2012 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX catalytic converter

Fuel
CAUTION
Use of a fuel which is low in quality
or use of an inappropriate fuel
additive may cause engine damage.
& Fuel requirements
! Except STI
The engine is designed to operate usingpremium unleaded gasoline with an
octane rating of 91 AKI (95 RON) or
higher . If premium unleaded gasoline is
not available, regular unleaded gasoline
with an octane rating of 87 AKI (90 RON)
or higher may be temporarily used. For
optimum engine performance and drive-
ability, it is required that you use premium
grade unleaded gasoline. NOTE
Be sure to use premium unleaded
gasoline of 91 AKI (95 RON) or higher.
If other gasoline (lower than 91 AKI (95
RON)) is used, knocking, reduced out-
put and poor accelerator response willresult. !
STI
The engine is designed to operate at
maximum performance using unleaded
gasoline with an octane rating of 93 AKI
(98 RON) or higher . If 93 AKI (98 RON)
fuel is not readily available in your area,
unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
91 AKI (95 RON) may be used with no
detriment to engine durability or driveabil-
ity. However, you may notice a slight
decrease in maximum engine perfor-
mance while using 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel.
Use of 91 AKI (95 RON) fuel will not affect
your warranty coverage. ! Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the
Research Octane and Motor Octane
numbers and is commonly referred to as
the Anti Knock Index (AKI).
Using a gasoline with a lower octane
rating can cause persistent and heavy
knocking, which can damage the engine.
Do not be concerned if your vehicle
sometimes knocks lightly when you drive
up a hill or when you accelerate. Contact
your SUBARU dealer if you use a fuel with
the specified octane rating and your
vehicle knocks heavily or persistently. ! Unleaded gasoline
The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed
to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler nozzle. Under no circumstances should
leaded gasoline be used because it will
damage the emission control system and
may impair driveability and fuel economy. !
Gasoline for California-certified LEV
If your vehicle was certified to California ’s
low emission vehicle (LEV) standards as
indicated on the underhood tune-up label,
it is designed to optimize engine and
emission performance with gasoline that
meets the clean burning low-sulfur Cali-
fornia gasoline specifications. If you live in
any other state than California, your
vehicle will operate on gasoline meeting
Federal specifications. Gasoline sold out-
side California is permitted to have higher
sulfur levels, which may affect the perfor-
mance of your vehicle ’s catalytic converter
and may produce a sulfur exhaust odor or
smell. SUBARU recommends that you try
a different brand of unleaded gasoline
having lower sulfur to determine if the
problem is fuel related before returning
your vehicle to an authorized dealer forservice. ! MMT
Some gasoline contains an octane-en-
hancing additive called MMT (Methylcy-
clopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If
you use such fuels, your emission control Starting and operating
7-3
– CONTINUED –

New vehicle break-in driving–the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km) ..................................... 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............ 8-2
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-4
Driving tips for AWD models .............................. 8-4
Winter driving ...................................................... 8-6
Operation during cold weather ............................. 8-6
Driving on snowy and icy roads .......................... 8-7Corrosion protection
............................................ 8-8
Snow tires ........................................................... 8-8
Tire chains .......................................................... 8-9
Rocking the vehicle ............................................. 8-9
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-10
Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 8-10
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ 8-11
Roof molding and crossbar (if equipped) ............ 8-12
Trailer towing ..................................................... 8-13 Driving tips
8

exhaust fumes are entering the
vehicle, have the problem
checked and corrected as soon
as possible. If you must drive
under these conditions, drive
only with all windows fully open.
. Keep the trunk lid (4-door) or rear
gate (5-door) closed while driving
to prevent exhaust gas from
entering the vehicle.
NOTE
Due to the expansion and contraction
of the metals used in the manufacture
of the exhaust system, you may hear a
crackling sound coming from the ex-
haust system for a short time after the
engine has been shut off. This sound isnormal. Catalytic converter
The catalytic converter is installed in the
exhaust system. It serves as a catalyst to
reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust
gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust.
To avoid damage to the catalytic conver- ter: .
Use only unleaded fuel. Even a small
amount of leaded fuel will damage the
catalytic converter. . Never start the engine by pushing or
pulling the vehicle.. Avoid racing the engine.
. Never turn off the ignition switch while
the vehicle is moving.. Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel
the engine running rough (misfiring, back- firing or incomplete combustion), have
your vehicle checked and repaired by an
authorized SUBARU dealer. .
Do not apply undercoating or rust
prevention treatment to the heat shield of
catalytic converter and the exhaust sys-tem. . Do not drive with an extremely low fuel
level.
WARNING
. Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive
or park the vehicle anywhere
near flammable materials (e.g.,
grass, paper, rags or leaves),
because the catalytic converter
operates at very high tempera-tures.
. Keep everyone and flammable
materials away from the exhaust
pipe while the engine is running.
The exhaust gas is very hot. Driving tips
8-3

Warning light......................................................... 3-19
Braking ..................................................................... 7-24
Tips...................................................................... 7-24
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-22
Bulb Chart .................................................................. 12-14
Replacing ............................................................. 11-39
C
Cargo area Cover ................................................................... 6-12
Light ............................................................. 6-2, 11-47
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-13
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center Console .................................................................. 6-5
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Center and side ventilators ............................................ 4-3
Changing
Coolant ................................................................ 11-12
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-5
Oil and oil filter ...................................................... 11-9
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-16
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light ....................................................................... 3-15
Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-20
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-21
Clutch function ...................................................... 11-21
Clutch pedal free play ............................................ 11-21
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-12 Fluid level (brake fluid)
.......................................... 11-18
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-19
Fluid level (power steering fluid) .. ........................... 11-17
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-31
Oil level (engine oil) ................................................ 11-8
Oil level (manual transmission oil) .......................... 11-15
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-21
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-27
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ... ............................. 1-24
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-29
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-31
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks .................................................................... 2-20
Chime
Key........................................................................ 3-4Light ..................................................................... 3-29
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-13
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ...................................................... 4-12
Climate control system
Automatic ............................................................... 4-8
Manual ................................................................... 4-3
Clock ........................................................................ 3-25
Clutch Fluid ........................................................... 11-19, 12-7
Pedal .................................................................. 11-21
Compass ........................................................... 3-37, 3-38
Continuously variable transmission Fluid ..................................................................... 12-7 Index
14-3