2016 SUBARU WRX maintenance schedule

CAUTION. Be careful not to spill engine
coolant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If engine coolant gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe
it off.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
! Changing the coolant
It may be difficult to change the coolant.
Have the coolant changed by your
SUBARU dealer if necessary.
The coolant should be changed according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ” .Air cleaner element WARNINGDo not operate the engine with the
air cleaner element removed. The air
cleaner element not only filters
intake air but also stops flames if
the engine backfires. If the air
cleaner element is not installed
when the engine backfires, you
could be burned.
CAUTIONWhen replacing the air cleaner ele-
ment, use a genuine SUBARU air
cleaner element. If it is not used,
there is the possibility of causing a
negative effect to the engine.
The air cleaner element functions as a
filter screen. When the element is perfo-
rated or removed, engine wear will be
excessive and engine life shortened.
It is not necessary to clean or wash the air
cleaner element. & Replacing the air cleaner
element Replace the air cleaner element according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ” . Un-
der extremely dusty conditions, replace it
more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts.
! STI
1. Use a screwdriver to undo the clips on
the air intake duct, then remove the air
intake duct. Maintenance and service/Air cleaner element
– CONTINUED –11-19

1) Air cleaner case
2) Air cleaner case cover
2. Open the air cleaner case and pull the
cover rearward while lifting it up.
3. Remove the air cleaner element. 4. Clean the inside of the air cleaner case
and case cover with a damp cloth and
install a new air cleaner element.
5. To install the air cleaner case cover,
insert the projections on the air cleaner
case cover into the slits on the air cleaner
case. The illustration above shows an
example in which the projections are not
fitted into the slits correctly.
6. Install in the reverse order of removal. Spark plugs It may be difficult to replace the spark
plugs. It is recommended that you have
the spark plugs replaced by your
SUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced
according to the maintenance schedule
in the “ Warranty and Maintenance Book-
let ” .
& Recommended spark plugs For the recommended spark plugs, refer
to “ Electrical system ” F 12-8.Maintenance and service/Spark plugs
11-21

Maintenance and service/Drive belts
Drive belts NOTE For models except STI, it is unneces-
sary to check the deflection of the drive
belt periodically because this engine is
equipped with an automatic belt ten-
sion adjuster. However, replacement of
the belt should be done according to
the maintenance schedule in the “ War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet ” . Con-
sult your SUBARU dealer for replace-
ment.
If the drive belt is loose, cracked or
worn, contact your SUBARU dealer. STI
1) Power steering oil pump pulley
2) Front side belt
3) Alternator pulley
4) Air conditioner compressor pulley
5) Rear side belt
6) Crank pulley
A) 22 lbf (98 N, 10 kgf)
CAUTION
The front side belt, which runs in
conjunction with the following com-
ponents, must be used within the
specified deflection.
. Power steering oil pump pulley
. Alternator pulley
. Crank pulley
Check the deflection of the front side belt and if there is any loosen-
ess, cracks, wear or unusual noise
on the front side belt, contact your
SUBARU dealer.
Continuing to use the vehicle with
the belt outside of the specification
may cause the engine to malfunc-
tion and the above components to
malfunction.
To check the deflection of the front side
belt, place a straightedge (ruler) across
two adjacent pulleys (alternator pulley and
crank pulley) and apply a force of 22 lbf
(98 N, 10 kgf) midway between the pulleys
by using a spring scale. The belt deflec-
tion should be the amount specified. If the
front side belt is loose, cracked or worn,
contact your SUBARU dealer. in (mm)
Deflection
New belt
Used belt
A 0.28 – 0.35
(7.0 – 9.0) 0.35 – 0.43
(9.0 – 11.0)
The rear side belt is a stretch-type belt,
therefore the deflection does not need to
be checked. If there are cracks or wear
confirmed on the belts and a squeaking
noise is heard from them, contact your
SUBARU dealer.11-22

Manual transmission oil It is not necessary to check the transmis-
sion oil level. Check that there are no
cracks, damage or leakage. However, the
oil inspection should be performed ac-
cording to the maintenance schedule in
the “ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ” .
Consult your SUBARU dealer for details.
& Recommended grade and
viscosity Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together. For details, refer to
“ Manual transmission, f ront differential
and rear differential gear oil ” F 12-6.Continuously variable trans-
mission fluid It is not necessary to check the transmis-
sion fluid level. Check that there are no
cracks, damage or leakage. However, the
fluid inspection should be performed
according to the maintenance schedule
in the “ Warranty and Maintenance Book-
let ” . Consult your SUBARU dealer for
details. Front differential gear oil
(CVT models) and rear differ-
ential gear oil It is not necessary to check the gear oil
level. Check that there are no cracks,
damage or leakage. However, the oil
inspection should be performed according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ” .
Consult your SUBARU dealer for details.
& Recommended grade and
viscosity Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together. For details, refer to
“ Manual transmission, front differential
and rear differential gear oil ” F 12-6.
CAUTION
Using a differential gear oil other
than the specified oil may cause a
decline in vehicle performance.Maintenance and service/Manual transmission oil
11-23

Brake booster If the brake booster does not operate as
described in the following, have it checked
by your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake
pedal several times, applying the same
pedal force each time. The distance the
pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start
the engine. The pedal should move
slightly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop
the engine and keep the pedal depressed
for 30 seconds. The pedal height should
not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for
approximately one minute then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times to
check the brake booster. The brake
booster operates properly if the pedal
stroke decreases with each depression.
NOTE When you depress the brake pedal
strongly or suddenly, you might feel
that lighter depression of the brake
pedal generates a greater braking
force. However, even though these
occur, they do not indicate any mal-
functions, and the brake assist system is operating properly.
Brake assist is not a system that brings
more braking ability to the vehicle
beyond its breaking capability.
Brake pedal Check the brake pedal free play and
reserve distance according to the main-
tenance schedule in the “ Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ” .
& Checking the brake pedal
free play
1) 0.02 – 0.11 in (0.5 – 2.7 mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress the
brake pedal several times. Lightly pull the
brake pedal up with one finger to check
the free play with a force of less than 2 lbf
(10 N, 1 kgf).
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er. Maintenance and service/Brake booster
– CONTINUED –11-27

Maintenance and service/Clutch pedal (MT models)
& Checking the brake pedal
reserve distance
1) More than 2.56 in (65 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-
mately 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf) and measure
the distance between the upper surface of
the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than
the specification, or when the pedal does
not operate smoothly, contact with your
SUBARU dealer. Clutch pedal (MT models) Check the clutch pedal free play and
reserve distance according to the main-
tenance schedule in the “ Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ” .
& Checking the clutch function Check the clutch engagement and disen-
gagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there
are no abnormal noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed, and that shifting into
1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal
slowly to check that the engine and
transmission smoothly couple without
any sign of slippage. & Checking the clutch pedal
free play
1) 0.16 – 0.43 in (4.0 – 11.0 mm)
Lightly depress the clutch pedal down with
your finger until you feel resistance, and
check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er.11-28

Maintenance and service/Parking brake stroke (models without electronic parking brake system)
& Breaking-in of new brake
pads and linings (models
without electronic parking
brake system)When replacing the brake pad or lining,
use only genuine SUBARU parts. After
replacement, the new parts must be
broken in as follows.
! Brake pad and lining
While maintaining a speed of 30 to 40
mph (50 to 65 km/h), step on the brake
pedal lightly. Repeat this five or more
times.
! Parking brake lining
1.Drivethevehicleataspeedof
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h).
2. With the parking brake release button
pushed in, pull the parking brake lever
SLOWLY and GENTLY (pulling with a
force of approximately 33.7 lbf [150 N,
15.3 kgf]).
3. Drive the vehicle for approximately
220 yards (200 meters) in this condition.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the parking
brake to cool down. Repeat this proce-
dure.
5. Check the parking brake stroke. If the
parking brake stroke is out of the specified
range, adjust it by turning the adjusting nut
located on the parking brake lever. Parking brake stroke:
7 – 8 notches / 45 lbf (200 N, 20.4 kgf)
WARNINGA safe location and situation should
be selected for break-in driving.
CAUTIONPulling the parking brake lever too
forcefully may cause the rear
wheels to lock. To avoid this, be
certain to pull the lever up slowly
and gently. Parking brake stroke (models
without electronic parking
brake system)
Check the parking brake stroke according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ” .
When the parking brake is properly
adjusted, braking power is fully applied
by pulling the lever up 7 to 8 notches
gently but firmly (approximately 45 lbf [200
N, 20.4 kgf]). If the parking brake lever
stroke is not within the specified range,
have the brake system checked and
adjusted at your SUBARU dealer.11-30

Maintenance and service/Tires and wheels
& Tire rotation direction mark
Example of tire rotation direction mark
1) Front
If the tire has the rotation direction
specification, the tire rotation direction
mark is placed on its sidewall.
When you install a tire that has the tire
rotation direction mark, install the tire with
the direction mark facing forward. & Tire rotation
Vehicles equipped with 4 non-unidirec-
tional tires
1) Front
Vehicles equipped with unidirectional tires
1) Front Tire wear varies from wheel to wheel.
Move the tires to the positions shown in
the illustration each time they are rotated.
For the tire rotation schedule, refer to the
“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ” .
Replace any damaged or unevenly worn
tires at the time of rotation. After tire
rotation, adjust the tires pressures and
make sure the wheel nuts are correctly
tightened.
After driving approximately 600 miles
(1,000 km), check the wheel nuts again
and retighten any nut that has become
loose.
& Tire replacement The wheels and tires are important and
integral parts of your vehicle ’ s design;
they cannot be changed arbitrarily. The
tires fitted as standard equipment are
optimally matched to the characteristics
of the vehicle and were selected to give
the best possible combination of running
performance, ride comfort, and service
life. It is essential for every tire to have a
size and construction matching those
shown on the tire placard and to have a
speed symbol and load index matching
those shown on the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts11-36