2005 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX sport mode

7-16
Starting and operating
T
Maximum allowable speeds
The following table shows the maximum speeds that
are possible with each different gear.
Never exceed the speed limit below for each gear po-
sition except for brief acceleration in an emergency.
The tachometer’s needle (if so equipped) will enter the
red area if these speeds are exceeded. Failure to ob-
serve this precaution can lead to excessive engine
wear and poor fuel economy. 2.5-liter non-turbo models
mph (km/h)
2.0-liter turbo models mph (km/h)
When shifting down a gear, ensure that the ve-
hicle is not travelling at a speed exceeding the
Maximum Allowable Speed for the gear which
is about to be selected. Failure to observe this
precaution can lead to engine over-revving and
this in turn can result in engine damage.
Shift up mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (65)4th to 5th 45 (73)
RS sport package RS, OUTBACK
1st 29 (46) 28 (45)
2nd 48 (77) 47 (75)
3rd 68 (110) 66 (106)
WRX
1st 35 (56)
2nd 61 (98) 3rd 87 (140)

8-1
8
Driving tips
New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) ................ 8-2
Fuel economy hints ...................................... 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .... 8-3
Catalytic converter ....................................... 8-4
Periodic inspections .................................... 8-6
Driving in foreign countries ......................... 8-6
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ..................... 8-7
Off road driving ............................................ 8-8 All AWD models except OUTBACK SPORT and vehicles with 17 inch tires ..................... 8-9
OUTBACK SPORT ............................................. 8-9
Winter driving ............................................... 8-11 Operation during cold weather ........................ 8-11
Driving on snowy and icy roads ...................... 8-13
Corrosion protection ........................................ 8-14
Snow tires .......................................................... 8-14
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-16
Rocking the vehicle .......................................... 8-16
Loading your vehicle ................................... 8-17 Vehicle capacity weight .................................... 8-19
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........ 8-19
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) ............... 8-20
Trailer hitch (if equipped) ............................ 8-25 Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-25
When you do not tow a trailer .......................... 8-28
Trailer towing ................................................ 8-29 Warranties and maintenance ........................... 8-29 Maximum load limits ........................................ 8-29
Trailer hitches ................................................... 8-34
Connecting a trailer .......................................... 8-35
Trailer towing tips ............................................. 8-37

8-9
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
„All AWD models except OUTBACK
SPORT and vehicles with 17 inch tires
Your AWD vehicle is neither a conventional off-road
vehicle nor an all terrain vehicle. It is a passenger ve-
hicle designed primarily for on-road use. The AWD
feature gives it some limited off-road capabilities in sit-
uations in which driving surfaces are relatively level,
obstruction-free and otherwise similar to on-road driv-
ing conditions. Operating it under other than those
conditions could subject the vehicle to excessive
stress which might result in damage not eligible for re-
pair under warranty. If you do take your SUBARU off
road, you should review the common sense precau-
tions in the next section (applicable to the OUTBACK
SPORT) for general guidance. But please keep in
mind that your vehicle’s off-road capabilities are more
limited than those of the OUTBACK SPORT.
Never attempt to drive through pools and puddles, or
roads flooded with water. Water entering the engine
air intake or the exhaust pipe or water splashing onto
electrical parts may damage your vehicle and may
cause it to stall. „ OUTBACK SPORT
Your Subaru can be driven on ordinary roads or off-
road. But please keep in mind that an AWD SUBARU is a passenger vehicle and is neither a conventional
off-road vehicle nor an all-terrain vehicle. If you do
take your Subaru off-road, certain common sense pre-
cautions such as the following should be taken: y
Make certain that you and all of your passengers
are wearing seatbelts. y Carry some emergency equipment, such as a tow-
ing rope or chain, a shovel, wheel blocks, first aid kit
and cell phone or citizens band radio. y Drive carefully. Do not take unnecessary risks by
driving in dangerous areas or over rough terrain. y Slow down and employ extra caution at all times.
When driving off-road, you will not have the benefit of
marked traffic lanes, banked curves, traffic signs and
the like. y Do not drive across steep slopes. Instead, drive ei-
ther straight up or straight down the slopes. A vehicle
can much more easily tip over sideways than it can
end over end. Avoid driving straight up or down slopes
that are too steep.y Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, especially at higher
speeds. y Do not grip the inside or spokes of the steering
wheel. A bad bump could jerk the wheel and injure
your hands. Instead drive with your fingers and
thumbs on the outside of the rim.y If driving through water, such as when crossing

GAS STATION REFERENCE
Fuel: T2.5-liter non-turbo models
Use only unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI
or higher. T 2.0-liter turbo models
Use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91
AKI or higher. If premium unleaded gasoline is not avail-
able, regular unleaded gasoline with octane rating of 87
AKI or higher may be temporarily used. For optimum en-
gine performance and driveability, it is required that you
use premium grade unleaded gasoline. T 2.5-liter turbo models
Use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 93
AKI or higher. If premium unleaded gasoline with an octane
rating of 93 AKI is not available, premium unleaded gaso-
line with octane rating of 91 AKI or higher may be tempo-
rarily used. For optimum engine performance and driveabil- ity, it is required that you use premium grade unleaded gas-
oline with an octane rating of 93 AKI or higher. „
Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the Research Octane
and Motor Octane numbers and is commonly referred to as
the Anti Knock Index (AKI). Refer to “ Fuel” section in this
manual. Fuel capacity:
15.9 US gal (60 liters, 13.2 Imp gal) Engine oil:
Use only API classification SL with the words “ENERGY
CONSERVING” and the New API certification mark (star-
burst mark) displayed on the container. Engine oil capacity:
4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
Cold tire pressure:
*1: The recommended cold tire pressure for the 215/45R17 87W tire is not indicated on the vehicle placard attached to the
driver’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
)