation 11-46
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Tire replacement 11-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel replacement 11-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel covers 11-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheels (If equipped) 11-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid 11-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of windshield wiper blades 11-51 . .
Battery 11-54
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Fuses 11-56
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Main fuse 11-59
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Installation of accessories 11-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing bulbs 11-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight 11-62
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Front turn signal light and parking light 11-64 . . . . . .
Front fog light (if equipped) 11-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front side marker light 11-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear combination lights 11-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
License plate light 11-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dome light, map light and cargo area light 11-73 . . .
Trunk light 11-74
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High mount stop light 11-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Maintenance and service
11-6
2. Release the secondary hood release located
under the front grille by moving the lever toward theleft.Lift up the hood, release the hood prop from its
retainer and put the end of the hood prop into theslot in the hood.
To close the hood: All models except 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 6 in.
(15 cm) from the closed position and let it drop.

Maintenance and service
11-7
– CONTINUED –
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
11-12
ing washer after the oil has completely drained out.
1) Oil filter
6. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
7. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a thin coatof 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 after the 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 engine oil through the filler neck.
Oil capacity (guideline): 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)
The oil quantity indicated above is only guideline.
The necessary quantity of oil depends on the quan- tity of oil that has been drained. The quantity of
drained oil differs slightly depending on the temper-
ature of the oil and the time the oil is left flowing out.
After refilling the engine with oil, therefore, you must
the dipstick to confirm that the level is correct.
11. Start the engine and make sure that no oil leaks
appear around the filter ’s rubber seal and drain
plug.
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.

Maintenance and service
11-36
have the vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.Never use different brands of clutch fluid to-
gether. When clutch fluid is added, be careful not to
allow any dirt into the tank.
Recommended clutch fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluidBrake 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.

Maintenance and service
11-37
– CONTINUED –
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
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.
Checking the brake pedal reserve dis- tance
1) More than 2.56 in (65 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.

Maintenance and service
11-38
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.
Checking the clutch pedal free play
1) 0.16 – 0.51 in (4.0 –13.0 mm)
Lightly press the clutch pedal down with your finger
until you feel resistance, and check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper specification,
contact your SUBARU dealer.