check oil SUBARU FORESTER 2007 SG / 2.G Owner's Manual

11 - 2 4 Maintenance and service
The power steering fluid expands greatly
as its temperature rises; the fluid level dif-
fers according to fluid temperature. There-
fore, the reservoir tank has two different
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 engine.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 be-
tween “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 sur-
face of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the appli-
cable “MIN” line, add the recommended
fluid as necessary to bring the level be-
tween the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indi-
cate possible leakage. Consult your SUB-
ARU dealer for an inspection. „
Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid
y
Avoid spilling fluid when adding it
in the tank.
y Be careful not to spill power steer-
ing fluid when adding it. If power
steering fluid touches the exhaust
pipe, it may cause a bad smell,
smoke, and/or a fire. If power
steering fluid gets on the exhaust
pipe, be sure to wipe it off.
1
1
B00376

Maintenance and service 11 - 35
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„
Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example,
to damage, make sure the replacement
wheels match the specifications of the
wheels that are fitted as standard equip-
ment. Replacement wheels are available
from SUBARU dealers.
Aluminum wheels
(if equipped)
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and
damaged easily. Handle them carefully to
maintain their appearance, performance,
and safety. y When any of the wheels is removed and
replaced for tire rotation or to change a
flat, always check the tightness of the
wheel nuts after driving approximately 600
miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tight-
en it to the specified torque. y Never apply oil to the threaded parts,
wheel nuts, or tapered surface of the
wheel. y Never let the wheel rub against sharp
protrusions or curbs. y Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly
and completely around the tire, otherwise
the chains may scratch the wheel. y When wheel nuts, balance weights, or
the center cap is replaced, be sure to re-
place them with genuine SUBARU parts
designed for aluminum wheels.
Windshield washer fluid
If you spray washer fluid on the windshield
but the supply of washer fluid appears to
diminish, check the level of washer fluid in
the tank.
y Use only radial tires. Do not use
radial tires together with belted
bias tires and/or bias-ply tires. Do-
ing so can dangerously reduce
controllability, resulting in an ac-
cident.
Use only those wheels that are
specified for your vehicle. Wheels
not meeting specifications could in-
terfere with brake caliper operation
and may cause the tires to rub
against the wheel well housing dur-
ing turns. The resulting loss of vehi-
cle control could lead to an acci-
dent.
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paint
damage.
300523

Consumer information and Reporting safety defects 13-7
– CONTINUED –
asymmetrical tire that has a particu-
lar side that must always face out-
ward when mounting on a vehicle.
y Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of floor mats, leather seats
and cross bars to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether installed
or not). y Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant and air conditioning. y Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory
weight, vehicle capacity weight and
production options weight. y Normal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of
occupants (3 occupants). y Occupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehicle,
2 in front, 1 in rear seat. y Production options weight
The combined weight of those in-
stalled regular production options weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) in ex-
cess of those standards items which
they replace, not previously consid-
ered in curb weight or accessory
weight.
y Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage
and occupants that can be added to
the vehicle. y Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight and dividing by two. y Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is deter-
mined by distributing to each axle its
share of the curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant weight
and dividing by two. „ Tire care – maintenance and
safety practices
y Check on a daily basis that the tires
are free from serious damage, nails,
and stones. At the same time, check
the tires for abnormal wear. y Inspect the tire tread regularly and
replace the tires before their tread wear indicators become visible. When
a tire’s tread wear indicator becomes
visible, the tire is worn beyond the ac-
ceptable limit and must be replaced
immediately. With a tire in this condi-
tion, driving at even low speeds in wet
weather can cause the vehicle to hy-
droplane. Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control can lead to an acci-
dent.
y 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 ve-
hicle and similarly switching the front
and rear tires on the left-hand side of
the vehicle. (Each tire must be kept on
its original side of the vehicle.) Re-
place any damaged or unevenly worn
tire at the time of rotation. After tire ro-
tation, adjust the tire pressures and
make sure the wheel nuts are correct-
ly tightened. A tightening torque spec-
ification and a tightening sequence
specification for the wheel nuts can be
found “Flat tires” in Chapter 9.

14-2 Index
A
ABS .................................................................................. 7-16Warning light ....................................................... 3-13, 7-17
Accessory power outlets .................................................... 6-8
Active head restraint ........................................................... 1-6
Air cleaner element ........................................................ 11-15
Air filtration system ........................................................... 4-12
Alarm system .................................................................... 2-12
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) ..................... 3-15
Aluminum wheel ............................................................. 11-35
Aluminum wheel cleaning ................................................. 10-3
Antenna system ................................................................. 5-2
Anti-lock brake system warning light (ABS) ............ 3-13, 7-16
Arming the system ............................................................ 2-13
Armrest ...................................................................... 1-10, 6-4
Ashtray (Canada only, if equipped) ......................... 6-11, 10-5
Audio set ............................................................................ 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ......................................... 3-26
Automatic climate control system ....................................... 4-8
Automatic transmission .................................................... 7-10
Capacities .................................................................... 12-4
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-20
Selector lever ............................................................... 7-11
Shift lock release ......................................................... 7-14
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) ......................... 3-12
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-12 B
Battery ............................................................................ 11-40 Jump starting ................................................................. 9-7
Replacing (remote keyless entry) .................................. 2-8 Brake
Booster ...................................................................... 11-27
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-25
Pad and lining ............................................................ 11-29
Parking ....................................................................... 11-30
Pedal .......................................................................... 11-27
System ......................................................................... 7-16
Warning light ................................................................ 3-13
Brake pedal .................................................................... 11-27 Free play .................................................................... 11-27
Reserve distance ....................................................... 11-27
Braking ............................................................................. 7-15
Braking tips ....................................................................... 7-15
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ..................... 11-29
Bulb Chart ............................................................................ 12-9
Replacing ................................................................... 11-44
C
Capacities ......................................................................... 12-4
Cargo area cover (if equipped) ......................................... 6-13
Cargo area light .................................................................. 6-2
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................................................... 6-14
Center console ................................................................... 6-4
Charge warning light ......................................................... 3-12
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-11
Child restraint systems ..................................................... 1-24 Installation with seatbelt ............................................... 1-27
Top tether anchorages ................................................. 1-34
Child safety ............................................................................ 5
Child safety locks .............................................................. 2-17

Index 14-7
TrailerConnecting .................................................................. 8-16
Hitch ................................................................... 8-16, 8-21
Towing ......................................................................... 8-18
Towing tips .................................................................. 8-23
Turn signal indicator lights ................................................ 3-15
Turn signal lever ............................................................... 3-19 U
Under-floor storage compartment ..................................... 6-15 V
Valet mode ....................................................................... 2-15
Vanity mirror ....................................................................... 6-3
Vehicle Capacity weight ........................................................... 8-12
Identification .............................................................. 12-10
Symbols ............................................................................ 3
Ventilator ............................................................................ 4-2 W
Warning and indicator lights ............................................... 3-9
Warning lights
ABS ............................................................................. 3-13
All-Wheel Drive ............................................................ 3-15
Anti-lock Brake system ................................................ 3-13
AT OIL TEMPerature ................................................... 3-12
Brake system ............................................................... 3-13
Charge ......................................................................... 3-12
CHECK ENGINE ......................................................... 3-11
Door open .................................................................... 3-14 Low fuel ........................................................................ 3-14
Oil pressure .................................................................. 3-12
Seatbelt ................................................................. 1-12, 3-9
SRS airbag system ...................................................... 3-10
Warranties and maintenance ............................................ 8-18
Washing ............................................................................ 10-2
Waxing and polishing ........................................................ 10-3
Wear indicators ............................................................... 11-33
Wheel Alignment ..................................................................... 12-5
Aluminum ................................................................... 11-35
Balance ...................................................................... 11-32
Replacement .............................................................. 11-35
Windows ........................................................................... 2-18
Windshield Washer fluid ............................................................... 11-35
Wiper and washer switches ......................................... 3-22
Wiper deicer ................................................................. 3-24
Windshield wiper blades
Replacement .............................................................. 11-37
Winter driving ...................................................................... 8-7
Wiper and washer ............................................................. 3-21