2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Owners Manual

9-22
In case of emergency
Rear gate – if the rear gate cannot be
unlocked
In the event that you cannot unlock the rear gate by
operating the power door locking switches or the re-
mote keyless entry system, you can unlock it from in-
side the cargo area.
0
1. Remove the access cover at the bottom-center of
the rear gate trim.
2. Locate the rear gate lock release lever behind the
rear gate trim panel.
3. Unlock the rear gate by pressing the lever inside
the trim to the left.
4. Open the rear gate from outside by raising the rear
gate handle.
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9-23
In case of emergency
– CONTINUED –
Moonroof – if the moonroof cannot be
closed
If the moonroof cannot be closed with the moonroof
switch, you can close the moonroof manually.
1. Take out the hex-headed wrench from the glove
compartment and screwdriver from the tool bag.
2. Remove the map light lens by prying the edge of
the lens using a flat-bladed screwdriver.
3. Remove the two screws that retain the moonroof
switch body. Then, remove the moonroof switch. 4. Insert the wrench in the end of the motor shaft.
To lower the moonroof, turn the wrench clockwise.
To close the moonroof, turn the wrench counterclock-wise.
Have your vehicle checked and repaired by an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer.
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9-24
In case of emergency
Maintenance tools
Your vehicle is equipped with the following mainte-
nance tools:
Screwdriver
Towing hook (eye bolt)
Wheel nut wrench
Hex-headed wrench (vehicles with moonroof) „
Jack and jack handle
The jack is stored on the left side of the trunk or cargo
area.
To take out the jack, turn the jackscrew counterclock-
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9-25
In case of emergency
– CONTINUED –
wise to loosen it, then remove the jack.
Sedan
1) Jack
2) Jack handle
3) Spare tire Wagon
1) Jack
2) Jack handle
3) Spare tire
The jack handle is stored under the spare tire cover.
For how to use the jack, refer to “Flat tires”.
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2 3
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3
1
2
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10-1
10
Appearance care
Exterior care .................................................. 10-2 Washing ............................................................. 10-2
Waxing and polishing ....................................... 10-3
Cleaning aluminum wheels .............................. 10-3
Corrosion protection .................................... 10-4 Most common causes of corrosion ................ 10-4
To help prevent corrosion ............................... 10-5
Cleaning the interior ..................................... 10-6 Seat fabric ......................................................... 10-6
Leather seat materials ...................................... 10-6
Synthetic leather upholstery ........................... 10-6
Climate control panel, audio panel, instrument panel, console panel, and switches ............. 10-7

10-2
Appearance care
Appearance careExterior care „
Washing
The best way to preserve your vehicle’s beauty is fre-
quent washing. Wash the vehicle at least once a
month to avoid contamination by road grime.
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty of luke-
warm or cold water. Do not wash the vehicle with hot
water and in direct sunlight.
Salt, chemicals, insects, tar, soot and bird droppings
should be washed off by using a light detergent, as re-
quired. If you use a light detergent, make certain that
it is a neutral detergent. Do not use strong soap or
chemical detergents. All cleaning agents should be
promptly flushed from the surface and not allowed to
dry there. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of
lukewarm water. Wipe the remaining water off with a
chamois or soft cloth.
NOTE
When having your vehicle washed in an automatic
car wash, make sure beforehand that the car wash
is of suitable type. Automatic car wash brushes or
other equipment may damage the rear wiper and
rear/roof spoiler (if equipped).
y When washing the vehicle, the brakes may
get wet. As a result, the brake stopping dis-
tance will be longer. To dry the brakes, drive the
vehicle at a safe speed while lightly pressing
the brake pedal to heat up the brakes. y Do not wash the engine compartment and
area adjacent to it. If water enters the engine air
intake, electrical parts or the power steering flu-
id reservoir, it will cause engine trouble or
faulty power steering respectively.
T Washing the underbody
Chemicals, salts and gravel used for deicing road sur-
faces are extremely corrosive, accelerating the corro-
sion of underbody components, such as the exhaust
system, fuel and brake lines, brake cables, floor pan
and fenders, and suspension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and inside of the
fenders with lukewarm or cold water at frequent inter-
vals to reduce the harmful effects of such agents.
Mud and sand adhering to the underbody components may accelerate their corrosion.
After driving off-road or on muddy or sandy roads,
wash the mud and sand off the underbody. Carefully

10-3
Appearance care
– CONTINUED –
flush the suspension and axle parts, as they are par-
ticularly prone to mud and sand buildup. Do not use a
sharp-edged tool to remove caked mud.
NOTE
Be careful not to damage brake hoses, sensor har-
nesses, and other parts when washing suspen-
sion components. TUsing a warm water washer
y Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm) or more be-
tween the washer nozzle and the vehicle. y Do not wash the same area continuously.
y If a stain will not come out easily, wash by hand.
Some warm water washers are of the high tempera-
ture, high pressure type, and they can damage or de-
form the resin parts such as mouldings, or cause wa-
ter to leak into the vehicle. „ Waxing and polishing
Always wash and dry the vehicle before waxing and
polishing.
Use a good quality polish and wax and apply them ac-
cording to the manufacturer’s instructions. Wax or pol-
ish when the painted surface is cool.
Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim, as well as
the painted surfaces. Loss of wax on a painted surface leads to loss of the original luster and also quickens
the deterioration of the surface. It is recommended
that a coat of wax be applied at least once a month, or
whenever the surface no longer repels water.
If the appearance of the paint has diminished to the
point where the luster or tone cannot be restored,
lightly polish the surface with a fine-grained com-
pound. Never polish just the affected area, but include
the surrounding area as well. Always polish in only
one direction. A No. 2000 grain compound is recom-
mended. Never use a coarse-grained compound.
Coarser grained compounds have a smaller grain-size
number and could damage the paint. After polishing
with a compound, coat with wax to restore the original
luster. Frequent polishing with a compound or an in-
correct polishing technique will result in removing the
paint layer and exposing the undercoat. When in
doubt, it is always best to contact your SUBARU deal-
er or an auto paint specialist.
NOTE
Be careful not to block the windshield washer noz-
zles with wax when waxing the vehicle. „
Cleaning aluminum wheels
y Promptly wipe the aluminum wheels clean of any
kind of grime or agent. If dirt is left on too long, it may