If no steam is coming from the engine compartment
1. Keep the engine running at idling speed.
2. Open the hood to ventilate the engine compartment. Refer to “Engine hood”.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If the fan is not turning, immediately turn off the engine and contact your authorized dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature has dropped, turn off the engine.
If any of the following conditions occur, turn off the engine.
• The temperature gauge stays in the overheated zone (turbo models). Refer to “Temperature gauge (turbo models)”.
• The coolant temperature high warning light remains illuminated (nonturbo models). Refer to “Coolant temperature low indicator light (non-turbo models)/Coolant temperature high warning light (non-turbo models)”.
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.
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 counterclockwise 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.
Test yourself
A quick Subaru Impreza quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.