SUBARU BRZ 2014 1.G Owners Manual

301
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
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.

302
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.

303
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Adding fluid
Make sure to check the fluid type and prepare the necessary items.
Fluid typeFMVSS No.116 fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid
ItemsClean funnel
■Brake fluid can absorb moisture from the air
Excess moisture in the fluid can cause a dangerous loss of braking effi-
ciency. Use only newly opened brake fluid.
WARNING
■When filling the reservoir
Take care because brake fluid can harm your hands or eyes and damage
painted surfaces.
If fluid gets in your eyes, flush your eyes with clean water immediately.
If you still experience discomfort, see a doctor.
CAUTION
■If the fluid level is low or high
It is normal for the brake fluid level to go down slightly as the brake pads
wear or when the fluid level in the accumulator is high.
If the reservoir needs frequent refilling, it may indicate a serious problem.

304
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
BatteryCheck the battery as follows.
■Battery exterior
Make sure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that
there are no loose connections, cracks, or loose clamps. Hold-down clamp
Te r m i n a l s
■Checking battery fluidCheck that the level is between
“UPPER LEVEL” and “LOWER
LEVEL”.
“UPPER LEVEL”
“LOWER LEVEL”
If the fluid level is at or below
“LOWER LEVEL”, add distilled
water.

305
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
■Adding distilled waterRemove the vent plug.
Add distilled water.
If the “UPPER LEVEL” line cannot be seen, check the fluid level by
looking directly at the cell.
Put the vent plug back on and close securely.
Low O.K.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3

306
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Before recharging
When recharging, the battery produces hydrogen gas which is flammable
and explosive. Therefore, before recharging:
●If recharging with the battery installed on the vehicle, be sure to discon-
nect the ground cable.
●Make sure the power switch on the charger is off when connecting and
disconnecting the charger cables to the battery.
■After recharging/reconnecting the battery (vehicles with a keyless
access with push button start system)
●Unlocking the doors using the keyless access with push button start sys-
tem may not be possible immediately after reconnecting the battery. If
this happens, use the remote keyless entry system or the mechanical
key to lock/unlock the doors.
●Start the engine with the push-button ignition switch in “ACC” mode. The
engine may not start with the push-button ignition switch turned off. How-
ever, the engine will operate normally from the second attempt.
●The push-button ignition switch mode is recorded by the vehicle. If the
battery is reconnected, the vehicle will return the push-button ignition
switch mode to the status it was in before the battery was disconnected.
Make sure to turn off the engine before disconnect the battery. Take extra
care when connecting the battery if the push-button ignition switch mode
prior to discharge is unknown.
If the engine will not start even after multiple attempts, contact your
SUBARU dealer.

307
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
WARNING
■Chemicals in the battery
A battery contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid and may produce
hydrogen gas which is flammable and explosive. To reduce the risk of death
or serious injury, take the following precautions while working on or near the
battery:
●Do not cause sparks by touching the battery terminals with tools.
●Do not smoke or light a match near the battery.
●Avoid contact with eyes, skin and clothes.
●Never inhale or swallow electrolyte.
●Wear protective safety glasses when working near the battery.
●Keep children away from the battery.
■Where to safely charge the battery
Always charge the battery in an open area. Do not charge the battery in a
garage or closed room where there is not sufficient ventilation.
■Emergency measures regarding electrolyte
●If electrolyte gets in your eyes
Flush your eyes with clean water for at least 15 minutes and get immedi-
ate medical attention. If possible, continue to apply water with a sponge or
cloth while traveling to the nearest medical facility.
●If electrolyte gets on your skin
Wash the affected area thoroughly. If you feel pain or burning, get medical
attention immediately.
●If electrolyte gets on your clothes
It can soak through clothing on to your skin. Immediately take off the cloth-
ing and follow the procedure above if necessary.
●If you accidentally swallow electrolyte
Drink a large quantity of water or milk. Get emergency medical attention
immediately.

308
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Washer fluidIf the washer fluid level is at
“LOW”, add washer fluid.
CAUTION
■When recharging the battery
Never recharge the battery while the engine is running. Also, be sure all
accessories are turned off.
■When adding distilled water
Avoid overfilling. Water spilled during battery recharging may cause corro-
sion.
■Using the gaugeThe washer fluid level can be checked by
observing the position of the level on the
liquid-covered holes in the gauge.
If the level falls below the second hole
from the bottom (the “LOW” position),
refill the washer fluid.
CTH43AS134
Current
fluid level

309
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
WARNING
■When adding washer fluid
Do not add washer fluid when the engine is hot or running, as washer fluid
contains alcohol and may catch fire if spilled on the engine etc.
CAUTION
■Washer fluid
Do not use soapy water or engine antifreeze instead of washer fluid.
Doing so may cause streaking on the vehicle’s painted surfaces.
■Diluting washer fluid
Dilute washer fluid with water as necessary.
Refer to the freezing temperatures listed on the label of the washer fluid bot-
tle.

310
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Tires
Replace or rotate tires in accordance with maintenance sched-
ules and treadwear.
■Checking tiresNew tread
Treadwear indicator
Worn tread
The location of treadwear
indicators is shown by the
“TWI” or “ ” marks, etc.,
molded on the sidewall of
each tire.
Check spare tire condition
and pressure if not rotated.
■Tire rotationRotate the tires in the order
shown.
To equalize tire wear and
extend tire life, SUBARU rec-
ommends that tire rotation is
carried out at the same inter-
val as tire inspection.
■The tire pressure monitoring system (if equipped)
Your SUBARU is equipped with a tire pressure monitoring sys-
tem that uses tire pressure warning valves and transmitters to
detect low tire inflation pressure before serious problems arise. (→ P. 369)
Front