Subaru Forester 2014 Service Guide
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions................................... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine
compartment.................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine
compartment while the engine is running.......... 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-5
Engine compartment overview.......................... 11-6
Non-turbo models .............................................. 11-6
Turbo models ..................................................... 11-7
Engine oil............................................................ 11-8
Checking the oil level ......................................... 11-8
Changing the oil and oil filter.............................. 11-9
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-10
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-11
Cooling system ................................................ 11-11
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-11
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-12
Air cleaner element.......................................... 11-13
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-13
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-15
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-15
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-15
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-16
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Continuously variable transmission fluid....... 11-16
Front differential gear oil (CVT models) ......... 11-16
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Rear differential gear oil .................................. 11-17
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-17
Brake fluid........................................................ 11-17
Checking the fluid level.................................... 11-17
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-18
Clutch fluid (MT models)................................. 11-18
Checking the fluid level.................................... 11-18
Recommended clutch fluid............................... 11-19
Brake booster .................................................. 11-19
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-19
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-19
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-20
Clutch pedal (MT models)............................... 11-20
Checking the clutch function............................ 11-20
Checking the clutch pedal free play.................. 11-20
Hill start assist system .................................... 11-21
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-21
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ... . ... 11-21
Parking brake stroke ....................................... 11-22
Tires and wheels.............................................. 11-22
Types of tires................................................... 11-22
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if
equipped) ...................................................... 11-23
Tire inspection................................................. 11-24
Tire pressures and wear .................................. 11-24
Wheel balance ................................................. 11-26
Wear indicators ............................................... 11-27
Tire rotation direction mark .............................. 11-27
Tire rotation..................................................... 11-28
Tire replacement .............................................. 11-28
Wheel replacement .......................................... 11-29
Aluminum wheels ............................................ 11-29
11
Maintenance and service
Windshield washer fluid .................................. 11-30
Replacement of wiper blades.......................... 11-31
Windshield wiper blade assembly ..................... 11-32
Windshield wiper blade rubber ......................... 11-32
Rear window wiper blade assembly .................. 11-33
Rear window wiper blade rubber....................... 11-34
Battery............................................................... 11-35
Fuses ................................................................ 11-36
Installation of accessories............................... 11-37
Replacing bulbs ............................................... 11-38
Headlights (models with HID headlights) ........... 11-38
Headlights (models without HID headlights)...... 11-38
Front turn signal light, front side marker light
and parking light ........................................... 11-39
Parking light .................................................... 11-40
Front fog light (if equipped).............................. 11-40
Rear combination lights ................................... 11-40
License plate light ........................................... 11-41
Other bulbs ..................................................... 11-42
Battery replacement ........................................ 11-42
Replacing access key battery........................... 11-43
Replacing transmitter battery ........................... 11-43
Maintenance and service/Maintenance schedule
11-3
Maintenance schedule
The scheduled maintenance items required to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
For details of your maintenance schedule,
read the separate “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
NOTE
For models with a multi function display, you can set a reminder to be
displayed when a scheduled maintenance item is almost due. For details,
refer to “Maintenance settings” F3-66.
Maintenance precautions
When maintenance and service are required, it is recommended that all work be
done by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and service
by yourself, you should familiarize yourself
with the information provided in this
section on general maintenance and
service for your SUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service could
cause improper or unsafe vehicle operation. Any problems caused by improper
maintenance and service performed by
you are not eligible for warranty coverage.
WARNING
. Always select a safe area when
performing maintenance on your
vehicle.
. Always be very careful to avoid
injury when working on the vehicle. Remember that some of the
materials in the vehicle may be
hazardous if improperly used or
handled, for example, battery
acid.
. Your vehicle should only be ser-
viced by persons fully competent
to do so. Serious personal injury
may result to persons not experienced in servicing vehicles.
. Always use the proper tools and
make certain that they are well
maintained.
. Never get under the vehicle sup-
ported only by a jack. Always use
safety stands to support the
vehicle.
. Never keep the engine running in
a poorly ventilated area, such as
a garage or other closed areas.
. Do not smoke or allow open
flames around the fuel or battery.
This will cause a fire.
. Because the fuel system is under
pressure, replacement of the fuel
filter should be performed only
by your SUBARU dealer.
. Wear adequate eye protection to
guard against getting oil or fluids
in your eyes. If something does
get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water.
. Do not tamper with the wiring of
the SRS airbag system or seatbelt pretensioner system, or attempt to take its connectors
apart, as that may activate the
system or it can render it inop-
– CONTINUED –
11-4
Maintenance and service/Maintenance precautions
erative. NEVER use a circuit
tester for this wiring. If your
SRS airbag or seatbelt pretensioner needs service, consult
your nearest SUBARU dealer.
& Before checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
WARNING
. Always stop the engine and set
the parking brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from moving.
. Always let the engine cool down.
Engine parts become very hot
when the engine is running and
remain hot for some time after
the engine has stopped.
. Do not spill engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components.
This may cause a fire.
. Always remove the key from the
ignition switch. When the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position,
the cooling fan may operate
suddenly even when the engine
is stopped.
. Before performing any servicing
on a vehicle equipped with a
remote engine start system (a
dealer option) temporarily place
that system in the service mode
to prevent it from unexpectedly
starting the engine.
CAUTION
. Do not contact the drive belt
cover while checking the components in the engine compartment. Doing so may cause your
hand to slip off the cover and
result in an unexpected injury.
. Do not touch the oil filter until the
engine has cooled down completely. Doing so may result in a
burn or other injury. Note that the
oil filter becomes very hot when
the engine is running and remains hot for some time after
the engine has stopped.
& When checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
while the engine is running
WARNING
A running engine can be dangerous.
Keep your fingers, hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from the cooling
fan, drive belt and any other moving
engine parts. Removing rings,
watches and ties is advisable.
Maintenance and service/Engine hood
11-5
Engine hood
To open the hood:
1. If the wiper blades are lifted off the
windshield, return them to their original
position.
2. Pull the hood release knob under the
instrument panel.
WARNING
Always check that the hood is
properly locked before you start
driving. If it is not, it might fly open
while the vehicle is moving and
block your view, which may cause
an accident and serious bodily injury.
3. Release the secondary hood release
by moving the lever between the front
grille and the hood toward the left.
4. Lift up the hood.
To close the hood:
1. Lower the hood to a height of approximately 5.9 in (15 cm) above its closed
position and then let it drop.
2. After closing the hood, be sure the
hood is securely locked.
If this does not close the hood, release it
from a slightly higher position. Do not push
the hood forcibly to close it. It could
deform the metal.
11-6
Maintenance and service/Engine compartment overview
Engine compartment overview
& Non-turbo models
1) Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reservoir
(MT) (page 11-17)
2) Fuse box (page 11-36)
3) Battery (page 11-35)
4) Windshield washer tank (page 11-30)
5) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
6) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-12)
7) Radiator cap (page 11-12)
8) Engine oil filter (page 11-9)
9) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
10) Air cleaner case (page 11-13)
Maintenance and service/Engine compartment overview
11-7
& Turbo models
1) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-17)
2) Fuse box (page 11-36)
3) Battery (page 11-35)
4) Windshield washer tank (page 11-30)
5) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
6) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-12)
7) Radiator cap (page 11-12)
8) Engine oil filter (page 11-9)
9) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
10) Air cleaner case (page 11-13)
11-8
Maintenance and service/Engine oil
Engine oil
NOTE
. The engine oil consumption rate is
not stabilized, and therefore cannot be
determined until the vehicle has traveled at least several thousand miles
(kilometers). Even after break-in, when
the vehicle is used under severe driving conditions such as those mentionedintheWarrantyandMaintenance Booklet, engine oil is consumed
or deteriorated more quickly than under normal driving conditions. If you
drive your vehicle under these severe
conditions, you should check the oil
level at least at every second fuel fill-up
time, and change the oil more frequently. Please refer to the Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet for more details.
. If the oil consumption rate seems
abnormally high after the break-in
period, for example more than 1 quart
per 1,200 miles or 1 liter per 2,000
kilometers, contact your SUBARU dealer.
& Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuel
stop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine. If you check the oil level
just after stopping the engine, wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan before checking the level.
1) Oil level gauge
2) Oil filler cap
3) Oil filter
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,
and insert it again.
3. Be sure the level gauge is correctly
inserted until it stops.
1) Full level
2) Low level
3) Approximately 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter, 0.9
Imp qt) from low level to full level
4. Pull out the oil level gauge again.
5. Check the oil levels on both sides of
the level gauge. The engine oil level must
be judged by the lowest of the two levels.
If the oil level is below the low level mark,
add oil so that the full level is reached.
CAUTION
. Be careful not to touch the en-
gine oil filter when removing the
oil filler cap. Doing so may result
in a burn, a pinched finger, or
may cause some other injury.
Maintenance and service/Engine oil
11-9
. Use only engine oil with the
recommended grade and viscosity.
. Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If
engine oil gets on the exhaust
pipe, be sure to wipe it off.
. If the level gauge is not pulled out
easily, twist the level gauge right
and left, then pull it out. Otherwise, you may be injured accidentally straining yourself.
To add engine oil, remove the engine oil
filler cap and slowly pour engine oi l
through the filler neck. After pouring oil
into the engine, you must use the level
gauge to confirm that the oil level is
correct.
NOTE
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do
not add any additional oil above the
upper level when the engine is cold.
& Changing the oil and oil filter
CAUTION
If you change your own oil, be sure
to drain all the oil from the filter
before disposal. Do not dispose of
used engine oil by placing it in the
trash, or by pouring it onto the
ground, into sewers, or into any
body of water. Check with your local
government office for the proper
disposal options available to you.
Change the oil and oil filter according to
the maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
The engine oil and oil filter must be
changed more frequently than listed in
the maintenance schedule when driving
on dusty roads, when short trips are
frequently made, or when dr iving in
extremely cold weather.
1. Warm up the engine by letting the
engine idle for approximately 10 minutes
to ease draining the engine oil.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
4. Drain out the engine oil by removing
the drain plug while the engine is still
warm. The used oil should be drained into
an appropriate container and disposed of
properly.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself with
hot engine oil.
5. Wipe the seating surface of the drain
plug with a clean cloth and tighten it
securely with a new sealing washer after
the oil has completely drained out.
– CONTINUED –
11-10
Maintenance and service/Engine oil
6. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter
wrench.
7. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a
thin coat of engine oil to the seal.
8. Clean the rubber seal seating area of
the engine and install the oil filter by hand
turning. Be careful not to twist or damage
the seal.
9. Tighten the oil filter by the amount
indicated in the following table after the
seal makes contact with the seating surface.
Oil filter color Part number
Black
15208AA160
Amount of
rotation
1 rotation
CAUTION
. Never over tighten the oil filter
because that can result in an oil
leak.
. Thoroughly wipe off any engine
oil that has spilled over the
exhaust pipe and/or under-cover.
If spilled oil is not promptly
wiped up, the oil could cause a
fire.
10. Pour engine oil through the filler neck.
For the oil capacity (guideline), refer to
“Engine oil” F12-4.
The oil quantity indicated above is only
guideline.
The necessary quantity of oil depends on
the quantity of oil that has been drained.
The quantity of drained oil differs slightly
depending on the temperature of the oil
and the time the oil is left flowing out. After
refilling the engine with oil, therefore, you
must use the level gauge to confirm that
the level is correct.
11. Start the engine and make sure that no
oil leaks appear around the filter’s rubber
seal and drain plug.
12. Run the engine until it reaches the
normal operating temperature. Then stop
the engine and wait a few minutes to allow
the oil drain back. Check the oil level
again and if necessary, add more engine
oil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire.
& Recommended grade and
viscosity
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recommended grade and viscosity.
Refer to “Engine oil” F12-4.
Maintenance and service/Cooling system
11-11
NOTE
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) affects
fuel economy. Oils of lower viscosity
provide better fuel economy. However,
in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is
required to properly lubricate the engine.
& Synthetic oil
You should use synthetic engine oil that
meets the same requirements given for
conventional engine oil. When using
synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same
classification, viscosity and grade shown
in this Owner’s Manual. Refer to “Engine
oil” F12-4. Also, you must follow the oil
and filter changing intervals shown in the
Warranty and Maintenance booklet.
NOTE
Synthetic oil of the grade and viscosity
noted in chapter 12 is the recommended engine oil for optimum engine
performance. Conventional oil may be
used if synthetic oil is unavailable.
Cooling system
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down
completely. Since the coo lant is
under pressure, you may suffer
serious burns from a spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is
removed.
CAUTION
. Vehicles are filled at the factory
with SUBARU Super Coolant that
does not require the first change
for 11 years/137,500 miles (11
years/220,000 km). This coolant
should not be mixed with any
other brand or type of coolant
during this period. Mixing with a
different coolant will reduce the
life of the coolant. Should it be
necessary to top up the coolant
for any reason, use only
SUBARU Super Coolant.
If the SUBARU Super Coolant is
diluted with another brand or
type, the maintenance interval is
shortened to that of the mixing
coolant.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
& Cooling fan, hose and con-
nections
Your vehicle employs an electric cooling
fan which is thermostatically controlled to
operate when the engine coolant reaches
a specific temperature.
If the radiator cooling fan does not operate
even when the coolant temperature high
warning light blinks or illuminates in RED,
the cooling fan circuit may be defective.
Refer to “Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warning
light” F3-15.
Check the fuse and replace it if necessary.
Refer to “Fuses” F11-36 and “Fuses and
circuits” F12-10.
If the fuse is not blown, have the cooling
system checked by your SUBARU dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is necessary, there may be a leak in the engine
cooling system. It is recommended that
– CONTINUED –
11-12
the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness.
Maintenance and service/Cooling system
& Engine coolant
! Checking the coolant level
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down
completely. Since the coolant is
under pressure, you may suffer
serious burns from a spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is
removed.
1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level mark
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside
of the reservoir while the engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the
“LOW” level mark, add coolant up to the
“FULL” level mark. If the reserve tank is
empty, remove the radiator cap and refill
coolant up to just below the filler neck as
shown in the following illustration.
1) Fill up to this level
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the
radiator, reinstall the cap and check that
the rubber gaskets inside the radiator cap
are in the proper position.
Maintenance and service/Air cleaner element
11-13
CAUTION
. Be careful not to spill engine
coolant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If engine coolant gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe
it off.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
! Changing the coolant
It may be difficult to change the coolant.
Have the coolant changed by your
SUBARU dealer if necessary.
The coolant should be changed according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
Air cleaner element
WARNING
Do not operate the engine with the
air cleaner element removed. The air
cleaner element not only filters
intake air but also stops flames if
the engine backfires. If the air
cleaner element is not installed
when the engine backfires, you
could be burned.
CAUTION
When replacing the air cleaner element, use a genuine SUBARU air
cleaner element. If it is not used,
there is the possibility of causing a
negative effect to the engine.
The air cleaner element functions as a
filter screen. When the element is perforated or removed, engine wear will be
excessive and engine life shortened.
It is not necessary to clean or wash the air
cleaner element.
& Replacing the air cleaner
element
Replace the air cleaner element according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Under extremely dusty conditions, replace it
more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts.
! Non-turbo models
1) Clip
1. Unsnap the two clips holding the air
cleaner case cover.
– CONTINUED –
11-14
Maintenance and service/Air cleaner element
! Turbo models
2. Open the air cleaner case cover.
3. Remove the air cleaner element.
4. Clean the inside of the air cleaner case
and case cover with a damp cloth and
install a new air cleaner element.
5. To install the air cleaner case (rear),
insert the three projections on the air
cleaner case (rear) into the slits on the
air cleaner case (front).
6. Install in the reverse order of removal.
1) Clip
1. Unsnap the two clips holding the air
cleaner case cover.
2. Open the air cleaner case and remove
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