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276 2-5. Driving information
BRZ_U
Tire chainsTire chains cannot be used on your vehicle because of the lack of
clearance between the tires and vehicle body.
When tire chains cannot be used, use of another type of traction
device (such as spring chains) may be acceptable if use on your vehi-
cle is recommended by the device manufacturer, taking into account
tire size and road conditions.
Follow the device manufacturer's instructions, especially regarding
maximum vehicle speed.
To help avoid damage to your vehicle, drive slowly, readjust or
remove the device if it is contacting your vehicle, and do not spin your
wheels. Damage caused to your vehicle by use of a traction device is
not covered under warranty.
Make certain that any traction device you use is an SAE class “S”
device, and use it on the rear wheels only.
Always use the utmost care when driving with a traction device. Over-
confidence because you are using a traction device could easily lead
to a serious accident.
Selecting tire chainsWe recommend that you consult your SUBARU dealer for information
about the chains that you can use.
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2-5. Driving information
2
When driving
BRZ_U
■
Refueling in cold weather
To help prevent moisture from forming in the fuel system and the risk of its
freezing, use of an antifreeze additive in the fuel tank is recommended dur-
ing cold weather.
Use only additives that are specifically designed for this purpose. When an
antifreeze additive is used, its effect lasts longer if the tank is refilled when-
ever the fuel level reaches half empty.
WARNING
■Driving with snow tires
Observe the following precautions to reduce the risk of accidents.
Failure to do so may result in a loss of vehicle control and cause death or
serious injury.
●Use tires of the specified size, and that are the same for the following
items:
•Size
• Circumference
• Speed symbol
• Load index
• Construction
• Manufacturer
• Brand (tread pattern)
• Degrees of wear
●Maintain the recommended level of air pressure.
●Use snow tires on all, not just some wheels.
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2-5. Driving information
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Dinghy towing
Your vehicle is not designed to be dinghy towed behind a motor
home or other vehicle with the wheels (2 or 4) on the ground. Serious
damage can result.
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
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332
BRZ_U
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle exterior
Perform the following to protect the vehicle and maintain it in prime
condition.
● Working from top to bottom, liberally apply water to the vehicle
body, wheel wells and underside of the vehicle to remove any
dirt and dust.
● Wash the vehicle body using a sponge or soft cloth, such as a
chamois.
● For hard-to-remove marks, use car wash soap and rinse thor-
oughly with water.
● Wipe away any water.
● Wax the vehicle when the waterproof coating deteriorates.
If water does not bead on a clean surface, apply wax when the vehicle
body is cool.
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333
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
BRZ_U
■
Automatic car washes
● Fold the mirrors before washing the vehicle. Start washing from the front
of the vehicle. Make sure to and extend the mirrors before driving.
● When having your vehicle washed in an automatic car wash, make sure
beforehand that the car wash is of suitable type to avoid scratches to the
vehicle surface and harm to your vehicle’s paint.
● Vehicles with a rear spoiler: In certain automatic car washes, the rear
spoiler may interfere with machine operation. This may prevent the vehi-
cle from being cleaned properly or result in damage to the rear spoiler.
■ High pressure car washes
● As water may enter the cabin, do not bring the nozzle tip near the gaps
around the doors or perimeter of the windows, or spray these areas con-
tinuously.
● Before using the car wash, check that the fuel filler lid on your vehicle is
closed properly.
■ Alloy wheels
● Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent.
● Wash detergent off with water immediately after use.
● To protect the paint from damage, make sure to observe the following
precautions.
• Do not use acidic, alkaline or abrasive detergent
• Do not use hard brushes
• Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, such as after
driving or parking in hot weather
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334 4-1. Maintenance and care
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■Alloy wheels (vehicles with matte bronze painted wheels)
As matte bronze painted wheels require different cleaning methods than
conventional alloy wheels, be sure to observe the following. For details, con-
sult your SUBARU dealer.
●Remove dirt using water. If the wheels are excessively dirty, use a
sponge or soft cloth dampened with a diluted neutral detergent to remove
the dirt.
● To prevent the matte bronze paint from being damaged, make sure to
observe the following precautions:
• Do not scrub or polish the wheel s using a brush or dry cloth.
• Do not use any wheel coatings or abrasive detergents.
■ Parts containing resin such as the bumper
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
■ Brake (vehicles with Brembo
® brake)
● Painted brake calipers
• When using detergent, use neutral detergent. Do not use hard brushes
or abrasive cleaners, as they will damage the paint.
• Do not use detergent on the brake calipers when they are hot.
• Wash detergent off immediately after use.
● Rust may form if the vehicle is parked with wet brake pads or disc rotors,
causing them to stick. Before parking the vehicle after it is washed, drive
slowly and apply the brakes several times to dry the parts.
■ When washing the vehicle
Wear rubber gloves and use a hand brush when washing down underbody,
inner fenders and suspension to effectively remove mud and dirt off.
■ Plated portions
If dirt cannot be removed, clean the parts as follows:
●Use a soft cloth dampened with an approximately 5% solution of neutral
detergent and water to clean the dirt off.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture.
● To remove oily deposits, use alcohol wet wipes or a similar product.
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336 4-1. Maintenance and care
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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.