Page 297 of 560

297
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
BRZ_U
■
Ventilation and air conditioning odors
● To let fresh air in, set the air condi tioning system to the outside air mode.
● During use, various odors from inside and outside the vehicle may enter
into and accumulate in the air conditioning system. This may then cause
odor to be emitted from the vents.
● To reduce potential odors from occurring:
• It is recommended that the air conditioning system be set to outside air
mode prior to turning the vehicle off.
• The start timing of the blower may be delayed for a short period of time immediately after the air conditioni ng system is started in automatic
mode.
■ Air conditioning filter
→ P. 385
WARNING
■To prevent the windshield from fogging up
Do not use during cool air operation in extremely humid weather. The
difference between the temperature of the outside air and that of the wind-
shield can cause the outer surface of the windshield to fog up, blocking your
vision.
CAUTION
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the air conditioning sy stem on longer than necessary when the
engine is stopped.
Page 298 of 560
298
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
BRZ_U
Rear window and outside rear view mirror defoggers
The rear window defogger is used to defog the rear window. The out-
side rear view mirror defoggers* are used to remove frost, dew or
raindrops from the outside rear view mirrors.
Vehicles with a manual air conditioning system On/off
The defoggers will automati-
cally turn off after approxi-
mately 15 minutes.
Vehicles with an automatic air conditioning systemOn/off
The defoggers will automati-
cally turn off after approxi-
mately 15 minutes.
*: Vehicles with outside rear view mirror defoggers
Page 299 of 560

299
3-1. Using the air conditioning system and defogger
3
Interior features
BRZ_U
■
The defoggers can be operated when
Vehicles without a keyless access with push button start system
The engine switch is in the “ON” position.
Vehicles with a keyless access with push button start system
The push-button ignition switch is in “ON” mode.
■ The outside rear view mirror defoggers (vehicles with outside rear view
mirror defoggers)
Turning the rear window defogger on will turn the outside rear view mirror
defoggers on.
■ When continuous operation is set (vehicles with an automatic air con-
ditioning system)
During continuous operation, the defogger stops operating for 2 minutes
after every 15 minutes of continual operation. Even during the 2 minutes that
operation stops, the operating light remains illuminated. The rear window
defogger will continue to operate in this cycle until it is turned off.
■ Customization that can be configured at SUBARU dealer (vehicles with
an automatic air conditioning system)
The rear window defogger can be set to 15-minute operation or continuous
operation. (Customizable features →P. 518)
WARNING
■When the outside rear view mirror defoggers are on (vehicles with out-
side rear view mirror defoggers)
Do not touch the outside surface of the rear view mirrors, as they can
become very hot and burn you.
CAUTION
■To prevent battery discharge
Do not leave the rear window defogger on longer than necessary when the
engine is stopped.
Page 331 of 560
Maintenance and care4
331
BRZ_U
4-1. Maintenance and careCleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior......... 332
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior.......... 338
Cleaning and protecting the Alcantara
® area ....... 342
4-2. Maintenance Maintenance requirements .................. 344
General maintenance....... 347
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 350 4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions .................... 351
Engine hood ..................... 354
Engine compartment ........ 356
Tires ................................. 370
Tire inflation pressure ...... 378
Wheels ............................. 382
Air conditioning filter......... 385
Transmitter/access key battery ............................ 388
Checking and replacing fuses .............................. 393
Light bulbs........................ 401
Page 336 of 560

336 4-1. Maintenance and care
BRZ_U
CAUTION
■To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (alloy wheels etc.)
●Wash the vehicle immediately in the following cases:
• After driving near the sea coast
• After driving on salted roads
• If you see coal tar or tree sap on the paint surface
• If you see dead insects, insect droppings or bird droppings on the paint
• After driving in an area contaminated with soot, oily smoke, mine dust,
iron powder or chemical substances
• If the vehicle becomes heavily soiled in dust or mud
• If liquids such as benzene and gasoline are spilled on the paint surface
● If the paint is chipped or scratched, have it repaired immediately.
● To prevent the wheels from corroding, remove any dirt and store in a place
with low humidity when storing the wheels.
■ Protective film for side sill plates
Make sure to remove the protective film. Failure to do so may cause rust,
depending on conditions.
■ Cleaning the exterior lights
●Wash carefully. Do not use organic substances or scrub with a hard brush.
This may damage the surfaces of the lights.
● Do not apply wax on the surfaces of the lights.
Wax may cause damage to the lenses.
■ To prevent damage to the windshield wiper arms
When lifting the wiper arms away from the windshield, pull the driver side
wiper arm upward first, and repeat for the passenger side. When returning
the wipers to their original position, do so from the passenger side first.
Page 337 of 560

337
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U
CAUTION
■
When using a high pressure car wash
● Do not bring the nozzle tip close to boots (rubber or resin manufactured
cover), connectors or the following parts. The parts may be damaged if
they come into contact with high-pressure water.
• Traction related parts
• Steering parts
• Suspension parts
• Brake parts
● Keep the cleaning nozzle at least 11.9 in. (30 cm) away from the vehicles
body. Otherwise resin section, such as moldings and bumpers, may be
deformed and damaged. Also, do not continuously hold the nozzle in the
same place.
● Do not spray the lower part of the windshield continuously.
If water enters the air conditioning system intake located near the lower
part of the windshield, the air conditioning system may not operate cor-
rectly.
■ Cleaning the rear bumper cherry red stripe (tS models)
● When using a high pressure car wash (pressure washer) to wash your
vehicle, keep the nozzle a safe distance (11.9 in. [30 cm] or more) from the
stripe. Do not use the high pressure car wash on the same area continu-
ously.
● When using a heated or steam high pressure car wash or extra high-pres-
sure pressure washer, do not point the nozzle directly at the stripe, other-
wise the stripe may come off or be damaged.
● Carefully read the label of a car wash soap before using it, as some car
wash soaps may adversely affect the adhesion strength of the stripe.
● If dirt cannot be removed from the stripe, clean it off using a soft cloth
dampened with a neutral detergent diluted with water.
Page 340 of 560

340 4-1. Maintenance and care
BRZ_U
CAUTION
■Cleaning detergents
●Do not use organic substances such as benzene or gasoline, acidic or
alkaline solutions, dye, bleach or other detergent. Doing so may discolor
the vehicle interior or cause streaks or damage to painted surfaces.
● Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel's or other
interior part’s painted surface may be damaged.
● Do not use a chemical agent containing silicone (highly-polymerized sili-
con compound) when cleaning any of the electrical appliances such as the
air conditioning, all switches and their surrounding areas.
If silicon (highly-polymerized silicon compound) contacts these compo-
nents, it may cause the electrical appliances to malfunction.
■ Preventing damage to leather surfaces
Observe the following precautions to avoid damage to and deterioration of
leather surfaces.
●Remove any dust, dirt, sand, oil spots etc. on leather surfaces immedi-
ately.
● Do not expose the vehicle to direct sunlight for extended periods of time.
Park the vehicle in the shade, especially during summer.
● Do not place items made of vinyl, plastic, or that contain wax on the uphol-
stery, as they may stick to the leather surface if the vehicle interior heats
up significantly.
■ Water on the floor
Do not wash the vehicle floor with water.
Vehicle systems such as the audio system may be damaged if water comes
into contact with electrical components under the floor of the vehicle, and
may also cause the body to rust.
Page 353 of 560

353
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■
When working in the engine compartment
● Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
● Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
● Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
● Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
● Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■ When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric
cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or
the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 362)
Vehicles with a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
push-button ignition switch is off. With the push-button ignition switch in
“ON” mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 362)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
CAUTION
■If you remove the air cleaner element
Driving with the air cleaner element removed may cause excessive engine
wear due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine
compartment.