2003 SUBARU IMPREZA climate control

Climate control
4-5
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Defogging with the air inlet selection lever set in the “” position provides better defogging
performance than in the “” position.
When the dial is placed in the “” or
“” position, the air conditioner compressor
operates automatically regardless of the position of the air conditioner button to defog the wind-
shield quickly.However the indicator on the air conditioner but-ton will not come on.Also, you cannot stop the air conditioner com-pressor by pressing the air conditioner button.
Air conditioner button (if equipped)
1) Push
The air conditioner operates only when the engine is running. Push the air conditioner button while the fan is in op-
eration to turn on the air conditioner. The indicator
light will come on.
Push it again to turn off the air conditioner. Air inlet selection lever
(Recirculation): Interior air is recirculated in-
side the vehicle.

Climate control
4-6
(Outside air): Outside air is drawn into the
passenger compartment.
WARNING
Continued operation in the position may
fog up the windows. Switch to the posi-
tion as soon as the outside dusty condition clears.
Heater operation
Defrosting or defogging the windshield
To direct warm air to the windshield and front door windows:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the right.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the highestspeed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner,when the “
” or “” position is selected, the
air conditioner compressor automatically operates
regardless of the position of the air conditioner but-
ton to defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light does not
come on at this time. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left
air outlets. To stop warm air flow from these out- lets, turn the corresponding knob clockwise.

Climate control
4-7
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Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the wind- shield:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desiredspeed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner,when the “
” or “” position is selected, the
air conditioner compressor automatically operates
regardless of the position of the air conditioner but- ton to defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light does not
come on at this time. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left
air outlets. To stop warm air flow from these out-lets, turn the corresponding knob clockwise.
Heating
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “”
position
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.

Climate control
4-8
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desiredspeed. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left
air outlets. To stop warm air flow from these out- lets, turn the corresponding knob clockwise. Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of different tem-
peratures from the instrument panel and foot outlets.
The air from the foot outlets is slightly warmer than from the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired
temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully turned to
the red area or blue area decreases the temperature
difference between the air from the instrument panel
outlets and the air from the foot outlets.
Ventilation

Climate control
4-9
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To force outside air through the instrument panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the way left.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
When driving on a dusty road, set the air inlet con-
trol lever to the “ON” position.
WARNING
Continued operation in the “” position
may fog up the windows. Switch to the “
” position as soon as the outside dusty
condition clears.
Air conditioner operation (if equipped)
Cooling or dehumidifying
1) ON position
For cooling and dehumidification of the passenger
compartment, air flows through the instrument paneloutlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
” posi-
tion.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the air conditioner button to the “ON” posi-
tion.

Climate control
4-10
4. Set the temperature control dial to the blue side.
5. Set the fan speed control dial at the highestspeed. Defrosting or defogging
To direct warm air to the windshield and front door windows:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” posi-
tion.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the red side.
4. Set the fan speed control dial at the highest speed. The air conditioner compressor automatically oper-
ates when the air flow control dial set in the
“
”
or “” position to provide better defogging per-
formance.
However, the air conditioner indicator light does not
come on at this time.

Climate control
4-11
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Operating tips for heater and air conditioner Cleaning ventilation grille
Always keep the front ventilation inlet grille free of
snow, leaves, or other obstructions to ensure effi-
cient heating and defrosting. Since the condenser is
located in front of the radiator, this area should be
kept clean because cooling performance is im-
paired by any accumulation of insects and leaves
on the condenser.
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with the win- dows open for a few minutes to allow outside air to
circulate into the heated interior. This results in
quicker cooling by the air conditioner. Keep the win-dows closed during the operation of the air condi-
tioner for maximum cooling efficiency. Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at a low en- gine speed (at idle or low driving speeds) a few
minutes each month during the off-season to circu-
late its oil. Checking air conditioning system before summer season
Check the air conditioner unit for refrigerant leaks,
hose conditions, and proper operation each spring.
This check is best performed by your SUBARU
dealer.

Climate control
4-12
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperatureweather conditions
Under certain weather conditions (high relative hu-
midity, low temperatures, etc.) a small amount of wa-
ter vapor emission from the air outlets may be not-
iced. This condition is normal and does not indicate
any problem with the air conditioning system. Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded
To improve acceleration and gas mileage, the air
conditioner compressor is designed to temporarily
shut off during air conditioner operation whenever
the accelerator is fully depressed such as duringrapid acceleration or when driving on a steepupgrade. Refrigerant for your climate control system
Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly refrigerant
HFC134a. Therefore, the method of adding, chang-
ing or checking the refrigerant is different from the
method for CFC12 (Freon). Consult your SUBARU
dealer for service. Repairs needed as a result of using the wrong refrigerant are not covered under
warranty.