check engine light SUBARU FORESTER 2010 SH / 3.G Owner's Guide

11-26Maintenance and service
&Recommended clutch fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid
CAUTION
Never use different brands of clutch
fluid together. Also, avoid mixing
DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids even if
they are the same brand. Brake booster
If the brake booster does not operate as
described in the following, have it checked
by your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake
pedal several times, applying the same
pedal force each time. The distance the
pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start
the engine. The pedal should move
slightly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop
the engine and keep the pedal depressed
for 30 seconds. The pedal height should
not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for
approximately 1 minute then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times to
check the brake booster. The brake
booster operates properly if the pedal
stroke decreases with each depression. NOTE
For models equipped with the brake
assist system, when you depress the
brake pedal strongly or suddenly, the
following phenomena occur. However,
even though these occur, they do not
indicate any malfunctions, and the
brake assist system is operating prop- erly. .
You might feel that the brake pedal
is applied by lighter force and gener-
ates a greater braking force.. You might hear clicking (knocking)
sounds around brake pedal.
Brake assist is not a system that brings
more braking ability to the vehicle
beyond its breaking capability.

Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play and
reserve distance according to the main-
tenance schedule in the“Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ”.
& Checking the brake pedal
free play
1) 0.02 –0.08 in (0.5 –2.0 mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress the
brake pedal several times. Lightly pull the
brake pedal up with one finger to check
the free play with a force of less than 2 lbf
(10 N, 1 kgf).
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er. &
Checking the brake pedal
reserve distance
1) More than 2.56 in (65 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-
mately 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf) and measure
the distance between the upper surface of
the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than
the specification, or when the pedal does
not operate smoothly, contact with your
SUBARU dealer. Clutch pedal (MT models)
Check the clutch pedal free play and
reserve distance according to the main-
tenance schedule in the
“Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ”.
& Checking the clutch function
Check the clutch engagement and disen-gagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there
are no abnormal noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed, and that shifting into
1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal
slowly to check that the engine and
transmission smoothly couple without
any sign of slippage. Maintenance and service
11-27
– CONTINUED –

11-28Maintenance and service
&Checking the clutch pedal
free play
1) 0.16 –0.51 in (4.0 –13.0 mm)
Lightly press the clutch pedal down with
your finger until you feel resistance, and
check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er. Hill start assist system (MT models)
Ensure that the Hill start assist system
operates properly under the followingcircumstances:
1. Stop the vehicle on an uphill grade by
depressing the brake pedal and clutch
pedal, with the engine running.
2. Make sure that the vehicle does not
move backward even after the brake
pedal is released.
3. Then make sure the vehicle starts
climbing the grade by following the normal
starting procedures.
If the Hill start assist system does not
operate as described above, contact with
your SUBARU dealer.
Replacement of brake pad
and lining
The right front disc brake and the right rear
disc brake have audible wear indicators
on the brake pads. If the brake pads wear
close to their service limit, the wear
indicator makes a very audible scraping
noise when the brake pedal is applied.
If you hear this scraping noise each time
you apply the brake pedal, have the brake
pads serviced by your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION
If you continue to drive despite the
scraping noise from the audible
brake pad wear indicator, it will

The fuse puller is stored in the main fuse
box in the engine compartment.
1) Good
2) Blown
If any lights, accessories or other electrical
controls do not operate, inspect the corresponding fuse. If a fuse has blown,
replace it.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the
“LOCK ”
position and turn off all electrical acces- sories.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Determine which fuse may be blown.
Look at the back side of each fuse box
cover and refer to “Fuses and circuits ”
F 12-6.
4. Pull out the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. Inspect the fuse. If it has blown,
replace it with a spare fuse of the samerating.
6. If the same fuse blows again, this
indicates that its system has a problem.
Contact your SUBARU dealer for repairs. Main fuse
Main fuse box
The main fuses are designed to melt
during an overload to prevent damage to
the wiring harness and electrical equip-
ment. Check the main fuses if any
electrical component fails to operate (ex-
cept the starter motor) 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. Maintenance and service
11-45

Pad and lining...................................................... 11-29
Parking ........................................................ 7-31, 11-29
Pedal .................................................................. 11-27
System ................................................................. 7-22
Brake pedal Free play ............................................................. 11-27
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-27
Brake system ............................................................ 7-22
Warning light ......................................................... 3-17
Braking ..................................................................... 7-21
Tips...................................................................... 7-21
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-29
Bulb
Chart .................................................................. 12-10
Replacing ............................................................. 11-46
C Capacities ................................................................. 12-4
Cargo area
Cover ................................................................... 6-13
Light ............................................................. 6-3, 11-50
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-15
Cargo tray ................................................................. 10-6
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center Console .................................................................. 6-5
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Center and side ventilators ............................................ 4-3
Changing Coolant ................................................................ 11-13
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-6 Oil and oil filter
....................................................... 11-9
Charge warning light ................................................... 3-14
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ...................................................................... 3-12
Checking Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-27
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-27
Clutch function ..................................................... 11-27
Clutch pedal free play ........................................... 11-28
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-13
Fluid level (automatic transmission fluid) .................. 11-20
Fluid level (brake fluid) .......................................... 11-24
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-25
Fluid level (power steering fluid) .. ........................... 11-23
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-38
Oil level (engine oil) ................................................ 11-8
Oil level (front differential gear oil) .......................... 11-21
Oil level (manual transmission oil) .......................... 11-19
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-23
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-29
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ... ............................. 1-26
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-30
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-33
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks .................................................................... 2-19
Chime Key........................................................................ 3-5 Light ..................................................................... 3-25
Seatbelt. ........................................................ 1-13, 3-10
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3 Index
14-3

Low fuel warning light........................................... 3-8, 3-18
Low tire pressure warning light .................................... 3-15
Lower and tether anchorage ........................................ 1-30
M
Main fuse ................................................................. 11-45
Maintenance Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule .............................................................. 11-3
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-20
Tools ...................................................................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator lamp (check engine warning light) ..................................... 3-12
Manual Climate control system ............................................. 4-3
Seat ....................................................................... 1-3
Transmission ......................................................... 7-14
Transmission oil .................................................... 11-19
Map light ........................................................... 6-3, 11-50
Maximum load limits ................................................... 8-18
Meters and gauges ...................................................... 3-5
Mirror defogger .......................................................... 3-40
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-32
Moonroof .......................................................... 2-23, 9-17
N
New vehicle break-in driving .......................................... 8-2
O
Odometer/Trip meter .................................................... 3-6
Oil filter ..................................................................... 11-9 Oil level
Engine .................................................................. 11-8
Front differential gear ............................................ 11-21
Manual transmission ............................................. 11-19
Rear differential gear ............................................ 11-22
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-14
On-pavement and off-road driving .................................. 8-6
Outside Mirror defogger ...................................................... 3-40
Mirrors .................................................................. 3-39
Temperature indicator .............................................. 3-23
Overhead console ....................................................... 6-7
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-12
PParking Brake .................................................................... 7-31
Brake stroke ........................................................ 11-29
Tips ...................................................................... 7-32
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel ................................................................... 7-2
Power Door locking switch .................................................. 2-6
Outside mirrors ...................................................... 3-40
Seat ....................................................................... 1-4
Steering ................................................................ 7-21
Steering fluid ........................................................ 11-23
Windows ............................................................... 2-20
Precautions against vehicle modification ................ 1-23, 1-61
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-7 Index
14-7

14-10Index
Types .................................................................. 11-30
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). ...... 7-30, 9-9, 11-30
Warning light ......................................................... 3-15
Tires and wheels. ...................................................... 11-30
Tools .......................................................................... 9-4
Top tether anchorages ........................................ 1-30, 1-33
Towing ...................................................................... 9-12
All wheels on the ground ........................................ 9-16
Flat-bed truck ........................................................ 9-15
Hooks ................................................................... 9-13
Weight.................................................................. 8-18
Trailer Connecting ............................................................ 8-16
Hitch ............................................................ 8-16, 8-21
Towing .................................................................. 8-18
Towing tips ............................................................ 8-23
Trip meter ................................................................... 3-6
Turn signal Indicator lights ....................................................... 3-21
Lever .................................................................... 3-27
U
Under-floor storage compartment ................................. 6-16
V
Valet mode ................................................................ 2-17
Vanity mirror ................................................................ 6-5
Vehicle Capacity weight ..................................................... 8-12
Identification ........................................................ 12-13
Symbols .................................................................... 3 Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator light .................................................. 3-19
OFF switch ............................................................ 7-29
Operation indicator light ................................... 3-19, 7-27
System .................................................................. 7-26
Warning light .................................................. 3-19, 7-28
Ventilator .................................................................... 4-2
W
Warning and indicator lights .......................................... 3-9
Warning chimes
Seatbelt. ........................................................ 1-13, 3-10
Warning light
ABS.............................................................. 3-16, 7-23
All-Wheel Drive ...................................................... 3-18
AT OIL TEMP ......................................................... 3-14
Automatic headlight beam leveler ............................. 3-18
Brake system ......................................................... 3-17
Charge .................................................................. 3-14
CHECK ENGINE .................................................... 3-12
Coolant temperature high ........................................ 3-13
Door open ............................................................. 3-18
Hill start assist ............................................... 3-18, 7-34
Low fuel ......................................................... 3-8, 3-18
Low tire pressure .................................................... 3-15
Oil pressure ........................................................... 3-14
Seatbelt. ........................................................ 1-13, 3-10
SRS airbag system ................................................. 3-11
Vehicle Dynamics Control ................................ 3-19, 7-28
Warranties ..................................................................... 1
Warranties and maintenance ........................................ 8-18