2006 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX Owners Manual

13-12 Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Uniform tire quality grading
standards
This information indicates the relative
performance of passenger car tires in
the area of treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance. This is to aid
the consumer in making an informed
choice in the purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tire sidewall be-
tween tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Tem-
perature A
The quality grades apply to new pneu-
matic tires for use on passenger cars.
However, they do not apply to deep
tread, winter type snow tires, space-
saver or temporary use spare tires,
tires with nominal rim diameters of 12
inches or less, or to some limited pro-
duction tires.
All passenger car tires must confirm
to Federal Safety Requirements in
addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the
tire when tested under controlled con-
ditions on a specified government test
course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times
as well on the government course as
a tire graded 100. The relative perfor-
mance of tires depends upon the ac-
tual conditions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving hab-
its, service practices and differences
in road characteristics and climate.
Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
grades represent the tire ’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speci-
fied government test surfaces of as-
phalt and concrete. A tire marked C
may have poor traction performance.
Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire ’s resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled condi-
tions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high tempera-
ture can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C corre-
sponds to a level of performance
which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards No. 109. Grades B
and A represent higher levels of per-
formance on the laboratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
The traction grade assigned to
this tire is based on straight-
ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include accelera-
tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects 13-13
Reporting safety defects
(USA)
If you believe that your vehicle has
a defect which could cause a
crash or could cause injury or
death, you should immediately in-
form the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in
addition to notifying Subaru of
America, Inc.
If NHTSA receives similar com-
plaints, it may open an investiga-
tion, and if it finds that a safety de-
fect exists in a group of vehicles, it
may order a recall and remedy
campaign. However, NHTSA can-
not become involved in individual
problems between you, your deal-
er, or Subaru of America, Inc. To
contact NHTSA, you may either
call the Auto Safety Hotline toll-
free at 1-800-424-9393 (or 366-
0123 in the Washington D.C. area)
or write to: NHTSA, U.S. Depart-
ment of Transportation, Washing-
ton, D.C. 20590. You can also ob-tain other information about motor
vehicle safety from the Hotline.
The temperature grade for this
tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, under-
inflation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combina-
tion, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.

Index
14

14-2 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......................... ................ 7-22
Warning light ..................................... .................. 3-17, 7-23
Accessories ........................................... .................. 5-2, 11-43
Accessory power outlet ................................. .............. 6-5, 6-7
Active head restraint ............................... ............................ 1-4
Air cleaner element ................................ ........................ 11-15
Air conditioner operation ......................... ........................... 4-7
Air filtration system ............................... ............................ 4-12
Air flow selection .................................. .............................. 4-2
Alarm system ........................................ ............................ 2-13
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AWD AT vehicles) ..... ....... 3-19
Aluminum wheels .................................... ....................... 11-35
Antenna system ...................................... ........................... 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .......................... ................ 7-22
Arming the system ................................... ......................... 2-14
Armrest ............................................ ................................... 1-7
Ashtray ............................................. .................................. 6-8
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light .................. ................ 3-17
Audio set .......................................... .................................. 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass .......................... ............... 3-32
Automatic climate control system ........................ ............... 4-7
Automatic transmission ............................... ..................... 7-16
Capacities .......................................... .......................... 12-4
Fluid ............................................. .............................. 11-20
Selector lever ...................................... ......................... 7-16
Shift lock release ................................... ...................... 7-19
Temperature warning light ......................... .................. 3-17
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-11
B
Battery ............................................ ................................ 11-40 Jump starting .......................................
.......................... 9-9
Replacement (Remote keyless entry system) ............... 2-9
Brake Booster ............................................ .......................... 11-27
Fluid ............................................. .............................. 11-25
Pad and lining .................................... ........................ 11-28
Pedal ............................................. ............................. 11-27
Brake pedal Free play .......................................... .......................... 11-27
Reserve distance ...................................... ................. 11-27
Brake system ......................................... ........................... 7-21
Warning light ..................................... ........................... 3-18
Braking ............................................ ................................. 7-21
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ............ .... 11-29
Tips ............................................... ............................... 7-21
Bulb Chart ............................................. ............................... 12-9
Replacing ......................................... .......................... 11-44
C
Capacities .......................................... ............................... 12-4
Cargo Area bars .......................................... ........................... 6-12
Area cover .......................................... ......................... 6-10
Area light ........................................ ..................... 6-2, 11-50
Tie-down hooks ...................................... ..................... 6-11
Catalytic converter ................................... ........................... 8-3
Center Console ............................................ .............................. 6-4
Ventilators ........................................ .............................. 4-3
Changing Flat tire ......................................... .................................. 9-4

Index 14-3
Oil and oil filter ................................ ............................. 11-8
Charge warning light .............................. .......................... 3-16
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp .............................................. ................................ 3-16
Checking Brake pedal free play ............................... .................. 11-27
Brake pedal reserve distance ........................... ......... 11-27
Clutch function ..................................... ...................... 11-28
Clutch pedal free play .............................. .................. 11-28
Engine oil level ................................... ......................... 11-8
Fluid level ................................. 11-20 , 11-24, 11-25, 11-26
Gear oil level ..................................... ... 11-18, 11-21, 11-22
Child restraint systems ............................... ...................... 1-23
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ................... ................ 1-26
Lower and tether anchorages ........................ .............. 1-30
Child safety ........................................ .................................... 5
Locks ................................................ ........................... 2-18
Chime Key ................................................ ................................ 3-5
Seatbelt .......................................... .................... 1-11, 3-14
Cigarette lighter socket ............................ ........................... 6-6
Cleaning Aluminum wheels .................................... .................... 10-3
Interior .......................................... ............................... 10-5
Ventilator grille ................................. ............................ 4-11
Climate control system Automatic ......................................... .............................. 4-7
Manual ............................................ ............................... 4-3
Clock ............................................... ................................. 3-22
Clutch fluid ....................................... ............................... 11-26
Clutch pedal ....................................... ............................ 11-28
Coat hook .......................................... ................................. 6-9Coin tray ..........................................
................................... 6-4
Cooling system ....................................... ........................ 11-12
Corrosion protection ................................ ................ 8-10, 10-4
Cruise control ...................................... .............................. 7-27
Indicator light .................................... ............................ 3-20
Set indicator light ................................ ......................... 3-20
Cup holder ........................................ .................................. 6-5
D
Daytime running light system ......................... ................... 3-23
Differential gear oil Front ............................................. .............................. 11-21
Rear .............................................. ............................. 11-22
Dimensions .......................................... ............................. 12-2
Disarming the system ................................. ...................... 2-15
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ................ ........... 7-22
Dome light ........................................ ........................ 6-2, 11-50
Door locks ......................................... .................................. 2-4
Door open warning light ........................... ......................... 3-19
Drive belts ........................................ ............................... 11-18
Driver ’s control center differential ....................... .............. 7-12
Drivers control center differential Auto indicator light ............................... ........................ 3-20
Indicator lights .................................... .......................... 3-21
Driving Car phone/cell phone ............................... ......................... 7
Drinking ........................................... .................................. 6
Drugs .............................................. .................................. 7
Foreign countries ................................... ........................ 8-4
Pets ............................................... .................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ................................... ................... 8-9
Tips ............................................... .............. 7-10, 7-12, 8-5

14-4 Index
Tired or sleepy .................................... ............................... 7
E
EBD (Electronic brake force distribution) system ........ ..... 7-24
Electrical system ..................................... ......................... 12-3
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ......... .. 7-24
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) .................... ............ 1-11
Engine Compartment overview ................................ ................ 11-6
Coolant ........................................... ........................... 11-12
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ....................... ........ 6, 8-2
Hood .............................................. .............................. 11-4
Oil ............................................... ................................. 11-8
Overheating ........................................ ......................... 9-11
Starting .......................................... ................................ 7-7
Stopping .......................................... .............................. 7-8
Exterior care ....................................... .............................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ......................................... .................................... 9-4
Floor mat ......................................... ................................... 6-9
Fluid level
Automatic transmission ............................... .............. 11-20
Brake .............................................. ........................... 11-25
Clutch ............................................. ........................... 11-26
Power steering ..................................... ...................... 11-24
Folding down the rear seat ......................... ........................ 1-8
Front
Differential gear oil ............................. ........................ 11-21
Fog light ......................................... ............................ 11-48
Fog light button .................................. .......................... 3-26Seatbelt pretensioners ..............................
................... 1-20
Seats .............................................. ................................ 1-2
Turn signal light .................................. ....................... 11-48
Fuel .............................................. ....................................... 7-2
Economy hints ........................................ ....................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ................................. ............................ 7-4
Gauge ............................................. ...................... 3-8, 3-12
Requirements ...................................... .......................... 7-2
Fuses .............................................. ................................ 11-41
Fuses and circuits ..................................... ........................ 12-6
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) ..................... ............. 8-14
Glove box ........................................... ................................ 6-4
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) ................... .......... 8-14
H
Hazard warning flasher ............................. .......................... 3-6
Head restraint adjustment (Front) ................... .................... 1-4
Head restraint adjustment (Wagon) .................. .................. 1-7
Headlight beam leveler ............................ ......................... 3-25
Headlight flasher .................................. ............................. 3-23
Headlight indicator light .......................... .......................... 3-21
Headlights ......................................... ..................... 3-22, 11-45
Heater operation .................................. ............................... 4-5
High beam indicator light .......................... ........................ 3-20
High mount stop light .............................. ........................ 11-51
Horn .............................................. .................................... 3-35
Hose and connections .................................. .................. 11-12

Index 14-5
I
Ignition switch ..................................... ................................ 3-3
Illuminated entry .................................. ............................... 2-8
Illumination brightness control .................... ...................... 3-25
Immobilizer ........................................ ................................. 2-3
Indicator light
High beam ......................................... .......................... 3-20
Selector lever position .............................. ................... 3-20
Turn signal ........................................ ........................... 3-20
Inside mirror ...................................... ............................... 3-32
Intercooler water spray .............................. ..................... 11-35
Switch ............................................. ............................. 3-31
Warning light ..................................... ........................... 3-19
Interior light .................................... ..................................... 6-2
Internal trunk lid release handle ................... .................... 2-21
J
Jack and jack handle ................................... ..................... 9-16
Jump starting ....................................... ............................... 9-9
K
Key Interlock release ................................... ......................... 3-5
Number ............................................ .............................. 2-2
Reminder chime ..................................... ....................... 3-5
Keys ............................................... .................................... 2-2
L
Leather seat materials .............................. ........................ 10-5
Light Cargo area ........................................ .................. 6-2, 11-50Dome ..............................................
.................... 6-2, 11-50
Map ............................................... ...................... 6-2, 11-50
Light control switch ................................. .......................... 3-22
Limited slip differential (LSD) ................... ......................... 7-20
Loading your vehicle ................................ ......................... 8-12
LSD (Limited slip differential) .................... ........................ 7-20
M
Main fuse .......................................... .............................. 11-43
Maintenance Precautions ......................................... ......................... 11-3
Schedule ........................................... ........................... 11-3
Seatbelt .......................................... .............................. 1-18
Tools .............................................. .............................. 9-16
Malfunction indicator lamp (Check Engine light) ....... ........ 3-16
Manual climate control system .......................... ................. 4-3
Manual transmission 5 speeds ........................................... ........................... 7-11
6 speeds ........................................... ............................. 7-9
Map light ......................................... ......................... 6-2, 11-50
Maximum load limits ................................ ......................... 8-20
Meters and gauges ................................... ................. 3-6, 3-11
Mirrors ............................................ ................................... 3-32
Moonroof .......................................... ........................ 2-24, 9-15
N
New vehicle break-in driving the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) ......................................... .............................. 8-2
O
Odometer/Trip meter ............................... .................. 3-7, 3-11