power steering fluid SUBARU FORESTER 2007 SG / 2.G Owners Manual

Starting and operating 7-15
– CONTINUED –
Rear viscous limited slip dif-
ferential (LSD) (if equipped)
The LSD provides optimum distribution of
power according to the difference in revo-
lutions between the right and left rear
wheels that may be caused by certain
driving conditions, thereby improving driv-
ing stability on snow-covered, muddy or
other slippery roads.
Power steering
The power steering system operates only
when the engine is running.
If you lose power steering assist because
the engine stops or the system fails to
function, you can steer but it will take
much more effort.
NOTE
Right after the engine has been started
and before it has warmed up, you may
hear a noise coming from areas adja-
cent to the power steering pump which
is located at the right-front area of the
engine compartment. This noise is nor-
mal. It does not indicate power steering
system trouble.
Braking „
Braking tips
TWhen the brakes get wet
When driving in rain or after washing the
vehicle, the brakes may get wet. As a re-
sult, brake stopping distance will be long-
er. To dry the brakes, drive the vehicle at
a safe speed while lightly depressing the
brake pedal to heat up the brakes. T Use of engine braking
Remember to make use of engine braking
in addition to foot braking. When descend-
ing a grade, if only the foot brake is used,
the brakes may start working improperly
because of brake fluid overheating,
caused by overheated brake pads. To
help prevent this, shift into a lower gear to
get stronger engine braking. T Braking when a tire is punctured
Do not depress the brake pedal suddenly
y
Never start the engine while a tire
on one side is jacked up, as the
vehicle may move.
y If one rear tire is spinning in mud,
avoid continued spinning at high
speed as this could adversely af-
fect the LSD.
y If a different size rear tire is tem-
porarily used (as in an emergen-
cy), it will adversely affect the
LSD. Always replace it with a reg-
ular size tire as soon as possible.
Do not hold the steering wheel at the
fully locked position left or right for
more than five seconds. This may
damage the power steering pump.
Never rest your foot on the brake
pedal while driving. This can cause
dangerous overheating of the
brakes and needless wear on the
brake pads and linings.

11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions .................................. 11-3Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment ........................................................ 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the
engine compartment while the engine is
running .................................................................. 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-4
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 ................................ 11-8
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .................................... 11-11
Synthetic oil ............................................................ 11-11
Cooling system .................................................. 11-11 Cooling fan, hose and connections ...................... 11-12
Engine coolant ........................................................ 11-12
Air cleaner element ............................................ 11-15 Replacing the air cleaner element ......................... 11-15
Spark plugs ......................................................... 11-17 Recommended spark plugs ................................... 11-17
Drive belts ........................................................... 11-18
Manual transmission oil .................................... 11-18 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-18 Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-19
Automatic transmission fluid ............................ 11-20 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-20
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-21
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ............ 11-21 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-22
Rear differential gear oil .................................... 11-22 Checking the gear oil level .................................... 11-22
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-23
Power steering fluid ........................................... 11-23 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-23
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-24
Brake fluid ........................................................... 11-25 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ..................................... 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-26 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid .................................... 11-26
Brake booster ..................................................... 11-27
Brake pedal ......................................................... 11-27 Checking the brake pedal free play ...................... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ......... 11-27
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) ................................ 11-28 Checking the clutch function ................................ 11-28
Checking the clutch pedal free play ..................... 11-28
Hill holder (MT vehicles – if equipped) ............. 11-28

11 - 6 Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview „Non-turbo models
12 3 456
7
8
9
10
11
13 12
B00357 1) Air cleaner element (page 11-15)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-18) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
6) Fuse box (page 11-41)
7) Battery (page 11-40)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-35)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11- 11)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
11) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-11)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-23)

Maintenance and service 11-7
„Turbo models
123 45 6
7
8
9
10
11
13 12
B00358 1) Air cleaner element (page 11-15)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-18) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
6) Fuse box (page 11-41)
7) Battery (page 11-40)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-35)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11- 11)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
11) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-11)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-23)

Maintenance and service 11 - 23
– CONTINUED –
„Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5 SAE viscosity No. and applicable tem-
perature
Power steering fluid „
Checking the fluid level
1) Reservoir tank
y Be careful not to spill rear differ-
ential gear oil when adding it. If
rear differential gear oil touches
the exhaust pipe, it may cause a
bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If
rear differential gear oil gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipeit off.
y If the vehicle requires frequent re-
filling, there may be an oil leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 60 20
80W 75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
B00032
Be careful not to burn yourself be-
cause the fluid may be hot. y
When power steering fluid is be-
ing added, use only clean fluid,
and be careful not to allow any dirt
into the tank. And never use dif-
ferent brands together.
1
B00375

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

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)
Front differential gear oil (AT)1.3 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 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)

Index 14-3
ChimeKey ................................................................................ 3-5
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-12, 3-9
Clock ................................................................................ 3-16
Clutch (MT) Fluid ........................................................................... 11-26
Pedal ......................................................................... 11-28
Coat hook ......................................................................... 6-12
Coolant ........................................................................... 11-12
Cooling system ............................................................... 11-11
Corrosion protection ................................................ 8-10, 10-3
Cruise control ................................................................... 7-22
Cruise control indicator light ............................................. 3-15
Cup holders ........................................................................ 6-7 D
Dashboard storage compartment ....................................... 6-6
Daytime running light system ........................................... 3-18
Differential gear oil Front (AT vehicles) .................................................... 11-21
Rear ........................................................................... 11-22
Dimensions ....................................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ....................................................... 2-14
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................... 7-16
Dome light .......................................................................... 6-2
Door locks .......................................................................... 2-4
Door open warning light ................................................... 3-14
Drive belt ........................................................................ 11-18
Driving Car phone/cell phone ....................................................... 7
Drinking ............................................................................ 6
Drugs ................................................................................ 6 Foreign countries ........................................................... 8-4
Pets ................................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ...................................................... 8-9
Tired or sleepy .................................................................. 7
Driving tips ................................................................. 7-10, 8-5 E
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........... 7-18
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................................ 1-11
Engine Compartment overview ................................................ 11-6
Coolant ....................................................................... 11-12
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................................... 8-2
Hood ............................................................................ 11-4
Oil ................................................................................. 11-8
Overheating ................................................................. 9-10
Starting ........................................................................... 7-7
Stopping ......................................................................... 7-8
Exterior care ..................................................................... 10-2 F
Flat tires .............................................................................. 9-3
Floor mat ........................................................................... 6-12
Fluid level Automatic transmission .............................................. 11-20
Brake .......................................................................... 11-25
Clutch (MT vehicles) .................................................. 11-26
Power steering ........................................................... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ........................... 11-21
Front fog light button ......................................................... 3-20
Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................................. 1-21

Index 14-5
M
Main fuse ........................................................................ 11-42
MaintenancePrecautions .................................................................. 11-3
Schedule ...................................................................... 11-3
Seatbelt ....................................................................... 1-19
Tools ............................................................................ 9-14
Malfunction indicator lamp ................................................ 3-11
Manual
Climate control system .................................................. 4-3
Seat ............................................................................... 1-3
Transmission ................................................................. 7-9
Transmission oil ......................................................... 11-18
Map lights ........................................................................... 6-3
Maximum load limits ......................................................... 8-18
Meters and gauges ............................................................. 3-6
Mirrors .............................................................................. 3-25
Moonroof ................................................................. 2-21, 9-13 N
New vehicle break-in driving ............................................... 8-2 O
Odometer/Trip meter .......................................................... 3-6
Off road driving ................................................................... 8-6
Oil filter ............................................................................. 11-8
Oil level
Engine ......................................................................... 11-8
Manual transmission .................................................. 11-18
Rear differential ......................................................... 11-22
Oil pressure warning light ................................................. 3-12 Outside mirrors ................................................................. 3-27
Outside temperature indicator ............................................ 3-8
Overhead console ............................................................... 6-6 P
Parking brake ......................................................... 7-20, 11-30
Stroke ......................................................................... 11-30
Parking light switch ........................................................... 3-20
Parking your vehicle ......................................................... 7-19
Periodic inspections ............................................................ 8-4
Pocket ................................................................................. 6-7 Power
Door locking switches .................................................... 2-6
Seat ................................................................................ 1-4
Steering ........................................................................ 7-15
Steering fluid level ...................................................... 11-23
Windows ...................................................................... 2-18
R
Rear Combination lights ..................................................... 11-47
Differential gear oil level ............................................. 11-22
Gate .................................................................... 2-20, 9-13
Seats .............................................................................. 1-7
Viscous limited slip differential (LSD) ........................... 7-15
Rear window
Defogger button ........................................................... 3-24
Wiper and washer switch ............................................. 3-23
Wiper blade ................................................................ 11-38
Remote keyless entry system ............................................. 2-6