2003 SUBARU IMPREZA towing

14
Illustrated index Exterior
1) Engine hood (page 11-5)
2) Headlight switch (page 3-16)
3) Replacing bulbs (page 11-62)
4) Wiper switch (page 3-22)
5) Roof rails (page 8-18)
6) Door locks (page 2-3)
7) Tire pressure (page 11-42)
8) Flat tires (page 9-5)
9) Tire chains (page 8-14)
10) Front fog light switch (page
3-20)
11) Tie-down eyes (page 9-18)
12) Towing eye (page 9-18)

15
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1) Rear window defogger switch
(page 3-25)
2) Fuel filler lid and cap (page
7-4)
3) Child safety locks (page 2-21)
4) Towing eye (page 9-18)
5) Trunk (page 2-25)
6) Rear gate (page 2-30)

Instruments and controls
3-12
NOTE This light also comes on when the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle, the cause
of the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indi-
cator lamp coming on could be a loose or missing
fuel filler cap. Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering with the seal-
ing of the cap. Tightening the cap will not make the
CHECK ENGINE warning light turn off immediately. It
may take several driving trips. If the light does not go
out, take your vehicle to your authorized SUBARU
dealer immediately. If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an engine misfire
condition has been detected which may damage
the emission control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emission control
system, you should do the following: Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possible.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as possible. The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blink-ing and come on steadily after several driving trips.
You should have your vehicle checked by an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer immediately.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, itmay indicate that the charging system is not work-
ing properly. If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first
safe opportunity and check the alternator belt. If the
belt is loose, broken or if the belt is in good condi-
tion but the light remains on, contact your nearest
SUBARU dealer immediately. Oil pressure warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is running, it
may indicate that the engine oil pressure is low and
the lubricating system is not working properly.If the light comes on while driving or does not go out
after the engine starts, stop the engine at the first
safe opportunity and check the engine oil level. If
the oil level is low, add oil immediately. If the engine
oil is at the proper level but the light remains on,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately.

8
8-1
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New vehicle break-in driving –
the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuel economy hints 8-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) 8-3 . . . .
Catalytic converter 8-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Periodic inspections 8-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving in foreign countries 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips for AWD vehicles 8-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Off road driving 8-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT 8-8 . . .
OUTBACK SPORT 8-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Operation during cold weather 8-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving on snowy and icy roads 8-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion protection 8-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Snow tires 8-13
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire chains 8-14
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rocking the vehicle 8-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading your vehicle 8-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Vehicle capacity weight 8-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) 8-17 . . . . . .
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) 8-18 . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer hitch (if equipped) 8-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connecting a trailer 8-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When you do not tow a trailer 8-26 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing 8-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Warranties and maintenance 8-27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maximum load limits 8-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer hitches 8-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Connecting a trailer 8-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Trailer towing tips 8-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips

Driving tips
8-7
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safety purposes as well as to avoid damaging the
AWD system, you should keep the following tips inmind: An AWD vehicle is better able to climb steeper
roads under snowy or slippery conditions than a two
wheel drive vehicle. There is little difference in han-
dling, however, during extremely sharp turns or sud-
den braking. Therefore, when driving down a slope
or turning corners, be sure to reduce your speed
and maintain an ample distance from other vehicles. When replacing a tire, make sure you use only the
same size, construction, brand, and load range as
the original tires listed on the tire placard. Using other
sizes, circumference or construction may result in se-
vere mechanical damage to the drive train of your ve-
hicle and may affect ride, handling, braking,
speedometer/odometer calibration, and clearance
between the body and tires. It also may be danger-
ous and lead to loss of vehicle control. If you use a temporary spare tire to replace a flat
tire, be sure to use the original temporary spare tire
stored in the vehicle. Using other sizes may result in
severe mechanical damage to the drive train of your
vehicle. Always check the cold tire pressure before start-
ing to drive. The recommended tire pressure is pro-
vided on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driver
’s side.
Tire chains should always be placed on the front
wheels only. There are some precautions that you must ob-
serve when towing your vehicle. For detail informa-
tion, see the “Towing” section in chapter 9.
WARNING
Always maintain a safe driving speed ac-
cording to the road and weather conditions in order to avoid having an accident on a sharp turn, 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.

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
8-17
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The load capacity of your vehicle is determined by
weight, not by available cargo space. The maximum
load you can carry in your vehicle is shown as the
Vehicle Capacity Weight on the tire information label
attached to the driver ’s side door jamb. It includes
the total weight of driver and all passengers andtheir belongings, any optional equipment such as a
trailer hitch, roof rack or bike carrier, etc., and the
tongue load of a trailer.
The tire information label also shows recommended
tire inflation pressure under full loading and trailer
towing conditions. Adjust tire inflation pressures
according to the loading conditions. For the tire inflation pressures, refer to the
“Tires and wheel ”
section in Chapter 11. GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle
Weight Rating and Gross Axle WeightRating)
The certification plate attached to the driver ’s side
door jamb shows GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rat-
ing) and GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating).
The GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) must never ex- ceed the GVWR. GVW is the combined total of
weight of the vehicle, fuel, driver, all passengers,
luggage, any optional equipment and trailer tongue

Driving tips
8-23
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the four T-30 crossbar clamp screws have been
checked, and retightened if necessary to 35 inch
lbs. (4.0 N-m, 0.41 kg-m), as outlined in Step #5above. Trailer hitch (if equipped) The trailer hitch is designed to tow a Class 1 rated
load. A maximum of
2,000 lbs. (906 kg) gross trailer
weight and a maximum of 200 lbs. (90 kg) gross
tongue weight are permissible for the trailer hitch.
When you tow a trailer, follow the instructions in the next section “Trailer towing ”.
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum weight specified
for the trailer hitch. Exceeding the maximum weight could cause an accident resulting inserious personal injuries. Permissible trailerweight changes depending on the situation.Refer to the next section “Trailer towing ” for
possible recommendations and limitations. Trailer brakes are required when the towing
load exceeds 1,000 lbs. (453 kg). Be sure yourtrailer has safety chains and that each chainwill hold the trailer ’s maximum gross weight.
Towing trailers without safety chains could create a traffic safety hazard if the trailer sepa- rates from the hitch due to coupling damageor hitch ball damage. Be sure to check the hitch pin and safety pin