2005 SUBARU IMPREZA tires

11 - 5 0
Maintenance and service
y
Abnormally low tire pressure (tread worn at
shoulders)
Rolling resistance is high, so fuel consumption is also
higher. y
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-
HSB053AAHSB054AA

11 -5 1
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
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
SUBARU dealer. Also have them adjusted after tire re-
pairs 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- mance. „
Wear indicators
A) New tread
B) Worn tread
1) Tread wear indicator
Each tire incorporates a tread wear indicator, which
becomes visible when the depth of the tread grooves
decreases to 0.063 in (1.6 mm). A tire must be re-
placed when the tread wear indicator appears as a
solid band across the tread.
A 1B
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11 - 5 2
Maintenance and service
When a tire’s tread wear indicator becomes vis-
ible, the tire is worn beyond the acceptable limit
and must be replaced immediately. With a tire
in this condition, driving at high speeds in wet
weather can cause the vehicle to hydroplane.
The resulting loss of vehicle control can lead to
an accident.
NOTE
For safety, inspect tire tread regularly and replace
the tires before their tread wear indicators becomevisible.
„
Tire rotation
Tire wear varies from wheel to wheel. To maximize the
life of each tire and ensure that the tires wear uniform-
ly, it is best to rotate the tires every 7,500 miles
(12,500 km). Rotating the tires involves switching the
front and rear tires on the right hand side of the vehicle
and similarly switching the front and rear tires on the
left hand side of the vehicle. (Each tire must be kept on
its original side of the vehicle.)
Replace any damaged or unevenly worn tire at the
time of rotation. After tire rotation, adjust the tire pres-
sures and make sure the wheel nuts are correctly
tightened.
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11 -5 3
Maintenance and service
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After driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km),
check the wheel nuts again and retighten any nut that
has become loose. „Tire replacement
The wheels and tires are important and integral parts
of your vehicle’s design; they cannot be changed arbi-
trarily. The tires fitted as standard equipment are opti-
mally matched to the characteristics of the vehicle and
were selected to give the best possible combination of
running performance, ride comfort, and service life. It
is essential for every tire to have a size and construc-
tion matching those shown on the tire placard and to
have a speed symbol and load index matching those
shown on the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts from con-
trollability, ride comfort, braking performance, speed-
ometer accuracy and odometer accuracy. It also cre-
ates incorrect body-to-tire clearances and inappropri-
ately changes the vehicle’s ground clearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms of manufactur-
er, brand (tread pattern), construction, and size. You
are advised to replace the tires with new ones that are
identical to those fitted as standard equipment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends re- placing all four tires at the same time.
y
All four tires must be the same in terms of
manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), construc-
tion, degree of wear, speed symbol, load index
and size. Mixing tires of different types, sizes or
degrees of wear can result in damage to vehi-
cle’s power train. Use of different types or sizes
of tires can also dangerously reduce controlla-
bility and braking performance and can lead to
an accident.y Use only radial tires. Do not use radial tires
together with belted bias tires and/or bias-ply
tires. Doing so can dangerously reduce control-
lability, resulting in an accident.
„ Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example, to damage,
make sure the replacement wheels match the specifi-
cations of the wheels that are fitted as standard equip-
ment. Replacement wheels are available from
SUBARU dealers.

11 - 5 4
Maintenance and service
Use only those wheels that are specified for
your vehicle. Wheels not meeting specifica-
tions could interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub against the
wheel well housing during turns. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent.
NOTE
When any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat tire, alwayscheck the tightness of the wheel nuts after driving
approximately 600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is
loose, tighten it to the specified torque.
Aluminum wheels
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged
easily. Handle them carefully to maintain their appear-
ance, performance, and safety. y
When any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat, always check the
tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximately
600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to
the specified torque.y Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or
tapered surface of the wheel.y Never let the wheel rub against sharp protrusions or
curbs. y Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly and completely
around the tire, otherwise the chains may scratch the
wheel.y When wheel nuts, balance weights, or the center
cap is replaced, be sure to replace them with genuine
SUBARU parts designed for aluminum wheels.

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12
Specifications
Specifications ................................................ 12-2 Dimensions ....................................................... 12-2
Engine ................................................................ 12-3
Electrical system .............................................. 12-3
Capacities .......................................................... 12-4
Tires ................................................................... 12-5
Wheel alignment ............................................... 12-6
Fuses and circuits ........................................ 12-7 Fuse panel located behind the coin tray ....... 12-7
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment .................................................. 12-9
Bulb chart ...................................................... 12-10
Vehicle identification .................................... 12-11

12-5
Specifications
– CONTINUED –
„Tires
*1: The recommended cold tire pressure for the 215/45R17 87W tire is not indicated on the vehicle placard attached to the drive r’s
side B-pillar since this tire is a dealer option for the WRX. If your vehicle is equipped with 215/45R17 87W tires, be sure to adjust
them to the air pressure shown on this page.
ItemRS, RS sport package, WRXWRX (option tire)*1WRX-STi
Tire sizeP205/55R16 89V215/45R17 87W225/45R17 90W
Wheel size16 × 6 1
/2 JJ17
× 7 JJ17 × 8 JJ
PressureFront32 psi
(220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm 2
)33 psi
(230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm 2
)36 psi
(250 kPa, 2.5 kgf/cm 2
)
Rear29 psi
(200 kPa, 2.0 kgf/cm 2
)32 psi
(220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm 2
)30 psi
(210 kPa, 2.1 kgf/cm 2
)
Temporary spare tireSizeT135/70 D16T135/70 D17
Pressure60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm 2
)

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Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsTire information ............................................. 13-2Tire labeling ....................................................... 13-2
Recommended tire inflation pressure ............ 13-5
Glossary of tire terminology ............................ 13-7
Tire care – maintenance and safety practices ......................................................... 13-8
Vehicle load limit – how to determine ............. 13-9
Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle
load capacities ............................................... 13-13
Adverse safety consequences of overloading
on handling and stopping and on tires ........ 13-14
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ..... 13-14
Uniform tire quality grading standards ....... 13-15 Treadwear .......................................................... 13-15
Traction AA, A, B, C .......................................... 13-15
Temperature A, B, C ......................................... 13-16
Reporting safety defects (USA) ................... 13-17