maintenance SUBARU FORESTER 2012 SH / 3.G Repair Manual

Replacement of wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other material on
the windshield or the wiper blade results in
jerky wiper operation and streaking on the
glass. If you cannot remove the streaks
after operating the windshield washer or if
the wiper operation is jerky, clean the
outer surface of the windshield (or rear
window) and the wiper blades using a
sponge or soft cloth with a neutral
detergent or mild abrasive cleaner. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and wiper
blades with clean water. The windshield is
clean if beads do not form when you rinse
the windshield with water.
CAUTION
. Do not clean the wiper blades
with gasoline or a solvent, such
as paint thinner or benzine. This
will cause deterioration of the
wiper blades.
. While removing the wiper blades
from the wiper arms, do not
return the wiper arms to the
original positions. Otherwise,
the windshield surface may bescratched.
. When returning the raised wiper
arms to the original positions, carefully return the wiper arms
on the windshield while support-
ing them with your hands. You
should not return the wiper arms
to the windshield only by the
return spring. Otherwise, the wi-
per arms may be deformed and/
or the windshield surface may bescratched.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even
after following this method, replace the
wiper blades using the following proce-dures. &
Windshield wiper blade as- sembly
1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.1) Open the cover
2) Pull down the wiper blade
2. Remove the wiper blade assembly by
opening the cover and pulling it down in
the direction shown in the illustration.
3. Install the wiper blade assembly to the
wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
4. Hold the wiper arm by hand and slowly
lower it in position. Maintenance and service
11-39
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11-40Maintenance and service
& Windshield wiper blade rub- ber
1) Support
1. Grasp the locked end of the blade
rubber assembly and pull it firmly to
release the claws of the support from the
stoppers on the rubber. Pull and remove
the blade rubber completely.
1) Metal spines
2. If the new blade rubber is not provided
with two metal spines, remove the metal
spines from the old blade rubber and
install them in the new blade rubber.
3. Align the claws of the support with the grooves in the rubber and slide the blade
rubber assembly into the support until it islocked.
1) Claw
2) Stopper
4. Make sure the stoppers on the blade
rubber are engaged and locked into the
claws. If the rubber is not retained
properly, the wiper blade may scratch thewindshield.

&Rear window wiper blade assembly
1. Raise the wiper arm off the rear
window.
2. Turn the wiper blade assembly coun- terclockwise.
3. Pull the wiper blade assembly toward
you to remove it from the wiper arm.
4. Install the wiper blade assembly to the
wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
5. Hold the wiper arm by hand and slowly
lower it in position. &
Rear window wiper blade rubber
1. Pull out the end of the blade rubber
assembly to unlock it from the plasticsupport.
Maintenance and service 11-41
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11-42Maintenance and service
2. Pull the blade rubber assembly out of
the plastic support.
1) Metal spines
3. If the new blade rubber is not provided
with two metal spines, remove the metal
spines from the old blade rubber and
install them in the new blade rubber.
4. Align the claws of the plastic support
with the grooves in the blade rubber
assembly, then slide the blade rubber
assembly into place.
5. Securely retain both ends of the
rubber with the stoppers on the plastic support ends. If the rubber is not retained
properly, the wiper may scratch the rear
window glass.

Battery
WARNING
. Before beginning work on or near
any battery, be sure to extinguish
all cigarettes, matches, and light-
ers. Never expose a battery to an
open flame or electric sparks.
Batteries give off a gas which is
highly flammable and explosive.
. For safety, wear eye protection
when working near any battery in
case an explosion does occur.
Never lean over a battery.
. Do not let battery fluid contact
eyes, skin, fabrics, or paint be-
cause battery fluid is a corrosive
acid. If battery fluid gets on your
skin or in your eyes, immediately
flush the area with water thor-
oughly. Seek medical help imme-
diately if acid has entered theeyes.
If battery fluid is accidentally
swallowed, immediately drink a
large amount of milk or water,
and seek medical attention im-
mediately.
. To lessen the risk of sparks,
remove rings, metal watchbands, and other metal jewelry. Never
allow metal tools to contact the
positive battery terminal and any-
thing connected to it WHILE you
are at the same time in contact
with any other metallic portion of
the vehicle because a short cir-
cuit will result.
. Keep everyone particularly chil-
dren away from the battery.
. Charge the battery in a well-
ventilated area.
. Battery posts, terminals and re-
lated accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Batteries also contain
other chemicals known to the
State of California to cause can-
cer.
Wash hands after handling.
1) Cap
2) Upper level
3) Lower level
It is unnecessary to periodically check the
battery fluid level or periodically refill with
distilled water.
However, if the battery fluid level is below
the lower level, remove the caps and fill to
the upper level with distilled water.
CAUTION
Never use more than 10 amperes
when charging the battery because
it will shorten battery life. Maintenance and service
11-43

11-44Maintenance and service
Fuses
CAUTION
Never replace a fuse with one hav-
ing a higher rating or with material
other than a fuse because serious
damage or a fire could result.
The fuses are designed to melt if an
overload occurs to prevent damage to the
wiring harness and electrical equipment.
The fuses are located in two fuse boxes.
One is located under the instrument panel
behind the fuse box cover on the driver ’s
seat side. To remove the cover, pull it out.
The other one (main fuse box) is in the
engine compartment.
The spare fuses are stored in the main
fuse box cover in the engine compart-ment.
The fuse puller is stored in the main fuse
box in the engine compartment.
1) Good
2) Blown
If any lights, accessories or other electrical
controls do not operate, inspect the

corresponding fuse. If a fuse has blown,
replace it.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the“LOCK ”
position and turn off all electrical acces- sories.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Determine which fuse may be blown.
Look at the back side of each fuse box
cover and refer to “Fuses and circuits ”
F 12-11.
4. Pull out the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. Inspect the fuse. If it has blown,
replace it with a spare fuse of the samerating.
6. If the same fuse blows again, this
indicates that its system has a problem.
Contact your SUBARU dealer for repairs. Installation of accessories
Always consult your SUBARU dealer
before installing fog lights or any other
electrical equipment in your vehicle. Such
accessories may cause the electronic
system to malfunction if they are incor-
rectly installed or if they are not suited for
the vehicle.
Replacing bulbs
WARNING
Bulbs may become very hot while
illuminated. Before replacing bulbs,
turn off the lights and wait until the
bulbs cool down. Otherwise, there is
a risk of burn injury.
CAUTION
Replace any bulb only with a new
bulb of the specified wattage. Using
a bulb of different wattage could
result in a fire. For the specified
wattage of each bulb, refer to “Bulb
chart ”F 12-15.
& Headlights (models with HID headlights)
WARNING
High-intensity-discharge (HID) bulbs
are used for the low beams of the
headlights. These HID bulbs use an
extremely high voltage. To avoid the
risk of an electric shock that could
result in serious injury, observe the Maintenance and service
11-45
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11-46Maintenance and service
following precautions. .Do not replace any headlight
bulbs (both low beam and high
beam) by yourself.
. Do not remove/restore the head-
light assemblies by yourself.
. Do not remove any headlight-
assembly components by your-self.
For replacement, contact your
SUBARU dealer.
& Headlights (models without
HID headlights)
CAUTION
Halogen headlight bulbs become
very hot while in use. If you touch
the bulb surface with bare hands or
greasy gloves, fingerprints or
grease on the bulb surface will
develop into hot spots, causing the
bulb to break. If there are finger
prints or grease on the bulb surface,
wipe them away with a soft cloth
moistened with alcohol. NOTE .
If headlight aiming is required, con-
sult your SUBARU dealer for proper adjustment.. It may be difficult to replace the
bulbs. Have the bulbs replaced by your
SUBARU dealer if necessary. !
Low beam light bulbs
Right-hand side
1. Use a screwdriver to undo the clips on
the air intake duct, then remove the air
intake duct (right-hand side).
Left-hand side

2. Use a Phillips screwdriver to remove
the secured clip of the washer tank. To
make it easy to access the bulb, move the
washer tank to the horizontal direction
(left-hand side).
3. Remove the bulb cover by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Disconnect the electrical connector
from the bulb.
5. Remove the bulb from the headlight
assembly by turning it counterclockwise.
6. Replace the bulb with a new one. At
this time, do not touch the bulb surface.7. To install the bulb to the headlight
assembly, turn it clockwise until it clicks.
8. Reconnect the electrical connector.
9. Install the bulb cover.
10. Install the air intake duct with clips
(right-hand side).
11. Set the washer tank to the original
place and secure it by clip (left-hand side). !
High beam light bulbs
Right-hand side
1. Use a screwdriver to undo the clips on
the air intake duct, then remove the air
intake duct (right-hand side). Maintenance and service
11-47
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11-48Maintenance and service
2. Disconnect the electrical connector
from the bulb.
3. Remove the bulb from the headlight
assembly by turning it counterclockwise.
4. Replace the bulb with new one. At this
time, be careful not to touch the bulb surface. Turn the bulb clockwise until itclicks.
5. Reconnect the electrical connector.
6. Install the air intake duct with clips
(right-hand side).
& Position light
1. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise
and pull out the socket.
2. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
3. Install a new bulb.
4. Install the bulb socket by turning it clockwise. &
Front turn signal light
It may be difficult to replace the bulbs.
Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU
dealer if necessary. & Rear combination lights1. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove
the upper and lower screws that secure
the rear combination light assembly.