2003 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX heating

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.

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
1-7
– CONTINUED –
1)HI – Rapid heating
2) LO – Normal heating
The indicator located on the switch comes on when the seat heater is in operation. When the vehicle ’s in-
terior is warmed enough or before you leave the ve-
hicle, be sure to turn the switch off.
CAUTION
There is a possibility that people with deli-
cate skin may suffer slight burns even at low
temperatures if he/she uses the seat heater for a long period of time. When using the
heater, always be sure to warn the persons concerned.
Do not put anything on the seat which insu-
lates against heat, such as a blanket, cushion,or similar items. This may cause the seat heat-er to overheat.
NOTE Use of the seat heater for a long period of time
while the engine is not running can cause battery discharge. When cleaning the seat, do not use benzine,
paint thinner, or any similar materials.

Climate control
4-7
– CONTINUED –
Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the wind- shield:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desiredspeed.
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.
Heating
To direct warm air toward the floor:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the “”
position
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.

Climate control
4-8
3. Set the temperature control dial to the most com-
fortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desiredspeed. 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. Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of different tem-
peratures from the instrument panel and foot outlets.
The air from the foot outlets is slightly warmer than from the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“
”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “
” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the desired
temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the desired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully turned to
the red area or blue area decreases the temperature
difference between the air from the instrument panel
outlets and the air from the foot outlets.
Ventilation

Climate control
4-11
– CONTINUED –
Operating tips for heater and air conditioner Cleaning ventilation grille
Always keep the front ventilation inlet grille free of
snow, leaves, or other obstructions to ensure effi-
cient heating and defrosting. Since the condenser is
located in front of the radiator, this area should be
kept clean because cooling performance is im-
paired by any accumulation of insects and leaves
on the condenser.
Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with the win- dows open for a few minutes to allow outside air to
circulate into the heated interior. This results in
quicker cooling by the air conditioner. Keep the win-dows closed during the operation of the air condi-
tioner for maximum cooling efficiency. Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at a low en- gine speed (at idle or low driving speeds) a few
minutes each month during the off-season to circu-
late its oil. Checking air conditioning system before summer season
Check the air conditioner unit for refrigerant leaks,
hose conditions, and proper operation each spring.
This check is best performed by your SUBARU
dealer.

Interior equipment
6-10
lighter plug. Do not use non-genuine cigarette lighter plugs in the socket. Doing so may
cause a short-circuit and overheating, result-ing in a fire.If the socket is ever used for a plug-in ac-
cessory such as a mobile phone, that may
damage the portion of the socket ’s internal
mechanism that causes a cigarette lighter plug to “pop out ” after its lighter element is
heated. Therefore, do not place a cigarettelighter plug in a socket that has been used,
even once, to power a plug-in accessory. Do- ing so may cause the plug to stick and over- heat, creating a potential fire hazard. Do not place any foreign objects, especially
metal ones such as coins or aluminum foil,into the socket. That could cause a short cir-cuit.
Use with a cigarette lighter
The cigarette lighter operates only when the ignition switch is in the “ON” and “ACC” positions.
To use the cigarette lighter, push in the knob andwait a few moments. It will automatically spring up
when ready for use.
WARNING
To avoid being burned, never grasp the lighter
by the end with the heating element. Doing so
could result in injury and could also damage the heating element.

Driving tips
8-37
– CONTINUED –
large trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the steering wheel and slow down immediately but
gradually.When passing other vehicles, considerable dis-
tance is required because of the added weight and
length caused by attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
1) Left turn 2) Right turn
Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes
practice. When backing up with a trailer, never
accelerate or steer rapidly. When turning back, gripthe bottom of the steering wheel with one hand and
turn it to the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right for a right turn.
If the ABS warning light illuminates while the
vehicle is in motion, stop towing the trailer and have
repairs performed immediately by the nearest
SUBARU dealer.
Driving on grades
Before going down a steep hill, slow down and
shift into lower gear (if necessary, use 1st gear) in
order to utilize the engine braking effect and prevent
overheating of your vehicle ’s brakes. Do not make
sudden downshifts. When driving uphill in hot weather, the air condi-
tioner may turn off automatically to protect the
engine from overheating. When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to
the water temperature gauge pointer (for all
vehicles) and AT OIL TEMP warning light (for AT
vehicles) since the engine and transmission are rel-
atively prone to overheating under these conditions.
If the water temperature gauge pointer approaches
the OVERHEAT zone or the AT OIL TEMP warning
light illuminates, immediately switch off the air condi-
tioner and stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place.Refer to the “Engine overheat ” section in chapter 9,
and “Warning and indicator lights ” section in chap-
ter 3.

Driving tips
8-38
If your vehicle has an automatic transmission,
avoid using the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an uphill slope instead of using the parking brakeor foot brake. That may cause the transmission fluid
to overheat. Also, if your vehicle is equipped with an
automatic transmission, avoid driving with the gear selector lever in “D” when towing a heavy trailer to
prevent fluid overheating. A lower gear should be used.
Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both vehicle and
trailer when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly.
You should not park on a hill or slope. But if parking on a hill or slope cannot be avoided, you shouldtake the following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under boththe vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release the
regular brakes slowly until the blocks absorb theload.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then apply the
parking brake; slowly release the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual transmis- sion) or “P” (automatic transmission) and shut off the
engine.