Service SUBARU BAJA 2003 1.G Service Manual

Maintenance and service11-41
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NOTE Loss of correct wheel alignment* causes the tires to wear on one side and reduces the vehicle ’s running stability. Contact your
SUBARU dealer if you notice abnormal tire wear.
* : The suspension system is designed to hold each wheel at a certain alignment
(relative to the other wheels and to the road) for optimum straight-line stability and
cornering performance. Wear indicators
Each tire incorporates a tread wear indicator, which becomes visible
when the depth of the tread grooves decreases to 0.063 in. (1.6 mm). A
tire must be replaced when the tread wear indicator appears as a solid
band across the tread.
OM-H0231
WARNING
When a tire ’s tread wear indicator becomes visible, the tire is
worn beyond the acceptable limit and must be replaced immedi-
ately. With a tire in this condition, driving at high speeds in wetweather can cause the vehicle to hydroplane. The resulting lossof vehicle control can lead to an accident.
NOTE
For safety, inspect the tire tread regularly and replace the tires be- fore their tread wear indicators become visible. A) New tread
B) Worn tread
1) Tread wear indicator

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Tire rotation
OM-H0230
Tire wear varies from wheel to wheel. To maximize the life of each tire
and ensure that the tires wear uniformly, it is best to rotate the tires every
7,500 miles (12,500 km). Rotating the tires involves switching the front
and rear tires on the right-hand side of the vehicle and similarly switching
the front and rear tires on the left-hand side of the vehicle. (Each tiremust be kept on its original side of the vehicle.)
Replace any damaged or unevenly worn tire at the time of rotation. After
tire rotation, adjust the tire pressures and make sure the wheel nuts are
correctly tightened.
After driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km), check the wheel nuts
again and retighten any nut that has become loose. Tire replacement
The wheels and tires are important and integral parts of your vehicle ’s
design; they cannot be changed arbitrarily. The tires fitted as standard
equipment are optimally matched to the characteristics of the vehicle
and were selected to give the best possible combination of running per-
formance, ride comfort, and service life. It is essential for every tire to
have a size and construction matching those shown on the tire placard
and to have a speed symbol and load index matching those shown on
the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts from controllability, ride com-
fort, braking performance, speedometer accuracy and odometer accu-

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racy. It also creates incorrect body-to-tire clearances and inappropriately changes the vehicle ’s ground clearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms of manufacturer, brand (tread
pattern), construction, and size. You are advised to replace the tires with
new ones that are identical to those fitted as standard equipment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends replacing all four tires at the same time.
WARNING
All four tires must be the same in terms of manufacturer, brand
(tread pattern), construction, degree of wear, speed symbol, loadindex and size. Mixing tires of different types, sizes or degrees ofwear can result in damage to the vehicle ’s power train. Use of dif-
ferent types or sizes of tires can also dangerously reduce con-trollability and braking performance and can lead to an accident. Use only radial tires. Do not use radial tires together with
belted bias tires and/or bias-ply tires. Doing so can dangerously
reduce controllability, resulting in an accident.
Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example, to damage, make sure the re-
placement wheels match the specifications of the wheels that are fitted
as standard equipment. Replacement wheels are available from
SUBARU dealers.
WARNING
Use only those wheels that are specified for your vehicle. Wheelsnot meeting specifications could interfere with brake caliper op-eration and may cause the tires to rub against the wheel wellhousing during turns. The resulting loss of vehicle control couldlead to an accident.

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Washer Fluid ConcentrationFreezing Temperature
30% 50%
100%10.4 °F ( –12 °C)
–4 °F ( –20 °C)
–49 °F ( –45 °C)
HBB004IA
Replacement of windshield wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other materials on the windshield or the wiper
blade results in jerky wiper operation and streaking on the glass. If you
cannot remove the streaks after operating the windshield washer or if the
wiper operation is jerky, clean the outer surface of the windshield (or rear
window) and the wiper blades using a sponge or soft cloth with a neutral
detergent or mild-abrasive cleaner. After cleaning, rinse the windshield
and wiper blades with clean water. The windshield is clean if beads do
not form when you rinse the windshield with water.
CAUTION
Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline or a solvent, such as
paint thinner or benzene. This will cause deterioration of thewiper blades.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after following this method,
replace the wiper blades using the following procedures:

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4. If the new blade rubber is not provided with two metal spines, remove
the metal spines from the old blade rubber and install them in the new
blade rubber.
HS0192
Metal spines
5. Align the claws of the metal support with the grooves in the rubber
and slide the blade rubber assembly into the metal support until it locks.
Be sure to position the claws at the end of the metal support between the
stoppers on the rubber as shown. If the rubber is not retained properly,the wiper blade may scratch the windshield.
HS0194
HS0193
Stopper
6. Install the wiper blade assembly to the wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm slowly while holding it with your hand.

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It is unnecessary to periodically check the battery fluid level or periodi-
cally refill with distilled water. Fuses
CAUTION
Never replace a fuse with one having a higher rating or with mate-
rial other than a fuse because serious damage or a fire could re-sult.
HBB008DA HB8003CA
The fuses are designed to melt during an overload to prevent damage to
the wiring harness and electrical equipment. The fuses are located intwo fuse boxes. One is located under the instrument panel behind the
coin tray on the driver’s seat side. The other one is housed in the engine
compartment. The fuse puller and spare fuses are stored in the main
fuse box cover in the engine compartment.
If any lights, accessories or other electrical controls do not operate, in-
spect the corresponding fuse. If a fuse has blown, replace it.

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Main fuse
HB8003CB
The main fuses are designed to melt during an overload to prevent dam-
age to the wiring harness and electrical equipment. Check the main
fuses if any electrical component fails to operate (except the starter mo-
tor) and other fuses are good. A melted main fuse must be replaced.
Use only replacements with the same specified rating as the melted
main fuse. If a main fuse blows after it is replaced, have the electrical
system checked by your nearest SUBARU dealer.
Installation of accessories
Always consult your SUBARU dealer before installing fog lights or any other electrical equipment in your vehicle. Such accessories may cause
the electronic system to malfunction if they are incorrectly installed or if
they are not suited for the vehicle.

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HBF048CB
HB3019BB
Wattage Bulb No.
8 Licence plate light 12V –5W 168
9 Cargo light 12V –13W 912
Q High mount stop light 12V–13W 912
W Backup light 12V –21W 7440
E Brake rear turn signal/tail light 12V –21/5W 7443
R Tail light 12V –5W 168
T Sports activity lights 12V –55W H3

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Low beam light bulbs
HBB042BA
HBB041BB
1. Disconnect the electrical connector for the black cable.
2. Remove the retainer spring.
3. Replace the bulb, then set the retainer spring securely.
4. Reconnect the electrical connector for black cable.
5. Install the headlight bulb cover. High beam light bulbs
HBB044BB
HBB043BA
1. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb.
2. Remove the bulb from the headlight assembly by turning it coun-
terclockwise.
3. Replace the bulb with new one.
4. Reconnect the electrical connector. At this time, use care not to
touch the bulb surface.

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HBB039CBHBB020BA
3. Remove the bulb socket from the headlight assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
4. Remove the bulb from the socket by pushing it and turning counter-clockwise. Install a new bulb in the socket.
5. Set the bulb socket into the headlight assembly and turn it clockwise
until it locks.
6. Set the headlight assembly into the vehicle body. Tighten the mount-
ing screws. Rear combination lights
Rear combination lights are composed of the rear turn signal/brake/tail
light and back up lights.
Rear turn signal/Brake/Tail and Back up lights
The rear turn signal/brake/tail light is one bulb with two filament types.
If any one of them malfunctions, replace the bulb with a new one.