2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX engine

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mination is observed, there is no stored diagnostic
trouble codes, and the OBD system readiness moni-
tors are complete. A vehicle fails
the OBD inspection if the “CHECK
ENGINE ” warning light/MIL is not properly operating
or there is one or more diagnostic trouble codes
stored in vehicle ’s computer with the “CHECK
ENGINE ” warning light/MIL illuminated.
A state emission inspection may reject (not pass
or fail) a vehicle if the number of OBD system readi- ness monitors “Not Ready ” is greater than three.
Under this condition, the vehicle operator should be instructed to drive his/her vehicle for a few days to
set the monitors and return for an emission re-in-spection. Owners of rejected or failing vehicles should con-
tact their Subaru Dealer for service. Preparing to drive
You should perform the following checks and adjust-
ments every day before you start driving.
1. Check that all windows, mirrors, and lights are
clean and unobstructed.
2. Check the appearance and condition of the tires.
Also check tires for proper inflation.
3. Look under the vehicle for any sign of leaks.
4. Check that the hood, trunk and rear gate are fullyclosed.
5. Check the adjustment of the seat.
6. Check the adjustment of the inside and outside
mirrors.
7. Fasten your seatbelt. Check that your passen-gers have fastened their seatbelts.
8. Check the operation of the warning and indicator
lights when the ignition switch is turned to the
“ON”
position.
9. Check the gauges, indicator and warning lights
after starting the engine. NOTE Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid, washer
fluid and other fluid levels should be checked
daily, weekly or at fuel stops.

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– CONTINUED –
Starting the engine
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter motor continuously
for more than ten seconds. If the engine fails to start after operating the starter for five to ten seconds, wait for ten seconds or more be-fore trying again.
Manual transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Press the clutch pedal to the floor and shift the
shift lever into neutral. Hold the clutch pedal to the
floor while starting the engine.
The starter motor will only operate when the clutch
pedal is pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicatorlights. Refer to the “Warning and indicator light ” sec-
tion (chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release
the key immediately after the engine has started. If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait
a while and then turn the ignition switch to the
“START”
position again while depressing the accel-
erator pedal half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have
gone off after the engine has started. The fuel injec-
tion system automatically lowers the idle speed as
the engine warms up. Automatic transmission vehicle
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and accessories.
3. Shift the selector lever to the “P” or “N” position
(preferably “P” position).
The starter motor will only operate when the selectlever is at the “P” or “N” position.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position and
check the operation of the warning and indicatorlights. Refer to the “Warning and indicator lights ”
section (chapter 3).
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START” position
without depressing the accelerator pedal. Release
the key immediately after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start within ten seconds, wait
a while and then turn the ignition switch to the
“START” position again while depressing the accel-

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erator pedal half way down.
6. Confirm that all warning and indicator lights have
gone out after the engine has started. The fuel injec-
tion system automatically lowers the idle speed as
the engine warms up.
While the engine is warming up, make sure that the selector lever is at the “P” or “N” position and that
the parking brake is applied.
CAUTION
If you restart the engine while the vehicle is moving, shift the selector lever into the “N”
position. Do not attempt to place the selectorlever of a moving vehicle into the “P” posi-
tion.
Starting the engine during cold weather below –4°F ( –20 °C)
If the engine is difficult to start using the normal
method (without depressing the accelerator pedal),
turn the ignition switch to the “START” position while
slightly depressing the accelerator pedal.
Starting a flooded engine
If the engine does not start, it may be flooded (ex-
cessive fuel in the engine).
In case of a flooded engine, turn the starter motorfor five seconds with the accelerator pedal fully de-
pressed. Repeat this two or three times until the en-
gine starts. Release the ignition switch and acceler-
ator pedal as soon as the engine starts.

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– CONTINUED –
Stopping the engine
The ignition switch should be turned off only when the engine is idling.
WARNING
Do not stop the engine when the vehicle is moving. This will cause loss of power to the
power steering and the brake booster, makingsteering and braking more difficult. It could also result in accidental activation of the
“LOCK” position on the ignition switch, caus-
ing the steering wheel to lock. Manual transmission
The manual transmission is a fully synchromeshed
5-forward and 1-reverse speed transmission.
The shift pattern is shown on the shift lever knob.
When shifting from 5th gear to reverse gear, first re-
turn the shift lever to the neutral position then shift
into reverse gear.
To change gears, fully depress the clutch pedal,
move the shift lever, and gradually let up on the
clutch pedal.
If it is difficult to shift into gear, put the transmission

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in neutral, release the clutch pedal momentarily, and
then try again.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the clutch disen- gaged (i.e., when the clutch pedal is
depressed) or with the shift lever in the neu-tral position. Engine braking has no effect ineither of these conditions and the risk of an
accident is consequently increased.
CAUTION
Shift into reverse ONLY when the vehicle has
completely stopped. It may cause damage tothe transmission to try shifting into reverse when the vehicle is moving.
Shifting speeds
Recommended shifting speeds
The best compromise between fuel economy and
vehicle performance during normal driving is en-
sured by shifting up at the speeds listed in the fol- lowing table. Shift up
mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd15 (24)
2nd to 3rd25 (40)
3rd to 4th40 (65)
4th to 5th45 (73)

Maximum allowable speeds
The following table shows the maximum speeds that
are possible with each different gear. Never exceed the speed limit below for each gear
position except for brief acceleration in an emergen-
cy. The tachometer ’s needle (if so equipped) will en-
ter the red area if these speeds are exceeded. Fail-
ure to observe this precaution can lead to excessive
engine wear and poor fuel economy.

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– CONTINUED –
2.5 liter models (non-turbo)
mph (km/h)
RSTS, OUTBACK
1st29 (46)28 (45)
2nd48 (77)47 (75)
3rd68 (110)66 (106)
2.0 liter models (turbo)mph (km/h)
WRX
1st35 (56)
2nd61 (98)
3rd87 (140)
WARNING
When shifting down a gear, ensure that the
vehicle is not travelling at a speed exceedingthe Maximum Allowable Speed for the gearwhich is about to be selected. Failure to observe this precaution can lead to engine
over-revving and this in turn can result inengine damage.In addition, sudden application of engine
brakes when the vehicle is travelling on a slip-pery surface can lead to wheel locking; as a
consequence, control of the vehicle may be lost and the risk of an accident increased.
Driving tips
Do not drive with your foot resting on the clutch ped- al and do not use the clutch to hold your vehicle at a standstill on an upgrade. Either of those actions maycause clutch damage.
Do not drive with your hand resting on the shift lever.This may cause wear on the transmission compo-nents.
When it is necessary to reduce vehicle speed due to
slow traffic, turning corners, or driving up steep hills,
downshift to a lower gear before the engine starts to

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labor.
On steep downgrades, downshift the transmission
to 4th, 3rd or 2nd gear as necessary; this helps to
maintain a safe speed and to extend brake pad life.
In this way, the engine provides a braking effect. Re-
member, if you “ride” (over use) the brakes while de-
scending a hill, they may overheat and not work
properly.
The engine may, on rare occasions, knock when the
vehicle rapidly accelerates or rapidly pulls away
from a standstill. This phenomenon does not indi-
cate a fault. Automatic transmission
The automatic transmission is electronically con-
trolled with 4-forward speeds and 1-reverse speed. NOTE
Immediately after a disconnected battery is re-
connected or ATF (automatic transmission fluid) is replaced, you may feel that the automatic
transmission operation is somewhat unusual.
This results from erasure or invalidation of data
the on-board computer has collected and storedin memory to allow the transmission to shift at the most appropriate times for the current condi- tion of your vehicle. Optimized shifting will be re-stored as the vehicle continues to be driven for awhile.
WARNING
Do not shift from the
“P” or “N” position into
the “D”, “3”, “2”, “1” or “R” position while de-
pressing the accelerator pedal. This may
cause the vehicle to jump forward or back- ward.

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– CONTINUED –
CAUTION
Shift into the “P” or “R” position only after
the vehicle is completely stopped. Shifting while the vehicle is moving may cause dam- age to the transmission. Do not race the engine for more than five
seconds in any position except the “N” or “P”
position when the brake is set or the tires areon blocks. This may cause the automatic
transmission fluid to overheat. Avoid shifting from one of the forward driv-
ing positions into the “R” position or vice
versa until the vehicle has completelystopped. Such shifting may cause damage tothe transmission.
Selector lever for automatic transmis- sion