2004 SUBARU IMPREZA towing

11 - 1 8
Maintenance and service
!
Recommended grade and viscosity
under severe driving conditions
If the vehicle is used in desert areas, in areas with very
high temperatures, or used for heavy-duty applica-
tions such as towing a trailer, use of oil with the follow-
ing grade and viscosities is recommended.
API classification SL (or SJ):
SAE viscosity No.: 30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50
! Synthetic oil
You can use synthetic engine oil that meets the same
requirements given for conventional engine oil. When
using synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same clas-
sification, viscosity and grade shown in this owner’s
manual, and must follow the oil and filter changing in-
tervals shown in the maintenance schedule.
Cooling system
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
" The cooling system has been filled at the fac-
tory with a high quality, corrosion-inhibiting,
year-around coolant which provides protection
against freezing down to –33 °F (–36 °C). For
adding, use genuine SUBARU coolant or an
equivalent: a mixture of 50% soft water and 50%
ethylene-glycol basis coolant. Use of improper
coolants may result in corrosion in the cooling
system. It is important to maintain protection
against freezing and corrosion, even if freezing
temperatures are not expected. Never mix dif-
ferent kinds of coolant. " Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-

11 - 4 8
Maintenance and service
"
Abnormally high tire pressure (tread worn in cen-
ter)
Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tire magnifies the ef-
fects of road-surface bumps and dips, possibly result-
ing in vehicle damage.
If the tire placard shows tire pressures for the vehicle
when fully loaded and for the vehicle when towing a
trailer, adjust the tire pressures to the values that
match current loading conditions.
Driving at high speeds with excessively low tire
pressures can cause the tires to deform severe- ly and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase
in temperature could cause tread separation,
and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss
of vehicle control could lead to an accident.
! Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced when your vehicle
was new, but the wheels will become unbalanced as
the tires become worn during use. Wheel imbalance
causes the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at certain
vehicle speeds and detracts from the vehicle’s
straight-line stability. It can also cause steering and
suspension system problems and abnormal tire wear.
If you suspect that the wheels are not correctly bal-
anced, have them checked and adjusted by your SUB-
ARU dealer. Also have them adjusted after tire repairs
and after tire rotation.
NOTE
Loss of correct wheel alignment* causes the tires
to wear on one side and reduces the vehicle’s run-
ning stability. Contact your SUBARU dealer if you
notice abnormal tire wear.
*: The suspension system is designed to hold each wheel at
a certain alignment (relative to the other wheels and to the
road) for optimum straight-line stability and cornering perfor-
HSB054AA

14-8
Index
Safety tips
................................................................. 1-13
Warning light and chime ...........................1-15, 3-19
Seatbelts ......................................................................... 1-13
Security system ............................................................ 2-14
Selector lever ................................................................ 7-22
Position indicator ................................................... 3-26
Semi-automatic climate control system .............4-11
Shift lock release ......................................................... 7-26
Side ventilators ............................................................. 4-3
Snow tires ....................................................................... 8-14
Sounding a panic alarm ............................................ 2-9
Spark plugs .................................................................... 11-26
Specifications ................................................................ 12-2
Speedometer .......................................................... 3-7, 3-15
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint
System airbag) ....................................................... 6, 1-52
SRS airbag system warning light ..........................3-20
SRS frontal airbag ....................................................... 1-56
SRS side airbag ........................................................... 1-64
Starting the engine ...................................................... 7-9
State emission testing (U.S. only) ........................7-7
Stopping the engine ................................................... 7-11
Storage compartments .............................................. 6-5
Sun visors ....................................................................... 6-4
Sun shades .................................................................... 2-33
Supplemental Restraint System airbag (SRS) 1-52
Synthetic leather upholstery ...................................10-6T
Tachometer
............................................................. 3-9, 3-16
Temperature gauge .......................................... 3-10, 3-17
Temporary spare tire .................................................. 9-3
Tie-down hooks ............................................................. 9-18
Tilt steering wheel ........................................................ 3-49
Tire Chains ......................................................................... 8-16
Inspection .................................................................. 11-45
Pressures and wear .............................................. 11-45
Replacement ............................................................ 11-50
Rotation ...................................................................... 11-50
Tires ................................................................................... 12-5
Types .......................................................................... 11-44
Tires and wheels .......................................................... 11-44
Top tether anchorages ............................................... 1-46
Towing .............................................................................. 9-17
All wheels on the ground ....................................9-21
Flat-bed truck ........................................................... 9-20
Trailer
Hitch ............................................................................. 8-25
Hitches ........................................................................ 8-34
Towing ........................................................................ 8-29
Towing tips ................................................................ 8-37
Trunk lid ............................................................................ 2-25
Release handle ....................................................... 2-26
Trunk light ........................................................................ 11-78