brake SUBARU FORESTER 2003 SG / 2.G Repair Manual

11 - 3 6
Maintenance and service
If you continue to drive despite the scraping
noise from the audible brake pad wear indica-
tor, it will result in the need for costly brake ro-
tor repair or replacement.
Breaking-in of new brake pads and lin- ings
When replacing the brake pad or lining, use only gen-
uine SUBARU parts. After replacement, the new parts
must be broken in as follows: Brake pad and lining
While maintaining a speed of 30 to 40 mph (50 to 65
km/h), step on the brake pedal lightly. Repeat this five
or more times. Parking brake lining
1. Drive the vehicle at a speed of about 22 mph (35
km/h).
2. With the parking brake release button pushed in,
pull the parking brake lever SLOWLY and GENTLY.
(Pulling with a force of approximately 33 lb [147 N, 15kg].)
3. Drive the vehicle for about 220 yards (200 meters) in this condition.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the parking brake to cool
down. Repeat this procedure.
5. Check the parking brake stroke. If the parking
brake stroke is out of the specified range, adjust it by
turning the adjusting nut located on the parking brake lever.
Parking brake stroke:
7 – 8 notches / 44 lb (196 N, 20 kg)
A safe location and situation should be select-
ed for break-in driving.
Pulling the parking brake lever too forcefully
may cause the rear wheels to lock. To avoid
this, be certain to pull the lever up slowly and
gently.

11 -3 7
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
Parking brake stroke
Check the parking brake stroke according to the main-
tenance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance
Booklet”. When the parking brake is properly adjusted,
braking power is fully applied by pulling the lever up
seven to eight notches gently but firmly (about 44 lb,
196 N, 20 kg). If the parking brake lever stroke is not
within the specified range, have the brake system
checked and adjusted at your SUBARU dealer.Tires and wheels Types of tires
You should be familiar with type of tires present on
your vehicle. All season tires
The factory-installed tires on your new vehicle are all
season tires.
All season tires are designed to provide an adequate
measure of traction, handling and braking perfor-
mance in year-round driving including snowy and icy
road conditions. However all season tires do not offer
as much traction performance as winter (snow) tires in
heavy or loose snow or on icy roads.
All season tires are identified by “ALL SEASON” and/
or “M+S” (Mud & Snow) on the tire sidewall. Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed capability tires best suit-
ed for highway driving under dry conditions.
Summer tires are inadequate for driving on slippery
roads such as on snow-covered or icy roads.
If you drive your vehicle on snow-covered or icy roads,
we strongly recommend the use of winter (snow) tires.
When installing winter tires, be sure to replace all four
tires.
HS7014CA

11 - 4 4
Maintenance and service
Use only those wheels that are specified for
your vehicle. Wheels not meeting specifica-
tions could interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub against the
wheel well housing during turns. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent.
Aluminum wheels (If equipped)
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged
easily. Handle them carefully to maintain their appear-
ance, performance, and safety.
When any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat, always check the
tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximately
600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to
the specified torque. Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or
tapered surface of the wheel. Never let the wheel rub against sharp protrusions or
curbs. Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly and completely
around the tire, otherwise the chains may scratch the
wheel. When wheel nuts, balance weights, or the center
cap is replaced, be sure to replace them with genuine
SUBARU parts designed for aluminum wheels.

12-7
Specifications
– CONTINUED –
1210AIllumination brightness control
1310ACombination meter
SRS lamp
1410ARear window wiper and
washer
1530AWindshield wiper and
washer
1620ABrake light
1715AAir conditioner
1815ABackup light
Cruise control
1920AOutside mirror defogger
20Empty
21Empty
2210AABS ignition
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
2320APower outlet (cargo)
Seat heater
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit

14-2
Index
A
ABS ................................................................ 7-22
Warning light ...................................... 3-12, 7-23
Accessory power outlet .................................. 6-9
Active head restraint ....................................... 1-7
Air cleaner element ........................................ 11-19
Air filtration system ......................................... 4-18
Aluminum wheel ............................................. 11-44
Aluminum wheel Cleaning .............................. 10-3
Ambient temperature gauge ........................... 3-9
Antenna system ............................................. 5-2
Anti-lock brake warning light (ABS) ........ 3-12, 7-23
Arming the system .......................................... 2-14
Ashtray ........................................................... 6-14
Audio set ........................................................ 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ....................... 3-29
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor
(A/ELR) ....................................................... 1-14
Automatic climate control system .................... 4-10
Automatic transmission .................................. 7-14 Capacities .................................................. 12-4
Fluid ........................................................... 11-24
Selector lever ............................................. 7-15
Shift lock release ....................................... 7-18
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) ....... 3-12 B
Battery ............................................................. 11-49
Jump starting .............................................. 9-9
Replacing (remote keyless entry) . .............. 2-9
Brake
Booster ....................................................... 11-32
Fluid ............................................................ 11-30
Pad and lining ............................................. 11-36
Parking ....................................................... 11-37
Pedal .......................................................... 11-33
System ....................................................... 7-21
Warning light .............................................. 3-13
Braking ............................................................ 7-21
Braking tips ..................................................... 7-21
Brake pedal ..................................................... 11-33 Free play .................................................... 11-33
Reserve distance ........................................ 11-33
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ..... 11-36 Bulb Chart ........................................................... 12-9
Replacing ................................................... 11-54
C
Capacities ....................................................... 12-4
Cargo area cover (if equipped) ....................... 6-16
Cargo area light ............................................... 6-2
Cargo tie-down hooks ..................................... 6-18

14-3
Index
Center console ............................................... 6-5
Charge warning light ...................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ............................................. 3-10
Child restraint systems ................................... 1-30 Installation with seatbelt ............................ 1-33
Top tether anchorages .............................. 1-38
Child safety locks ........................................... 2-20
Chime Key ............................................................ 3-3
Seat belt .............................................. 1-15, 3-9
Cigarette lighter socket ................................... 6-11
Clock .............................................................. 3-16
Clutch (MT)
Fluid ........................................................... 11-31
Pedal ......................................................... 11-34
Coat hook ....................................................... 6-16
Coil tray .......................................................... 6-7
Convenience net ............................................ 6-7
Coolant ........................................................... 11-15
Cooling system ............................................... 11-14
Corrosion protection ....................................... 10-4
Cruise control ................................................. 7-31
Cruise control indicator light ........................... 3-15
Cup holders ..................................................... 6-8 D
Dashboard storage compartment ................... 6-6
Daytime running light system ......................... 3-19
Differential gear oil
Front (AT vehicles) .................................... 11-26
Rear ........................................................... 11-27
Dimensions ..................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ..................................... 2-16
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ......... 7-22
Dome light ...................................................... 6-2
Door locks ...................................................... 2-3
Door open warning light ................................. 3-14
Drive belt ........................................................ 11-21
Driving in foreign country ................................ 8-5
Driving tips............................................... 7-13, 8-6 E
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system 7-25
Emergency locking retractor (ELR) ................ 1-14
Engine Compartment overview .............................. 11-8
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ................ 8-3
Hood .......................................................... 11-5
Oil .............................................................. 11-9
Coolant ...................................................... 11-15
Overheating ............................................... 9-12
Starting ...................................................... 7-9

14-4
Index
Stopping .................................................... 7-11
Exterior care ................................................... 10-2 F
Flat tires ................................................. 9-3, 9-5
Floor mat ........................................................ 6-15
Fluid level Automatic transmission ............................. 11-24
Brake ......................................................... 11-30
Clutch (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-31
Power steering ........................................... 11-29
Fog light switch ............................................... 3-21
Front differential gear oi l (AT vehicles) ........... 11-26
Front seatbelt pretensioners ........................... 1-27
Front seats ..................................................... 1-2 Fore and aft adjustment ............................. 1-3
Reclining .................................................... 1-4
Front-wheel drive warning light (AT vehicles) . 3-15
Fuel ................................................................ 7-2
Economy hints ........................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ........................................ 7-4
Gauge ........................................................ 3-7
Requirements ............................................ 7-2
Fuses ............................................................. 11-50
Fuses and circuits .......................................... 12-6 G
GAWR ............................................................. 8-16
Glove box ........................................................ 6-5
Gross axle weight rating .................................. 8-16
Gross vehicle weight rating ............................. 8-16
GVWR ............................................................. 8-16 H
Hazard warning flasher ................................... 3-5
Headlights ....................................................... 3-17
Headrest adjustment ....................................... 1-10
Headlight flasher ............................................. 3-18
Heater operation ............................................. 4-6
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-15
Hill holder ................................................ 7-29, 11-35
Horn ................................................................ 3-34 I
Ignition switch .................................................. 3-2
Illuminated entry .............................................. 2-8
Illumination brightness control ......................... 3-20
Indicator light ................................................... 3-9
Inside mirror .................................................... 3-29
Interior lights .................................................... 6-2

14-6
Index
P
Parking brake ......................................... 7-27, 11-37
Stroke ........................................................ 11-37
Parking light switch ......................................... 3-21
Parking your vehicle ....................................... 7-27
Periodic inspections ....................................... 8-5Power Door locking switches ................................ 2-5
Steering ..................................................... 7-20
Steering fluid level ..................................... 11-29
Windows .................................................... 2-21
R
Rear Combination lights ..................................... 11-61
Differential gear oil level ............................ 11-27
Gate ................................................... 2-24, 9-17
Seats ......................................................... 1-9
Viscous limited slip differential (LSD) ........ 7-20
Rear Window Defogger switch ......................................... 3-27
Wiper and washer switch ........................... 3-25
Remote keyless entry system ........................ 2-6
Replacing Air cleaner element .................................... 11-19
Battery (remote keyless entry) ................... 2-9
Bulbs ......................................................... 11-54 Transmitters ............................................... 2-10
Rocking the vehicle ......................................... 8-13
Roof rail and crossbar ..................................... 8-17 S
Seatbelts ......................................................... 1-12
Seatbelt Maintenance ............................................... 1-26
Pretensioners ............................................. 1-27
Safety tips ................................................... 1-12
Warning light and chime ............................. 3-9
Seats
Fabric ......................................................... 10-5
Heater ......................................................... 1-8
Seat height adjustment (driver’s side) ............. 1-5
Security system ............................................... 2-14
Selector lever (AT vehicles) ............................ 7-15
Self-leveling rear suspension .......................... 7-34
Shift lock release ............................................. 7-18
Shift position indicator ..................................... 3-15
Shopping bag hook ......................................... 6-18
Snow tires ....................................................... 8-12
Snowy and icy roads ....................................... 8-11
Spark plugs ..................................................... 11-20
Specifications .................................................. 12-2
Speedometer ................................................... 3-5
SRS airbags .................................................... 1-39

14-7
Index
SRS
Airbag system warning light ....................... 3-10
Frontal airbag ............................................ 1-44
Side airbag ................................................ 1-51
Storage compartments ................................... 6-4
Sun visors ....................................................... 6-3
Supplemental restraint system airbag ............ 1-39
Synthetic leather upholstery ........................... 10-6 T
Tachometer .................................................... 3-6
Temperature gauge ........................................ 3-8
Tilt steering wheel .......................................... 3-33Tire Chains ....................................................... 8-13
Inspection .................................................. 11-38
Pressures and wear ................................... 11-38
Replacement ............................................. 11-43
Rotation ..................................................... 11-42
Types ......................................................... 11-37
Top tether anchorages ................................... 1-38
Towing ............................................................ 9-13
All wheels on the ground ........................... 9-15
Flat-bed truck ............................................. 9-15
Tie-down hooks .............................................. 9-13 Trailer Connecting ................................................ 8-31 Hitch .......................................................... 8-22
Towing ....................................................... 8-25
Towing tips ................................................ 8-32
Turn signal indicator lights .............................. 3-15
Turn signal lever ............................................. 3-19 U
Under-floor storage compartment ... ............... 6-19
V
Valet mode ..................................................... 2-17
Vanity mirror ................................................... 6-4
Vehicle capacity weight .................................. 8-15
Vehicle identification ....................................... 12-10
Ventilator ........................................................ 4-2 W
Warning and indicator lights ........................... 3-9
Warning lights ABS ........................................................... 3-12
Anti-lock Brake system .............................. 3-12
AT OIL TEMPerature ................................. 3-12
Brake system ............................................. 3-13
Charge ....................................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE ....................................... 3-10
Door open .................................................. 3-14