2004 SUBARU IMPREZA snow chains

8-1
8
Driving tips
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 .................................... 8-6
Driving in foreign countries ......................... 8-6
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ..................... 8-7
Off road driving ............................................ 8-8 All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT and vehicles with 17 inch tires ..................... 8-9
OUTBACK SPORT ............................................. 8-9
Winter driving ............................................... 8-11 Operation during cold weather ........................ 8-11
Driving on snowy and icy roads ...................... 8-13
Corrosion protection ........................................ 8-14
Snow tires .......................................................... 8-14
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-16
Rocking the vehicle .......................................... 8-16
Loading your vehicle ................................... 8-17 Vehicle capacity weight .................................... 8-19
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........ 8-20
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) ............... 8-21
Trailer hitch (if equipped) ............................ 8-25 Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-25
When you do not tow a trailer .......................... 8-28
Trailer towing ................................................ 8-29 Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-29 Maximum load limits ........................................ 8-29
Trailer hitches ................................................... 8-34
Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-35
Trailer towing tips ............................................. 8-37

8-16
Driving tips
dent.
Your vehicle is equipped with “summer tires” as origi-
nal equipment, which are inadequate for driving on
slippery roads such as on snow-covered or icy roads.
Compared with winter and all-season tires, summer
tires give significantly less grip on snowy and icy road
surfaces. Therefore, use of winter tires is strongly rec-
ommended when driving with such road conditions.
When you choose to install winter tires on your vehi-
cle, be sure to use the correct tire size and type. You
must install four winter tires that are of the same size,
construction, brand and load range and you should
never mix radial, belted bias or bias tires since this
may result in dangerous handling characteristics.
When you choose a tire, make sure that there is
enough clearance between the tire and vehicle body.
Remember to drive with care at all times regardless of
the type of tires on your vehicle. ! Tire chains
Driving on snowy grades or icy roads may require the
use of tire chains, in which case put the chains on the
front wheels only. Use only SAE class S type chains
that are of the correct size for your tires so as not to damage the vehicle body or suspension.
When driving with tire chains, drive at speeds below
19 mph (30 km/h).
When a temporary spare tire is on a front wheel, re-
place the temporary spare tire with the rear tire on the
same side of the vehicle, and then fit chains on the
front tires.
Always use the utmost care when driving with tire
chains — overconfidence because you are driving
with tire chains could easily lead to a serious accident.
Tire chains cannot be used on tires listed below
because of lack of clearance between the tires
and vehicle body. "
225/45R17 tires for WRX-STi
"Optional 215/45R17 tires for WRX
! Rocking the vehicle
If you must rock the vehicle to free it from snow, sand,
or mud, depress the accelerator pedal slightly and
move the selector lever back and forth between “D”
and “R” repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For the
best possible traction, avoid spinning the wheels when

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