check engine light SUBARU TRIBECA 2007 1.G Owner's Manual

Driving tips 8-7
– CONTINUED –
underbody. Clear off any such matter from
the underbody. If the vehicle is used with
these materials trapped or adhering to the
underbody, a mechanical breakdown or
fire could occur. y
Secure all cargo carried inside the vehi-
cle and make certain that it is not piled
higher than the seatbacks. During sudden
stops or jolts, unsecured cargo could be
thrown around in the vehicle and cause in-
jury. Do not pile heavy loads on the roof.
Those loads raise the vehicle’s center of
gravity and make it more prone to tip over. y If you must rock the vehicle to free it
from sand or mud, depress the accelera-
tor pedal slightly and move the selector le-
ver back and forth between “D” and “R” re-
peatedly. Do not race the engine. For the
best possible traction, avoid spinning the
wheels when trying to free the vehicle. y When the road surface is extremely
slippery, you can obtain better traction by
starting the vehicle with the transmission
in 2nd than 1st. y Never equip your vehicle with tires larg-
er than those specified in this manual. y Wash the vehicle’s underbody after off-
road driving. Suspension components are
particularly prone to dirt buildup, so they
need to be washed thoroughly. y Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle un-
der hard-driving conditions such as rough roads or off roads will necessitate more
frequent replacement of engine oil, brake
fluid and transmission oil than that speci-
fied in the maintenance schedule de-
scribed in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
Remember that damage done to your
SUBARU while operating it off-road and
not using common sense precautions
such as those listed above is not eligible for warranty coverage.
Winter driving „
Operation during cold weath- er
Carry some emergency equipment, such
as tire chains, a window scraper, a bag of
sand, flares, a small shovel, and jumper cables.
Check the battery and cables. Cold tem-
peratures reduce battery capacity. The
battery must be in good condition to pro-
vide enough power for cold winter starts.
Use an engine oil of proper grade and vis-
cosity for cold weather. Heavy summer oil
will cause harder starting.
Keep the door locks from freezing by
800201

8-24 Driving tips
TBefore starting out on a trip
y Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-
hitch mounting are in good condition. If
any problems are apparent, do not tow the
trailer. y Check that the vehicle sits horizontally
with the trailer attached. If the vehicle is
tipped sharply up at the front and down at
the rear, check the total trailer weight,
GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then
confirm that the load and its distribution
are acceptable. y Check that the tire pressures are cor-
rect. y Check that the vehicle and trailer are
connected properly. Confirm that – the trailer tongue is connected prop-
erly to the hitch ball.
– the trailer lights connector is connect-
ed properly and trailer’s brake lights illu-
minate when the vehicle’s brake pedal
is pressed, and that the trailer’s turn sig-
nal lights flash when the vehicle’s turn
signal lever is operated.
– the safety chains are connected prop- erly.
– all cargo in the trailer is secured safe- ty in position.
– the side mirrors provide a good rear-
ward field of view without a significant
blind spot.
y Sufficient time should be taken to learn the “feel” of the vehicle/trailer combination
before starting out on a trip. In an area free
of traffic, practice turning, stopping and
backing up. T
Driving with a trailer
y You should allow for considerably more
stopping distance when towing a trailer.
Avoid sudden braking because it may re-
sult in skidding or jackknifing and loss of control.y Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and
rapid lane changes.y Slow down before turning. Make a long-
er than normal turning radius because the
trailer wheels will be closer than the vehi-
cle wheels to the inside of the turn. In a
tight turn, the trailer could hit your vehicle.y Crosswinds will adversely affect the
handling of your vehicle and trailer, caus-
ing sway. Crosswinds can be due to
weather conditions or the passing of large
trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly
grip the steering wheel and slow down im-
mediately but gradually. y When passing other vehicles, consider-
able distance is required because of the
added weight and length caused by at-
taching the trailer to your vehicle. 1) Left turn
2) Right turn
y Backing up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. When backing up with a
trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.
When turning back, grip the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand and turn it to
the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right
for a right turn. y If the ABS warning light illuminates
while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing
the trailer and have repairs performed im-
mediately by the nearest SUBARU dealer. T Driving on grades
y Before going down a steep hill, slow
down and shift into lower gear (if neces-
sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the
engine braking effect and prevent over-12
800217

Maintenance and service 11 - 9
– CONTINUED –
The oil quantity indicated above is only a
guideline. The necessary quantity of oil
depends on the quantity of oil that has
been drained. The quantity of drained oil
differs slightly depending on the tempera-
ture of the oil and the time the oil is left
flowing out. After refilling the engine with
oil, therefore, you must use the dipstick to
confirm that the level is correct.
13.Start the engine and make sure that no
oil leaks appear around the filter’s rubber
seal and drain plug.
14.Run the engine until it reaches the nor-
mal operating temperature. Then stop the
engine and wait a few minutes to allow the
oil drain back. Check the oil level again
and if necessary, add more engine oil. „
Recommended grade and
viscosity
Oil grade:
ILSAC GF-4, which can be identified
with the ILSAC certification mark(Starburst mark)
or API classification SM with the
words “ENERGY CONSERVING”
These recommended oil grades can be
identified by looking for either or both of
the following marks displayed on the oil
container.
ILSAC Certification Mark (Starburst Mark) API Service label
1) Indicates the oil quality by API designa-
tions
2) Indicates the SAE oil viscosity grade
3) Indicates that the oil has fuel saving ca- pabilities
In choosing an oil, you want the proper
quality and viscosity, as well as one that
will add to fuel economy. The following ta-
ble lists the recommended viscosities and
applicable temperatures.
When adding oil, different brands may be
used together as long as they are the
same API classification and SAE viscosity
as those recommended by SUBARU.
Use only engine oil with the recom-
mended grade and viscosity.
B00014
APISERVICESM
ENERGYCONSERVING
SAE
5W-30
1
2
3
B00446

Maintenance and service 11 - 2 1
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 slight-
ly 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 ap-
proximately one minute then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times to
check the brake booster. The brake boost-
er operates properly if the pedal stroke de-
creases with each depression.Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play and re-
serve distance according to the mainte-
nance 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 lbs
(10 N, 1 kg).
If the free play is not within proper specifi-
cation, contact your SUBARU dealer. „
Checking the brake pedal re-
serve distance
1) More than 2.16 in (55 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-
mately 66 lbs (294 N, 30 kg) 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.
1
B00323
1
B00324

11 - 3 0 Maintenance and service
Windshield washer fluid
If you spray washer fluid on the windshield
but the windshield washer fluid warning
light comes on or the supply of washer flu-
id drops, check the level of washer fluid in
the tank.
Washer fluid level gauge
Remove the washer tank filler cap, then
check the fluid level indicated by the level
gauge (attached to the inside of the cap).
If the level is near the “Low” mark, add flu- id until it reaches the “Hi” level on the level
gauge.
After adding fluid, make sure the wind-
shield washer fluid warning light has gone out.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield
washer fluid is unavailable use clean wa-
ter.
In areas where water freezes in winter,
use an anti-freeze type windshield washer
fluid. SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluid
contains 58.5% methyl alcohol and 41.5%
surfactant, by volume. Its freezing temper-
ature varies according to how much it is di-
luted, as indicated in the following table.
In order to prevent freezing of washer flu-
id, check the freezing temperatures in the
table above when adjusting the fluid con-
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paint
damage.
300544
B00328
Hi Low
300172
Washer Fluid
Concentration Freezing
Temperature
30% 10.4 °F (–12 °C)
50% –4 °F (–20 °C)
100% –49 °F (–45 °C)
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paint
damage.

Index 14-3
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator
lamp .............................................................................. 3-12
Checking Brake pedal free play ................................................. 11-21
Brake pedal reserve distance .................................... 11-21
Engine oil level ............................................................ 11-7
Fluid level ............................................ 11-15, 11-19, 11-20
Gear oil level .............................................................. 11-17
Child restraint systems ..................................................... 1-30
Installation with seatbelt .............................................. 1-33
Lower and tether anchorages ...................................... 1-38
Child safety ............................................................................ 5
Locks ........................................................................... 2-19
Chime
Key ................................................................................ 3-4
Seatbelt ....................................................................... 1-17
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels ........................................................ 10-3
Interior ......................................................................... 10-4
Ventilator grille ............................................................. 4-10
Climate control system ....................................................... 4-5
Clock ................................................................................ 3-21
Coat hook ......................................................................... 6-10
Cooling system ............................................................... 11-10
Corrosion protection ................................................ 8-10, 10-3
Cruise control ................................................................... 7-27
Set indicator light ......................................................... 3-20
Cup holder .......................................................................... 6-6 D
Daytime running light system ........................................... 3-27
Differential gear oil Front ........................................................................... 11-16
Rear ........................................................................... 11-17
Dimensions ....................................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ....................................................... 2-16
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................... 7-16
Dome light ................................................................ 6-2, 11-44
Door locks ........................................................................... 2-4
Door open warning light .................................................... 3-17
Drive belts ....................................................................... 11-15
Driving All-Wheel Drive vehicle ................................................ 3-17
Car phone/cell phone ........................................................ 7
Drinking ............................................................................. 6
Drugs ................................................................................ 6
Foreign countries ........................................................... 8-4
Pets ................................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ...................................................... 8-9
Tips ....................................................................... 7-13, 8-4
Tired or sleepy .................................................................. 7
E
Electrical system ............................................................... 12-3
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........... 7-18
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................................ 1-16
Engine Compartment overview ................................................ 11-6
Coolant ....................................................................... 11-11
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................................... 8-2
Hood ............................................................................ 11-4
Oil ................................................................................. 11-7
Overheating ................................................................. 9-14
Starting ........................................................................... 7-7

14-8 Index
V
Valet mode ....................................................................... 2-17
Vanity mirror ....................................................................... 6-4
Vehicle Capacity weight ........................................................... 8-12
Identification ................................................................ 12-9
Vehicle Dynamics Control
Operation indicator light ............................................... 3-18
System ........................................................................ 7-19
Warning light ................................................................ 3-18
Ventilator ............................................................................ 4-2 W
Warning and indicator lights ............................................... 3-9
Warning lights ABS ............................................................................. 3-15
All-Wheel Drive ............................................................ 3-17
Anti-lock Brake System ............................................... 3-15
AT OIL TEMPerature ................................................... 3-13
Brake system ............................................................... 3-16
Charge ......................................................................... 3-13
CHECK ENGINE ......................................................... 3-12
Door open .................................................................... 3-17
Low fuel ................................................................ 3-8, 3-17
Low tire pressure ......................................................... 3-14
Oil pressure ................................................................. 3-13
Rear differential oil temperature .................................. 3-14
Seatbelt ....................................................................... 3-10
SRS airbag system ...................................................... 3-11
Vehicle Dynamics Control .................................. 3-18, 7-21
Windshield washer fluid ............................................... 3-17
Warranties and maintenance ........................................... 8-17 Washing ............................................................................ 10-2
Waxing and polishing ....................................................... 10-3
Wear indicators ............................................................... 11-27
Wheel
Alignment ..................................................................... 12-4
Balance ...................................................................... 11-27
Replacement .............................................................. 11-29
Windows ........................................................................... 2-19
Windshield
Washer fluid ............................................................... 11-30
Wiper and washer switches ......................................... 3-30
Wiper deicer ................................................................. 3-32
Winter driving ...................................................................... 8-7
Wiper and washer ............................................................. 3-29