SUBARU TRIBECA 2014 1.G Owners Manual

11-8Maintenance and service
.Be careful not to spill engine oilwhen adding it. If oil touches theexhaust pipe, it may cause a badsmell, smoke, and/or a fire. Ifengine oil gets on the exhaustpipe, be sure to wipe it off.
If you check the oil level just after stoppingthe engine, wait a few minutes for the oil todrain back into the oil pan before checkingthe level.
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do notadd any additional oil above the full levelwhen the engine is cold.
&Changing the oil and oil filter
CAUTION
.If you change your own oil, besure to drain all the oil from thefilter before disposal.
.Do not dispose of used engine oilby placing it in the trash, or bypouring it onto the ground, intosewers, or into any body of water.Check with your local govern-ment office for the proper dis-posal options available to you.
Change the oil and oil filter according tothe maintenance schedule in the“War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
The engine oil and oil filter must bechanged more frequently than listed inthe maintenance schedule when drivingon dusty roads, when short trips arefrequently made, or when driving inextremely cold weather.
1. Warm up the engine by letting theengine idle for approximately 10 minutesto ease draining the engine oil.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface andstop the engine.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
4. Drain out the engine oil by removingthe drain plug while the engine is stillwarm. The used oil should be drained intoan appropriate container and disposed ofproperly.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself withhot engine oil.
5. Wipe the seating surface of the drainplug with a clean cloth and tighten itsecurely with a new sealing washer afterthe oil has completely drained out.
6. Open the access cover by removingthe five clips and turning the access covercounterclockwise. The oil filter will beexposed.

7. Remove the oil filter with an oil filterwrench.
8. Clean the rubber seal seating area ofthe bottom of engine and install the oilfilterby hand turning. Be careful not totwist or damage the seal.
9. Tighten the oil filter by the amountindicatedin the following table after theseal makes contact with the bottom ofengine.
Oil filter color Part numberAmount of ro-tation
Black 15208AA0313/4 rotation
CAUTION
.Never over tighten the oil filterbecause that can result in an oil
leak.
.Thoroughly wipe off any engineoil that has spilled over theexhaust pipe and/or under-cover.If left unremoved, the oil couldcatch fire.
10. Reinstall thecover under the oil filter.
11. Pour engine oil through the filler neck.
For the oil capacity guideline, refer to“Engine oil”F12-4. The necessary quan-tity of oil depends on the quantity of oil thathas been drained. The quantity of drainedoil differs slightly depending on the tem-perature of the oil and the time the oil isleft flowing out. After refilling the enginewith oil, therefore, you must use the levelgauge to confirm that the level is correct.
12.Start the engine and make sure that nooil leaks appear around the filter’s rubberseal and drain plug.
13. Run the engine until it reaches thenormal operating temperature. Then stopthe engine and wait a few minutes to allowthe oil drain back. Check the oil levelagain and if necessary, add more engineoil.
&Recommended grade and
viscosity
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recom-mended grade and viscosity.
Refer to“Engine oil”F12-4.
NOTE
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) affectsfuel economy. Oils of lower viscosityprovide better fuel economy. However,in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity isrequired to properly lubricate the en-gine.
&Synthetic oil
You should use synthetic engine oil thatmeets the samerequirements given forconventional engine oil. When usingsynthetic oil, you must use oil of the sameclassification,viscosity and grade shownin this Owner’s Manual. Refer to“Engineoil”F12-4. Also, you must follow the oiland filter changing intervals shown in theWarranty and Maintenance booklet.
NOTE
Synthetic oil of the grade and viscositynoted in chapter 12 is the recom-
Maintenance and service11-9
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11-10Maintenance and service
mended engine oil for optimum engineperformance. Conventional oil may beused if synthetic oil is unavailable.
Cooling system
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia-tor cap until the engine has beenshut off and has cooled downcompletely. Since the coolant isunder pressure, you may sufferserious burns from a spray of boil-ing hot coolant when the cap isremoved.
CAUTION
.Vehicles are filled at the factorywith SUBARU Super Coolant thatdoes not require the first changefor 11 years/137,500 miles (11years/220,000 km). This coolantshould not be mixed with anyother brand or type of coolantduring this period. Mixing with adifferent coolant will reduce thelife of the coolant. Should it benecessary to top off the coolantfor any reason, use onlySUBARU Super Coolant.
If the SUBARU Super Coolant isdiluted with another brand ortype, the maintenance interval is
shortened to that of the mixingcoolant.
.Do not splash the engine coolantover painted parts. The alcoholcontained in the engine coolantmay damage the paint surface.
&Hose and connections
Your vehicle employs an electric coolingfan which is thermostatically controlled tooperate when the engine coolant reachesa specific temperature.
If the radiator cooling fan does not operateeven when the engine coolant tempera-ture gauge exceeds the normal operatingrange, the cooling fan circuit may bedefective.Check the fuse and replace itif necessary. If the fuse is not blown, havethe cooling system checked by yourSUBARU dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is neces-sary, there may be a leak in the enginecooling system. It is recommended thatthe cooling system and connections bechecked for leaks, damage, or looseness.

&Engine coolant
!Checking the coolant level
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outsideof the reservoir while the engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the“LOW”level mark, add coolant up to the“FULL”level mark. If the reserve tank isempty, remove the radiator cap and refillas required.
3. After refilling the reserve tank and theradiator, reinstall the caps and check thatthe rubber gaskets inside the radiator capare in the proper position.
CAUTION
.Be careful not to spill enginecoolant when adding it. If coolanttouches the exhaust pipe, it maycause a bad smell, smoke, and/ora fire. If engine coolant gets onthe exhaust pipe, be sure to wipeit off.
.Do not splash the engine coolantover painted parts. The alcoholcontained in the engine coolantmay damage the paint surface.
!Changing the coolant
It may be difficult to change the coolant.Have the coolant changed by yourSUBARU dealer if necessary.
The coolant should be changed accordingto the maintenance schedule in the“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
Maintenance and service11-11

11-12Maintenance and service
Air cleaner element
WARNING
Do not operate the engine with theair cleaner element removed. The aircleaner element not only filtersintake airbut also stops flames ifthe engine backfires. If the aircleaner element is not installedwhen the engine backfires, youcould be burned.
CAUTION
When replacing the air cleaner ele-ment, use a genuine SUBARU aircleaner element. If it is not used,there is the possibility of causing anegative effect to the engine.
The air cleaner element functions as afilter screen. When the element is perfo-rated or removed, engine wear will beexcessiveand engine life shortened.
It is unnecessary to clean or wash theelement.
&Replacing the air cleaner
element
Replace the air cleaner element accordingto the maintenance schedule in the“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Un-der extremely dusty conditions, replace itmore frequently. It is recommended thatyou always use genuine SUBARU parts.
1) Connector2) Clamp3) Air intake boot4) Clip
1. Unplug the connector that is attachedto the top of the air cleaner case.
2. Loosen the screw on the clamp andpull theair intake boot out of the aircleaner case.
3. Unsnap the two clips holding the air
cleaner case cover.
4. Open the air cleaner case cover andremove the air cleaner element.
5. Clean the inside of the air cleaner caseand case cover with a damp cloth andinstall a new air cleaner element.

6. To install the air cleaner case cover,insert the three projections on the aircleaner case cover into the slits on theair cleaner case.
7. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Spark plugs
It may be difficult to replace the sparkplugs. It is recommended that you havethe spark plugs replaced by yourSUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replacedaccording to the maintenance schedulein the“Warranty and Maintenance Book-let”.
&Recommended spark plugs
Refer to“Electrical system”F12-7.
Drive belts
The alternator, power steering pump, andair conditioner compressor depend ondrive belts. Satisfactory performance re-quires that belt tension be correct.
It is unnecessary to check belt tensionperiodically because your engine isequipped with an automatic belt tensionadjuster. However, replacement of the beltshould be done according to the main-tenance schedule in the“Warranty andMaintenance Booklet”.ConsultyourSUBARU dealer for replacement.
If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contactyour SUBARU dealer.
Maintenance and service11-13

11-14Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid
&Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expandslargely as its temperature rises; the fluidlevel differs according to fluid temperature.Therefore, there are two different scalesfor checking the level of hot fluid and coldfluid on the level gauge.
Though the fluid level can be checkedwithout warming up the fluid on the“COLD”range, we recommend checkingthe fluid level when the fluid is at operatingtemperature.
!Checking the fluid level when thefluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raisethe temperature of the transmission fluidup to normal operating temperature; 158to 1768F (70 to 808C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface andset the parking brake.
3. First shift the select lever in eachposition. Then shift it in the“P”position,and run the engine at idling speed.
1) Yellow handle
1) HOT range2) COLD range3) Upper level4) Lower level
4. Pull out the level gauge and check the
fluid level on the gauge. If it is below thelower level on the“HOT”range, add therecommended automatic transmissionfluid up to the upper level.
!Checking the fluid level when thefluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checkedwithout time to warm up the automatictransmission,check to see that the fluidlevel is between the lower level and upperlevel on the“COLD”range. If it is belowthat range, add fluid up to the upper level.Be careful not to overfill.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill automatictransmission fluid when adding it.If automatic transmission fluidtouches the exhaust pipe, it maycause a bad smell, smoke, and/or afire. If automatic transmission fluidgets on the exhaust pipe, be sure towipe it off.

&Recommended fluid
Refer to“Fluids”F12-7.
NOTE
Using any non-specified type of auto-matic transmission fluid could result indamage inside the transmission. Whenreplacingthe automatic transmissionfluid, be sure to use the specified type.
Front differential gear oil
&Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andstop the engine.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,and insert it again.
1) Upper level2) Lower level
3. Pull out the level gauge again andcheck theoil level on it. If it is below thelower level, add oil to bring the level up tothe upper level.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill front differ-ential gear oil when adding it. If oiltouches the exhaust pipe, it maycause a bad smell, smoke, and/or afire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,be sure to wipe it off.
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11-16Maintenance and service
&Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own baseoils and additives. Never use differentbrands together. For details, refer to“Frontdifferential and rear differential gear oil”F12-6.
Rear differential gear oil
There is no oil level gauge. To check therear differential gear oil level, consult yourSUBARU dealer for inspection.
&Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own baseoils and additives. Never use differentbrands together. For details, refer to“Frontdifferential and rear differential gear oil”F12-6.
Power steering fluid
&Checking the fluid level
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourselfbecause the fluid may be hot.
CAUTION
.When power steering fluid isbeing added, use only clean fluid,and be careful not to allow anydirt into the tank. And never usedifferent brands together.
.Be careful not to spill powersteering fluid when adding it. If

power steering fluid touches theexhaust pipe, it may cause a badsmell, smoke, and/or a fire. Ifpower steering fluid gets on theexhaust pipe, be sure to wipe itoff.
The power steering fluid expands greatlyas its temperature rises; the fluid leveldiffers according to fluid temperature.Therefore, the reservoir tank has twodifferent checking ranges for hot and coldfluids.
Check the power steering fluid levelmonthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface,and stop the engine.
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoirtank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle hasbeen run: Check that the oil level isbetween“HOT MIN”and“HOT MAX”onthe surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle isrun: Check that the oil level is between“COLD MIN”and“COLD MAX”on thesurface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than theapplicable“MIN”line, add the recom-mended fluid as necessary to bring thelevel between the“MIN”and“MAX”line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it mayindicate possible leakage. Consult yourSUBARU dealer for inspection.
&Recommended fluid
Refer to“Fluids”F12-7.
Brake fluid
&Checking the fluid level
WARNING
.Never let brake fluid contact youreyes because brake fluid can beharmful to your eyes. If brakefluid gets in your eyes, immedi-ately flush them thoroughly withclean water. For safety, whenperforming this work, wearingeye protection is advisable.
.Brake fluid absorbs moisturefrom the air. Any absorbed moist-ure can cause a dangerous lossof braking performance.
.If the vehicle requires frequentrefilling, there may be a leak. Ifyou suspecta problem, have thevehicle checked at your SUBARUdealer.
CAUTION
.When adding brake fluid, be care-ful not to allow any dirt into thereservoir.
.Never splash the brake fluid overpainted surfaces or rubber parts.
Maintenance and service11-17
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