engine coolant SUBARU FORESTER 2005 SG / 2.G User Guide

11 - 1 6
Maintenance and service
Cooling system
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 re-
moved.
The cooling system has been filled at the facto-
ry with a high quality, corrosion-inhibiting,
year-around coolant which provides protection
against freezing down to –33
°F (–36 °C). For
adding, use genuine SUBARU coolant or an
equivalent: a mixture of 50% soft water and 50%
ethylene-glycol basis coolant. Use of improper
coolants may result in corrosion in the cooling
system. It is important to maintain protection
against freezing and corrosion, even if freezing
temperatures are not expected. Never mix dif-
ferent kinds of coolant. „
Cooling fan, hose and connections
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 engine coolant temperature gauge exceeds the
normal operating range, the cooling fan circuit may be
defective. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary.
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 recom-
mended that the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness.

11 -1 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
„Engine coolant
T Checking the coolant level
A) “FULL” level mark
B) “LOW” level mark
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside of the reser-
voir 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 re-
fill as required. A) Rubber gaskets
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, re-
install the caps and check that the rubber gaskets in-
side the radiator cap are in the proper position.
y 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. y Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
HSB018CC
A
B
A
HSB026BC

11 - 1 8
Maintenance and service
coolant may damage the paint surface.
T Changing the coolant
A) Drain plug
Always add genuine Subaru cooling system condition-
er whenever the coolant is replaced.
Change the engine coolant and add genuine Subaru
cooling system conditioner using the following proce-
dures according to the maintenance schedule.
1. Remove the under cover.
2. Place a proper container under the drain plug and
loosen the drain plug. 3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the coolant from
the radiator. Then drain the coolant from the reserve
tank. Tighten the drain plug securely.
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 re-
moved.
4. Install the under cover.
AHSB027BC

11 - 2 0
Maintenance and service
Guideline of coolant quantity (including coolant in reservoir tank):
Non-turbo models: MT. 7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
AT. 7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt)
Turbo models: MT. 7.8 US qt (7.4 liters, 6.5 Imp qt)
AT. 7.7 US qt (7.3 liters, 6.4 Imp qt)
A) “FULL” level mark
B) “LOW” level mark
6. Pour the coolant and fill to the reservoir tank’s
“FULL” level mark.
y 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. y Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
coolant may damage the paint surface.
A) Rubber gaskets
7. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten firmly. At
this time, make sure that the rubber gasket in the radi-
HSB018CC
A
B
A
HSB026BC

11 -2 1
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
ator cap is correctly in place.
8. Start and run the engine for more than five minutes
at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the coolant cools
down (122 to 140 °F [50 to 60 °C]). If there is any loss
of coolant, add coolant to the radiator’s filler neck and
to the reserve tank’s “FULL” level.
10.Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap back on and
tighten firmly.Air cleaner element
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.
The air cleaner element is a viscous type. It is unnec-
essary to clean or wash the element.
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.
„ Replacing the air cleaner element
Replace the air cleaner element according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. Under extremely dusty conditions, re-
place it more frequently. It is recommended that you
always use genuine SUBARU parts.

11 -5 1
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Never use engine coolant as washer fluid be-
cause it could cause paint damage.
Replacement of wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other material on the wind-
shield or the wiper blade results in jerky wiper opera-
tion 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 wind-
shield and wiper blades with clean water. The wind-
shield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the
windshield with water.
Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline or
a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.
This will cause deterioration of the wiper
blades.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after follow-
ing this method, replace the wiper blades using the fol-
lowing procedures:
Washer Fluid Concentration Freezing Temperature
30% 10.4 °F (–12 °C)
50% –4 °F (–20 °C)
100% –49 °F (–45 °C)

12-4
Specifications „
Capacities
AT: Automatic transmission
MT: Manual transmission
Fuel tank15.9 US gal (60 liters, 13.2 Imp gal)
Engine oil4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
Transmission oilMT3.7 US qt (3.5 liters, 3.1 Imp qt)
AT9.8 US qt (9.3 liters, 8.2 Imp qt)
AT differential gear oil1.3 US qt (1.2 liter, 1.1 Imp qt)
Rear differential gear oil0.8 US qt (0.8 liter, 0.7 Imp qt)
Power steering gear fluid0.7 US qt (0.7 liter, 0.6 Imp qt)
Engine coolant2.5-liter non-turbo modelsMT7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
AT7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt)
2.5-liter turbo modelsMT7.8 US qt (7.4 liters, 6.5 Imp qt)
AT7.7 US qt (7.3 liters, 6.4 Imp qt)

14-3
Index
Center console .................................................... 6-5
Charge warning light ......................................... 3-14CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ................................................ 3-13
Child restraint systems ...................................... 1-35
Installation with seatbelt ............................... 1-39
Top tether anchorages ................................. 1-50
Child safety locks .............................................. 2-23
Chime Key ................................................................. 3-5
Seatbelt ............................................... 1-16, 3-13
Cigarette lighter socket ...................................... 6-11
Clock ................................................................. 3-22
Clutch (MT)
Fluid ............................................................ 11-37
Pedal .......................................................... 11-39
Coat hook .......................................................... 6-16
Coin tray .............................................................. 6-7
Convenience net ................................................. 6-7
Coolant ............................................................ 11-17
Cooling system ................................................ 11-16
Corrosion protection ................................. 8-12, 10-4
Cruise control .................................................... 7-38
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-21
Cup holders ......................................................... 6-8 D
Dashboard storage compartment ........................ 6-6
Daytime running light system ............................ 3-25
Differential gear oil
Front (AT vehicles) ..................................... 11-31
Rear ............................................................ 11-33
Dimensions ........................................................ 12-2
Disarming the system ........................................ 2-19
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............ 7-23
Dome light ........................................................... 6-2
Door locks ........................................................... 2-6
Door open warning light .................................... 3-19
Drive belt ......................................................... 11-26
Driving in foreign country ..................................... 8-6
Driving tips .................................................. 7-14, 8-6 E
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system ........................................................... 7-26
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................. 1-15
Engine Compartment overview ................................. 11-8
Coolant ....................................................... 11-17
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .................... 8-3
Hood ............................................................. 11-5
Oil ............................................................... 11-10
Overheating .................................................. 9-12