SUBARU TRIBECA 2008 Owners Manual

Vehicles equipped with unidirectional tires
1) FrontTire wear varies from wheel to wheel. To
maximize the life of each tire and ensure
that the tires wear uniformly, it is best to
rotate the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000
km). Move the tires to the positions shown
in the illustration each time they are
rotated.
Replace any damaged or unevenly worn
tire at the time of rotation. After tire
rotation, adjust the tire pressures and
make sure the wheel nuts are correctly
tightened.
After driving approximately 600 miles
(1,000 km), check the wheel nuts again
and retighten any nut that has become
loose.
&Tire replacementThe wheels and tires are important and
integral parts of your vehicle ’s design;
they cannot be changed arbitrarily. The
tires fitted as standard equipment are
optimally matched to the characteristics
of the vehicle and were selected to give
the best possible combination of running
performance, ride comfort, and service
life. It is essential for every tire to have a
size and construction matching those
shown on the tire placard and to have a
speed symbol and load index matching
those shown on the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts
from controllability, ride comfort, braking
performance, speedometer accuracy and
odometer accuracy. It also creates incor-
rect body-to-tire clearances and inappro-
priately changes the vehicle ’s ground
clearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms of
manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), con-
struction, and size. You are advised to
replace the tires with new ones that are
identical to those fitted as standard equip-
ment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU
recommends replacing all four tires at
the same time.
WARNING
. All four tires must be the same in
terms of manufacturer, brand
(tread pattern), construction, de-
gree of wear, speed symbol, load
index and size. Mixing tires of
different types, sizes or degrees
of wear can result in damage to
the vehicle ’s powertrain. Use of
different types or sizes of tires
can also dangerously reduce
controllability and braking per-
formance and can lead to an
accident.
. Use only radial tires. Do not use
radial tires together with belted
bias tires and/or bias-ply tires.
Doing so can dangerously re-
duce controllability, resulting in
an accident.& Wheel replacementWhen replacing wheels due, for example,
to damage, make sure the replacement
wheels match the specifications of the
wheels that are fitted as standard equip-
ment. Replacement wheels are available
from SUBARU dealers.
Maintenance and service
11-29
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11-30
Maintenance and service
WARNING
Use only those wheels that are
specified for your vehicle. Wheels
not meeting specifications could
interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub
against the wheel well housing dur-
ing turns. The resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to an
accident.
Aluminum wheels.Aluminum wheels can be scratched
and damaged easily. Handle them care-
fully to maintain their appearance, perfor-
mance, and safety.1) The length of the wheel nut wrench
CAUTION
There are 2 types of wheel nut
wrenches that apply to different
lengths.
For an aluminum wheel vehicle, the
11.2-inch (285 mm) wheel nut
wrench is equipped as a mainte-
nance tool. And for a chrome plated
wheel vehicle, the 13.2-inch (335
mm) wheel nut wrench is equipped as well. Always use a wheel nut
wrench for an aluminum wheel. If
youuseawrenchforachrome
plated wheel, you cannot tighten it
to the specified torque.
. When any of the wheels are removed
and replaced for tire rotation or to change
a flat tire, 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 following specified torque.
A tightening sequence specification for the
wheel nuts can be found in the “Flat tires”
in chapter 9.
Wheel nuts tightening torque for alu-
minum wheel:
74 to 89 lbf·ft (100 to 120 N·m, 10 to 12
kgf·m)
This torque is equivalent to applying
approximately 88 to 110 lbs (40 to 50 kg)
at the top of the wheel nut wrench.
. 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
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the center cap is replaced, be sure to
replace them with genuine SUBARU parts
designed for aluminum wheels.
Chrome plated wheels (if
equipped)1) The length of the wheel nut wrench
CAUTION
There are 2 types of wheel nut
wrenches that apply to different
lengths.
For an aluminum wheel vehicle, the
11.2-inch (285 mm) wheel nut
wrench is equipped as a mainte-
nance tool. And for a chrome plated
wheel vehicle, the 13.2-inch (335
mm) wheel nut wrench is equipped
as well. Always use a wheel nut
wrench for a chrome plated wheel. If
you use a wrench for an aluminumwheel, you cannot tighten it to the
specified torque.
. When any of the wheels are removed
and replaced for tire rotation or to change
a flat tire, 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 following specified torque.
A tightening sequence specification for the
wheel nuts can be found in the “Flat tires”
in chapter 9.
Wheel nuts tightening torque for
chrome plated wheel:
89 to 111 lbf·ft (120 to 150 N·m, 12 to 15
kgf·m)
This torque is equivalent to applying
approximately 86 to 108 lbs (39 to 49 kg)
at the top of the wheel nut wrench.
. 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 chrome plated wheels.
Maintenance and service
11-31
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11-32
Maintenance and service
Windshield washer fluid
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paint
damage.If you spray washer fluid on the windshield
but the windshield washer fluid warning
light comes on or the supply of washer
fluid drops, check the level of washer fluid
in the tank.
Washer fluid level gaugeRemove the washer tank filler cap, then
check the fluid level indicated by the level
gauge (attached to the inside of the cap).
If the level is near the“Low”mark, add
fluid until it reaches the “Hi”level on the level gauge.
After adding fluid, make sure the wind-
shield washer fluid warning light has gone
out.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield
washer fluid is unavailable use clean
water.
In areas where water freezes in winter,
use an anti-freeze type windshield washer
fluid. SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluid
contains 58.5% methyl alcohol and 41.5%
surfactant, by volume. Its freezing tem-
perature varies according to how much it
is diluted, as indicated in the following
table.
Washer Fluid
Concentration Freezing
Temperature
30% 10.48F( −12 8C)
50% −48F( −20 8C)
100% −498F( −45 8C)
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paint
damage.
In order to prevent freezing of washer
fluid, check the freezing temperatures in
the table above when adjusting the fluid
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concentration to the outside temperature.
If you fill the reservoir tank with a fluid with
a different concentration from the one
used previously, purge the old fluid from
the piping between the reservoir tank and
washer nozzles by operating the washer
for a certain period of time. Otherwise, if
the concentration of the fluid remaining in
thepipingistoolowfortheoutside
temperature, it may freeze and block the
nozzles.
CAUTION
Adjust the washer fluid concentra-
tion appropriately for the outside
temperature. If the concentration is
inappropriate, sprayed washer fluid
may freeze on the windshield and
obstruct your view, and the fluid
may freeze in the reservoir tank.
Replacement of wiper bladesGrease, wax, insects, or other materials
on the windshield or the wiper blade
results in jerky wiper operation and streak-
ing 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.
. Whenyouwishtoraisethe
passenger-side wiper arm, first
raise the driver-side wiper arm.
Otherwise, the passenger-side
wiper assembly and driver-side
wiper assembly will touch each
other, possibly resulting in
scratches. .
Return the passenger-side wiper
arm to its original position before
returning the driver-side wiper
arm to its original position.
Otherwise, the passenger-side
wiper assembly and driver-side
wiper assembly will touch each
other, possibly resulting in
scratches.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even
after following this method, replace the
wiper blades using the following proce-
dures. Be sure to use genuine SUBARU
wiper blade rubbers as replacements.
& Windshield wiper blade as-
sembly1. Raise the windshield wiper arm on the
driver ’s side.
2. Next, raise the windshield wiper arm
on the passenger ’s side.
Maintenance and service
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11-34
Maintenance and service
1) Stopper3. Remove the wiper blade assembly by
holding its pivot area and pushing it in the
direction shown by the arrow while de-
pressing the wiper blade stopper.
4. Install the wiper blade assembly to the
wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
5. Lower the windshield wiper arm on the
passenger’s side slowly while supporting
it by hand.
6. Next, lower the windshield wiper arm
on the driver ’s side slowly while support-
ing it by hand.
CAUTION
Do not let go of the wiper arm until it
touches the windshield. Letting the wiper arm snap onto the windshield
could damage it.
&
Windshield wiper blade rub-
ber1) Metal support1. Grasp the locked end of the blade
rubber assembly and pull it firmly until the
stoppers on the rubber are free of the
metal support.
1) Metal spines2. 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.
CAUTION
Be sure to install each metal spine
so as to fit its groove completely on
the center ridge of the blade rubber.
Doing otherwise may result in dis-
location and breakage of the spine
during wiper operation.
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3. Align the claws of the metal support
with the grooves in the rubber and slide
the blade rubber assembly into the metal
support until it locks.1) Stopper4. Be sure to position the claws at theend of the metal support between the
stoppers on the rubber as shown. If the
rubber is not retained properly, the wiper
blade may scratch the windshield.
&
Rear window wiper blade
assembly1. 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.&Rear window wiper blade
rubber
Maintenance and service
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11-36
Maintenance and service
1. Pull out the end of the blade rubber
assembly to unlock it from the plastic
support.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.
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.
5. Install the wiper blade assembly to the
wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
6. Hold the wiper arm by hand and slowly
lower it in position.
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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, in case an explosion
does occur, wear eye protection
or shield your eyes when work-
ing near any battery. 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 the
eyes.
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 including children
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.
CAUTION
Never use more than 10 amperes
when charging the battery because
it will shorten battery life.
It is unnecessary to periodically check the
battery fluid level or periodically refill with distilled water.
Maintenance and service
11-37
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11-38
Maintenance 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 during an
overload 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.
Open the lid that is located above the
hood release knob and pull it toward you
to remove it.The other one is housed 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.
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