check oil SUBARU FORESTER 2007 SG / 2.G User Guide

9-12 In case of emergency
„Using a flat-bed truck
This is the best way to transport your vehi-
cle. Use the following procedures to en-
sure safe transportation.
1. Shift the selector lever into the “P” po-
sition for automatic transmission vehicles
or “1st” for manual transmission vehicles.
2. Pull up the parking brake lever firmly.
3. Secure the vehicle onto the carrier
properly with safety chains. Each safety
chain should be equally tightened and
care must be taken not to pull the chains
so tightly that the suspension bottoms out. „
Towing with all wheels on the ground
1. Check the transmission and differential
oil levels and add oil to bring it to the upper
level if necessary.
2. Release the parking brake and put the
transmission in neutral.
3. The ignition switch should be in the
“ACC” position while the vehicle is being
towed.
4. Take up slack in the towline slowly to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
900018
yNever turn the ignition switch to
the “LOCK” position while the ve-
hicle is being towed because the
steering wheel and the direction
of the wheels will be locked.
yRemember that the brake booster
and power steering do not func-
tion when the engine is not run-
ning. Because the engine is
turned off, it will take greater ef-
fort to operate the brake pedal and
steering wheel.
900019
yIf transmission failure occurs,
transport your vehicle on a flat-
bed truck.
y Do not run the engine while being
towed using this method. Trans-
mission damage could result if
the vehicle is towed with the en-
gine running.
y For vehicles with automatic trans-
mission, the traveling speed must
be limited to less than 20 mph (30
km/h) and the traveling distance
to less than 31 miles (50 km). For
greater speeds and distances,
transport your vehicle on a flat-
bed truck.

11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions .................................. 11-3Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment ........................................................ 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the
engine compartment while the engine is
running .................................................................. 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-4
Engine compartment overview ......................... 11-6 Non-turbo models ................................................... 11-6
Turbo models .......................................................... 11-7
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-8 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-8
Changing the oil and oil filter ................................ 11-8
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .................................... 11-11
Synthetic oil ............................................................ 11-11
Cooling system .................................................. 11-11 Cooling fan, hose and connections ...................... 11-12
Engine coolant ........................................................ 11-12
Air cleaner element ............................................ 11-15 Replacing the air cleaner element ......................... 11-15
Spark plugs ......................................................... 11-17 Recommended spark plugs ................................... 11-17
Drive belts ........................................................... 11-18
Manual transmission oil .................................... 11-18 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-18 Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-19
Automatic transmission fluid ............................ 11-20 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-20
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-21
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ............ 11-21 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-22
Rear differential gear oil .................................... 11-22 Checking the gear oil level .................................... 11-22
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-23
Power steering fluid ........................................... 11-23 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-23
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-24
Brake fluid ........................................................... 11-25 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ..................................... 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-26 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid .................................... 11-26
Brake booster ..................................................... 11-27
Brake pedal ......................................................... 11-27 Checking the brake pedal free play ...................... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ......... 11-27
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) ................................ 11-28 Checking the clutch function ................................ 11-28
Checking the clutch pedal free play ..................... 11-28
Hill holder (MT vehicles – if equipped) ............. 11-28

11 - 4 Maintenance and service
„Before checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
„When you do checking or ser-
vicing in the engine compart-
ment while the engine is run-ning
Engine hood
0
To open the hood:
1. If the wiper blades are lifted off the
windshield, return them to their original
positions.
2. Pull the hood release knob under the
instrument panel.
yWear adequate eye protection to
guard against getting oil or fluids
in your eyes. If something does
get in your eyes, thoroughly wash
them out with clean water.
yDo not tamper with the wiring of
the SRS airbag system or seatbelt
pretensioner system, or attempt
to take its connectors apart, as
that may activate the system or it
can render it inoperative. The wir-
ing and connectors of these sys-
tems are yellow for easy identifi-
cation. NEVER use a circuit tester
for these wiring.
If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pre-
tensioner needs service, consult
your nearest SUBARU dealer.
yAlways stop the engine and set
the parking brake firmly to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving.
yAlways let the engine cool down.
Engine parts become very hot
when the engine is running and
remain hot for some time after the
engine is stopped.
yDo not spill engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components.
This may cause a fire.
yAlways remove the key from the
ignition switch. When the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position, the
cooling fan may operate suddenly
even when the engine is stopped.
A running engine can be dangerous.
Keep your fingers, hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from the cooling
fan, belts and any other moving en-
gine parts. Removing rings, watch-
es and ties is advisable.
B00002

11 - 8 Maintenance and service
Engine oil „Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuel
stop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
insert it again.
3. Be sure the dipstick is correctly insert-
ed until it stops with the graphic symbol
“ ” on its top appearing as shown in
the illustration. 1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick again and check
the oil level on it. If it is below the lower
level, add oil to bring the level up to the up-
per level.If you check the oil level just after stopping
the engine, wait a few minutes for the oil to
drain back into the oil pan before checking
the level.
Just after driving or while the engine is
warm, the engine oil level reading may be
in a range between the upper level and
the notch mark. This is caused by thermal
expansion of the engine oil.
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not
add any additional oil above the upper lev-
el when the engine is cold. „ Changing the oil and oil filter
Change the oil and oil filter according to
the maintenance schedule in the “Warran-
ty and Maintenance Booklet”.
The engine oil and oil filter must be
changed more frequently than listed in the
maintenance schedule when driving on
dusty roads, when short trips are frequent-
ly made, when towing a trailer, or when
driving in extremely cold weather.
1. Warm up the engine by letting the en-
gine idle for approximately 10 minutes to
ease draining the engine oil.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
B00359
y Use only engine oil with the rec-
ommended grade and viscosity.
y Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If en-
gine oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off.
1 2
3
B00418

11 - 1 0 Maintenance and service
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 pouring oil into the en-
gine, 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.
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. 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 ILSAC Certification Mark (Starburst
Mark)
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.
APISERVICESM
ENERGYCONSERVING
SAE
5W-30
1
2
3
B00446B00014

11 - 1 8 Maintenance and service
Drive belts1) Power steering pump pulley
2) Air conditioner compressor pulley
3) Crank pulley
The alternator, power steering pump, and
air conditioner compressor depend on
drive belts. Satisfactory performance re-
quires that belt tension be correct.
To check belt tension, place a straight-
edge (ruler) across two adjacent pulleys
and apply a force of 22 lbs (98 N, 10 kg)
midway between the pulleys by using a
spring scale. Belt deflection should be the
amount specified. If a belt is loose,
cracked, or worn, contact your SUBARU
dealer. in (mm)Manual transmission oil „
Checking the oil level
Non-turbo models:
1) Yellow handle
A
B
2
3
1
B00365
Deflection
New belt Used belt
A 0.28 – 0.35
(7.0 – 9.0) 0.35 – 0.43
(9.0 – 11.0)
B 0.30 – 0.33
(7.5 – 8.5) 0.35 – 0.40
(9.0 – 10.0)
1
B00366

Maintenance and service 11 - 19
Turbo models
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
insert it again. 1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check
the oil level on it. If it is below the lower
level, add oil through the dipstick hole to
bring the level up to the upper level.
„ Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and applicable tem-
perature
B00367 Be careful not to spill manual trans-
mission oil when adding it. If oil
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off.
LF
F
L1
2 1
2
B00368
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40-20 0 60 20
80W 75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
B00032

Maintenance and service 11 - 21
– CONTINUED –
„
Recommended fluid
Use one of the following types of automat-
ic transmission fluid.
Genuine Subaru Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid Type-HP
IDEMITSU ATF HP
Castrol Transmax J
Pennzoil ATF-J*
* Available only in the USA (except
Alaska and Hawaii)
NOTE
For optimum transmission perfor-
mance, only use the automatic trans-
mission fluid that is recommended and
provided by Subaru.
If the recommended automatic trans-
mission fluid is unavailable, Dexron III
may be temporarily used. If the Dexron
III is used continuously there will be a
noticeable increase in the vibration
and noise from the automatic transmis-
sion. Front differential gear oil (AT
vehicles) „
Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the differential oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
insert it again. 1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check
the oil level on it. If it is below the lower
level, add oil to bring the level up to the up-
per level.
1
B00371
Be careful not to spill front differen-
tial gear oil when adding it. If oil
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off.
1 2
B00372

11 - 2 2 Maintenance and service
„Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and applicable tem-
perature
Rear differential gear oil „ Checking the gear oil level
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear
differential protector. The differential pro-
tector provides protection to the rear dif-
ferential assembly during off-road use.
Removal of the rear differential protector
is not required when checking the oil level.
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug 1) Filler hole
2) Drain hole
3) Oil level
Remove the plug from the filler hole and
check the oil level. The oil level should be
kept even with the bottom of the filler hole.
If the oil level is below the bottom edge of
the hole, add oil through the filler hole to
raise the level.
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40 -20 0 60 20
80W 75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
B00032
2 1B00373
3
1
2
B00374

Maintenance and service 11 - 23
– CONTINUED –
„Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5 SAE viscosity No. and applicable tem-
perature
Power steering fluid „
Checking the fluid level
1) Reservoir tank
y Be careful not to spill rear differ-
ential gear oil when adding it. If
rear differential gear oil touches
the exhaust pipe, it may cause a
bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If
rear differential gear oil gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipeit off.
y If the vehicle requires frequent re-
filling, there may be an oil leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 60 20
80W 75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
B00032
Be careful not to burn yourself be-
cause the fluid may be hot. y
When power steering fluid is be-
ing added, use only clean fluid,
and be careful not to allow any dirt
into the tank. And never use dif-
ferent brands together.
1
B00375