2006 SUBARU IMPREZA check engine

6
Carefully read the sections “Child restraint
systems ”, “*SRS airbag (Supplemental
Restraint System airbag) ”, and “Seatbelts ”
in chapter 1 of this owner ’s manual for in-
structions and precautions concerning the
child restraint system, seatbelt system
and SRS airbag system.
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon
monoxide)
Drinking and driving
Drunken driving is one of the most fre-
quent causes of accidents. Since alcohol
affects all people differently, you may
have consumed too much alcohol to drive
safely even if the level of alcohol in your
blood is below the legal limit. The safest
thing you can do is never drink and drive.
However if you have no choice but to
drive, stop drinking and sober up com-
pletely before getting behind the wheel.
Never inhale engine exhaust gas.
Engine exhaust gas contains car-
bon monoxide, a colorless and
odorless gas which is dangerous,
or even lethal, if inhaled.
Always properly maintain the en-
gine exhaust system to prevent
engine exhaust gas from entering
the vehicle.
Never run the engine in a closed
space, such as a garage, except
for the brief time needed to drive
the vehicle in or out of it.
Avoid remaining in a parked vehi-
cle for a lengthy time while the en-
gine is running. If that is unavoid-
able, then use the ventilation fan
to force fresh air into the vehicle.
Always keep the front ventilator
inlet grille free from snow, leaves
or other obstructions to ensure
that the ventilation system always
works properly.
If at any time you suspect that ex-
haust fumes are entering the vehi-
cle, have the problem checked
and corrected as soon as possi-
ble. If you must drive under these
conditions, drive only with all win-
dows fully open.
Keep the trunk lid or rear gate
closed while driving to prevent ex-
haust gas from entering the vehi-
cle.
Drinking and then driving is very
dangerous. Alcohol in the blood-
stream delays your reaction and im-
pairs your perception, judgment and
attentiveness. If you drive after
drinking – even if you drink just a lit-
tle – it will increase the risk of being
involved in a serious or fatal acci-
dent, injuring or killing yourself,
your passengers and others. In ad-
dition, if you are injured in the acci-
dent, alcohol may increase the se-
verity of that injury.
Please don ’t drink and drive.

8
driving. In a collision or sudden stop, unre-
strained pets or cages can be thrown
around inside the vehicle and hurt you or
your passengers. Besides, the pets can
be hurt under these situations. It is also for
their own safety that pets should be prop-
erly restrained in your vehicle. Restrain a
pet with a special traveling harness which
can be secured to the rear seat with a
seatbelt or use a pet carrier which can be
secured to the rear seat by routing a seat-
belt through the carrier’s handle. Never re-
strain pets or pet carriers in the front pas-
senger ’s seat. For further information,
consult your veterinarian, local animal
protection society or pet shop.
Tire pressures
Check and, if necessary, adjust the pres-
sure of each tire (including the spare) at
least once a month and before any long
journey.
Check the tire pressure when the tires are
cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjust the
tire pressures to the values shown on the
tire placard.
Refer to the “Tires and wheels ” section in
chapter 11 for detailed information.
California proposition 65
warning
Driving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to deform severely and to
rapidly become hot. A sharp in-
crease in temperature could cause
tread separation, and destruction of
the tires. The resulting loss of vehi-
cle control could lead to an acci-
dent.
Engine exhaust, some of its constit-
uents, and certain vehicle compo-
nents contain or emit chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and birth defects or
other reproductive harm. In addi-
tion, certain fluids in vehicles and
certain components of product wear
contain or emit chemicals known to
the State of California to cause can-
cer and birth defects or other repro-
ductive harm.

22
Warning and indicator light
Mark Name PageSeatbelt warning light 3-14
SRS airbag system
warning light 3-15
Passenger airbag ON
indicator light 3-15
Passenger airbag OFF
indicator light 3-15
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunc-
tion indicator lamp 3-16
Charge warning light 3-16
Oil pressure warning
light 3-16
AT OIL temperature
warning light (if
equipped) 3-17
or ABS warning light 3-17
or Brake system warning
light 3-18
ON or
OFF or
Door open warning
light
3-19
All-Wheel Drive warn-
ing light (if equipped) 3-19
Turn signal indicator
lights 3-20
High beam indicator
light 3-20
Security indicator light
(if equipped) 2-3,
2-13
Intercooler water
spray warning light (if
equipped) 3-19
Light indicator light (if
equipped) 3-21
Cruise control indica-
tor light (if equipped) 3-20
Cruise control set indi-
cator light 3-20
REV indicator light (if
equipped) 3-21
Rear differential oil
temperature warning
light (if equipped) 3-17
Mark Name PageElectronic driver
’s con-
trol center differential
auto indicator (if
equipped) 3-20
Driver ’s control center
differential indicator
light (if equipped) 3-21
Driver ’s control center
differential indicator
and warning lights (if
equipped) 3-21
Mark Name Page

3
Instruments and controls
Ignition switch .................................................... 3-3
LOCK .............................................. ......................... 3-3
ACC ............................................... ........................... 3-4
ON ................................................ ............................ 3-4
START ............................................. ......................... 3-4
Key reminder chime ................................ ............... 3-5
Ignition switch light ............................. ................... 3-5
Key interlock release (AT vehicles only) .......... .... 3-5
Hazard warning flasher ............................ .......... 3-6
Meters and gauges (WRX-STI) ....................... ... 3-6
Combination meter illumination .................... ........ 3-6
Cancelling sequential illumination of the combination meter ................................. .............. 3-6
Speedometer ....................................... .................... 3-6
Odometer/Trip meter ............................... ............... 3-7
Tachometer ........................................ ..................... 3-7
Fuel gauge ........................................ ....................... 3-8
Temperature gauge ................................. ............... 3-8
Outside temperature indicator ..................... ......... 3-9
REV indicator light and buzzer (WRX-STI) ....... 3-9 Setting the alarm-level engine speed .............. ..... 3-10
Deactivating the REV alarm system ................. ..... 3-11
Meters and gauges (Except WRX-STI) ............. 3-1 1
Speedometer ....................................... .................... 3-11
Odometer/Trip meter ............................... ............... 3-11
Tachometer ........................................ ..................... 3-12
Fuel gauge ........................................ ....................... 3-12
Temperature gauge ................................. ............... 3-13
Outside temperature indicator ..................... ......... 3-13Warning and indicator lights ......................
....... 3-14
Seatbelt warning light and chime .................. ........ 3-14
SRS airbag system warning light ................... ....... 3-15
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ........................................ ...................... 3-15
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp .................................... ................... 3-16
Charge warning light .............................. ................ 3-16
Oil pressure warning light ........................ ............. 3-16
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light (AT vehicles) ..................................... .................... 3-17
Rear differential oil temperature warning light (WRX-STI) ......................................... ..................... 3-17
ABS warning light ................................. .................. 3-17
Brake system warning light ........................ ........... 3-18
Door open warning light ........................... ............. 3-19
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AWD AT vehicles
– if equipped) ..................................... ................... 3-19
Intercooler water spray warning light (WRX-STI) ......................................... ..................... 3-19
Selector lever position indicator (AT vehicles) ... . 3-20
Turn signal indicator lights ...................... .............. 3-20
High beam indicator light ......................... .............. 3-20
Cruise control indicator light .................... ............. 3-20
Cruise control set indicator light ................ .......... 3-20
Driver ’s control center differential auto indicator
light (WRX-STI) ................................... .................. 3-20
Driver ’s control center differential indicator and
warning lights (WRX-STI) .......................... .......... 3-21
Headlight indicator light (WRX-STI) ............... ....... 3-21
REV indicator light (WRX-STI) ..................... .......... 3-21

3-14 Instruments and controls
Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
come on momentarily and then go out
when the ignition switch is initially turned
to the “ON ” position. This permits check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the igni-
tion switch to the “ON ” position. The fol-
lowing lights come on:
Seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON in-
dicator light
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag OFF
indicator light
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal-
function indicator lamp
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
AT OIL temperature warning light (AT
vehicles)
ABS warning light
Brake system warning light
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehi-
cles)
Cruise control indicator light (if
equipped)
Cruise control set indicator light (if
equipped)
If any lights fail to come on, it indicates a burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the
corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair.
Seatbelt warning light
and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver
’s seat, as re-
quired by current safety standards. There
is a seatbelt warning light in the combina-
tion meter.
If the driver has not yet fastened the seat-
belt when the ignition switch is turned to
the “ON ” position, the seatbelt warning
light will flash for 6 seconds, to warn that
the seatbelt is unfastened. If the driver ’s
seatbelt is not fastened, a chime will also
sound simultaneously.
If the driver ’s seatbelt is still not fastened
6 seconds later, the warning light will re-
main lit for 15 seconds. If the driver ’s seat-
belt is still not fastened even 15 seconds
later (21 seconds after turning ON the ig-
nition switch), the warning lights will alter-
nate between flashing and steady illumi-
nation at 15-second intervals, and the
chime will sound while the warning light is
flashing.
Alternate flashing and steady illumination
of the warning lights and sounding of the chime will continue until the driver fastens
the seatbelt.
NOTE
If the driver unfastens the seatbelt af-
ter fastening, the seatbelt warning de-
vice operates as follows according to
the vehicle speed.
At speeds lower than approximate-
ly 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals. The
chime will not sound.
At speeds higher than approxi-
mately 9 mph (15 km/h)
The warning light will alternate be-
tween flashing and steady illumina-
tion at 15-second intervals and the
chime will sound while the warning
light is flashing.
It is possible to cancel the warning
operation that follows the 6-second
warning after turning ON the ignition
switch by unfastening and refastening
the driver ’s seatbelt. When the ignition
switch is turned ON next time, howev-
er, the complete sequence of the warn-
ing operation resumes. For further de-
tails about canceling the warning oper-
ation, please contact your SUBARU
dealer.

3-16 Instruments and controls
CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction in-
dicator lamp
If this light comes on steadily or blinks
while the engine is running, it may indicate
that there is a problem or potential prob-
lem somewhere in the emission control
system.
If the light comes on steadily:
If the light comes on steadily while driving
or does not go out after the engine starts,
an emission control system malfunction
has been detected.
You should have your vehicle checked by
an authorized SUBARU dealer immedi-
ately.
NOTE
This light also comes on when the fuel
filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle,
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator lamp coming on
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light turn off immediately. It may
take several driving trips. If the light does
not go out, take your vehicle to your au-
thorized SUBARU dealer immediately.
If the light is blinking:
If the light is blinking while driving, an en-
gine misfire condition has been detected
which may damage the emission control
system.
To prevent serious damage to the emis-
sion control system, you should do the fol-
lowing.
Reduce vehicle speed.
Avoid hard acceleration.
Avoid steep uphill grades.
Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.
Stop towing a trailer as soon as pos-
sible. The CHECK ENGINE warning light may
stop blinking and come on steadily after
several driving trips. You should have
your vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately.
Charge warning light
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good con-
dition but the light remains on, contact
your nearest SUBARU dealer immediate-
ly.
Oil pressure warning
light
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the engine oil
pressure is low and the lubricating system
is not working properly.
If the light comes on while driving or does
not go out after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the engine oil level. If the oil level is
low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil
If the CHECK ENGINE light comes
on while you are driving, have your
vehicle checked/repaired by your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-
ble. Continued vehicle operation
without having the emission control
system checked and repaired as
necessary could cause serious
damage, which may not be covered
by your vehicle
’s warranty.

3-18 Instruments and controls
With a vehicle equipped with an EBD sys-
tem, the ABS warning light comes on to-
gether with the brake system warning light
if the EBD system becomes faulty. For fur-
ther details of the EBD system fault warn-
ing, refer to “Brake system warning light ”.
NOTE
If the warning light behavior is as de-
scribed in the following, the ABS sys-
tem may be considered normal.
The warning light comes on right af-
ter the engine is started but goes out
immediately, remaining off.
The warning light remains on after the engine has been started, but it goes
out when the vehicle speed reaches
approximately 8 mph (12 km/h).
The warning light comes on during
driving, but it goes out immediately
and remains off.
When driving with an insufficient battery
voltage such as when the engine is jump
started, the ABS warning light may come
on. This is due to the low battery voltage
and does not indicate a malfunction.
When the battery becomes fully charged,
the light will go out.
Brake system
warning light
This light has the following three func-
tions:
Parking brake warning
The light comes on with the parking brake
applied while the ignition switch is in the “ ON ” position. It goes out when the park-
ing brake is fully released.
Brake fluid level warning
This light comes on when the brake fluid
level has dropped to near the “MIN ” level
of the brake fluid reservoir with the ignition
switch in the “ON ” position and with the
parking brake fully released.
If the brake system warning light should
come on while driving (with the parking
brake fully released and with the ignition
switch positioned in “ON ”), it could be an
indication of leaking of brake fluid or worn
brake pads. If this occurs, immediately
stop the vehicle at the nearest safe place
and check the brake fluid level. If the fluid
level is below the “MIN ” mark in the reser-
voir, do not drive the vehicle. Have the ve-
hicle towed to the nearest SUBARU deal-
er for repair.
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
(EBD) system warning (vehicles
with ABS)
The brake system warning light also illu-
The warning light does not come
on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON ” position.
The warning light comes on when
the ignition switch is turned to the “ON ” position, but it does not go
out even when the vehicle speed
exceeds approximately 8 mph (12
km/h).
The warning light comes on dur-
ing driving.
If any of these conditions occur,
have the ABS system repaired at the
first available opportunity by your
SUBARU dealer.
Driving with the brake system
warning light on is dangerous.
This indicates your brake system
may not be working properly. If
the light remains on, have the
brakes inspected by a SUBARU
dealer immediately.
If at all in doubt about whether the
brakes are operating properly, do
not drive the vehicle. Have your
vehicle towed to the nearest
SUBARU dealer for repair.
(U.S.)
(Canada)

Instruments and controls 3-19
– CONTINUED –
minates if a malfunction occurs in the EBD
system. In that event, it comes on together
with the ABS warning light.
The EBD system may be malfunctioning if
the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously
during driving.
Even if the EBD system fails, the conven-
tional braking system will still function.
However, the rear wheels will be more
prone to locking when the brakes are ap-
plied harder than usual and the vehicle
’s
motion may therefore become somewhat
harder to control.
If the brake system warning light and ABS
warning light illuminate simultaneously,
take the following steps:
1. Stop the vehicle in the nearest safe, flat
place.
2. Shut down the engine, then restart it.
3. Release the parking brake. If both
warning lights go out, the EBD system
may be faulty. Drive carefully to the near-
est SUBARU dealer and have the system
inspected.
4. If both warning lights come on again
and stay illuminated after the engine has
been restarted, shut down the engine
again, apply the parking brake, and check
the brake fluid level.
5. If the brake fluid level is not below the “ MIN ” mark, the EBD system may be faulty. Drive carefully to the nearest
SUBARU dealer and have the system in-
spected.
6. If the brake fluid level is below the“
MIN ” mark, DO NOT drive the vehicle. In-
stead, have the vehicle towed to the near-
est SUBARU dealer for repair.
Door open warning light
The door open warning light comes on if
any door or the rear gate is not fully
closed.
Always make sure this light is out before
you start to drive.
All-Wheel Drive warn-
ing light (AWD AT vehi-
cles – if equipped)
The All-Wheel Drive warning light comes
on when the ignition switch is turned to the “ON ” position and goes out after approxi-
mately two seconds.
This light comes on when All-Wheel Drive
is disengaged and the drive mechanism is
switched to Front Wheel Drive for mainte-
nance or similar purposes (Non-turbo ve-
hicles).
It flashes if the vehicle is driven with tires
of differing diameters fitted on the wheels
or with an excessively low air pressure in any of the tires.
Intercooler water
spray warning light
(WRX-STI)
This light comes on when the water level
in the intercooler water spray tank falls to
the lower limit (approximately 0.4 US qt,
0.4 liter, 0.4 Imp qt).
Continuing to drive with the AWD
warning light flashing can damage
the powertrain. If the AWD warning
light starts to flash, promptly park in
a safe place and check whether the
tires have differing diameters and
whether any of the tires has an ex-
cessively low inflation pressure.