2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Owners Manual

11 - 4
Maintenance and service
the materials in the vehicle may be hazardous if
improperly used or handled, for example, bat-tery acid. y
Your vehicle should only be serviced by per-
sons fully competent to do so. Serious person-
al injury may result to persons not experienced
in servicing vehicles. y Always use the proper tools and make certain
that they are well maintained. y Never get under the vehicle supported only
by a jack. Always use a safety stands to sup-
port the vehicle. y Never keep the engine running in a poorly
ventilated area, such as a garage or other
closed areas. y Do not smoke or allow open flames around
the fuel or battery. This will cause a fire. y Because the fuel system is under pressure,
replacement of the fuel filter should be per-
formed only by your SUBARU dealer.y Wear adequate eye protection to guard
against getting oil or fluids in your eyes. If
something does get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water. y Do not tamper with the wiring of the SRS air-
bag system or seatbelt pretensioner system, or
attempt to take its connectors apart, as that may activate the system or it can render it inop-
erative. The wiring and connectors of these
systems are yellow for easy identification. NEV-
ER use a circuit tester for these wiring.
If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pretensioner
needs service, consult your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
„ Before checking or servicing in the en-
gine compartment
yAlways stop the engine and set the parking
brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. y Always let the engine cool down. Engine
parts become very hot when the engine is run-
ning and remain hot for some time after the en-
gine is stopped.y Do not spill engine oil, engine coolant, brake
fluid or any other fluid on hot engine compo-
nents. This may cause a fire.y Always remove the key from the ignition
switch. When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, the cooling fan may operate suddenly

11 - 5
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
even when the engine is stopped.
„ When you do checking or servicing in
the engine compartment while the en-
gine is running
A running engine can be dangerous. Keep your
fingers, hands, clothing, hair and tools away
from the cooling fan, belts and any other mov-
ing engine parts. Removing rings, watches and
ties is advisable.
Engine hood
0
To open the hood:
1. If the wiper blades are lifted off the windshield, re-
turn them to their original positions.
2. Pull the hood release knob under the instrument
panel.
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11 - 6
Maintenance and service
3. Release the secondary hood release located under
the front grille by moving the lever toward the left.
Lift up the hood, release the hood prop from its retain-
er and put the end of the hood prop into the slot in the
hood.
To close the hood:
All models except WRX and WRX-STi:
1. Lift the hood slightly and remove the hood prop
from the slot in the hood and return the prop to its re-
tainer.
2. Lower the hood until it approaches about
5.9 in (15
cm) from the closed position and let it drop.
WRX and WRX-STi:
1. Lift the hood slightly and remove the hood prop
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11 - 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
from the slot in the hood and return the prop to its re-
tainer.
2. Lower the hood until it approaches about 12 in (30
cm) from the closed position and let it drop.
After closing the hood, be sure the hood is securely
locked.
If this does not close the hood, release it from a slightly
higher position. Do not push the hood forcibly to close
it. It could deform the metal.
Always check that the hood is properly locked
before you start driving. If it is not, it might fly
open while the vehicle is moving and block
your view, which may cause an accident and
serious bodily injury.

11 - 8
Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview „
2.5-liter non-turbo models
13 12 11 10 9 8 23
5
46
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1) Air cleaner element (page 11-
24)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-30) or Dif-
ferential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-35)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-
41)
4) Automatic transmission fluid lev- el gauge (page 11-32)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11- 40)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-56)
7) Fuse box (page 11-65)
8) Battery (page 11-63)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-19)
10) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-11)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11- 11)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-19)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-38)

11 - 9
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
„2.0-liter turbo models
34 5 6 7
1
2
13 12 11 10 9 8
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1) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-30) or Dif-
ferential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-35)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11- 24)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-
41)
4) Automatic transmission fluid lev- el gauge (page 11-32)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11- 40)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-56)
7) Fuse box (page 11-65)
8) Battery (page 11-63)
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 11-38)

11 - 1 0
Maintenance and service „
2.5-liter turbo models
34 5 6
7
1
2
12 11 10 9 8
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1) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-30)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11- 24)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11- 41)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-
40)
5) Windshield washer tank (page 11-56)
6) Fuse box (page 11-65)
7) Battery (page 11-63)
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 11-38)

11-11
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Engine oil „Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuel stop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it
again.
3. Be sure the dipstick is correctly inserted until it
stops with the graphic symbol on its top appear-
ing as shown in the illustration. 2.5-liter turbo models
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level
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1 2
3
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