2016 SUBARU WRX oil level

& Warning and indicator lights Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-14
Front passenger ’ s
seatbelt warning light 3-14
SRS airbag system
warning light 3-15
/ Front passenger ’ s
frontal airbag ON indi-
cator 3-16
/ Front passenger ’ s
frontal airbag OFF in-
dicator 3-16
CHECK ENGINE
warning light/Malfunc-
tion indicator light 3-16
Charge warning light 3-17
Oil pressure warning
light 3-17
Engine oil level warn-
ing indicator (except
STI) 3-17
AT OIL TEMP warning
light (CVT models) 3-18 Mark Name Page
Rear differential oil
temperature warning
light (STI) 3-18
ABS warning light 3-20
Brake system warning
light 3-21
Electronic parking
brake indicator light
(models with electro-
nic parking brake sys-
tem) 3-23
Door open warning
light 3-25
AWD warning light
(if equipped) 3-25
Power steering warn-
ing light (except STI) 3-25
Hill start assist warn-
ing light/Hill start assist
OFF indicator light
(models without elec-
tronic parking brake
system) 3-24
Hill holder indicator
light (models with
electronic parking
brake system) 3-24 Mark Name Page
Vehicle Dynamics
Control warning light/
Vehicle Dynamics
Control operation indi-
cator light 3-26
Vehicle Dynamics
Control OFF indicator
light 3-27
Turn signal indicator
lights 3-35
LED headlight warning
light (if equipped) 3-25
High beam indicator
light 3-35
Automatic headlight
beam leveler warning
light (if equipped) 3-35
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped) 3-35
Access key warning
light (if equipped) 3-28
Security indicator light 3-33
Headlight indicator
light 3-35
– CONTINUED –21

Ignition switch (models without push-
button start system) ......................................... 3-4LOCK .................................................................. 3-4
ACC.................................................................... 3-5
ON...................................................................... 3-5
START ................................................................ 3-5
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-5
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-6
Push-button ignition switch (models with
push-button start system) ............................... 3-6Safety precautions .............................................. 3-6
Operating range for push-button start system ...... 3-6
Switching power ................................................. 3-7
When access key does not operate properly ........ 3-8
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-8
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-8Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-8
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle
movement upon turning on the ignition
switch ............................................................... 3-9
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-9
Odometer ............................................................ 3-9
Double trip meter ................................................ 3-9
Tachometer ........................................................ 3-10
Fuel gauge ......................................................... 3-10
Temperature gauge ............................................ 3-11
ECO gauge ........................................................ 3-12
REV indicator light and buzzer (STI). ................ 3-12
Warning and indicator lights ............................. 3-13
Seatbelt warning light and chime ........................ 3-14
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-15 Front passenger ’ s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ........................................................ 3-16
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator light .................................................. 3-16
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-17
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-17
Engine low oil level warning indicator (except
STI) ................................................................. 3-17
Windshield washer fluid warning indicator .......... 3-18
AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT models) ........... 3-18
Rear differential oil temperature warning light
(STI) ................................................................ 3-18
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S.-spec.
models) ........................................................... 3-19
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-20
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-21
Electronic parking brake indicator light (models
with electronic parking brake system) .............. 3-23
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-24
Hill start assist warning light/Hill start assist OFF
indicator light (models without electronic
parking brake system) ..................................... 3-24
Hill Holder indicator light (models with electronic
parking brake system) ..................................... 3-24
Door open warning light .................................... 3-25
All-Wheel Drive warning light (if equipped) ......... 3-25
Power steering warning light (except STI) ........... 3-25
LED headlight warning light (if equipped) ........... 3-25
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle
Dynamics Control operation indicator light .. ..... 3-26
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light/
Traction mode indicator light.. .......................... 3-27Instruments and controls 3

NOTE This light also illuminates when the fuel
filler cap is not tightened until it clicks.
If you have recently refueled your vehicle,
the cause of the CHECK ENGINE warning
light/malfunction indicator light illuminating
could be a loose or missing fuel filler cap.
Remove the cap and retighten it until it
clicks. Make sure nothing is interfering
with the sealing of the cap. Tightening the
cap will not make the CHECK ENGINE
warning light/malfunction indicator light
turn off immediately. It may take several
driving trips. If the light does not turn off,
take your vehicle to your authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately.
! If the light is blinking
If the light is blinking while driving, an
engine misfire condition has been de-
tected which may damage the emission
control system.
To prevent serious damage to the emis-
sion control system, you should do the
following.
. Reduce vehicle speed.
. Avoid hard acceleration.
. Avoid steep uphill grades.
. Reduce the amount of cargo, if possi-
ble.
The CHECK ENGINE warning light may stop blinking and illuminate steadily after
several driving trips. You should have your
vehicle checked by an authorized
SUBARU dealer immediately.
& Charge warning light If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the charging
system is not working properly.
If the light illuminates while driving or does
not turn off after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the alternator belt. If the belt is
loose, broken or if the belt is in good
condition but the light remains illuminated,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
immediately.
& Oil pressure warning
light If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the engine oil
pressure is low and the lubricating system
is not working properly.
If the light illuminates while driving or does
not turn off after the engine starts, stop the
engine at the first safe opportunity and
check the engine oil level. If the oil level is
low, add oil immediately. If the engine oil is
at the proper level but the light remains
illuminated, contact your nearest SUBARU dealer immediately.
For details about checking the engine oil
level or adding the engine oil, refer to
“ Engine oil ” F 11-13.
CAUTIONDo not operate the engine with the
oil pressure warning light on. This
may cause serious engine damage.
& Engine low oil level
warning indicator (ex-
cept STI) This indicator appears when the engine oil
level decreases to the lower limit.
If the engine low oil level warning indicator
appears while driving, park the vehicle in a
safe and level location, and then check
the engine oil level. When the engine oil
level is not within the normal range, refill
with engine oil. Refer to “ Engine oil ” F 11 -
13.
If the warning indicator does not disappear
after refilling the engine oil, or the warning
indicator appears even though the engine
oil level is within the normal range, have
the vehicle checked by a SUBARU dealer.Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
– CONTINUED –3-17

Instruments and controls/Warning and indicator lights
NOTE . After replacing or adding the engine
oil, if the engine oil level is within the
normal range when restarting the en-
gine on a level surface, the warning
indicator will be off.
. The warning indicator may appear
temporarily in the following conditions
because a low oil level may be detected
as a result of significant oil movement
in the engine.
– when the vehicle is considerably
inclined on an uphill or steep slope
– when the vehicle has continu-
ously accelerated and decelerated
– when the vehicle is continuously
turned
– when the vehicle is driven on a
road that alternates continuously
between uphill and downhill
& Windshield washer
fluid warning indicatorThis indicator appears when the fluid level
in the windshield washer fluid tank de-
creases to the lower limit (approximately
1.1 US qt, 1.0 liter, 0.9 Imp qt). & AT OIL TEMP warning
light (CVT models) If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the transmis-
sion fluid temperature is too hot.
If the light illuminates while driving, im-
mediately stop the vehicle in a safe place
and let the engine idle until the warning
light turns off.
! Transmission control system warn-
ing
If the “ AT OIL TEMP ” warning light flashes
after the engine has started, it may
indicate that the transmission control
system is not working properly. Contact
your nearest SUBARU dealer for service
immediately.
& Rear differential oil
temperature warning
light (STI)
CAUTION
If the R.DIFF TEMP warning light
illuminates, reduce vehicle speed
and stop the vehicle in a safe
location as soon as possible. Con-
tinuing to drive with this light illumi-
nated may damage the rear differ- ential and other parts of the power-
train.
If this light illuminates when the engine is
running, it may indicate that the rear
differential oil temperature is too hot.
At this time, the driver ’ s control center
differential will automatically cancel the
current torque-distribution ratio setting and
adopt its minimum ratio.
If the light illuminates while driving, reduce
vehicle speed and stop the vehicle in the
nearest safe location. Park the vehicle for
several minutes. After the light turns off,
you can start driving.
If the light does not turn off, contact the
nearest SUBARU dealer for service.
NOTE . If the tire pressures are not correct
and/or the tires are not all the same
size and brand, the rear differential will
be heavily loaded when the vehicle is
driven, resulting in an abnormally high
oil temperature.
. The rear differential oil will deterio-
rate if its temperature increases en-
ough for the rear differential oil tem-
perature warning light to illuminate. It is
advisable to have the rear differential
oil replaced as soon as possible.3-18

Instruments and controls/Multi information display
! Items of display message (for warning message) Item Icon “ ” information reminder Refer to page
Seatbelt warning for driver ’ s seat and front passenger ’ s seat Red 3-14
SRS airbag system malfunction warning Red 1-57, 3-16
Engine warning Yellow 3-16
Coolant temperature high warning Red 3-11, 9-11
Engine oil level warning (except STI) Yellow 3-17
Transmission fluid temperature high warning (CVT models) Yellow or red* 3-18
Transmission control system malfunction warning (CVT models) Yellow 3-18
Low tire pressure warning (U.S.-spec. models) Yellow 3-19
TPMS system malfunction warning (U.S.-spec. models) Yellow 3-19
*: The displayed color varies depending on individual countries.3-40

CAUTIONTrapping small animals in the cool-
ing fan and belts of the engine may
result in a malfunction. Check that
no small animal enters the engine
compartment and under the vehicle
before starting the engine.
NOTE Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops. Starting and stopping the
engine (models without
push-button start system) & Starting engine CAUTIONDo not operate the starter motor
continuously for more than 10 sec-
onds. If the engine fails to start after
operating the starter for 5 to 10
seconds, wait for 10 seconds or
more before trying again.
NOTE It may be difficult to start the engine
when the battery has been discon-
nected and reconnected (for mainte-
nance or other purposes). This diffi-
culty is caused by the electronically
controlled throttle ’ s self-diagnosis
function. To overcome it, keep the
ignition switch in the “ ON ” position
for approximately 10 seconds before
starting the engine. ! General precautions when starting
engine
WARNING. Never start the engine from out-
side the vehicle. It may result in
an accident.
. Do not leave the engine running
in locations with poor ventilation,
such as a garage and indoors.
The exhaust gas may enter the
vehicle or indoors, and it may
result in carbon monoxide poi-
soning.
. Do not start the engine near dry
foliage, paper, or other flam-
mable substances. The exhaust
pipe and exhaust emissions can
create a fire hazard at high
temperatures.
CAUTION
. If the engine is stopped during
driving, the catalyst may over-
heat and burn.Starting and operating/Starting and stopping the engine (models without push – button start system)
– CONTINUED –7-9

Engine overheating WARNINGNever attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has fully cooled down.
When the engine is hot, the coolant
is under pressure. Removing the
cap while the engine is still hot
could release a spray of boiling hot
coolant, which could burn you very
seriously.
If the engine overheats, safely pull off the
road and stop the vehicle in a safe
location.
& If steam is coming from the
engine compartment . Turn off the engine and get everyone
away from the vehicle until it cools down.
. Contact an authorized SUBARU deal-
er.
& If no steam is coming from
the engine compartment
1. Keep the engine running at idling
speed.
2. Open the engine hood to ventilate the engine compartment. Refer to “ Engine
hood ” F 11-9.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn off
the engine and contact an authorized
SUBARU dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature
has dropped, turn off the engine.
If temperature gauge stays in the over-
heated zone, turn off the engine. Refer to
“ Temperature gauge ” F 3-11.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down,
check the coolant level in the reserve
tank. If the coolant level is below the
“ LOW ” mark, add coolant up to the “ FULL ”
mark.
NOTE For details about how to check the
coolant level or how to add coolant,
refer to “ Engine coolant ” F 11-18.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve
tank, add coolant to the reserve tank.
Then remove the radiator cap and fill the
radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot
radiator, first wrap a thick cloth around the
radiator cap, then turn the cap counter-
clockwise slowly without pressing down
until it stops. Release the pressure from
the radiator. After the pressure has been fully released, remove the cap by pressing
down and turning it. In case of emergency/Engine overheating
9-11

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