2004 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX power steering fluid

7-28
Starting and operating
Power steering
The power steering system operates only when the
engine is running.
If you lose power steering assist because the engine
stops or the system fails to function, you can steer butit will take much more effort.
NOTE
Right after the engine has been started and before
it has warmed up, you may hear a noise coming
from areas adjacent to the power steering pump
which is located at the right-front area of the en-
gine compartment. This noise is normal. It does
not indicate power steering system trouble.
Do not hold the steering wheel at the fully
locked position left or right for more than five
seconds. This may damage the power steering
pump.
Braking !
Braking tips
Never rest your foot on the brake pedal while
driving. This can cause dangerous overheating
of the brakes and needless wear on the brake
pads and linings.
! When the brakes get wet
When driving in rain or after washing the vehicle, the
brakes may get wet. As a result, brake stopping dis-
tance will be longer. To dry the brakes, drive the vehi-
cle at a safe speed while lightly depressing the brake
pedal to heat up the brakes. ! Use of engine braking
Remember to make use of engine braking in addition
to foot braking. When descending a grade, if only the
foot brake is used, the brakes may start working im-
properly because of brake fluid overheating, caused
by overheated brake pads. To help prevent this, shift
into a lower gear to get stronger engine braking.

11 - 1
11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ................................. 11-3
Maintenance precautions ............................ 11-3 Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................. 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is
running ............................................................ 11-5
Engine hood .................................................. 11-5
Engine compartment overview ................... 11-8 2.5 liter model .................................................... 11-8
2.0 liter (Turbo) model ...................................... 11-9
2.5 liter (Turbo) model ...................................... 11-10
Engine oil ...................................................... 11-11 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-11
Changing the oil and oil filter .......................... 11-12
Recommended grade and viscosity ................ 11-16
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .............................. 11-18
Synthetic oil ....................................................... 11-18
Cooling system ............................................. 11-18 Cooling fan, hose and connections ................ 11-19
Engine coolant .................................................. 11-19
Air cleaner element ...................................... 11-23 Replacing the air cleaner element ................... 11-23
Spark plugs ................................................... 11-26 Recommended spark plugs ............................. 11-27
Drive belts ..................................................... 11-27
Manual transmission oil ............................... 11-28 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-28
Recommended grade and viscosity ................ 11-30 Automatic transmission fluid ...................... 11-31
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-31
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-32
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ...... 11-33 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-33
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-33
Rear differential gear oil ............................... 11-34 Checking the gear oil level .............................. 11-34
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-35
Power steering fluid ...................................... 11-36 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-36
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-37
Brake fluid ..................................................... 11-37 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-37
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-38
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) ............................ 11-38 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-38
Recommended clutch fluid .............................. 11-39
Brake booster ................................................ 11-40
Brake pedal .................................................... 11-40 Checking the brake pedal free play ................ 11-40
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ... 11-41
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) ........................... 11-41 Checking the clutch function .......................... 11-41
Checking the clutch pedal free play ............... 11-42
Replacement of brake pad and lining ......... 11-42 Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings .... 11-43
Parking brake stroke .................................... 11-44
Tires and wheels ........................................... 11-44

11 - 8
Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview !
2.5 liter model
12 345 67
8
9
10
11
12
13
UGB505BB
1) Manual transmission oil level
gauge (MT) (page 11-28) or Dif-
ferential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-33)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11- 23)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11- 38)
4) Automatic transmission fluid lev-
el gauge (page 11-31)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-
37)
6) Windshield washer tank (page 11-54)
7) Fuse box (page 11-60)
8) Battery (page 11-58)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-11)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-19)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-19)
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11- 11)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-36)

11 - 9
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
!2.0 liter (Turbo) model
34 5 6 7
1
2
13 12 11 10 9 8
HGB005CB
1) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-28) or Dif-
ferential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-33)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11- 23)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11- 38)
4) Automatic transmission fluid lev-
el gauge (page 11-31)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-
37)
6) Windshield washer tank (page 11-54)
7) Fuse box (page 11-60)
8) Battery (page 11-58)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-11)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-19)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-
11)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-19)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-36)

11 - 1 0
Maintenance and service !
2.5 liter (Turbo) model
34 5 6
7
1
2
12 11 10 9 8
UGB070BB
1) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-28)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11-
23)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11- 38)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11- 37)
5) Windshield washer tank (page
11-54)
6) Fuse box (page 11-60)
7) Battery (page 11-58)
8) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-11)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page
11-19)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11- 11)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-19)
12) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-36)

11 - 3 6
Maintenance and service
Power steering fluid !
Checking the fluid level
1) Reservoir tank
The power steering fluid expands greatly as its tem-
perature rises; the fluid level differs according to fluid
temperature. Therefore, the reservoir tank has two dif-
ferent checking ranges for hot and cold fluids.
Check the power steering fluid level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and stop the en-
gine. 1) Specified range
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run:
Check that the oil level is between “HOT MIN” and
“HOT MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is run: Check
that the oil level is between “COLD MIN” and “COLD
MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the applicable “MIN”
line, add the recommended fluid as necessary to bring
the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indicate possible
leakage. Consult your SUBARU dealer for inspection.
HGB058BB1
1 1
HSB045BB

11 -3 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Be careful not to burn yourself because the flu-id may be hot.
"When power steering fluid is being added,
use only clean fluid, and be careful not to allow
any dirt into the tank. And never use different
brands together.
" Avoid spilling fluid when adding it in the tank.
! Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake fluid !Checking the fluid level
1) “MAX” level mark
2) “MIN” level mark
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the reservoir. If
the level is below “MIN”, add the recommended brake
fluid to “MAX”.
Use only brake fluid from a sealed container.
MAXMAX
MINMIN
HGB056GB
1 2

12-4
Specifications !
Capacities
AT: Automatic transmission
MT: Manual transmission
Fuel tank15.9 US gal (60 liters, 13.2 Imp gal)
Engine oil2.5-liter engine model4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
2.0-liter turbo engine model4.8 US qt (4.5 liters, 4.0 Imp qt)
2.5-liter turbo engine model
Transmission oil (MT)5 speed3.7 US qt (3.5 liters, 3.1 Imp qt)
6 speed4.3 US qt (4.1 liters, 3.6 Imp qt)
Transmission oil (AT)10.0 US qt (9.5 liters, 8.4 Imp qt)
Power steering gear fluid0.7 US qt (0.7 liter, 0.6 Imp qt)
Engine coolant2.5-liter engine modelMT7.4 US qt (7.0 liters, 6.2 Imp qt)
AT7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
2.0-liter turbo engine modelMT8.1 US qt (7.7 liters, 6.8 Imp qt)
AT8.0 US qt (7.6 liters, 6.7 Imp qt)
2.5-liter turbo engine modelMT8.1 US qt (7.7 liters, 6.8 Imp qt)