2003 SUBARU IMPREZA check engine

Maintenance and service
11-27
– CONTINUED –
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature Automatic transmission fluid
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as
its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according
to fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two differ-ent scales for checking the level of hot fluid andcold fluid on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked without
warming up the fluid on the “COLD” range, we rec-
ommend checking the fluid level when the fluid is at
operating temperature.
Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the tem-
perature of the transmission fluid up to normal oper-
ating temperature; 158 to 176 °F (70 to 80 °C) is nor-
mal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set theparking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then shift it in the “P” position, and run the engine at id-
ling speed.

Maintenance and service
11-29
– CONTINUED –
Recommended fluid
“ Dexron III ” Type Automatic Transmission FluidFront differential gear oil
(AT vehicles) Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the differential oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert itagain.

Maintenance and service
11-32
Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and ad-
ditives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature Power steering fluid
Checking the fluid level
1) Reservoir tank
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.

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.

Index
14-3
Area cover 6-14. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tie-down hooks 6-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Catalytic converter 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center
Console 6-6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ventilators 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Visor 6-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing
Flat tire 9-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil and oil filter 11-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charge warning light 3-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking Brake pedal free play 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pedal reserve distance 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch function 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch pedal free play 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil level 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fluid level 11-27, 11-32 , 11-34, 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . .
Gear oil level 11-25, 11-29, 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child restraint systems 1-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation with seatbelt 1-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lower and tether anchorages 1-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Child safety 7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Locks 2-21
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Chime Key
3-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatbelt 3-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cigarette lighter 6-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels 10-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Interior 10-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Ventilator grille 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate control system 4-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clock 3-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch fluid 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch pedal 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coat hook 6-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Coin tray 6-6
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system 11-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion protection 8-13, 10-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise control 7-28 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder 6-7
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
D
Daytime running light system 3-18 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Differential gear oil
Front 11-29
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear 11-31
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimensions 12-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disarming the system 2-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators 7-23 . . . . .
Dome light 6-2, 11-73 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Index
14-9
AT OIL TEMPerature 3-13. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake system 3-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Charge 3-12
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHECK ENGINE 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Door open 3-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front-wheel drive 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Oil pressure 3-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatbelt 3-10
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
SRS airbag system 3-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Warranties and maintenance 8-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Washing 10-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Waxing and polishing 10-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear indicators 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel Alignment 12-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Balance 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Covers 11-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement 11-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windows 2-22
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid 11-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield wiper and washer switches 3-24 . . . . . . .
Winter driving 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wiper and washer 3-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .