2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Owners Manual

Instruments and controls
3-16
Light control switchThe light switch operates only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position.
WARNING
To prevent battery discharge resulting from
accidentally leaving your lights on when your
vehicle is parked, the light switch operatesonly when the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position. In any other position, the vehicle ’s
lights will be out.
If you park your vehicle on a roadside at night,use the hazard warning flasher to alert theother drivers.
Headlights
To turn on the headlights, turn the knob on the end
of the turn signal lever.
first position
Parking lights, instrument panel illumination, tail
lights and license plate light are on.
second position
Headlights, parking lights, instrument panel illumina-
tion, tail lights, and license plate light are on.

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High/low beam change (dimmer)
To change from low beam to high beam, push the
turn signal lever forward. When the headlights areon high beam, the high beam indicator light “a ”
on the instrument panel is also on.
To switch back to low beam, pull the lever back tothe detent position.
Headlight flasherTo flash the headlights, pull the lever toward you and
then release it. The high beam will stay on for as
long as you hold the lever. The headlight flasher
works even though the lighting switch is in the “OFF”
position.
When the headlights are on high beam, the high beam indicator light “a ” on the instrument panel
also comes on.

Instruments and controls
3-18
CAUTION
Do not hold the lever in the flashing position for more than just a few seconds.
Daytime running light system
The low beam headlights will automatically come on
at reduced brightness when the engine has started,
under the following conditions: The parking brake is fully released.
The light switch is in the “OFF” or “p ” position.
The automatic transmission selector lever is set at
other than the “P” position.
WARNING
The tail lights, parking lights, and side marker
lights are not turned on by the daytime run-ning light system. The light switch must al-ways be turned to the “a ” position when it
is dark outside. Turn signal lever
1) Right turn
2) Left turn
3) Lane change for right
4) Lane change for left
To activate the right turn signal, push the turn signal
lever up. To activate the left turn signal, push the
turn signal lever down. When the turn is finished, the
lever will return automatically. If the lever does not
return after cornering, return the lever to the neutralposition by hand.
To signal a lane change, push the turn signal lever

Instruments and controls
3-19
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up or down slightly and hold it during the lane
change. The turn signal indicator lights will flash in
the direction of the turn or lane change. The lever
will return automatically to the neutral position when
you release it. Illumination brightness control
When the lighting switch is in the
“p ” or “a ”
position, you can adjust brightness of the instrument
panel illumination for better visibility.
To brighten, turn the control dial counterclockwise.
To darken, turn the control dial clockwise.

Instruments and controls
3-20
Parking light switch
The parking light switch operates regardless of the
ignition switch position.
By pushing the front end of this switch, following lights will come on.– Parking lights
– Tail lights
– License plate lights
To turn off, push the rear end of the parking light switch.
Avoid leaving these lights on for a long time be-
cause that will run down the battery. Fog light switch (if equipped)1) Indicator light
The fog lights operate only when the headlights are
on low beam. Push the fog light switch to turn thefog lights on.
Press the switch again to turn them off. The indicator light located on the switch will illumi-
nate when the fog lights are on.

Instruments and controls
3-21
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Wiper and washer
WARNING
In freezing weather, do not use the windshield
washer until the windshield is sufficiently
warmed by the defroster.Otherwise the washer fluid can freeze on the
windshield, blocking your view.
CAUTION
Do not operate the washer continuously for
more than ten seconds, or when the washer
fluid tank is empty. This may cause overheat-
ing of the washer motor. Check the washer
fluid level frequently, such as at fuel stops. Do not operate the wipers when the wind-
shield or rear window is dry. This may scratchthe glass, damage the wiper blades and causethe wiper motor to burn out. Before operating
the wiper on a dry windshield or rear window,
always use the windshield washer. In freezing weather, be sure that the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear window before switching on the wipers.Attempting to operate the wiper with the
blades frozen to the window glass could
cause not only the wiper blades to be dam-aged but also the wiper motor to burn out. Ifthe wiper blade is frozen to the window glass,
be sure to operate the defroster, windshield wiper deicer (if equipped) or rear window
defogger before turning on the wiper.
If the wipers stop during operation because
of ice or some other obstruction on the win-
dow, the wiper motor could burn out even if the wiper switch is turned off. If this occurs, promptly stop the vehicle in a safe place, turnthe ignition switch to the “LOCK” position and
clean the window glass to allow proper wiperoperation. Use clean water if windshield washer fluid is
unavailable. In areas where water freezes in
winter, use SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluidor the equivalent. (See the “Windshield wash-
er fluid ” section in chapter 11.)
Also, when driving the vehicle when there are
freezing temperatures, use non-freezing type wiper blades. Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline
or a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.

Instruments and controls
3-22
This will cause deterioration of the wiper blades.
NOTE The wiper operates only when the ignition
switch is in the “ON” or “ACC” position.
Clean your wiper blades and window glass
periodically with a washer solution to prevent
streaking, and to remove accumulations of roadsalt or road film. Keep the washer button
depressed at least for 1 second so that washersolution will be sprinkled all over the windshield
or rear window. Grease, wax, insects or other material on the
windshield or the wiper blade results in jerky wiper operation and streaking on the glass. Ifyou cannot remove those streaks after operating
the washer or if the wiper operation is jerky,
clean the outer surface of the windshield or rear
window and the wiper blades using a sponge or
soft cloth with a neutral detergent or mild-abra-
sive cleaner. After cleaning, rinse the window
glass and wiper blades with clean water. The
glass is clean if no beads form on the glass
when you rinse with water. If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after
following this procedure, replace the wiper blades with new ones. Refer to the
“Wiper blade
replacement” section (chapter 11) for replace-
ment instructions.
Windshield wiper and washer switches
Windshield wipers
1) OFF
2) : Intermittent
3) LO : Low speed
4) HI : High speed
To turn the wipers on, push the wiper control lever

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down.
To turn the wipers off, return the lever to the “OFF”
position.
Wiper intermittent time control (if equipped)
When the wiper switch is in the “” position, turn
the dial to adjust the operating interval of the wiper. The operating interval can be adjusted continuously
from the shortest interval to the longest.
Two click stop positions of the dial may help you to
aim at your desired interval.
Mist (for a single wipe)
For a single wipe of the wipers, pull the lever toward
you. The wipers operate until you release the lever.