2016 SUBARU IMPREZA manual transmission

&Abbreviation list
You may find several abbreviations in this
manual. The meanings of the abbrevia-
tions are shown in the following list.
Abbreviation Meaning
A/C Air conditioner
ALR/ELR Automatic locking retractor/
Emergency locking retractor
ABS Anti-lock brake system
AKI Anti knock index
ALR Automatic locking retractor
AWD All-wheel drive
BSD/RCTA Blind Spot Detection/Rear
Cross Traffic Alert
CVT Continuously variable trans-
mission
DRL Daytime running light
EBD Electronic brake force distri-
bution
ELR Emergency locking retractor
GAW Gross axle weight
GAWR Gross axle weight rating
GPS Global positioning system
GVW Gross vehicle weight
GVWR Gross vehicle weight rating
HID High intensity discharge Abbreviation
Meaning
INT Intermittent
LATCH Lower anchors and tethers for
children
LED Light emitting diode
MIL Malfunction indicator light
MMT Methylcyclopentadienyl man-
ganese tricarbonyl
MT Manual transmission
OBD On-board diagnostics
RON Research octane number
SRF Steering responsive fog lights
system
SRS Supplemental restraint sys-
tem
TIN Tire identification number
TPMS Tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem
Vehicle symbols
There are some of the symbols you may
see on your vehicle.
For warning and indicator lights, refer to
“
Warning and indicator lights ”F 22.
Mark Name
WARNING
CAUTION
Read these instructions care-
fully
Wear eye protection
Battery fluid contains sulfuric
acid
Keep children away
Keep flames away
Prevent explosions
3

Type B
1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Select lever/gear position indicator
This indicator shows the position of the
select lever.
For models with manual mode, when the
manual mode is selected, the gear posi-
tion indicator (which shows the current
gear selection) and the upshift/downshift
indicator light up. Refer to“Continuously
variable transmission ”F 7-23.
&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
“Replacing bulbs ”F 11-36.
&High beam indicator
light
This light shows that the headlights are in
the high beam mode.
This indicator light also illuminates when
the headlight flasher is operated.
&Cruise control indica-
tor light (if equipped)
This light illuminates when the cruise
control main button is pressed to activate
the cruise control function. For details,
refer to “To set cruise control” F7-45.
CAUTION
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light/
malfunction indicator light illumi-
nates, the cruise control indicator
light flashes at the same time. At
this time, avoid driving at high
speed and have your vehicle in-
spected at a SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
&Cruise control set in-
dicator light (if
equipped)
This light illuminates when vehicle speed
has been set to use the cruise control
function. Refer to “To set cruise control ”
F 7-45.
&Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (models with HID
headlights)
This light illuminates when the automatic
headlight beam leveler does not operate
normally.
If this light illuminates while driving or does
not turn off approximately 3 seconds after
turning the ignition switch to the “ON”
position, have your vehicle inspected at
your SUBARU dealer.
&Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)
This indicator light illuminates while the
front fog lights are illuminated.
Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
–CONTINUED –3-31

Fuel...................................................................... 7-3Fuel requirements ............................................... 7-3
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................... 7-4
State emission testing (U.S. only) ...................... 7-7
Preparing to drive ............................................... 7-8
Starting and stopping the engine (models without push-button start system) .................. 7-9
Starting engine.................................................... 7-9
Stopping the engine ........................................... 7-11
Starting and stopping engine (models with
push-button start system) .............................. 7-12
Safety precautions............................................. 7-12
Operating range for push-button start system ............................................................. 7-12
Starting engine ................................................... 7-12
Stopping engine ................................................. 7-13
When access key does not operate properly ....... 7-14
Remote engine start system (dealer
option) .............................................................. 7-14
Models with “keyless access with push-button
start system ”................................................... 7-15
Models without “keyless access with push-button
start system ”................................................... 7-16
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start ................................................................. 7-19
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown ......................................................... 7-19
Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the vehicle ............................................................. 7-19
Service mode (models without “keyless access
with push-button start system ”)........................ 7-19 Remote transmitter program (models without
“keyless access with push-button start
system ”).......................................................... 7-19
System maintenance .......................................... 7-20
Manual transmission ......................................... 7-22Shifting speeds.................................................. 7-22
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-23
Continuously variable transmission ................. 7-23Continuously variable transmission features . ..... 7-24
Select lever ....................................................... 7-24
Selection of manual mode (if equipped) .............. 7-26
Selection of “L”(if equipped) ... .......................... 7-28
Shift lock function ............................................. 7-28
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-29
Power steering ................................................... 7-30Power steering warning light .............................. 7-30
Power steering system features ......................... 7-30
Braking............................................................... 7-31Braking tips ....................................................... 7-31
Brake system .................................................... 7-31
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............. 7-32
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System).......................... 7-32ABS self-check.................................................. 7-32
ABS warning light .............................................. 7-33
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)
system ............................................................. 7-33
Steps to take if EBD system malfunctions .......... 7-33
Vehicle Dynamics Control system.................... 7-34Safety precautions............................................. 7-34
System features ................................................. 7-35
Vehicle Dynamics Control system monitor .......... 7-36
Starting and operating
7

Starting and operating/Manual transmission
Manual transmission
The manual transmission is a fully syn-
chromeshed, 5-forward-speed and 1-re-
verse-speed transmission.
The shift pattern is shown on the shift
lever knob. When shifting from 5th gear to
reverse gear, first return the shift lever to
the neutral position then shift into reverse
gear.
To change gears, fully depress the clutch
pedal, move the shift lever, and gradually
let up on the clutch pedal.
If it is difficult to shift into gear, put the
transmission in neutral, release the clutch
pedal momentarily, and then try again.
WARNING
.Do not drive the vehicle with the
clutch disengaged (i.e., when the
clutch pedal is depressed) or
with the shift lever in the neutral
position. Engine braking has no
effect in either of these condi-
tions and the risk of an accident
is consequently increased.
. Do not engage the clutch (i.e.,
release the clutch pedal) sud-
denly when starting the vehicle.
By doing so the vehicle might
unexpectedly accelerate or the
transmission could malfunction.
CAUTION
Shift into reverse ONLY when the
vehicle has completely stopped. It
may cause damage to the transmis-
sion to try shifting into reverse when
the vehicle is moving.
& Shifting speeds
! Recommended shifting speeds
The best compromise between fuel econ-
omy and vehicle performance during
normal driving is ensured by shifting up
at the speeds listed in the following table.
Shift up mph (km/h)
1st to 2nd 15 (24)
2nd to 3rd 25 (40)
3rd to 4th 40 (64)
4th to 5th 45 (72)
!
Maximum allowable speeds
The following table shows the maximum
speeds that are possible with each differ-
ent gear. The tachometer ’s needle will
enter the red area if these speeds are
exceeded.
With the exception of cases where sudden
acceleration is required, the vehicle
should not be driven with the tachometer ’s
needle inside the red area. Failure to
observe this precaution can lead to
excessive engine wear and poor fuel
economy.
7-22

Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
mission.
. When parking the vehicle, first
securely apply the parking brake
and then place the select lever in
the “P”position. Do not park for
a long time with the select lever
in any other position as doing so
could result in a dead battery.
& Continuously variable trans-
mission features
The continuously variable transmission is
electronically controlled and provides an
infinite number of forward speeds and 1
reverse speed. For some models, it also
has a manual mode or an “L”position.
NOTE
. When the engine coolant tempera-
ture is still low, the transmission will
upshift or downshift at higher engine
speeds than when the coolant tempera-
ture is sufficiently high in order to
shorten the warm-up time and improve
driveability. The gearshift timing will
automatically shift to the normal timing
after the engine has warmed up.
. Immediately after transmission fluid
is replaced, you may feel that the
transmission operation is somewhat
unusual. This results from invalidation of data which the on-board computer
has collected and stored in memory to
allow the transmission to shift at the
most appropriate times for the current
condition of your vehicle. Optimized
shifting will be restored as the vehicle
continues to be driven for a while.
.
When driving a CVT model under
continuous heavy load conditions such
as when towing a camper or climbing a
long, steep hill, the engine speed or the
vehicle speed may automatically be
reduced. This is not a malfunction. This
phenomenon results from the engine
control function maintaining the cool-
ing performance of the vehicle. The
engine and vehicle speed will return to
a normal speed when the engine is able
to maintain the optimum cooling per-
formance after the heavy load de-
creases. Driving under a heavy load
must be performed with extreme care.
Do not try to pass a vehicle in front
when driving on an uphill slope while
towing. .
The continuously variable transmis-
sion is a chain type system that
provides superior transmission effi-
ciency for maximum fuel economy. At
times, depending on varying driving
conditions, a chain operating sound
may be heard that is characteristic of
this type of system.
& Select lever
! Select lever positions
1) Select lever button
7-24

1) Models with“L ” position
2) Models with manual mode
: With the brake pedal depressed, shift while pressing the select lever button
in.
: Shift while pressing the select leverbutton in.
: Shift without pressing the select lever
button.
The select lever has four positions, “P”,
“R ”, “N ”,“D ”and it also has an “L”or “M”
gate.
NOTE
For some models, to protect the engine
while the select lever is in the “P ” or
“N ”position, the engine is controlled
so that the engine speed may not
become too high even if the accelerator pedal is depressed hard.
!
P (Park)
This position is for parking the vehicle and
starting the engine. In this position, the
transmission is mechanically locked to
prevent the vehicle from rolling freely.
When you park the vehicle, first apply the
parking brake firmly, then shift into the “P”
position. Do not hold the vehicle with only
the mechanical friction of the transmis-
sion.
To shift the select lever from the “P”
position to any other position, you should
depress the brake pedal fully then move
the select lever. This prevents the vehicle
from lurching when it is started.
! R (Reverse)
This position is for backing the vehicle. To
shift from the “N”to “R”position, stop the
vehicle completely then move the lever to
the “R”position while pressing the select
lever button in.
When the ignition switch has been turned
to the “LOCK”/“OFF ”position, movement
of the select lever from the “N ” to “R ”
position is possible for a limited time
period by depressing the brake pedal,
and then it becomes impossible. For
details, refer to “Shift lock function ”F 7-28. !
N (Neutral)
This position is for restarting a stalled
engine. In this position, the transmission is
neutral, meaning that the wheels and
transmission are not locked. Therefore,
the vehicle will roll freely, even on the
slightest incline unless the parking brake
or foot brake is applied.
Avoid coasting with the transmission in
neutral. Engine braking has no effect in
this condition.
WARNING
Do not drive the vehicle with the
select lever in the “N ” (neutral)
position. Engine braking has no
effect in this condition and the risk
of an accident is consequently in-
creased.
Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
–CONTINUED –7-25

Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
NOTE
If the select lever is in the“N”position
when you stop the engine for parking,
you may not subsequently be able to
move it to the “R”and “P”positions. If
this happens, turn the ignition switch to
the “ON ”position. You will then be able
to move the select lever to the “P”
position.
! D (Drive)
This position is for normal driving. The
transmission shifts automatically and con-
tinuously into a suitable gear according to
the vehicle speed and the acceleration
you require. Also, while driving up and
down a hill, the transmission assists and
controls the driving performance and
engine braking while corresponding to
the road grade.
When more acceleration is required in “D”
position, depress the accelerator pedal
fully to the floor and hold that position. The
transmission will automatically downshift.
In this case, the transmission will operate
like a conventional automatic transmis-
sion. When you release the pedal, the
transmission will return to the original gear
position.
For models with manual mode, if one of
the shift paddles behind the steering wheel is operated while driving in the
“D”
position, the transmission will temporarily
switch to the manual mode. In this mode,
you can shift into any gear position using
the shift paddles. For details about the
manual mode, refer to “Selection of
manual mode” F7-26. Once the vehicle
speed stabilizes, the transmission will
switch from the manual mode back to
the “D”position for normal driving.
& Selection of manual mode (if
equipped)
With the vehicle either moving or station-
ary, move the select lever from the “D”
position to the “M”position to select the
manual mode.
Type A
1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Gear position indicator
7-26

Type B
1) Upshift indicator
2) Downshift indicator
3) Gear position indicator
When the manual mode is selected, the
gear position indicator and upshift indica-
tor and/or downshift indicator on the
combination meter illuminate.
The gear position indicator shows the
currently selected gear in the 1st-to-6th-
gear range. The upshift and downshift
indicators show when a gear shift is
possible. When the upshift indicator“
”
illuminates, upshifting is possible. When
the downshift indicator “
”illuminates,
downshifting is possible. When both in-
dicators illuminate, upshifting and down-
shifting are both possible. When the
vehicle stops (for example, at traffic signals), the downshift indicator turns off.
Gearshifts can be performed using the
shift paddle behind the steering wheel.
Except Crosstrek models
Crosstrek models
To upshift to the next higher gear position,
pull the shift paddle that has
“+”indicated
on it. To downshift to the next lower gear
position, pull the shift paddle that has “–”
indicated on it.
To deselect the manual mode, return the
select lever to the “D”position from the “M”
position.
CAUTION
Do not place or hang anything on
the shift paddles. Doing so may
result in accidental gear shifting.
NOTE
Please read the following points care-
fully and bear them in mind when using
the manual mode.
. If you attempt to shift down when
the engine speed is too high, i.e., when
a downshift would push the tachometer
needle beyond the red zone, beeps will
be emitted to warn you that the down-
shift is not possible.
. If you attempt to shift up when the
vehicle speed is too low, the transmis-
sion will not respond.
. You can perform a skip-shift (for
example, from 4th to 2nd) by operating
the shift paddle twice in rapid succes-
Starting and operating/Continuously variable transmission
–CONTINUED –7-27