maintenance schedule SUBARU FORESTER 2012 SH / 3.G User Guide

11-26Maintenance and service
.You might feel that the brake pedal
is applied by lighter force and gener-
ates a greater braking force.. You might hear the sound of ABS
operating from the engine compart-ment. Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play and
reserve distance according to the main-
tenance schedule in the
“Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ”.
& Checking the brake pedal
free play
1) 0.02 –0.08 in (0.5 –2.0 mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress the
brake pedal several times. Then, check
the free play by pulling up the brake pedal
with a force of less than 2 lbf (10 N, 1 kgf).
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er. &
Checking the brake pedal
reserve distance
1) More than 2.56 in (65 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-
mately 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf) and measure
the distance between the upper surface of
the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than
the specification, or when the pedal does
not operate smoothly, contact your
SUBARU dealer.

Clutch pedal (MT models)
Check the clutch pedal free play according
to the maintenance schedule in the“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
& Checking the clutch function
Check the clutch engagement and disen-gagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there
are no abnormal noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed, and that shifting into
1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal
slowly to check that the engine and
transmission smoothly couple without
any sign of slippage. &
Checking the clutch pedal
free play
1) 0.16 –0.43 in (4.0 –11.0 mm)
Lightly press the clutch pedal down with
your finger until you feel resistance, and
check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er. Hill start assist system (MT
models)
Ensure that the Hill start assist system
operates properly under the followingcircumstances:
1. Stop the vehicle on an uphill grade by
depressing the brake pedal and clutch
pedal, with the engine running.
2. Make sure that the vehicle does not
move backward even after the brake
pedal is released.
3. Then make sure the vehicle can start
climbing the grade by following the normal
starting procedures.
If the Hill start assist system does not
operate as described above, contact your
SUBARU dealer.
Maintenance and service
11-27

Parking brake stroke
Check the parking brake stroke according
to the maintenance schedule in the“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
When the parking brake is properly
adjusted, braking power is fully applied
by pulling the lever up 7 to 8 notches
gently but firmly (approximately 45 lbf [200
N, 20.4 kgf]). 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.
The factory-fitted tires are all-season tires. ! All season tires
All season tires are designed to provide
an adequate measure of traction, handling
and braking performance 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 suited 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. !
Winter (snow) tires
Winter tires are best suited for driving on
snow-covered and icy roads. However
winter tires do not perform as well as
summer tires and all season tires on roads
other than snow-covered and icy roads. & Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS) (U.S.-spec.models)
The tire pressure monitoring system pro-
vides the driver with a warning message
by sending a signal from a sensor that is
installed in each wheel when tire pressure
is severely low. The tire pressure monitor-
ing system will activate only when the
vehicle is driven. Also, this system may
not react immediately to a sudden drop in
tire pressure (for example, a blow-out
caused by running over a sharp object).
If you adjust the tire pressures in a warm
garage and will then drive the vehicle in
cold outside air, the resulting drop in tire
pressures may cause the low tire pressure
warning light to illuminate. To avoid this
problem when adjusting the tire pressures
in a warm garage, inflate the tires to
pressures higher than those shown on the
tire placard. Specifically, inflate them by an
extra 1 psi (6.9 kPa, 0.07 kgf/cm
2) for
every difference of 10 8F (5.6 8C) between
Maintenance and service
11-29
– CONTINUED –

Rear combination.................................................. 11-48
Turn signal ................................................... 3-31, 11-48
Loading your vehicle .................................................. 8-12
Low fuel warning light ......................................... 3-11, 3-21
Low tire pressure warning light .................................... 3-18
Lower and tether anchorage ........................................ 1-29
M Maintenance Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule .............................................................. 11-3
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-20
Tools ...................................................................... 9-4
Malfunction indicator light (check engine warning light) ... 3-16Manual Climate control system ............................................. 4-8
Seat ....................................................................... 1-3
Transmission ......................................................... 7-13
Transmission oil ............................................ 11-19, 12-8
Map light ........................................................... 6-3, 11-50
Maximum load limits ................................................... 8-18
Meters and gauges ...................................................... 3-6
Mirror defogger .......................................................... 3-45
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-36
Moonroof .......................................................... 2-24, 9-19
N
New vehicle break-in driving .......................................... 8-2
O
Odometer/Trip meter .................................................... 3-8 Oil filter
................................................................... 11-11
Oil level Engine .................................................................. 11-9
Front differential gear ............................................ 11-21
Manual transmission ............................................. 11-19
Rear differential gear ............................................ 11-22
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-17
On-road and off-road driving ...................................... 9, 8-6
Outside
Mirror defogger ...................................................... 3-45
Mirrors .................................................................. 3-44
Temperature indicator .............................................. 3-27
Overhead console ....................................................... 6-6
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-13
PParking Brake .................................................................... 7-29
Brake stroke ........................................................ 11-29
Tips ...................................................................... 7-29
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel ................................................................... 7-2
Power Door locking switch .................................................. 2-6
Outside mirrors ...................................................... 3-44
Seat ....................................................................... 1-4
Steering ................................................................ 7-21
Steering fluid ................................................ 11-22, 12-9
Precautions against vehicle modification ................ 1-22, 1-60
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-7 Index
14-7