SUBARU BRZ 2013 1.G Owners Manual

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working in the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric
cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or
the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 300)
Vehicles with a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
push-button ignition switch is off. With the push-button ignition switch in
“ON” mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 300)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
CAUTION
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-ment.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the engine
hood.Pull the engine hood release
lever.The engine hood will pop up
slightly.
Push the auxiliary catch lever
to the left and lift the engine
hood.
Hold the engine hood open by
inserting the supporting rod
into the slot.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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Maintenance and care
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the engine hood is fully closed and locked.
If the engine hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in
motion and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
■When opening the engine hood
Do not lift up or operate the wipers. Doing so may cause the engine hood
and wipers to contact, scratching the engine hood.
■When closing the engine hood
Do not apply excessive weight or force when closing the engine hood as
doing so may result in damage.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Battery (→P. 302)
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 295)
Brake fluid reservoir (→ P. 300)
Engine oil filler cap (→ P. 296)Washer fluid tank
(→ P. 306)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 300)
Radiator ( →P. 300)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 298)
Fuse box ( →P. 329)

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than five minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
When checking the oil, look at both sides of the dipstick and use the
lower measurement to determine the level of oil.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding engine oilIf the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil selection →
P. 414
Oil quantity
(Low → Full) 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

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Maintenance and care
■Engine oil consumption
●The amount of engine oil consumed depends on the oil viscosity, the
quality of the oil and the way the vehicle is driven.
●More oil is consumed under driving conditions such as high speeds and
frequent acceleration and deceleration.
●A new engine consumes more oil.
●When judging the amount of oil consumption, keep in mind that the oil
may have become diluted, making it difficult to judge the true level accu-
rately.
●If your vehicle consumes more than 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.) every 600
miles (1000 km), contact your SUBARU dealer.
WARNING
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your SUBARU dealer, service station or auto parts store for informa-
tion concerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine coolantThe coolant level is satisfactory if it is between the “FULL” and “LOW”
lines on the reservoir when the engine is cold. Reservoir cap
“FULL”
“LOW”
If the level is on or below the
“LOW” line, add coolant up to the
“FULL” line.
CAUTION
■To prevent serious engine damage
Check the oil level on a regular basis.
■When replacing the engine oil
●Be careful not to spill engine oil on the vehicle components.
●Avoid overfilling, or the engine could be damaged.
●Check the oil level on the dipstick every time you fill the oil.
●Be sure the engine oil filler cap is properly tightened.
■If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing
Visually check the radiator, hoses, engine coolant filler cap, radiator cap,
drain cock and water pump.
If you cannot find a leak, have your SUBARU dealer pressure test the cap
and check for leaks in the cooling system.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
■Coolant selection
Only use SUBARU Super Coolant or similar high-quality ethylene glycol-
based non-silicate, non-amine, non-nitrite, and non-borate coolant with long-
life hybrid organic acid technology.
SUBARU Super Coolant is a mixture of 50% coolant and 50% deionized
water. (Enabled: -31°F [-35 °C])
For more details about engine cool ant, contact your SUBARU dealer.
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not remove the radiator cap.
The cooling system may be under pressure and may spray hot coolant if the
cap is removed, causing serious injuries, such as burns.
CAUTION
■When adding engine coolant
Coolant is neither plain water nor stra ight antifreeze. The correct mixture of
water and antifreeze must be used to provide proper lubrication, corrosion
protection and cooling. Be sure to read the antifreeze or coolant label.
■If you spill coolant
Be sure to wash it off with water to prevent it damaging parts or paint.

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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Radiator and condenserCheck the radiator and condenser and clear any foreign objects.
If either of the above parts are extremely dirty or you are not sure of
their condition, have your vehicle checked by your SUBARU dealer.
Brake fluid
■Checking fluid level The brake fluid level should be
between the “MAX” and “MIN”
lines on the tank.
“MAX”
“MIN”
WARNING
■When the engine is hot
Do not touch the radiator or condenser as they may be hot and cause seri-
ous injuries, such as burns.