Subaru BRZ 2013 Service Guide
Maintenance and care
4
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle exterior......... 272
Cleaning and protecting
the vehicle interior.......... 276
Cleaning and protecting
the Alcantara
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance
requirements.................. 282
General maintenance....... 285
Emission inspection and
maintenance (I/M)
programs........................ 288
®
area ....... 280
4-3. Do-it-yourself
maintenance
Do-it-yourself service
precautions .................... 289
Engine hood..................... 292
Engine compartment........ 294
Tires ................................. 308
Tire inflation pressure ...... 315
Wheels ............................. 319
Air conditioning filter......... 322
Transmitter/access key
battery............................ 325
Checking and replacing
fuses .............................. 329
Light bulbs........................ 337
271
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 thoroughly 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.
Handling the antenna
Before washing the vehicle, the antenna can be removed.
Removal
Installation
272
4-1. Maintenance and care
■ Automatic car washes
● Fold the mirrors and remove the antenna before washing the vehicle.
Start washing from the front of the vehicle. Make sure to re-install the
antenna 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 vehicle from being cleaned properly or result in damage to the rear spoiler.
■ High pressure car washes
● Do not allow the nozzles of the car wash to come within close proximity
of the windows and door frames as water may enter the cabin.
● Before car wash, check that the fuel filler lid on your vehicle is closed
properly.
■ Aluminum wheels (if equipped)
● Remove any dirt immediately by using a neutral detergent. Do not use
hard brushes or abrasive cleaners. Do not use strong or harsh chemical
cleaners. Use the same mild detergent and wax as used on the paint.
● Do not use detergent on the wheels when they are hot, for example after
driving for long distance in the hot weather.
● Wash detergent from the wheels immediately after use.
■ Parts containing resin such as the bumper
Do not scrub with abrasive cleaners.
4
Maintenance and care
273
4-1. Maintenance and care
WARNING
■ When washing the vehicle
● Do not wash the engine compartment and area adjacent to it. If water
enters the engine air intake or electrical parts it will cause engine trouble or
a malfunction of the power steering.
● When washing the vehicle, the brakes may get wet. As a result, the brake
stopping distance will be longer. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at a
safe speed while lightly depressing the brake pedal to heat up the brakes.
■ Precautions regarding the exhaust pipes
Exhaust gasses cause the exhaust pipes and rear bumper diffusers to
become quite hot.
When washing the vehicle, be careful not to touch the pipes and diffusers
until they have cooled sufficiently, as touching hot exhaust pipes and rear
bumper diffusers can cause burns.
CAUTION
■ To prevent paint deterioration and corrosion on the body and compo-
nents (aluminum 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.
274
4-1. Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■ 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.
■ Antenna installation and removal precautions
● Before driving, ensure that the antenna is installed.
● When the antenna is removed, such as before entering an automatic car
wash, make sure to store it in a suitable place so as not to lose it. Also,
before driving, make sure to reinstall the antenna in its original position.
■ 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.
■ To prevent damage to the antenna
Remove the antenna in the following situations:
● When the antenna will touch the ceiling of a garage or other such places
● When a car cover is to be used to cover the vehicle
● When using an automatic car wash
4
Maintenance and care
275
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the vehicle interior
The following procedures will help protect your vehicle's interior and
keep it in top condition:
■ Protecting the vehicle interior
● Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner. Wipe dirty sur-
faces with a cloth dampened with lukewarm water.
● When the interior is extremely dirty, wipe away the dirt using a
soft cloth slightly dampened with diluted neutral detergent.
■ Cleaning the leather areas
● Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe any excess dirt and dust with a soft cloth dampened with
diluted detergent.
Use a diluted water solution of approximately 5% neutral wool
detergent.
● Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly
wipe off all remaining traces of detergent.
● Wipe the surface with a dry, soft cloth to remove any remaining moisture. Allow the leather to dry in a shaded ventilated
area.
■ Synthetic leather areas
● Remove loose dirt using a vacuum cleaner.
● Apply a mild soap solution to the synthetic leather.
● Allow the solution to soak in for a few minutes. Remove the
dirt and wipe off the solution with a clean, damp cloth.
276
4-1. Maintenance and care
■ Caring for leather areas
SUBARU recommends cleaning the interior of the vehicle at least twice a
year to maintain the quality of the vehicle’s interior.
■ Shampooing the carpets
There are several commercial foaming-type cleaners available. Use a
sponge or brush to apply the foam. Rub in overlapping circles. Do not apply
water. Excellent results are obtained by keeping the carpet as dry as possible.
■ Seatbelts
Clean with mild soap and lukewarm water using a cloth or sponge. Also
check the belts periodically for excessive wear, fraying or cuts.
WARNING
■ Water in the vehicle
● Do not splash or spill liquid in the vehicle.
Doing so may cause electrical components etc. to malfunction or catch
fire.
● Do not get any of the SRS components or wiring in the vehicle interior wet.
(→P. 92)
Electrical malfunction may cause the airbags to deploy or not function
properly, resulting in death or severe injury.
■ Cleaning the interior (especially instrument panel)
Do not use polish wax or polish cleaner. The instrument panel may reflect off
the windshield, obstructing the driver's view and leading to an accident,
resulting in death or serious injury.
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Maintenance and care
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4-1. Maintenance and care
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 components, 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.
278
4-1. Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■ Cleaning the inside of the rear window
● Be careful not to scratch or damage the heater wires.
● Do not use glass cleaner to clean the rear window, as this may cause
damage to the rear window defogger heater wires. Use a cloth dampened
with lukewarm water to gently wipe the window clean. Wipe the window in
strokes running parallel to the heater wires.
■ When cleaning the instrument panel
When small grains of sand and so forth have gotten into instrument panel’s
surface and cannot be wiped away using a cloth, use a clay bar without adding water. Forcibly trying to wipe the surface clean with a brush or sponge
may scratch the surface or fragments of the cloth may be left in the surface.
4
279
Maintenance and care
4-1. Maintenance and care
Cleaning and protecting the Alcantara® area
The following procedures will protect and keep your vehicle’s
Alcantara
■ Day-to-day cleaning
Perform the following procedures regularly (approximately once
a month).
STEP
STEP
■ Liquid stains
● If liquid is spilled, lightly pat the area with a tissue paper or
● When mud, coffee, etc., has dried on the Alcantara
®
upholstery in top condition:
1
Wipe the entire Alcantara
®
area with a soft cloth that has
been dampened with lukewarm water (approximately 104°F
[40°C]) and squeezed out.
Do not wipe too hard. Doing so may make the Alcantara® upholstery surface become uneven. Also, only use a clean cloth.
2
Once dry, brush the area with a soft brush.
similar to soak up the liquid.
®
upholstery, remove it by lightly brushing the area with a soft brush
or similar.
∗
We recommend using a vacuum cleaner to clean up the area after
the above has been performed.
When a stain cannot be removed using the above procedures,
remove it by performing the following:
STEP
1
Lightly wipe the stained area from the outside to the inside
from multiple angles with a soft cloth that has been dampened with lukewarm water (approximately 104°F [40°C])
and squeezed out.
Do not wipe the area so strongly that it causes the Alcantara
upholstery surface to become uneven. Also, prepare a clean
cloth, and always use a clean area of the cloth.
280
®
∗: If equipped
STEP
2
If the Alcantara® upholstery surface becomes uneven,
lightly brush it with a soft brush.
STEP
3
Allow the surface to dry completely.
■ Oil stains
You will need the following items:
● A cloth that has been dampened with benzene
● A dry cloth
STEP
1
Using a dry cloth or tissue paper, wipe away as much of the
oil as possible to prevent the stained area from expanding.
STEP
2
After patting the area from the outside to the inside from
multiple angles using the cloth dampened with benzene,
soak up the oil and benzene that floats up by patting the
area with a dry cloth.
STEP
3
If the Alcantara
®
upholstery surface becomes uneven,
lightly brush it with a soft brush.
4-1. Maintenance and care
4
Maintenance and care
■ When removing dirt or dust from the Alcantara® areas
Remove dirt or dust from the Alcantara
®
areas by lighting brushing with a
soft brush. If this does not remove the dirt or dust, remove it using adhesive
tape.
CAUTION
■ When soaking up spilled liquids
Do not press down too firmly with the cloth, tissue paper etc., as doing so
may cause the liquid to further penetrate the material, making soaking up
the liquid more difficult.
281
4-2. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements
To ensure safe and economical driving, day-to-day care and regular
maintenance is essential. It is the owner’s responsibility to perform
regular checks. SUBARU recommends the following maintenance.
■ General maintenance
Should be performed on a daily basis. This can be done by yourself or by a SUBARU dealer.
■ Scheduled maintenance
Should be performed at specified intervals according to the
maintenance schedule.
For details about maintenance items and schedules, refer to the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
■ Do-it-yourself maintenance
You can perform some maintenance procedures yourself.
Please be aware that do-it-yourself maintenance may affect warranty coverage.
The use of SUBARU Service Manuals is recommended.
For details about warranty coverage, see the separate “Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet”.
■ Repair and replacement
It is recommended that genuine SUBARU parts be used for repair to ensure
performance of each system. If non-SUBARU parts are used in replacement
or if a repair shop other than a SUBARU dealer performs repairs, warranty
coverage may be affected.
282
4-2. Maintenance
■ Allow inspection and repairs to be performed by a SUBARU dealer
● SUBARU technicians are well-trained specialists and are kept up to date
with the latest service information. They are well informed about the
operations of all systems on your vehicle.
● Keep a copy of the repair order. It proves that the maintenance that has
been performed is under warranty coverage. If any problem should arise
while your vehicle is under warranty, your SUBARU dealer will promptly
take care of it.
4
283
Maintenance and care
4-2. Maintenance
WARNING
■ If your vehicle is not properly maintained
It could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.
■ Warning in handling of battery
● Before beginning work on or near any battery, be sure to extinguish all cig-
arettes, matches, and lighters. Never expose a battery to an open flame or
electric sparks. Batteries give off a gas which is highly flammable and
explosive.
● For safety, in case an explosion does occur, wear eye protection or shield
your eyes when working near any battery. Never lean over a battery.
● Do not let battery fluid contact eyes, skin, fabrics, or paint because battery
fluid is a corrosive acid. If battery fluid gets on your skin or in your eyes,
immediately flush the area with water thoroughly. Seek medical help
immediately if acid has entered the eyes.
If battery fluid is accidentally swallowed, immediately drink a large amount
of milk or water, and seek medical attention immediately.
● To lessen the risk of sparks, remove rings, metal watchbands, and other
metal jewelry. Never allow metal tools to contact the positive battery terminal and anything connected to it WHILE you are at the same time in contact with any other metallic portion of the vehicle because a short circuit
will result.
● Keep everyone including children away from the battery.
● Charge the battery in a wellventilated area.
● Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Batteries also contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer. Wash hands after handling.
284
4-2. Maintenance
General maintenance
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Maintenance
Booklet”. It is recommended that any problem you notice should be
brought to the attention of your SUBARU dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.
Engine compartment
Items Check points
Battery
Brake fluid At the correct level? (→P. 300)
Engine coolant At the correct level? (→P. 298)
Engine oil At the correct level? (→P. 295)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses
Washer fluid At the correct level? (→P. 306)
Check the connections.
(→P. 302)
Not blocked with foreign matter?
(→P. 300)
4
Maintenance and care
285
4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
Items Check points
Accelerator pedal
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism
Brake pedal
Brakes
Clutch pedal • Moves smoothly?
Head restraints
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake
• Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
• Can the vehicle be held securely
on an incline with the select lever
in P?
• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clearance and correct amount of free
play?
• Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
• Move smoothly and lock
securely?
• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seatbelts
Seats
Steering wheel
286
• Does the seatbelt system operate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
• Do the seat controls operate
properly?
• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?
4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle exterior
Items Check points
Door/trunk lid • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks
• Is there any leakage after parking?
• Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-
Tire
aged?
• Tires rotated according to the
maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
WARNING
■ If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before performing maintenance checks.
4
Maintenance and care
287
4-2. Maintenance
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of the emission control system.
■ If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your SUBARU
dealer to service the vehicle.
■ Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
● When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are
erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
● When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary malfunction and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■ When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■ If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your SUBARU dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-testing.
288
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself service precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure as given in these sections.
Items Parts and tools
•Warm water
• Baking soda
Battery condition (→P. 302)
Brake fluid level (→P. 300)
Engine coolant level (→P. 298)
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
• FMVSS No.116 fresh DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
brake fluid)
• SUBARU Super Coolant or similar high-quality ethylene glycolbased non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology.
SUBARU Super Coolant is premixed with 50% coolant and
50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine coolant)
4
Maintenance and care
Engine oil level (→P. 295)
Fuses (→P. 329)
• SUBARU approved engine oil or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used
only for adding engine oil)
• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original
289
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Items Parts and tools
Light bulbs (→P. 337)
• Bulb with same number and wattage rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
Radiator and condenser
(→P. 300)
Tire inflation pressure (→P. 315)
Washer fluid (→P. 306)
• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
• Water washer fluid containing antifreeze (for winter use)
• Funnel
290
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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. 300)
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. 300)
■ Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
4
Maintenance and care
CAUTION
■ If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compartment.
291
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the engine
hood.
STEP
STEP
STEP
1
Pull the engine hood release
lever.
The engine hood will pop up
slightly.
2
Push the auxiliary catch lever
to the left and lift the engine
hood.
3
Hold the engine hood open by
inserting the supporting rod
into the slot.
292
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
WARNING
■ Pre-driving check
Check that the engine hood is fully closed and locked.
If the engine hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in
motion and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
■ When opening the engine hood
Do not lift up or operate the wipers. Doing so may cause the engine hood
and wipers to contact, scratching the engine hood.
■ When closing the engine hood
Do not apply excessive weight or force when closing the engine hood as
doing so may result in damage.
4
293
Maintenance and care
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Battery (→P. 302)
Engine oil level dipstick
Brake fluid reservoir
Engine oil filler cap
294
(→P. 295)
(→P. 300)
(→P. 296)
Washer fluid tank
(→P. 306)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser (→P. 300)
Radiator (→P. 300)
Engine coolant reservoir
(→P. 298)
Fuse box (→P. 329)
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine oil
With the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■ Checking the engine oil
STEP
1
Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than five minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
STEP
STEP
STEP
STEP
STEP
2
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
3
Wipe the dipstick clean.
4
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
5
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
When checking the oil, look at both sides of the dipstick and use the
lower measurement to determine the level of oil.
6
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
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Maintenance and care
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