2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX air condition

and are registered trademarks of FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.
copyright 2002 FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD.
Foreword
Congratulations on choosing a SUBARU vehicle. This Owner’s
Manual has all the information necessary to keep your SUBARU in
excellent condition and to properly maintain the emission control
system for minimizing emission pollutants. We urge you to read this manual carefully so that you may understand your vehicle and
its operation. For information not found in this Owner’s Manual,such as details concerning repairs or adjustments, please contactthe dealer from whom you purchased your SUBARU or the nearest
SUBARU dealer. The information, specifications and illustrations found in this manu-
al are those in effect at the time of printing. FUJI HEAVY INDUS-
TRIES LTD. reserves the right to change specifications and designsat any time without prior notice and without incurring any obliga-tion to make the same or similar changes on vehicles previously
sold. This Owner’s Manual applies to all models and covers all equipment, including factory installed options. Some explanations, therefore may be for equipment not installed in your vehicle.
Please leave this manual in the vehicle at the time of resale. The next owner will need the information found herein.
FUJI HEAVY INDUSTRIES LTD., TOKYO, JAPAN

2
How to use this owner’s manual
Using your Owner ’s manual
Before you operate your vehicle, carefully read this
manual. To protect yourself and extend the service
life of your vehicle, follow the instructions in this
manual. Failure to observe these instructions may
result in serious injury and damage to your vehicle.
This manual is composed of fourteen chapters. Each chapter begins with a brief table of contents,so you can usually tell at a glance if that chapter
contains the information you want. Chapter 1: Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
This chapter informs you how to use the seat and
seatbelt and contains precautions for the SRS air- bags.Chapter 2: Keys and doors
This chapter informs you how to operate the keys,locks and windows.Chapter 3: Instruments and controls
This chapter informs you about the operation of
instrument panel indicators and how to use theinstruments and other switches.Chapter 4: Climate Control
This chapter informs you how to operate the climate control.Chapter 5: Audio
This chapter informs you how to operate your audiosystem.Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate interior equipment. Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and operateyour SUBARU.Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your SUBARU in various conditions and explains some safety tips on driving.Chapter 9: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you have a
problem while driving, such as a flat tire or engineoverheating. Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARUlooking good.
Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need to take
your SUBARU to the dealer for scheduled mainte-
nance and informs you how to keep your SUBARU
running properly.

9
– CONTINUED –
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.
Drinking and driving
WARNING
Drinking and then driving is very dangerous.
Alcohol in the bloodstream delays your reac-tion and impairs your perception, judgment and attentiveness. If you drive after drinking –
even if you drink just a little – it will increase
the risk of being involved in a serious or fatal
accident, injuring or killing yourself, your pas-sengers and others. In addition, if you are in-jured in the accident, alcohol may increase
the severity of that injury. Please don ’t drink and drive.
Drunken driving is one of the most frequent causes
of accidents. Since alcohol affects all people differ- ently, you may have consumed too much alcohol todrive safely even if the level of alcohol in your bloodis below the legal limit. The safest thing you can do
is never drink and drive. However if you have no
choice but to drive, stop drinking and sober up
completely before getting behind the wheel.
Drugs and driving
WARNING
There are some drugs (over the counter and
prescription) that can delay your reaction time and impair your perception, judgment and at-
tentiveness. If you drive after taking them, it
may increase your, your passengers ’ and oth-
er persons ’ risk of being involved in a serious
or fatal accident.
If you are taking any drugs, check with your doctor
or pharmacist or read the literature that accompa-
nies the medication to determine if the drug you are
taking can impair your driving ability. Do not driveafter taking any medications that can make you
drowsy or otherwise affect your ability to safely oper- ate a motor vehicle. If you have a medical condition
that requires you to take drugs, please consult with

Instruments and controls
3-28
the button will illuminate. By pressing and releasing the right button, the
compass display is toggled on or off. When the
compass is on, an illuminated compass reading will
appear in the lower part of the mirror.
Even with the mirror in anti-glare mode, the mirror
surface turns bright if the transmission is shifted into
reverse. This is to ensure good rearward visibility
during reversing.
n Photosensors
The mirror has a photosensor attached on both the
front and back sides. If the glare from the headlights
of vehicles behind you strikes the mirror, these sen- sors detect it and make the reflection surface of the
mirror dimmer to help prevent you from being
blinded. For this reason, use care not to cover the
sensors with stickers, or other similar items. Periodi-
cally wipe the sensors clean using a piece of dry
soft cotton cloth or an applicator.
n Compass calibration
1. For optimum calibration, switch off all nonessen-
tial electrical accessories (rear window defogger,
heater/air conditioning system, spotlight, etc.) and
ensure all doors are shut.
2. Drive to an open, level area away from large me-
tallic objects or structures and make certain the igni-
tion switch is in the “ON” position.
3. Press and hold the left button for 3 seconds then
release, and the compass will enter the calibration
mode. “CAL” and direction will be displayed.
4. Drive slowly in a circle until “CAL” disappears
from the display (about two or three circles). Thecompass is now calibrated.
5. Further calibration may be necessary should out-
side. Influences cause the mirror to read inaccurate-
ly. You will know that this has occurred if your com-
pass begins to read in only limited directions.
Should you encounter this situation, return to step
one of the above procedure and recalibrate the
mirror.

4
4-1
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Ventilator 4-2
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air flow selection 4-2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Center and side ventilators 4-3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate control system 4-4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Control panel 4-4
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Heater operation 4-6 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Air conditioner operation (if equipped) 4-9 . . . . . . . .
Operating tips for heater and air
conditioner 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cleaning ventilation grille 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight 4-11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant
circuit 4-11
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Checking air conditioning system before summer season 4-11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperature weather conditions 4-12 . . .
Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded 4-12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Refrigerant for your climate control system 4-12 . .
Air filtration system (if equipped) 4-13 . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Climate control

Climate control
4-4
Climate control system Control panel
1) Air inlet selection lever
2) Air conditioner button (if equipped)
3) Rear window defogger button (Refer to the “Rear
window defogger ” in chapter 3.)
4) Air flow control dial
5) Fan speed control dial
6) Temperature control dial
Temperature control dial
This dial regulates the temperature of air flow from
the air outlets over a range from the blue side (cool) to red side (warm).
Fan speed control dial
The fan operates only when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON” position. The fan speed control
dial is used to select four fan speeds.
Air flow control dial
This dial has the following five positions:
: Air flows through the instrument panel out-lets.
: Air flows through the instrument panel outlets and the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the foot outlets and some through the windshield defroster outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield defroster outlets and foot outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield defroster outlets.
NOTE You will find the notation “USE WITH
” on
the air flow control dial plate. This is intended to remind you to set the air inlet
selection lever in the “
” position when
defogging the windshield.

Climate control
4-5
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Defogging with the air inlet selection lever set in the “” position provides better defogging
performance than in the “” position.
When the dial is placed in the “” or
“” position, the air conditioner compressor
operates automatically regardless of the position of the air conditioner button to defog the wind-
shield quickly.However the indicator on the air conditioner but-ton will not come on.Also, you cannot stop the air conditioner com-pressor by pressing the air conditioner button.
Air conditioner button (if equipped)
1) Push
The air conditioner operates only when the engine is running. Push the air conditioner button while the fan is in op-
eration to turn on the air conditioner. The indicator
light will come on.
Push it again to turn off the air conditioner. Air inlet selection lever
(Recirculation): Interior air is recirculated in-
side the vehicle.

Climate control
4-6
(Outside air): Outside air is drawn into the
passenger compartment.
WARNING
Continued operation in the position may
fog up the windows. Switch to the posi-
tion as soon as the outside dusty condition clears.
Heater operation
Defrosting or defogging the windshield
To direct warm air to the windshield and front door windows:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Turn the temperature control dial all the way to the right.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the highestspeed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner,when the “
” or “” position is selected, the
air conditioner compressor automatically operates
regardless of the position of the air conditioner but-
ton to defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light does not
come on at this time. NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right and left
air outlets. To stop warm air flow from these out- lets, turn the corresponding knob clockwise.