2016 SUBARU WRX Owners Manual

Appearance care/Cleaning the interior
CAUTION. Do not use organic solvents such
as paint thinners or fuel, or
strong cleaning agents that con-
tain those solvents. Doing so
could damage the surface and
cause the color to deteriorate.
. Do not use chemical solvents
that contain silicone on the vehi-
cle audio system, electrical com-
ponents of the air-conditioner or
any switches. If silicone adheres
to these parts, it may cause
damage to electrical compo-
nents. & Monitor To clean the audio/navigation/multi func-
tion display monitor, wipe it with a silicone
cloth or with a soft cloth. If the monitor is
extremely dirty, clean it with a soft cloth
moistened with neutral detergent then
carefully wipe off any remaining detergent.
CAUTION. Do not spray neutral detergent
directly onto the monitor. Doing
so could damage the monitor ’ s
components.
. Do not wipe the monitor with a
hard cloth. Doing so could
scratch the monitor.
. Do not use cleaning fluid that
contains thinner, fuel, or any
other volatile substance. Such
cleaning fluid could erase the
lettering on the switches at the
bottom of the monitor.10-6

Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3Before checking or servicing in the engine
compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine
compartment .................................................... 11-5
When checking or servicing in the engine
compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Maintenance tips ................................................ 11-6Removing and reinstalling clips .......................... 11-6
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-9
Engine compartment overview ........................ 11-11STI................................................................... 11-11
Except STI ....................................................... 11-12
Engine oil .......................................................... 11-13Engine oil consumption .................................... 11-13
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-13
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-15
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-16
Cooling system ................................................ 11-17Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-17
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-18
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-19
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-19
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-21
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-21
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-22
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-23 Continuously variable transmission fluid ...... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (CVT models) and
rear differential gear oil ................................ 11-23Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-23
Power steering fluid (STI) ............................... 11-24Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-24
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-24
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-25Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-26Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-26
Brake booster .................................................. 11-27
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-27Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ....... 1 1-28
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-28Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-28
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-28
Hill start assist system .................................... 11-29
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-29Breaking-in of new brake pads (models with
electronic parking brake system) .................... 11-29
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings
(models without electronic parking brake
system) ......................................................... 11-30
Parking brake stroke (models without
electronic parking brake system) ................ 11-30Maintenance and service
11

Maintenance and service
Tires and wheels .............................................. 11-31Types of tires ................................................... 11-31
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if
equipped) ....................................................... 11-31
Tire inspection ................................................. 11-32
Tire pressures and wear ................................... 11-33
Wheel balance .................................................. 11-35
Wear indicators ................................................ 11-35
Tire rotation direction mark .............................. 11-36
Tire rotation ..................................................... 11-36
Tire replacement .............................................. 11-36
Wheel replacement ........................................... 11-37
Aluminum wheels ............................................. 11-38
Windshield washer fluid .................................. 11-38
Replacement of wiper blades .......................... 11-39Windshield wiper blade assembly ..................... 11-40
Windshield wiper blade rubber ......................... 11-40 Battery .............................................................. 11-41
Fuses ................................................................ 11-42
Installation of accessories .............................. 11-44
Replacing bulbs ............................................... 11-44Headlights (models with LED headlights) .......... 11-44
High beam headlight ........................................ 11-44
Low beam headlight (models without LED
headlights), front side marker light (if
equipped), parking light (models without LED
headlights) and front turn signal light ............. 11-46
Front fog light (if equipped) .............................. 11-47
Rear combination lights ................................... 11-48
License plate light ........................................... 11-49
Other bulbs ..................................................... 11-49
Replacing battery ............................................. 11-50Replacing battery of access key ....................... 11-50
Replacing transmitter battery ........................... 11-51

Maintenance schedule The scheduled maintenance items re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the “ Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet ” .
For details of your maintenance schedule,
read the separate “ Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet ” .
NOTE For models with a multi function dis-
play, you can set a reminder to be
displayed when a scheduled mainte-
nance item is almost due. For details,
refer to “ Maintenance settings ” F 3-79.Maintenance precautions When maintenance and service are re-
quired, it is recommended that all work be
done by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and service
by yourself, you should familiarize yourself
with the information provided in this
section on general maintenance and
service for your SUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service could
cause improper or unsafe vehicle opera-
tion. Any problems caused by improper
maintenance and service performed by
you are not eligible for warranty coverage.
WARNING
. Testing of an All-Wheel Drive
model must NEVER be per-
formed on a single two-wheel
dynamometer or similar appara-
tus. Attempting to do so will
result in transmission damage
and in uncontrolled vehicle
movement and may cause an
accident or injuries to persons
nearby.
. Always select a safe area when
performing maintenance on your
vehicle. . Always be very careful to avoid
injury when working on the vehi-
cle. Remember that some of the
materials in the vehicle may be
hazardous if improperly used or
handled, for example, battery
acid.
. Your vehicle should only be ser-
viced by persons fully competent
to do so. Serious personal injury
may result to persons not experi-
enced in servicing vehicles.
. Always use the proper tools and
make certain that they are well
maintained.
. Never get under the vehicle sup-
ported only by a jack. Always use
safety stands to support the
vehicle.
. Never keep the engine running in
a poorly ventilated area, such as
a garage or other closed areas.
. Do not smoke or allow open
flames around the fuel or battery.
This will cause a fire.
. Because the fuel system is under
pressure, replacement of the fuel
filter should be performed only
by your SUBARU dealer.
. Wear adequate eye protection toMaintenance and service/Maintenance schedule
– CONTINUED –11-3

Maintenance and service/Maintenance precautions
guard against getting oil or fluids
in your eyes. If something does
get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water.
. Do not tamper with the wiring of
the SRS airbag system or seat-
belt pretensioner system, or at-
tempt to take its connectors
apart, as that may activate the
system or it can render it inop-
erative. NEVER use a circuit
tester for this wiring. If your
SRS airbag or seatbelt preten-
sioner needs service, consult
your nearest SUBARU dealer.
NOTE SUBARU does not endorse the use of
non-SUBARU approved flushing sys-
tems and strongly advises against
performing these services on a
SUBARU vehicle. Non-SUBARU ap-
proved flushing systems use chemi-
cals and/or solvents which have not
been tested or approved by SUBARU.
SUBARU warranties do not cover any
part of the vehicle which is damaged by
adding or applying chemicals and/or
solvents other than those approved or
recommended by SUBARU. & Before checking or servicing
in the engine compartment WARNING. Always stop the engine and apply
the parking brake to prevent the
vehicle from moving.
. Always let the engine cool down.
Engine parts become very hot
when the engine is running and
remain hot for some time after
the engine has stopped.
. Do not spill engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components.
This may cause a fire.
. When the ignition switch is in the
“ ON ” position, the cooling fan
may operate suddenly even
when the engine is stopped. If
your body or clothes come into
contact with a rotating fan, that
could result in serious injury. To
avoid risk of injury, perform the
following precautions.
– Models with push-button start
system:
Always turn the push-button
ignition switch to the “ OFF ”
position and confirm that the operation indicator on the
switch is turned off. Then take
the access key out from the
vehicle.
– Models without push-button
start system:
Always remove the key from
the ignition switch.
. Before performing any servicing
on a vehicle equipped with a
remote engine start system (a
dealer option) temporarily place
that system in the service mode
to prevent it from unexpectedly
starting the engine.11-4

& When checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
CAUTION. Do not contact the drive belt
cover while checking the compo-
nents in the engine compart-
ment. Doing so may cause your
hand to slip off the cover and
result in an unexpected injury.
. Do not touch the oil filter until the
engine has cooled down comple-
tely. Doing so may result in a
burn or other injury. Note that the
oil filter becomes very hot when
the engine is running and re-
mains hot for some time after
the engine has stopped.
. Do not apply force on the fender
insulator by placing your hands on it, etc. Deformation of the
insulator and its mount may
occur.
& When checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
while the engine is running WARNINGA running engine can be dangerous.
Keep your fingers, hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from the cooling
fan, drive belt and any other moving
engine parts. Removing rings,
watches and ties is advisable.Maintenance and service/Maintenance precautions
11-5

Maintenance and service/Maintenance tips
Maintenance tips Some clips and fender linings must be
removed before replacing the air cleaner
elements or specific bulbs.
& Removing and reinstalling
clips! Removing clips
There are several types of clips used for
your vehicle.
! Type A clips
1. Turn the clips counterclockwise using
a flat-head screwdriver until the center
portion of the clip is raised.
2. Removetheclipswithaflat-head
screwdriver using leverage. 3. Remove the entire clip by pulling it up.
! Type B clips
! Type C clips
1. Pull out the center portion of the clip using a flat-head screwdriver as shown in
the illustration.
2. Pull the protruded center portion to
remove the entire body of the clip.
! Type D clips
1. Turn the clip counterclockwise using a
Phillips screwdriver until the center portion
of the clip is raised.
2. Remove the entire clip by pulling it up.11-6

! Type E clips
1. Push the center portion of the clip
using a Phillips screwdriver until the clip is
raised.
2. Remove the entire clip by pulling it up. ! Type F clips
1. Pull out the head of the clip using a
flat-head screwdriver as shown in the
illustration.
2. Remove the entire clip by pulling it up. ! Reinstalling clips
! Type A clips
! Type B clipsMaintenance and service/Maintenance tips
– CONTINUED –11-7