SUBARU FORESTER 2003 SG / 2.G Owners Manual

11 - 2 0
Maintenance and service
1) Air cleaner element
3. Separate the rear air cleaner element case from
the front cleaner element case and remove the air
cleaner element.
4. Clean the inside of the front and rear air cleaner el-
ement cases with a damp cloth and install a new air
cleaner element.
5. Insert the four projections on the rear air cleaner el-
ement case into the slits on the front air cleaner ele-
ment case and snap the three clamps on the rear air
cleaner element case and then tighten the bolt.
Spark plugs
It may be difficult to replace the spark plugs. It is rec-
ommended that you have the spark plugs replaced by
your SUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”.
When disconnecting the spark plug cables,
always grasp the spark plug cap, not the ca-
1HSB031BB
HSB032BA

11 -2 1
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
bles. Make sure the cables are replaced in the cor-
rect order.
Recommended spark plugs
RC10YC4 (Champion)
BKR6E-11 (NGK)
BKR5E-11 (NGK)
Drive belts
1) Power steering pump pulley
2) Air conditioner compressor pulley
3) Crank pulley
The alternator, power steering pump, and air condi-
tioner compressor depend on drive belts. Satisfactory
performance requires that belt tension be correct.
To check belt tension, place a straightedge (ruler)
across two adjacent pulleys and apply a force of 22 lb
(98 N, 10 kg) midway between the pulleys by using a
spring scale. Belt deflection should be the amount
specified. If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contact
2
3 A
B
1
HSB033BB

11 - 2 2
Maintenance and service
your SUBARU dealer.
in (mm)Manual transmission oil Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it
again.
Deflection
New belt Used belt
A 0.28 — 0.35 (7.0 — 9.0) 0.35 — 0.43 (9.0 — 11.0)
B 0.30 — 0.33 (7.5 — 8.5) 0.35 — 0.40 (9.0 — 10.0)
HSB018DB
1

11 -2 3
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on
it. If it is below the lower level, add oil through the dip-
stick hole to bring the level up to the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5 SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
LF
1 2
HSB035BB
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 - 2 4
Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as
its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according to
fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid and cold fluid
on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked without warm-
ing up the fluid on the “COLD” range, we recommend
checking the fluid level when the fluid is at operating temperature. Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the temper-
ature of the transmission fluid up to normal operating
temperature; 154 to 176 °F (70 to 80 °C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the park-
ing brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then
shift it in the “P” position, and run the engine at idling
speed. 1) Yellow handle
HSB018EB
1

11 -2 5
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
A) HOT range
B) COLD range
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid level on the
gauge. If it is below the lower level on the “HOT”
range, add the recommended automatic transmission
fluid up to the upper level. Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked without time to
warm up the automatic transmission, check to see that
the fluid level is between the lower level and upper lev-
el on the “COLD” range. If it is below that range, add fluid up to the upper level. Be careful not to overfill.
Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
1
2 B A
1
2
HSB038BB

11 - 2 6
Maintenance and service
Front differential gear oil (AT vehi-
cles)
Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the differential oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it
again. 1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on
it. If it is below the lower level, add oil to bring the level
up to the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
HSB018FB
1
L F
1 2
HSB040BB

11 -2 7
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
Rear differential gear oil Checking the gear oil level
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear differential
protector. The differential protector provides protec-
tion to the rear differential assembly during off-road
use. Removal of the rear differential protector is not re-
quired when checking the oil level.
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug
-30
-20 20 40 60 90
85W
80W
80W/90 80 100
0
-20 -10 10 20 30 40
0
HSB041AA
2 1HSB042BB

11 - 2 8
Maintenance and service
1) Filler hole
2) Drain hole
3) Oil level
Remove the plug from the filler hole and check the oil
level. The oil level should be kept even with the bottom
of the filler hole. If the oil level is below the bottom
edge of the hole, add oil through the filler hole to raise
the level.
If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be an oil leak. If you suspect a problem,
have the vehicle checked at your SUBARU deal-
er.
Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
3 1
2
HSB043BB-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 -2 9
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
Power steering fluid Checking the fluid level
1) Reservoir tank
The power steering fluid expands greatly as its tem-
perature rises; the fluid level differs according to fluid
temperature. Therefore, the reservoir tank has two dif-
ferent checking ranges for hot and cold fluids.
Check the power steering fluid level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and stop the en-
gine. 1) Specified range
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run:
Check that the oil level is between “HOT MIN” and
“HOT MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is run: Check
that the oil level is between “COLD MIN” and “COLD
MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the applicable “MIN”
line, add the recommended fluid as necessary to bring
the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indicate possible
leakage. Consult your SUBARU dealer for inspection.
1
HSB044BB
1 1
HSB045BB