transmission SUBARU FORESTER 2007 SG / 2.G Owner's Manual

8-24 Driving tips
olution. yAvoid 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- heating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not
make sudden downshifts. y
When driving uphill in hot weather, the
air conditioner may turn off automatically
to protect the engine from overheating. y When driving uphill in hot weather, pay
attention to the water temperature gauge
pointer (for all vehicles) and AT OIL TEMP
warning light (for AT vehicles) since the
engine and transmission are relatively
prone to overheating under these condi-
tions. If the water temperature gauge
pointer approaches the OVERHEAT zone
or the AT OIL TEMP warning light illumi-
nates, immediately switch off the air con-
ditioner and stop the vehicle at the nearest
safe place. Refer to the “Engine overheat-
ing” section in chapter 9, and “Warning
and indicator lights” section in chapter 3. y If your vehicle has an automatic trans-
mission, avoid using the accelerator pedal
to stay stationary on an uphill slope in-
stead of using the parking brake or foot
brake. That may cause the transmission
fluid to overheat. y If your vehicle has an automatic trans-
mission, place the selector lever as fol-
lows:
Uphill slopes: “D” position
Downhill slopes: A low-speed gear posi-
tion to use engine braking
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Driving tips 8-25
TParking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both vehi-
cle and trailer when parking. Apply the
parking brake firmly. You should not park
on a hill or slope. But if parking on a hill or
slope cannot be avoided, you should take
the following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal
down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks un-
der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, re-
lease the regular brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then ap-
ply the parking brake; slowly release the
regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual
transmission) or “P” (automatic transmis-
sion) and shut off the engine.

9-4 In case of emergency
1. Park on a hard, level surface, whenev-
er possible, then stop the engine.
2. Set the parking brake securely and
shift a manual transmission vehicle in re-
verse or an automatic transmission vehi-
cle in the “P” (Park) position.
3. Turn on the hazard warning flasher and
have everyone get out of the vehicle.
4. Put wheel blocks at the front and rear
of the tire diagonally opposite the flat tire.1) Jack
2) Jack handle
3) Spare tire
5. Take out the spare tire, jack, and wheel
nut wrench.
The spare tire is stored under the floor of
the cargo area.
To remove the spare tire:
1. Open the lid and remove it. 2. Remove the storage compartment
bucket (Canada spec. non-turbo models).
3. Remove the storage compartment tray
(Except Canada spec. non-turbo models).
4. Turn the attaching bolt counterclock-
wise, then take spare tire out.
y
Always turn off the engine before
raising the flat tire off the ground
using the jack. Never swing or
push the vehicle supported with
the jack. The jack can come out of
the jacking point due to a jolt and
this can result in a severe acci-
dent.
900000
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3
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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 - 6 Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview „Non-turbo models
12 3 456
7
8
9
10
11
13 12
B00357 1) Air cleaner element (page 11-15)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-18) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
6) Fuse box (page 11-41)
7) Battery (page 11-40)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-35)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11- 11)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
11) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-11)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-23)

Maintenance and service 11-7
„Turbo models
123 45 6
7
8
9
10
11
13 12
B00358 1) Air cleaner element (page 11-15)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-18) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
6) Fuse box (page 11-41)
7) Battery (page 11-40)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-35)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11- 11)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
11) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-11)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-23)

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)
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B00366

11 - 2 0 Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid „Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands
largely as its temperature rises; the fluid
level differs according to fluid tempera-
ture. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid
and cold fluid on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked
without warming up the fluid on the
“COLD” range, we recommend checking
the fluid level when the fluid is at operating
temperature. T Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise
the temperature of the transmission fluid
up to normal operating temperature; 154
to 176 qF (70 to 80 qC) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each po-
sition. Then shift it in the “P” position, and
run the engine at idling speed. 1) Yellow handle
1) HOT range
2) COLD range
3) Upper level
4) Lower level4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid
level on the gauge. If it is below the lower
level on the “HOT” range, add the recom-
mended automatic transmission fluid up to
the upper level. T
Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked
without time to warm up the automatic
transmission, check to see that the fluid
level is between the lower level and upper
level on the “COLD” range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level.
Be careful not to overfill.
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B00369
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1
B00370Be careful not to spill automatic
transmission fluid when adding it. If
automatic transmission fluid touch-
es the exhaust pipe, it may cause a
bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If au-
tomatic transmission fluid gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.

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.
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B00372