2006 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Owners Manual

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.

Instruments and controls 3-17
– CONTINUED –
is at the proper level but the light remains
on, contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
immediately.
AT OIL TEMPerature
warning light (AT vehi-
cles)
The AT oil temperature warning light
comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the
“ON ” position and goes out
after approximately two seconds.
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the automatic
transmission fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light comes on while driving, it is un-
necessary to stop the vehicle, but avoid
driving up steep grades or in stop and go
traffic.
Automatic transmission control
system warning
If the light flashes after the engine starts,
it may indicate that the automatic trans-
mission control system is not working
properly. Contact your nearest SUBARU dealer for service immediately.
Rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light
(WRX-STI)
If this light comes on when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the rear differ-
ential oil temperature is too hot.
At this time, the driver
’s control center dif-
ferential will automatically cancel the cur-
rent torque-distribution ratio setting and
adopts its minimum ratio.
If the light comes on while driving, reduce
vehicle speed and stop the vehicle at the
nearest safe place.
Park the vehicle for several minutes. After
the light goes out, you can start driving.
If the light does not go out, contact the
nearest SUBARU dealer for service.
NOTE
If the tire pressures are not correct
and/or the tires are not all the same
size and brand, the rear differential will
be heavily loaded when the vehicle is
driven, resulting in an abnormally high
oil temperature.
The rear differential oil will deterio-
rate if its temperature increases
enough for the rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light to come on. It is
advisable to have the rear differential
oil replaced as soon as possible.
ABS warning light
The ABS warning light comes on when the
ignition switch is turned to the “ON ” posi-
tion and goes out after approximately two
seconds.
This is an indication that the ABS system
is working properly.
Do not operate the engine with the
oil pressure warning light on. This
may cause serious engine damage.
Reduce vehicle speed and park the
vehicle in a safe place as soon as
possible if the R.DIFF TEMP light
comes on. Continued driving with
this light on can damage the rear dif-
ferential and other parts of the pow-
ertrain.
If the warning light behaves as fol-
lows, the ABS system may not work
properly.
When the warning light is on, the
ABS function shuts down; however,
the conventional brake system con-
tinues to operate normally.
(U.S.)
(Canada)

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.

3-20 Instruments and controls
Selector lever position indi-
cator (AT vehicles)
This indicator shows the position of the
selector lever.
Turn signal indicator
lights
These lights show the operation of the
turn signal or lane change signal.
If the indicator lights do not blink or blink
rapidly, the turn signal bulb may be
burned out. Replace the bulb as soon as
possible. Refer to the “Replacing bulbs ”
section in chapter 11.
High beam indicator
light
This light shows that the headlights are in
the high beam mode.
This indicator light also comes on when
the headlight flasher is operated.
Cruise control indica-
tor light
The cruise control indicator light comes on
when the ignition switch is turned to the“ ON ” position and goes out after approxi-
mately three seconds.
This light comes on when the “CRUISE ”
main switch is pressed.
If you move the cruise control lever or
press the main switch button while turning
the ignition switch “ON ”, the cruise control
function is deactivated and the “CRUISE ”
indicator light flashes. To reactivate the
cruise control function, turn the ignition
switch back to the “ACC ” or “LOCK ” posi-
tion, and then turn it again to the “ON ” po-
sition.
Cruise control set indi-
cator light
The cruise control set indicator light
comes on when the ignition switch is
turned to the “ON ” position and goes out after approximately three seconds.
This light comes on when vehicle speed
has been set.
Driver
’s control center
differential auto indica-
tor light (WRX-STI)
This light functions while the ignition
switch is ON. When on, it indicates that
the driver ’s control center differential is set
to AUTO mode. It goes off when the driv-
er ’s control center differential ’s manual
mode switch is pressed. For details, refer
to Chapter 7, “Driver ’s Control Center Dif-
ferential (DCCD) (WRX-STI) ”.
300622

Instruments and controls 3-21
Driver’s control center differ-
ential indicator and warning
lights (WRX-STI)
Indicator lights
When illuminated, one of these indiator
lights indicates the initial limited slip differ-
ential (LSD) torque currently selected for
the center differential.
Warning light
The bottom indicator light “ ” flashes in
the event of failure of the driver ’s control
center differential. Have the vehicle in-
spected by your SUBARU dealer. For de-
tails, refer to Chapter 7, “Driver ’s Control
Center Differential (DCCD) (WRX-STI) ”.
Headlight indicator
light (WRX-STI)
This light comes on when the headlight
switch is placed in the “ ” or “ ”
position.
REV indicator light (WRX-
STI)
This light comes on when the engine speed reaches a level set by driver and
when the tachometer needle enters the
red zone.
300330
700379

3-22 Instruments and controls
Clock
To set the hour, press the “H ” button. To
set the minutes, press the “M ” button. To
reset the minutes the “00 ” with a radio time
signal, push the “SET ” button.
Light control switch
The light switch operates only when the
ignition switch is in the “ON ” position.
Headlights
To turn on the headlights, turn the knob on
the end of the turn signal lever.
first position
Parking lights, instrument panel illumina-
tion, tail lights, front side marker lights and
license plate light are on.
second position
Headlights, parking lights, instrument pan-
el illumination, tail lights, and license plate
light are on.
To ensure safety, do not attempt to
set the time while driving, as an ac-
cident from inadequate attention to
the road could result.
H M S E T
300626
To prevent battery discharge result-
ing from accidentally leaving your
lights on when your vehicle is
parked, the light switch operates
only when the ignition switch is in
the
“ON ” position. In any other posi-
tion, the vehicle ’s lights will be out.
If you park your vehicle on a road-
side at night, use the hazard warn-
ing flasher to alert the other drivers.
300127

Instruments and controls 3-23
– CONTINUED –
High/low beam change (dim-
mer)
To change from low beam to high beam,
push the turn signal lever forward. When
the headlights are on high beam, the high
beam indicator light “ ” on the instru-
ment panel is also on.
To switch back to low beam, pull the lever
back to the detent position.
Headlight flasher
To flash the headlights, pull the lever to-
ward you and then release it. The high
beam will stay on for as long as you hold
the lever. The headlight flasher works
even though the lighting switch is in the “ OFF ” position.
When the headlights are on high beam,
the high beam indicator light “ ” on
the instrument panel also comes on.
Daytime running light system
WRX-STI
The low beam headlights, tail lights, park-
ing lights, and license plate lights will au-
tomatically come on when the engine has
started, under the following conditions:
The parking brake is fully released.
The light switch is in the “OFF ” or
“ ” position.
The automatic transmission selector le-
ver is set at other than the “P ” position.
Except WRX-STI
The low beam headlights will automatical-
ly come on at reduced brightness when
the engine has started, under the follow-
ing conditions:
The parking brake is fully released.
The light switch is in the “OFF ” or
“ ” position.
The automatic transmission selector le-
ver is set at other than the “P ” position.
300128
Do not hold the lever in the flashing
position for more than just a few
seconds.
300129
The side marker lights are not
turned on by the daytime running
light system. The light switch must
always be turned to the “ ” po-
sition when it is dark outside.