2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX maintenance schedule

Maintenance and service
11-17
– CONTINUED –
1) Rubber gaskets
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, re- install the caps and check that the rubber gaskets
inside the radiator cap are in the proper position.
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.
Changing the coolant
1) Drain plug
Change the engine coolant using the following pro-
cedures according to the maintenance schedule.
1. Remove the under cover.
2. Place a proper container under the drain plugand loosen the drain plug.
3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the coolant from
the radiator. Then drain the coolant from the reserve
tank. Tighten the drain plug securely.

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
11-23
– CONTINUED –
4. To install the air cleaner case cover, insert the two
projections on the air cleaner case cover into theslits on the air cleaner case and then snap the two
clamps on the air cleaner case cover. Spark plugs
It may be difficult to replace the spark plugs. It is
recommended that you have the spark plugs re-
placed by your SUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced according to
the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ”.

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.

Maintenance and service
11-40
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the parking brake to cool
down. Repeat this procedure.
5. Check the parking brake stroke. If the parking
brake stroke is out of the specified range, adjust it
by turning the adjusting nut located on the parking
brake lever.Parking brake stroke: 7 – 8 notches / 44 lb (196 N, 20 kg)
WARNING
A safe location and situation should be se- lected for break-in driving.
CAUTION
Pulling the parking brake lever too forcefully
may cause the rear wheels to lock. To avoid
this, be certain to pull the lever up slowly and
gently. Parking brake stroke
Check the parking brake stroke according to the
maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet ”. When the parking brake is properly
adjusted, braking power is fully applied by pulling
the lever up seven to eight notches gently but firmly(about 44 lb, 196 N, 20 kg). If the parking brake le-
ver stroke is not within the specified range, have thebrake system checked and adjusted at your
SUBARU dealer.

Index
14-5
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) 8-17. . . . . . . . . . . .
Glovebox 6-5
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ) 8-17 . . . . . . . .
H
Hazard warning flasher 3-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlights 3-16
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headrest adjustment (Wagon) 1-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Head restraint adjustment (Front) 1-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater operation 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High beam indicator light 3-17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High mount stop light 11-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Horn 3-32
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hose and connections 11-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
I
Ignition switch 3-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illuminated entry 2-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Illumination brightness control 3-19 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Inside mirror 3-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Indicator light High beam 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Shift position 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Turn signal 3-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Internal trunk lid release handle 2-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . J
Jack and jack handle 9-24
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 9-14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
KKey Interlock release 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Number 2-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Reminder chime 3-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Keys 2-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
L
Leather seat materials 10-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Light control switch 3-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Limited slip differential (LSD) 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Loading your vehicle 8-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
LSD (Limited slip differential) 7-21 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
M
Main fuse 11-59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance
Precautions 11-3
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Schedule 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tools 9-23
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Seatbelt 1-27
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission 7-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .