2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Owners Manual

Starting and operating
7-28
as they may burn easily if they come near hot engine or exhaust system parts.Be sure to stop the engine if you take a nap
in the vehicle. If engine exhaust gas enters the
passenger compartment, occupants in the ve-hicle could die from carbon monoxide (CO) contained in the exhaust gas.
CAUTION
If your vehicle has a front underspoiler and rear underspoiler (both optional), pay atten- tion to blocks and other obstructions on the ground when parking. The underspoilerscould be damaged by contact with them. Cruise control (if equipped)
Cruise control enables you to maintain a constant
vehicle speed without holding your foot on the ac-
celerator pedal and it is operative when the vehicle
speed is 25 mph (40 km/h) or more. Make sure the
main switch is turned
“OFF” when the cruise control
is not in use to avoid unintentionally by setting the
cruise control.WARNING
Do not use the cruise control under any of the following conditions. This may cause loss of
vehicle control: driving up or down a steep grade
driving on slippery or winding roads
driving in heavy traffic

Starting and operating
7-29
– CONTINUED –
To set cruise control
1) Indicator light
1. Push the “CRUISE” main switch. The indicator
light on the switch will come on.
2. Depress the accelerator pedal until the vehicle
reaches the desired speed.
3. Push the control lever downward in the “SET,
COAST” direction and release it. Then release the
accelerator pedal.
The vehicle will maintain the desired speed.
Vehicle speed can be temporarily increased while
driving with the cruise control activated. Simply de-
press the accelerator pedal to accelerate the ve-
hicle. When the accelerator pedal is released, the
vehicle will return to and maintain the previous cruis- ing speed.

Starting and operating
7-30
To temporarily cancel the cruise con- trol
There are four ways to cancel the cruise control tem- porarily: Depress the brake pedal.
Pull the control lever in the “CANCEL” direction. (if
so equipped) Depress the clutch pedal (manual transmission
vehicles only). Shift the selector lever into the “N” position (auto-
matic transmission vehicles only).
To resume the cruise control after it has been tem- porarily canceled and with vehicle speed of about
20 mph (32 km/h) or more, push the control lever
upward in the “ACCEL, RESUME ” direction to return
to the original cruising speed automatically.
To turn off the cruise control
There are two ways to turn off the cruise control: Push the main switch again.
Turn the ignition switch to the “ACC” or “LOCK”
position (but only when the vehicle is completely stopped).
To change the cruising speed
To increase the speed (by control lever)
Push the control lever upward in the “ACCEL, RE-
SUME” direction and hold it until the vehicle reaches
the desired speed. Then, release the control lever.
The vehicle speed at that moment will be memo-
rized and treated as the new set speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle
speed and the set speed is less than 4 mph (6.8
km/h), the set speed can be increased 1 mph (1.6
km/h) each time by pressing the control lever up-
ward in the “ACCEL, RESUME ” direction quickly
within 0.5 second.
To increase the speed (by accelerator pedal)
1. Depress the accelerator pedal to accelerate the
vehicle to the desired speed.
2. Push the control lever downward in the “SET,
COAST” direction once. Now the desired speed is
set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed
without depressing the accelerator pedal.
NOTE
If the difference between the actual vehicle speed when the control lever is pushed down-ward and the speed last time you set is less than

Starting and operating
7-31
– CONTINUED –
4 mph (6.8 km/h), the vehicle speed will be low-
ered by 1 mph (1.6 km/h). This occurs becausethe cruise control system unit regards this lever
operation as that intended to decrease the ve-hicle speed.
To decrease the speed (by control lever)
Push the control lever downward in the “SET,
COAST” direction and hold it until the vehicle reach-
es the desired speed. Then, release the control le-
ver. The vehicle speed at that moment will be mem-
orized and treated as the new set speed.
When the difference between the actual vehicle
speed and the set speed is less than 4 mph (6.8
km/h), the set speed can be lowered 1 mph (1.6
km/h) each time by pressing the control lever down-
ward in the “SET, COAST ” direction quickly within
0.5 second.
To decrease the speed (by brake pedal)
1. Depress the brake pedal to release cruise control
temporarily.
2. When the speed decreases to the desired speed,
press the control lever downward in the “SET,
COAST” direction once. Now the desired speed is
set and the vehicle will keep running at that speed
without depressing the accelerator pedal.

Starting and operating
7-32

8
8-1
– CONTINUED –
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
8-2
New vehicle break-in driving –
the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)
The performance and long life of your vehicle are
dependent on how you handle and care for your ve-
hicle while it is new. Follow these instructions duringthe first 1,000 miles (1,600 km): Do not race the engine. And do not allow engine
speed to exceed 4,000 rpm except in an emergen-
cy. Do not drive at one constant engine or vehicle
speed for a long time, either fast or slow. Avoid starting suddenly and rapid acceleration,
except in an emergency. Avoid hard braking, except in an emergency.
The same break-in procedures should be applied to
an overhauled engine, newly mounted engine or
when brake pads or brake linings are replaced withnew ones. Fuel economy hints The following suggestions will help to save your fuel.
Select the proper gear position for the speed and
road conditions. Avoid sudden acceleration or deceleration. Al-
ways accelerate gently until you reach the desired
speed. Then try to maintain that speed for as longas possible. Do not pump the accelerator and avoid racing the
engine. Avoid unnecessary engine idling.
Keep the engine properly tuned.
Keep the tires inflated to the correct pressure
shown on the tire placard, which is located under the door latch on the driver ’s side. Low pressure will
increase tire wear and fuel consumption. Use the air conditioner only when necessary.
Keep the front and rear wheels in proper align-
ment. Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or cargo.

Driving tips
8-3
– CONTINUED –
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide)
WARNING
Never inhale engine exhaust gas. Engine ex-
haust gas contains carbon monoxide, a color-
less and odorless gas which is dangerous, or even lethal, if inhaled. Always properly maintain the engine ex-
haust system to prevent engine exhaust gasfrom entering the vehicle. Never run the engine in a closed space,
such as a garage, except for the brief time needed to drive the vehicle in or out of it. Avoid remaining in a parked vehicle for a
lengthy time while the engine is running. Ifthat is unavoidable, then use the ventilationfan to force fresh air into the vehicle. Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille
free from snow, leaves or other obstructionsto ensure that the ventilation system always
works properly. If at any time you suspect that exhaust
fumes are entering the vehicle, have the prob-lem checked and corrected as soon as pos- sible. If you must drive under these condi-tions, drive only with all windows fully open.
Keep the trunk lid or rear gate closed while
driving to prevent exhaust gas from enteringthe vehicle.
NOTE Due to the expansion and contraction of the met-
als used in the manufacture of the exhaust sys-
tem, you may hear a crackling sound comingfrom the exhaust system for a short time afterthe engine has been shut off. This sound is nor-mal.