2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX fluid

11
11-1
– CONTINUED –
Maintenance schedule 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance precautions 11-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine hood 11-5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine compartment overview 11-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.5 liter model 11-8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.0 liter (Turbo) model 11-9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine oil 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changing the oil and oil filter 11-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-13 . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity under
severe driving conditions 11-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Synthetic oil 11-15
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling system 11-15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling fan, hose and connections 11-16 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine coolant 11-16 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air cleaner element 11-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing the air cleaner element 11-20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 11-23 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended spark plugs 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Drive belts 11-24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Manual transmission oil 11-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-25 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-26 . . . . . . . . . . .
Automatic transmission fluid 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) 11-29
. . . . .
Checking the oil level 11-29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-30 . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear differential gear oil 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the gear oil level 11-31 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended grade and viscosity 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . .
Power steering fluid 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-32 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended fluid 11-33 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake fluid 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended brake fluid 11-34 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the fluid level 11-35 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Recommended clutch fluid 11-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake booster 11-36 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Brake pedal 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal free play 11-37 . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance 11-37 . .
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch function 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking the clutch pedal free play 11-38 . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of brake pad and lining 11-39 . . . . . . . .
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings 11-39 . . .
Parking brake stroke 11-40 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tires and wheels 11-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Types of tires 11-41 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Maintenance and service

Maintenance and service
11-2
Tire inspection 11-41. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire pressures and wear 11-42 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel balance 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wear indicators 11-45 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire rotation 11-46
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Tire replacement 11-47 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel replacement 11-48 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wheel covers 11-49 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Aluminum wheels (If equipped) 11-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Windshield washer fluid 11-50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacement of windshield wiper blades 11-51 . .
Battery 11-54
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 11-56
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Main fuse 11-59
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Installation of accessories 11-60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Replacing bulbs 11-61 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Headlight 11-62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front turn signal light and parking light 11-64 . . . . . .
Front fog light (if equipped) 11-68 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Front side marker light 11-69 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear combination lights 11-70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
License plate light 11-72 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dome light, map light and cargo area light 11-73 . . .
Trunk light 11-74
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
High mount stop light 11-74 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Maintenance and service
11-4
Always be very careful to avoid injury when
working on the vehicle. Remember that some of the materials in the vehicle may be hazard-
ous if improperly used or handled, for exam-ple, battery acid. Your vehicle should only be serviced by per-
sons fully competent to do so. Serious per-sonal injury may result to persons not experi-enced in servicing vehicles. Always use the proper tools and make cer-
tain that they are well maintained. Never get under the vehicle supported only
by a jack. Always use a safety stands to sup-port the vehicle. Never keep the engine running in a poorly
ventilated area, such as a garage or other
closed areas. Do not smoke or allow open flames around
the fuel or battery. This will cause a fire. Because the fuel system is under pressure,
replacement of the fuel filter should be per-
formed only by your SUBARU dealer. Wear adequate eye protection to guard
against getting oil or fluids in your eyes. If something does get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water. Do not tamper with the wiring of the SRS airbag system or seatbelt pretensioner sys-tem, or attempt to take its connectors apart,as that may activate the system or it can ren-der it inoperative. The wiring and connectorsof these systems are yellow for easy identifi-cation. NEVER use a circuit tester for these wiring. If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pretensionerneeds service, consult your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
Before checking or servicing in the
engine compartment
Always stop the engine and set the parking
brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from mov- ing. Always let the engine cool down. Engine
parts become very hot when the engine is run-
ning and remain hot for some time after theengine is stopped. Do not spill engine oil, engine coolant, brake
fluid or any other fluid on hot engine compo-nents. This may cause a fire. Always remove the key from the ignition
switch. When the ignition switch is in the
“ON” position, the cooling fan may operate

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
11-27
– 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
11-28
1) Yellow handleA) HOT range
B) COLD range1) Upper level
2) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid level on the gauge. If it is below the lower level on the “HOT”
range, add the recommended automatic transmis- sion fluid up to the upper level.
Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked without time
to warm up the automatic transmission, check tosee that the fluid level is between the lower leveland upper level on the “COLD” range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level. Be care-
ful not to overfill.

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.