2006 SUBARU IMPREZA tow bar

Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags 1-39
– CONTINUED –
Subaru advanced frontal air-
bag system
Your vehicle is equipped with a Subaru
advanced frontal airbag system that com-
plies with the new advanced frontal airbag
requirements in the amended Federal Mo-
tor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No.
208.
The Subaru advanced frontal airbag sys-
tem automatically determines the deploy-
ment force of the driver ’s SRS frontal air-
bag at the time of deployment as well as
whether or not to activate the front pas-
senger ’s SRS frontal airbag and, if activat-
ed, the deployment force of the SRS fron-
tal airbag at the time of deployment.
Your vehicle has warning labels on the
driver ’s and front passenger ’s sun visors
beginning with the phrase “EVEN WITH
ADVANCED AIR BAGS ” and a tag at-
tached to the glove box lid beginning with
the phrase “Even with Advanced Air
Bags ”. Make sure that you carefully read
the instructions on the warning labels and
tag.
Always wear your seatbelt. The subaru
advanced frontal airbag system is a sup-
plemental restraint system and must be
used in combination with a seatbelt. All
occupants should wear a seatbelt or be
seated in an appropriate child restraint
system. The driver
’s SRS frontal airbag is stowed
in the center portion of the steering wheel.
The front passenger ’s SRS frontal airbag
is stowed near the top of the dashboard
under an “SRS AIRBAG ” mark.
In a moderate to severe frontal collision,
the driver ’s and front passenger ’s SRS
frontal airbags deploy and supplement the
seatbelts by reducing the impact on the
driver ’s and front passenger ’s head and
chest.
100608
NEVER INSTALL A REARWARD
FACING CHILD SEAT IN THE FRONT
SEAT. DOING SO RISKS SERIOUS
INJURY OR DEATH TO THE CHILD
BY PLACING THE CHILD ’S HEAD
TOO CLOSE TO THE SRS AIRBAG.
Never allow a child to stand up, or to
kneel on the front passenger ’s seat.
The SRS airbag deploys with con-
siderable force and can injure or
even kill the child.
100126

2-4 Keys and doors
begins flashing (approximately once every
three seconds) approximately 60 seconds
after the ignition switch is turned from the“ON ” position to the “ACC ” or “LOCK ” po-
sition or immediately after the key is pulled
out.
If the security indicator light does not
flash, the immobilizer system may be
faulty. If this occurs, we recommend 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 irregularly or its fuse blows
(the light does not flash if its fuse is
blown), the immobilizer system will
function 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 regis-
tered for use with your vehicle ’s immobiliz-
er 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-regis-
tered when a new key is made. Therefore,
all of your vehicle ’s keys must be present-
ed when a new key is registered. Any key
that is not re-registered when a new key is
made cannot be used after the other keys
are re-registered. For information on re-
placement keys and on the registration of
keys with your immobilizer system, con-
tact your SUBARU dealer.
Door locks
Locking and unlocking from
the outside
1) Lock
2) Unlock
To lock the driver ’s door from the outside
with the key, turn the key toward the rear.
To unlock the door, turn the key toward
the front.
Pull the outside door handle to open an
unlocked door.
2
1
200804

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.

6
Interior equipment
Interior light ........................................................ 6-2
Dome light ........................................ ....................... 6-2
Cargo area light (if equipped) .................... ............ 6-2
Map light (if equipped) ........................... ............ 6-2
Sun visors ........................................ ................... 6-3
Vanity mirror (if equipped) ....................... .............. 6-3
Storage compartments .............................. ........ 6-4
Glove box ......................................... ....................... 6-4
Center console .................................... .................... 6-4
Coin tray ......................................... ......................... 6-4
Cup holder ........................................ .................. 6-5
Front passenger ’s cup holder ............................... 6-5
Rear passenger ’s cup holder ................................ 6-5
Accessory power outlet (if equipped) .............. 6-5
Cigarette lighter socket .......................... ........... 6-6
Use with a cigarette lighter ...................... .............. 6-7
Using as an accessory power outlet ................ ..... 6-7
Ashtray ........................................... ..................... 6-8
Floor mat (if equipped) ........................... ........... 6-9
Coat hook ......................................... ................... 6-9
Cargo area cover (Wagon – if equipped) ......... 6-10
Using the cover ................................... .................... 6-10
To remove the cover ............................... ............... 6-10
Stowage of the cover .............................. ............... 6-10
To install the cover housing ...................... ............ 6-11
Cargo tie-down hooks (Wagon – if equipped) .................................... 6 -11Cargo area bars ...................................
............... 6-12
Under-floor storage compartment (if equipped) ..................................... ................ 6-12

7-24 Starting and operating
Electronic Brake Force Dis-
tribution (EBD) system
The EBD system maximizes the effective-
ness of the brakes by allowing the rear
brakes to supply a greater proportion of
the braking force. It functions by adjusting
the distribution of braking force to the rear
wheels in accordance with the vehicle ’s
loading condition and speed.
The EBD system is an integral part of the
ABS system and uses some of the ABS
system ’s components to perform its func-
tion of optimizing the distribution of brak-
ing force. If any of the ABS components
used by the EBD function fails, the EBD
system also stops working.
When the EBD system is operating, you
may hear a chattering noise or feel a slight
vibration in the brake pedal. This is normal
and does not indicate a malfunction.
Steps to take if EBD system
fails
If a malfunction occurs in the EBD system,
the system stops working and the brake
system warning light and ABS warning
light come on simultaneously.
The EBD system may be faulty if the brake
system warning light and ABS warning
light illuminate simultaneously during driv-
ing.
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.
700360

Starting and operating 7-25
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Parking your vehicle
Parking brake
To set the parking brake, press the brake
pedal firmly and hold it down while fully
pulling up the parking brake lever.
To release the parking brake, pull the le-
ver up slightly, press the release button,
then lower the lever while keeping the but-
ton pressed.
When the parking brake is set while the
engine is running, the parking brake warn-
ing light comes on. After starting the vehi-
cle, be sure that the warning light has
gone out before the vehicle is driven. Re-
fer to the “Warning and indicator lights ”
section (chapter 3).
Parking tips
When parking your vehicle, always set the
parking brake firmly and put the shift lever
in the “1 ” (1st) for an upgrade or “R ” (Re-
verse) for a downgrade for manual trans-
mission vehicles, or in the “P ” (Park) posi-
tion for automatic transmission vehicles.
Always set the parking brake firmly when
parking your vehicle. Never rely on the
transmission alone to hold the vehicle.
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.
700336
Never drive while the parking brake
is set because this will cause unnec-
essary wear on the brake linings.
Before starting to drive, always
make sure that the parking brake
has been fully released.