bit of a noob question, got my first impreza, its a 96 turbo 2000 classic.
can anyone tell me what the square button/switch on top of the ignition cowl does? it has a picture of a square with dots in the corners of it.

 

That's your "parking lights". With ignition off, you can switch side-lights on or off. It's a Jap thing.

 

Don't accidentally leave it depressed, it puts the sidelights, but NOT the dash lights, on, so it is possible to leave them on. You can also do so in daylight, and leave them on all dfay and night, which nicely kills the battery.