2006 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Owners Manual

4-4 Climate control
Fan speed control dial
The fan operates only when the ignition
switch is turned to the “ON ” position. The
fan speed control dial is used to select four
fan speeds.
Air flow control dial
This dial has the following five positions:
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets.
: Air flows through the instrument pan-
el outlets and the foot outlets.
: Air flows through the foot outlets and
some through the windshield defroster
outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield de-
froster outlets and foot outlets.
: Air flows through the windshield de-
froster outlets.
NOTE
You will find the notation “USE
WITH ” on the air flow control
dial plate.
This is intended to remind you to set
the air inlet selection lever in the “ ”
position when defogging the
windshield.
Defogging with the air inlet selection
lever set in the “ ” position pro-
vides better defogging performance
than in the “ ” position.
When the dial is placed in the “ ”
or “ ” position, the air conditioner
compressor operates automatically re-
gardless of the position of the air con-
ditioner button to defog the windshield
quickly.
However the indicator on the air condi-
tioner button will not come on.
Also, you cannot stop the air condi-
tioner compressor by pressing the air
conditioner button.
Air conditioner button (if equipped) The air conditioner operates only when
the engine is running.
Push the air conditioner button while the
fan is in operation to turn on the air condi-
tioner. The indicator light will come on.
Push it again to turn off the air conditioner.
Air inlet selection lever
(Recirculation): Interior air is recir-
culated inside the vehicle.
Place the air inlet selection lever in the
“ ” position for fast cooling with the
air conditioner or when driving on a dusty
road.
(Outside air): Outside air is drawn
into the passenger compartment.
Place the air inlet selection lever in the
“ ” position when the interior has
cooled to a comfortable temperature and
the road is no longer dusty.
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Continued operation in the
“ ” position may fog up the
windows. Switch to the “ ”
position as soon as the outside
dusty condition clears.

Climate control 4-5
– CONTINUED –
Heater operation
Defrosting or defogging the wind-
shield
To direct warm air to the windshield and
front door windows:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“ ” position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Turn the temperature control dial all the
way to the right.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the
highest speed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air con-
ditioner, when the “ ” or “ ” posi-
tion is selected, the air conditioner com-
pressor automatically operates regardless
of the position of the air conditioner button to defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light
does not come on at this time.
NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outlets, turn the corre-
sponding knob clockwise.
Heating and defrosting
To direct warm air toward the floor and the
windshield:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“ ” position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level. 4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
If your vehicle is equipped with an air con-
ditioner, when the
“ ” or “ ” posi-
tion is selected, the air conditioner com-
pressor automatically operates regardless
of the position of the air conditioner button
to defog the windshield quickly.
However, the air conditioner indicator light
does not come on at this time.
NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outlets, turn the corre-
sponding knob clockwise.
Heating
To direct warm air toward the floor:
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4-6 Climate control
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“ ” position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
most comfortable level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
NOTE
Warm air also comes out from the right
and left air outlets. To stop warm air
flow from these outlets, turn the corre-
sponding knob clockwise.
Bi-level heating
This setting allows you to direct air of dif-
ferent temperatures from the instrument
panel and foot outlets. The air from the foot outlets is slightly warmer than from
the instrument panel outlets.
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“ ”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
desired temperature level.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
Setting the temperature control dial fully
turned to the red area or blue area de-
creases the temperature difference be-
tween the air from the instrument panel
outlets and the air from the foot outlets.
Ventilation
To force outside air through the instru- ment panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“ ”
position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the temperature control dial all the
way left.
4. Set the fan speed control dial to the de-
sired speed.
When driving on a dusty road, set the air
inlet control lever to the “ ” position.
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Continued operation in the
“ ” position may fog up the
windows. Switch to the “ ”
position as soon as the outside
dusty condition clears.

Climate control 4-7
– CONTINUED –
Air conditioner operation (if
equipped)
Cooling or dehumidifying
For cooling and dehumidification of the
passenger compartment, performing the
following steps will allow air to flow
through the instrument panel outlets:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“ ” position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the “ ”
position.
3. Set the air conditioner button to the“ ON ” position.
4. Set the temperature control dial to the
blue side.
5. Set the fan speed control dial at the
highest speed.
Defrosting or defogging
To direct warm air to the windshield and
front door windows:
1. Set the air inlet selection lever to the
“ ” position.
2. Set the air flow control dial to the
“ ” position.
3. Set the temperature control dial to the
red side.
4. Set the fan speed control dial at the
highest speed.
The air conditioner compressor automati-
cally operates when the air flow control
dial set in the “ ” or “ ” position to
provide better defogging performance.
However, the air conditioner indicator light
does not come on at this time.Automatic climate control
system (if equipped)
Although this climate control system can
be used as a full-automatic climate control
system, it can also, if desired, be used as
a semi-automatic climate control system.
When it is used as a full-automatic climate
control system, the outlet air temperature,
fan speed, air flow distribution, air inlet
control, and air conditioner compressor
operation are all automatically controlled
to maintain a constant, comfortable tem-
perature inside the vehicle.
NOTE
Operate the automatic climate con-
trol system when the engine is run-
ning.
When the engine coolant is cold, the
blower does not run.
In the “AUTO ” mode, when the air
temperature in the passenger compart-
ment is sufficiently cool, the air condi-
tioner compressor does not operate.
For efficient defogging or dehumidify-
ing in cold weather, press the “A/C ”
button to operate the air conditioner
compressor.
Even when cooling is not necessary,
setting the temperature much lower
than the current outlet air temperature
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4-8 Climate control
turns on the air conditioner compres-
sor automatically and the “A/C ” indica-
tor light on the control panel comes on.
Control panel
1) Air flow control dial
2) Fan speed control dial
3) Temperature control dial
4) Air conditioner button
5) Air inlet selection button
6) Rear window defogger button (Refer to the “Rear window defogger button ” sec-
tion in chapter 3.)
To use as full-automatic cli-
mate control system
Place the temperature control dial in the
position for your desired temperature, then set the other dials and buttons as de-
scribed in the following. The system
’s
functions will then switch to AUTO mode
and be controlled automatically.
Air flow control dial: AUTO position
Fan speed control dial: AUTO position
Air inlet selection button: Press for at
least 1 second. (Indicator will flash twice.)
Air conditioner button: Press for at least
1 second. (Indicator will flash twice.)
To use as semi-automatic cli-
mate control system
Each function can be individually set to
AUTO mode independently of the others.
Any function set to AUTO mode is con-
trolled automatically. Any function not set
to AUTO mode can be manually adjusted
as desired.
The temperature can be set within a range
of 65 to 85 F (20 to 30 C).
Fan speed control dial
The fan operates only with the ignition
switch in the ON position. The fan speed
control dial is used to select the AUTO
(automatic control) mode or to select the
desired fan speed. The dial ’s positions
and their functions are as follows:
OFF: The fan does not operate.
AUTO: The fan speed is adjusted auto-
matically in accordance with the air tem-
perature inside and outside the passenger
compartment, the intensity of sunlight,
and other factors. SUBARU recommends
using the AUTO position.
Other positions: The fan speed can be
adjusted in 25 steps.
NOTE
With the fan speed control dial in the
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65 85 75
1 2 3
6 5 4
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Climate control 4-9
– CONTINUED –
AUTO position and the air flow control
dial in the
“ ”, “ ” , or “ ” po-
sition, the fan does not operate during
engine warmup until the engine cool-
ant temperature exceeds approx. 122 F
(50 C).
Temperature control dial
This dial is used to set the desired interior
temperature. With the dial set to your de-
sired temperature, the system automati-
cally adjusts the temperature of air sup-
plied from the outlets such that the desired
temperature is achieved and maintained.
If the dial is turned fully counterclockwise,
the system gives maximum cooling perfor-
mance. If the dial is turned fully clockwise,
the system gives maximum heating per- formance.
Air flow control dial
This dial has the following six positions.
The outlets from which air is supplied in
each position are as follows:
AUTO:
The air flow control is adjusted au-
tomatically in accordance with the air tem-
perature inside and outside the passenger
compartment, the intensity of sunlight,
and other factors. SUBARU recommends
using the AUTO position.
: Instrument panel outlets: Instrument panel outlets and foot out-
lets
: Foot outlets and windshield defroster
outlets (relatively little air from windshield defroster outlets)
: Windshield defroster outlets and foot
outlets
: Windshield defroster outlets
NOTE
When the dial is placed in the “ ”
or “ ” position, the air conditioner
compressor operates automatically to
defog the windshield quickly. At the
same time, the air inlet selection is au-
tomatically set to “outside air ” mode.
Air inlet selection button
ON position (Recirculation): Interior air
is recirculated inside the vehicle. Push the
air inlet selection button to the ON position
for fast cooling with the air conditioner or
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4-10 Climate control
when driving on a dusty road. The indica-
tor light will come on.
OFF position (Outside Air): Outside air
is drawn into the passenger compartment.
Push the air inlet selection button to the
OFF position when the interior has cooled
to a comfortable temperature and the road
is no longer dusty. The indicator light will
go off.
AUTO: When the air inlet selection button
is pressed for at least one second, the in-
dicator flashes twice. The air inlet control
is then adjusted automatically in accor-
dance with the air temperature inside and
outside the passenger compartment, the
intensity of sunlight, and other factors.
Pressing the air inlet selection button can-
cels the “AUTO ” mode. SUBARU recom-
mends using the AUTO position.Air conditioner button
The button ’s positions and their functions
are as follows:
ON: The air conditioner operates while the
fan is running.
Push the button to select this position. The
indicator light will illuminate.
OFF: The air conditioner does not operate.
Push the button a second time to select
this position. The indicator light will go off.
AUTO: When the button is pressed for at
least one second, the indicator flashes
twice. The air conditioner compressor op-
eration is then adjusted automatically in
accordance with the air temperature in-
side and outside the passenger compart-
ment, the intensity of sunlight, and other
factors. Pressing the button cancels the “
AUTO ” mode. SUBARU recommends us-
ing the AUTO position.
NOTE
The air conditioner ’s compressor does
not operate with an outside tempera-
ture of 32 F (0 C) or lower.
Temperature sensors
1) Interior air temperature sensor
2) Solar sensor
The automatic climate control system em-
ploys several sensors. These sensors are
delicate. If they are not treated properly
and become damaged, the system may
not be able to control the interior tempera-
ture correctly. To avoid damaging the sen-
sors, observe the following precautions:
Continued operation in the ON posi-
tion may fog up the windows.
Switch to the OFF position as soon
as the outside dusty condition
clears.
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2
1
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Climate control 4-11
– CONTINUED –
–
Do not subject the sensors to impact.
– Keep water away from the sensors.
– Do not cover the sensors.
The sensors are located as follows: – Solar sensor: beside windshield de-
froster grille – Interior air temperature sensor: beside
the fan speed control dial– Outside temperature sensor: behind
front grille.
Operating tips for heater and
air conditioner
Cleaning ventilation grille
Always keep the front ventilation inlet
grille free of snow, leaves, or other ob-
structions to ensure efficient heating and
defrosting. Since the condenser is located
in front of the radiator, this area should be
kept clean because cooling performance
is impaired by any accumulation of insects
and leaves on the condenser.
Efficient cooling after parking
in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with
the windows open for a few minutes to al- low outside air to circulate into the heated
interior. This results in quicker cooling by
the air conditioner. Keep the windows
closed during the operation of the air con-
ditioner for maximum cooling efficiency.
Lubrication oil circulation in
the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at
a low engine speed (at idle or low driving
speeds) a few minutes each month during
the off-season to circulate its oil.
Checking air conditioning
system before summer sea-
son
Check the air conditioner unit for refriger-
ant leaks, hose conditions, and proper op-
eration each spring. This check is best
performed by your SUBARU dealer.
Cooling and dehumidifying in
high humidity and low tem-
perature weather conditions
Under certain weather conditions (high
relative humidity, low temperatures, etc.)
a small amount of water vapor emission
from the air outlets may be noticed. This
condition is normal and does not indicate
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