2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX servo

Instruments and controls
3-14
The warning light comes on right after the
engine is started but goes out immediately, remaining off. The warning light remains on after the engine
has been started, but it goes out when the
vehicle speed reaches about 8 mph (12 km/h). The warning light comes on during driving, but
it goes out immediately and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery voltage
such as when the engine is jump started, the ABS
warning light may come on. This is due to the low
battery voltage and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the battery becomes fully charged, the lightwill go out. Brake system warning light
WARNING
Driving with the brake system warning light
on is dangerous. This indicates your brake
system may not be working properly. If thelight remains on, have the brakes inspected
by a SUBARU dealer immediately. If at all in doubt about whether the brakes are operating properly, do not drive the ve-
hicle. Have your vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
This light has the following two functions: Parking brake warning
The light comes on with the parking brake applied while the ignition switch is in the “ON” position. It
goes out when the parking brake is fully released.
Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid level has
dropped to near the “MIN” level of the brake fluid
reservoir with the ignition switch in the “ON” position
and with the parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should come on
while driving (with the parking brake fully releasedand with the ignition switch positioned in “ON”), it
could be an indication of leaking of brake fluid or
worn brake pads. Have your vehicle checked by a
SUBARU dealer immediately. Door open warning lights
The door open warning light comes on if any door or
the rear gate is not fully closed.
(U.S.)
(Canada)

Appearance care
10-2
Exterior care Washing
The best way to preserve your vehicle ’s beauty is
frequent washing. Wash the vehicle at least once a
month to avoid contamination by road grime.
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty of luke-
warm or cold water. Do not wash the vehicle with hot
water and in direct sunlight.
Salt, chemicals, insects, tar, soot and bird droppings
should be washed off by using a light detergent, as
required. If you use a light detergent, make certain
that it is a neutral detergent. Do not use strong soap or chemical detergents. All cleaning agents should
be promptly flushed from the surface and not al-
lowed to dry there. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with
plenty of lukewarm water. Wipe the remaining water
off with a chamois or soft cloth. NOTE When having your vehicle washed in an auto- matic car wash, make sure beforehand that thecar wash is of suitable type. If the vehicle is
equipped with a rear/roof spoiler or rear wiper, itmay be damaged by car wash brushes or otherequipment.
CAUTION
When washing the vehicle, the brakes may
get wet. As a result, the brake stopping dis-
tance will be longer. To dry the brakes, drivethe vehicle at a safe speed while lightly press- ing the brake pedal to heat up the brakes. Do not wash the engine compartment and
area adjacent to it. If water enters the engineair intake, electrical parts or the power steer-
ing fluid reservoir, it will cause engine trouble
or faulty power steering respectively.
Washing the underbody
Chemicals, salts and gravel used for deicing road
surfaces are extremely corrosive, accelerating the
corrosion of underbody components, such as theexhaust system, fuel and brake lines, brake cables,floor pan and fenders, and suspension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and inside of the
fenders with lukewarm or cold water at frequent in-
tervals to reduce the harmful effects of such agents.
Using a warm water washer
Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm) or more
between the washer nozzle and the vehicle.

Maintenance and service
11-8
Engine compartment overview 2.5 liter model
1) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-25) or Differential
gear oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-29)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11-20)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-35)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-27)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-34)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-50)
7) Fuse box (page 11-56)
8) Battery (page 11-54)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-10)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-16)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-16)
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-10)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-32)

Maintenance and service
11-9
– CONTINUED –
2.0 liter (Turbo) model
1) Manual transmission oil level
gauge (MT) (page 11-25) or
Differential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-29)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11-20)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page
11-35)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-27)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page
11-34)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-50)
7) Fuse box (page 11-56)
8) Battery (page 11-54)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-10)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page
11-16)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-10)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-16)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-32)

Maintenance and service
11-19
– CONTINUED –
Guideline of coolant quantity (including coolant in reser- voir tank):
Non-turbo models: MT. 7.4 US qt (7.0 liters, 6.2 Imp qt)
AT. 7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
Turbo models: MT. 8.1 US qt (7.7 liters, 6.8 Imp qt)
AT. 8.0 US qt (7.6 liters, 6.7 Imp qt)
1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level mark
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill engine coolant when
adding it. If coolant touches the exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. Do not splash the engine coolant over
painted parts. The alcohol contained in the en-gine coolant may damage the paint surface.
6. Pour the coolant and fill to the reservoir tank ’s
“FULL” level mark.
1) Rubber gaskets
7. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten firmly. At

Maintenance and service
11-20
this time, make sure that the rubber gasket in the ra-
diator cap is correctly in place.
8. Start and run the engine for more than five min-utes at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the coolant coolsdown (122 to 140°F [50 to 60 °C]). If there is any loss
of coolant, add coolant to the radiator ’s filler neck
and to the reserve tank ’s “FULL” level.
10. Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap back on
and tighten firmly. Air cleaner element
The air cleaner element functions as a filter screen.
When the element is perforated or removed, engine
wear will be excessive and engine life shortened.
The air cleaner element is a viscous type. It is un-
necessary to clean or wash the element.
WARNING
Do not operate the engine with the air cleaner
element removed. The air cleaner element notonly filters intake air but also stops flames ifthe engine backfires. If the air cleaner elementis not installed when the engine backfires, youcould be burned.
Replacing the air cleaner element
Non-turbo models
Replace the air cleaner element according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet ”. Under extremely dusty conditions,
replace it more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts.

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
11-33
– CONTINUED –
1) Specified range
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run:Check that the oil level is between “HOT MIN ” and
“ HOT MAX ” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is run: Check that the oil level is between “COLD MIN ” and
“ COLD MAX ” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the applicable “MIN”
line, add the recommended fluid as necessary to bring the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indicate pos-
sible leakage. Consult your SUBARU dealer for in- spection.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself because the fluid may be hot.
CAUTION

When power steering fluid is being added,
use only clean fluid, and be careful not to al- low any dirt into the tank. And never use dif-
ferent brands together. Avoid spilling fluid when adding it in the
tank.
Recommended fluid
“ Dexron III ” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid