2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX service indicator

2
How to use this owner’s manual „Using your Owner’s manual
Before you operate your vehicle, carefully read this
manual. To protect yourself and extend the service life
of your vehicle, follow the instructions in this manual.
Failure to observe these instructions may result in se-
rious injury and damage to your vehicle.
This manual is composed of fourteen chapters. Each
chapter begins with a brief table of contents, so you
can usually tell at a glance if that chapter contains the
information you want.
Chapter 1: Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
This chapter informs you how to use the seat and seat-
belt and contains precautions for the SRS airbags.
Chapter 2: Keys and doors
This chapter informs you how to operate the keys,
locks and windows.
Chapter 3: Instruments and controls
This chapter informs you about the operation of instru-
ment panel indicators and how to use the instruments
and other switches.
Chapter 4: Climate Control
This chapter informs you how to operate the climate
control.
Chapter 5: Audio This chapter informs you how to operate your audiosystem.
Chapter 6: Interior equipment
This chapter informs you how to operate interior
equipment.
Chapter 7: Starting and operating
This chapter informs you how to start and operate your SUBARU.
Chapter 8: Driving tips
This chapter informs you how to drive your SUBARU
in various conditions and explains some safety tips on
driving.
Chapter 9: In case of emergency
This chapter informs you what to do if you have a prob-
lem while driving, such as a flat tire or engine over-
heating.
Chapter 10: Appearance care
This chapter informs you how to keep your SUBARU
looking good.
Chapter 11: Maintenance and service
This chapter informs you when you need to take your
SUBARU to the dealer for scheduled maintenance
and informs you how to keep your SUBARU running
properly.
Chapter 12: Specifications
This chapter informs you about dimension and capac-
ities of your SUBARU.

1-74
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
y
Airbag control module (including impact sensors)
y Frontal airbag module (Driver’s side)
y Frontal airbag module (Passenger’s side)
y Side airbag sensor (Driver’s side – if equipped)
y Side airbag sensor (Passenger’s side – if equipped)
y Side airbag module (Driver’s side – if equipped)
y Side airbag module (Passenger’s side – if
equipped) y Seatbelt pretensioner (Driver’s side)
y Seatbelt pretensioner (Passenger’s side)
y All related wiring
If the warning light exhibits any of the following
conditions, there may be a malfunction in the
seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS airbag sys-
tem. Immediately take your vehicle to your
nearest SUBARU dealer to have the system
checked. Unless checked and properly re-
paired, the seatbelt pretensioners and/or SRS
airbag will not operate properly in the event of
a collision, which may increase the risk of inju-
ry. yFlashing or flickering of the indicator light
y No illumination of the warning light when the
ignition switch is first turned to the “ON” posi-tion y
Continuous illumination of the warning light
yIllumination of the warning light while driving
„ SRS airbag system servicing
yWhen discarding an airbag module or scrap-
ping the entire vehicle damaged by a collision,
consult your SUBARU dealer.y The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable
parts. Do not use electrical test equipment on
any circuit related to the SRS airbag system.
For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see
your nearest SUBARU dealer. Tampering with
or disconnecting the system’s wiring could re-
sult in accidental inflation of the SRS airbag or
could make the system inoperative, which may
result in serious injury. The wiring harnesses of
the SRS airbag system are covered with yellow
insulation and system connectors are yellow
for easy identification.

2-5
Keys and doors
– CONTINUED –
„Security indicator light
The security indicator light deters potential thieves by
indicating that the vehicle is equipped with an immobi-
lizer system. It begins flashing (approximately once
every three seconds) about 60 seconds after the igni-
tion switch is turned from the “ON” position to the
“ACC” or “LOCK” position or immediately after the key
is pulled out.
If the security indicator light does not flash, the immo-
bilizer system may be faulty. If this occurs, we recom-
mend that you contact your SUBARU dealer as soon
as possible.
In case an unauthorized key is used (e.g. an imitation
key), the security indicator light comes on.
NOTE
Even if the security indicator light flashes irregu-
larly or its fuse blows (the light does not flash if its
fuse is blown), the immobilizer system will func-
tion normally. „ Key replacement
Your key number and security ID will be required if you
ever need a replacement key made. Any new key
must be registered for use with your vehicle’s immobi-
lizer system before it can be used. Up to four keys can be registered for use with one vehicle.
For security, all the keys registered with your vehicle’s
immobilizer system will have their ID codes erased
and re-registered when a new key is made. Therefore,
all of your vehicle’s keys must be presented when a
new key is registered. Any key that is not re-registered
when a new key is made cannot be used after the oth-
er keys are re-registered. For information on replace-
ment keys and on the registration of keys with your im-
mobilizer system, we recommend that you contact
your SUBARU dealer.
NOTE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC
Rules and with RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Oper-
ation is subject to the following two conditions:
(1) This device may not cause harmful interfer-
ence, and (2) this device must accept any interfer-
ence received, including interference that may
cause undesired operation.
NO USER SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE.
DO NOT ATTEMPT TO MODIFIED THIS EQUIP-
MENT. IF MODIFIED, YOUR AUTHORITY TO OP-
ERATE THIS EQUIPMENT MIGHT BE VOIDED BY
FCC or Industry Canada.

7-3
Starting and operating
– CONTINUED –
impair driveability and fuel economy. TGasoline for California-certified LEV
Your vehicle was certified to California’s low emission
vehicle (LEV) standards as indicated on the under-
hood tune-up label. It is designed to optimize engine
and emission performance with gasoline that meets
the clean burning low-sulfur California gasoline speci-
fications. If you live in any other state than California,
your vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting Federal
specifications. Gasoline sold outside California is per-
mitted to have higher sulfur levels, which may affect
the performance of your vehicle’s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or smell.
SUBARU recommends that you try a different brand of
unleaded gasoline having lower sulfur to determine if
the problem is fuel related before returning your vehi-
cle to an authorized dealer for service. T MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-enhancing additive
called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tri-
carbonyl). If you use such fuels, your emission control
system performance may deteriorate and the CHECK
ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp may
turn on. If this happens, return to your authorized
SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is determined that the
condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty. T
Gasoline for cleaner air
Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help
prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel
system. This helps keep your engine in tune and your
emission control system working properly, and is a
way of doing your part for cleaner air. If you continu-
ously use a high quality fuel with the proper detergent
and other additives, you should never need to add any
fuel system cleaning agents to your fuel tank.
Many gasolines are now blended with materials called
oxygenates. Use of these fuels can also help keep the
air cleaner. Oxygenated blend fuels, such as MTBE
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl ether) or ethanol (ethyl or grain
alcohol) may be used in your vehicle, but should con-
tain no more than 15% MTBE or 10% ethanol for the
proper operation of your SUBARU.
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now produc-
ing reformulated gasolines, which are designed to re-
duce vehicle emissions. SUBARU approves the use of reformulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains, you should
ask your service station operators if their gasolines
contain detergents and oxygenates and if they have
been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.

7-8
Starting and operating
inspection program or its contractors or licens-
ees.
The EPA has issued regulations for inspecting the On-
Board Diagnostic (OBD) system as part of the state
emissions inspection. The OBD system is designed to
detect engine and transmission problems that might
cause vehicle emissions to exceed allowable limits.
These inspections apply to all 1996 model year and
newer passenger cars and light tracks. Several states
plus the District of Columbia have opted to start the
OBD system inspection prior to the required EPA reg-
ulation effective date of January 1, 2002. Other states
will add OBD system inspection in 2002. y The inspection of the OBD system consists of a vi-
sual operational check of the “ CHECK ENGINE” warn-
ing light/malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and an ex-
amination of the OBD system with an electronic scan
tool while the engine is running. y A vehicle passes
the OBD system inspection if
proper the “ CHECK ENGINE ” warning light/MIL illumi-
nation is observed, there is no stored diagnostic trou-
ble codes, and the OBD system readiness monitors
are complete. y A vehicle fails
the OBD inspection if the “ CHECK
ENGINE ” warning light/MIL is not properly operating or there is one or more diagnostic trouble codes stored
in vehicle’s computer with the “
CHECK ENGINE”
warning light/MIL illuminated. y A state emission inspection may reject (not pass or
fail) a vehicle if the number of OBD system readiness monitors “ Not Ready ” is greater than three. Under this
condition, the vehicle operator should be instructed to
drive his/her vehicle for a few days to set the monitors
and return for an emission re-inspection. y Owners of rejected or failing vehicles should contact
their Subaru Dealer for service.

11 - 2
Maintenance and service
Types of tires .................................................... 11-47
Tire inspection .................................................. 11-47
Tire pressures and wear .................................. 11-48
Wheel balance ................................................... 11-51
Wear indicators ................................................. 11-51
Tire rotation ....................................................... 11-52
Tire replacement ............................................... 11-53
Wheel replacement ........................................... 11-53
Aluminum wheels ......................................... 11-54
Intercooler water spray (WRX-STi) ............. 11-55
Windshield washer fluid .............................. 11-56
Replacement of wiper blades ...................... 11-57 Windshield wiper blades assembly ................ 11-57
Windshield wiper blade rubber ....................... 11-58
Rear window wiper blade assembly ............... 11-59
Rear window wiper blade rubber .................... 11-60
Battery ........................................................... 11-63
Fuses ............................................................. 11-65
Main fuse ....................................................... 11-68
Installation of accessories .......................... 11-68
Replacing bulbs ............................................ 11-69 Headlights (U.S.-spec. WRX-STi) .................... 11-70
Headlights (Except U.S.-spec. WRX-STi) ....... 11-71
Front turn signal light bulbs ............................ 11-73
Parking light ...................................................... 11-74
Front fog light ................................................... 11-78
Rear combination lights ................................... 11-78
License plate light ............................................ 11-81
Dome light, map light and cargo area light .... 11-81
Trunk light ......................................................... 11-82
High mount stop light ...................................... 11-83

11 -4 5
Maintenance and service
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Replacement of brake pad and lining
The right front disc brake and the right rear disc brake
have an audible wear indicators on the brake pads. If
the brake pads wear close to their service limit, the
wear indicator makes a very audible scraping noise
when the brake pedal is applied.
If you hear this scraping noise each time you apply the
brake pedal, have the brake pads serviced by your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
If you continue to drive despite the scraping
noise from the audible brake pad wear indica-
tor, it will result in the need for costly brake ro-
tor repair or replacement.
„ Breaking-in of new brake pads and lin- ings
When replacing the brake pad or lining, use only gen-
uine SUBARU parts. After replacement, the new parts
must be broken in as follows: T Brake pad and lining
While maintaining a speed of 30 to 40 mph (50 to 65
km/h), step on the brake pedal lightly. Repeat this five
or more times. T Parking brake lining
1. Drive the vehicle at a speed of about 22 mph (35 km/h).
2. With the parking brake release button pushed in,
pull the parking brake lever SLOWLY and GENTLY.
(Pulling with a force of approximately 33 lbs [147 N, 15kg].)
3. Drive the vehicle for about 220 yards (200 meters)
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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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