SUBARU TRIBECA 2014 1.G Owners Manual

11-18Maintenance and service
Alcohol contained in the brakefluid may damage them.
.Be careful not to spill brake fluidwhen adding it. If brake fluidtouches the exhaust pipe, it maycause a bad smell, smoke, and/ora fire. If brake fluid gets on theexhaust pipe, be sure to wipe itoff.
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check thefluid level on the outside of thereservoir. If the level is below“MIN”, addthe recommended brake fluid to“MAX”.
Use only brake fluid from a sealedcontainer.
&Recommended brake fluid
Refer to“Fluids”F12-7.
CAUTION
Never use different brands of brakefluid together. Also, avoid mixingDOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids even ifthey are the same brand.
Brake booster
If the brake booster does not operate asdescribed in the following, have it checkedby your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brakepedal several times, applying the samepedal force each time. The distance thepedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, startthe engine. The pedal should moveslightly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stopthe engine and keep the pedal depressedfor 30 seconds. The pedal height shouldnot change.
4. Start the engine again and run forapproximately 1 minute then turn it off.Depress the brake pedal several times tocheck the brake booster. The brakebooster operates properly if the pedalstroke decreases with each depression.

Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play andreserve distance according to the main-tenance schedule in the“Warranty andMaintenance Booklet”.
&Checking the brake pedal
free play
1) 0.02–0.08 in (0.5–2.0 mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress thebrake pedal several times. Lightly pull thebrake pedal up with one finger to checkthe free play with a force of less than 2 lbf(10 N, 1 kgf).
If the free play is not within properspecification, contact your SUBARU deal-er.
&Checking the brake pedal
reserve distance
1) More than 2.16 in (55 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-mately 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf) and measurethe distance between the upper surface ofthe pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller thanthe specification, or when the pedal doesnot operate smoothly, contact with yourSUBARU dealer.
Replacement of brake pad
and lining
CAUTION
If you continue to drive despite thescraping noise from the audiblebrake pad wear indicator, it willresult in the need for costly brakerotor repair or replacement.
The disc brakes have audible wearindicators on the brake pads. If the brakepads wear close to their service limit, thewear indicator makes a very audiblescraping noise when the brake pedal isapplied.
If you hear this scraping noise each time
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11-20Maintenance and service
you apply the brake pedal, have the brakepads serviced by your SUBARU dealer assoon as possible.
&Breaking-in of new brake
pads and linings
When replacing the brake pad or lining,use only genuine SUBARU parts. Afterreplacement, the new parts must bebroken in as follows.
!Brakepad and lining
While maintaining a speed of 30 to 40mph (50 to 65 km/h), step on the brakepedal lightly. Repeat this five or moretimes.
!Parking brake lining
WARNING
A safe location and situation shouldbe selected for break-in driving.
CAUTION
Pressing the parking brake pedaltoo forcefully may cause the rearwheels to lock. To avoid this, becertain to press the pedal slowlyand gently.
1. Drive the vehicle at a speed ofapproximately 22 mph (35 km/h).
2. Depress the parking brake pedalSLOWLY and GENTLY. (Pressing with aforce of approximately 34 lbf [150 N, 15kgf].)
3. Drive the vehicle for approximately220 yards (200 meters) in this condition.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the parkingbrake to cool down. Repeat this proce-dure.
5. Check the parking brake stroke. If theparking brake stroke is out of the specifiedrange, adjust it by turning the adjusting nutlocated on the parking brake pedal.
Parking brake stroke:
5–6 notches / 67 lbf (300 N, 30 kgf)
Parking brake stroke
Check the parking brake stroke accordingto the maintenance schedule in the“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.When the parking brake is properlyadjusted, braking power is fully appliedby depressing the pedal five to six notchesgently but firmly (approximately 67 lbf [300N, 30 kgf]). If the parking brake pedalstroke is not within the specified range,have the brake system checked andadjusted at your SUBARU dealer.

Tires and wheels
&Types of tires
You should be familiar with type of tirespresent on your vehicle.
!All season tires
The factory-installed tires on your newvehicle are all season tires.
All season tires are designed to providean adequate measure of traction, handlingand braking performance in year-rounddriving including snowy and icy roadconditions. However all season tires donot offer as much traction performance aswinter (snow) tires in heavy or loose snowor on icy roads.
All season tires are identified by“ALLSEASON”and/or“M+S”(Mud & Snow) onthe tire sidewall.
!Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed capabilitytires best suited for highway driving underdry conditions.
Summer tires are inadequate for drivingon slippery roads such as on snow-covered or icy roads.
If you drive your vehicle on snow-coveredor icy roads, we strongly recommend theuse 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 onsnow-covered and icy roads. Howeverwinter tires do not perform as well assummer tires and all season tires on roadsother than snow-covered and icy roads.
&Tire pressure monitoring
system (TPMS)
The tire pressure monitoring system pro-vides the driver with a warning messageby sending a signal from a sensor that isinstalled in each wheel when tire pressureis severely low. The tire pressure monitor-ing system will activate only when thevehicle is driven. Also, this system maynot react immediately to a sudden drop intire pressure (for example, a blow-outcausedby running over a sharp object).
If you adjust the tire pressures in a warmgarage and will then drive the vehicle incold outside air, the resulting drop in tirepressures may cause the low tire pressurewarning light to illuminate. To avoid thisproblem when adjusting the tire pressuresin a warm garage, inflate the tires topressures higher than those shown on thetire placard. Specifically, inflate them by anextra 1 psi (6.9 kPa, 0.07 kgf/cm2) forevery difference of 108F (5.68C) between
the temperature in the garage and thetemperature outside. By way of example,the following table shows the required tirepressures that correspond to various out-side temperatures when the temperaturein the garage is 608F (15.68C).
Standard tire pressures:
Front: 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm2)
Rear: 32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm2)
Garage temperature: 608F (15.68C)
OutsidetemperatureAdjusted pressure[psi (kPa, kgf/cm2)]
FrontRear
308F(!18C)36 (250, 2.5) 35 (240, 2.4)
108F(!128C)38(265, 2.65)37(255, 2.55)
!108F(!238C)40 (280, 2.8)39 (270, 2.7)
If the low tire pressure warning lightilluminates when you drive the vehicle incold outside air after adjusting the tirepressures in a warm garage, re-adjust thetire pressures using the method describedabove. Then, increase the vehicle speedto at least 20 mph (32 km/h) and check tosee that the low tire pressure warning lightturns off a few minutes later. If the low tirepressure warning light does not turn off,the tire pressure monitoring system may
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11-22Maintenance and service
not be functioning normally. In this event,go to a SUBARU dealer to have thesystem inspected as soon as possible.
While the vehicle is driven, friction be-tween tires and the road surface causesthe tires to warm up. After illumination ofthe low tire pressure warning light, anyincrease in the tire pressures caused byan increase in the outside air temperatureor by an increase in the temperature in thetires can cause the low tire pressurewarning light to turn off.
System resetting is necessary when thewheels are changed (for example, aswitch to snow tires) and new TPMSvalves are installed on the newly fittedwheels. Have this work performed by aSUBARU dealer following wheel replace-ment.
It may not be possible to install TPMSvalves on certain wheels that are on themarket. Therefore, if you change thewheels (for example, a switch to snowtires), use wheels that have the same partnumber as the standard-equipmentwheels. Without four operational TPMSvalve/sensors on the wheels, the TPMSwill not fully function and the warning lightin the instrument panel will illuminatesteadily after blinking for approximatelyone minute.
When a tire is replaced, adjustments arenecessary to ensure continued normaloperation of the tire pressure monitoringsystem. As with wheel replacement, there-fore, you should have the work performedby a SUBARU dealer.
WARNING
If the low tire pressure warning lightdoes not illuminate briefly after theignition switch is turned ON or thelight illuminates steadily after blink-ing for approximately one minute,you shouldhave your Tire PressureMonitoring System checked at aSUBARU dealer as soon as possi-ble.
If this light illuminates while driving,never brake suddenly and keepdriving straight ahead while gradu-ally reducing speed. Then slowlypull off the road to a safe place.Otherwise an accident involvingserious vehicle damage and seriouspersonal injury could occur.
If this light still illuminates whiledriving after adjusting the tire pres-sure, a tire may have significantdamage and a fast leak that causesthe tire to lose air rapidly. If you havea flat tire, replace it with a spare tire
as soon as possible.
When a spare tire is mounted or awheel rim is replaced without theoriginal pressure sensor/transmitterbeing transferred, the low tire pres-sure warning light will illuminatesteadily after blinking for approxi-mately one minute. This indicatesthe TPMS is unable to monitor allfour road wheels. Contact yourSUBARU dealer as soon as possiblefor tire and sensor replacement and/or system resetting. If the lightilluminates steadily after blinkingfor approximately one minute,promptly contact a SUBARU dealerto have the system inspected.
&Tire inspection
Checkon a daily basis that the tires arefree from serious damage, nails, andstones. At the same time, check the tiresfor abnormal wear.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immedi-ately if you find any problem.
NOTE
.When the wheels and tires strikecurbs or are subjected to harsh treat-ment as when the vehicle is driven on arough surface, they can suffer damage

that cannot be seen with the naked eye.This type of damage does not becomeevident until time has passed. Try notto drive over curbs, potholes or onother rough surfaces. If doing so isunavoidable, keep the vehicle’s speeddown to a walking pace or less, andapproach the curbs as squarely aspossible. Also, make sure the tires arenot pressed against the curb when youpark the vehicle..If you feel unusual vibration whiledriving or find it difficult to steer thevehicle in a straight line, one of thetires and/or wheels may be damaged.Drive slowly to the nearest authorizedSUBARU dealer and have the vehicleinspected.
&Tire pressures and wear
Maintaining the correct tire pressureshelps to maximize the tires’service livesand is essential for good running perfor-mance. Check and, if necessary, adjustthe pressure of each tire (including thespare) at least once a month (for example,during a fuel stop) and before any longjourney.
Check the tire pressures when the tiresare cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjustthe tirepressures to the values shown onthe tire placard. The tire placard is locatedon the door pillar on the driver’s side.
Driving even a short distance warms upthe tires and increases the tire pressures.Also, the tire pressures are affected by theoutside temperature. It is best to check tirepressure outdoors before driving thevehicle.
When a tire becomes warm, the air insideit expands, causing the tire pressure toincrease. Be careful not to mistakenlyreleaseair from a warm tire to reduce itspressure.
NOTE
.The air pressure in a tire increasesby approximately 4.3 psi (30 kPa, 0.3kgf/cm2) when the tire becomes warm..The tires are considered cold whenthe vehicle has been parked for at least3 hours or has been driven less than 1mile (1.6 km).
WARNING
Do not let air out of warm tires toadjust pressure. Doing so will resultin low tire pressure.
Incorrect tire pressures detract from con-trollability and ride comfort, and theycause the tires to wear abnormally.
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11-24Maintenance and service
.Correct tire pressure(tread wornevenly)
Roadholding is good, and steering isresponsive.Rolling resistance is low, sofuel consumption is also lower.
.Abnormally low tire pressure(treadworn at shoulders)
Rolling resistance is high, so fuel con-sumption is also higher.
.Abnormally high tire pressure(treadworn in center)
Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tiremagnifies the effects of road surfacebumps and dips, possibly resulting invehicle damage.
WARNING
Driving at high speeds with exces-sively low tire pressures can causethe tires to deform severely and torapidly become hot. A sharp in-crease in temperature could causetread separation, and destruction ofthe tires. The resulting loss ofvehicle control could lead to anaccident.

&Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced whenyour vehicle was new, but the wheels willbecome unbalanced as the tires becomeworn during use. Wheel imbalance causesthe steering wheel to vibrate slightly atcertain vehicle speeds and detracts fromthe vehicle’s straight-line stability. It canalso cause steering and suspension sys-tem problems and abnormal tire wear. Ifyou suspect that the wheels are notcorrectly balanced, have them checkedand adjusted by your SUBARU dealer.Also have themadjusted after tire repairsand after tire rotation.
CAUTION
Loss of correct wheel alignmentcauses the tires to wear on one sideand reduces the vehicle’s runningstability. Contact your SUBARUdealer if you notice abnormal tirewear.
NOTE
The suspension system is designed toholdeach wheel at a certain alignment(relative to the other wheels and to theroad) for optimum straight-line stabilityand cornering performance.
&Wear indicators
1) New tread2) Worn tread3) Tread wear indicator
Each tire incorporates a tread wearindicator, which becomes visible whenthe depth of the tread grooves decreasesto 0.071 in (1.8 mm). A tire must bereplaced when the tread wear indicatorappears as a solid band across the tread.
WARNING
When a tire’s tread wear indicatorbecomes visible, the tire is wornbeyond the acceptable limit andmust be replaced immediately. Witha tire in this condition, driving athigh speeds in wet weather can
cause the vehicle to hydroplane.The resulting loss of vehicle controlcan lead to an accident.
NOTE
For safety, inspect the tire tread reg-ularly and replace the tires before theirtread wear indicators become visible.
&Tire rotation direction mark
Example of tire rotation direction mark1) Front
If the tire has the rotation directionspecification, the tire rotation directionmark is placed on its sidewall.
When you install a tire that has the tirerotationdirection mark, install the tire with
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11-26Maintenance and service
the direction mark facing forward.
&Tire rotation
Vehicles equipped with 4 non-unidirec-tional tires1) Front
Vehicles equipped with unidirectional tires1) Front
Tire wear varies from wheel to wheel. Tomaximize the life of each tire and ensurethat the tires wear uniformly, it is best torotate the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000km). Move the tires to the positions shownin the illustration each time they arerotated.
Replace any damaged or unevenly worntire at the time of rotation. After tirerotation, adjust the tire pressures andmake sure the wheel nuts are correctlytightened.
After driving approximately 600 miles(1,000 km), check the wheel nuts againand retighten any nut that has becomeloose.
&Tire replacement
The wheels and tires are important andintegral parts of your vehicle’s design;they cannot be changed arbitrarily. Thetires fitted as standard equipment areoptimally matched to the characteristicsof the vehicle and were selected to givethe best possible combination of runningperformance, ride comfort, and servicelife. It is essential for every tire to have asize and construction matching thoseshown on the tire placard and to have aspeed symbol and load index matchingthose shown on the tire placard.
Usingtires of a non-specified size detractsfrom controllability, ride comfort, brakingperformance, speedometer accuracy andodometer accuracy. It also creates incor-rect body-to-tire clearances and inappro-priately changes the vehicle’sgroundclearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms ofmanufacturer, brand (tread pattern), con-struction, and size. You are advised toreplace the tires with new ones that areidentical to those fitted as standard equip-ment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARUrecommends replacing all four tires atthe same time.

WARNING
.When replacing a tire, you mustuse a tire that is of the same size,circumference, speed symboland load index as the originaltires listed on the tire placard.Using tires of other sizes, cir-cumferences or constructionsmay result in severe mechanicaldamage to the drive train of yourvehicle and may affect ride,handling, braking, speedometer/odometer calibration, and clear-ance betweenthe body and tires.It also may be dangerous andlead to loss of vehicle control.
.You must install four tires that areof the same size, circumference,construction, manufacturer,brand(tread pattern), degree ofwear, speed symbol and loadindex. Mixing tires of differenttypes, sizes or degrees of wearcan result in damage to thevehicle’spowertrain.Useofdifferent types or sizes of tirescan also dangerously reducecontrollability and braking per-formance and can lead to anaccident.
.Use only radial tires. Do not use
radial tires together with beltedbias tires and/or bias-ply tires.Doing so can dangerously re-duce controllability, resulting inan accident.
&Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example,to damage, make sure the replacementwheels match the specifications of thewheels that are fitted as standard equip-ment. Replacement wheels are availablefrom SUBARUdealers.
WARNING
Use only those wheels that arespecified for your vehicle. Wheelsnot meeting specifications couldinterfere with brake caliper opera-tion and may cause the tires to rubagainst the wheel well housing dur-ing turns. The resulting loss ofvehicle control could lead to anaccident.
Aluminum wheels
.Aluminum wheels can be scratchedand damaged easily. Handle them care-fully to maintain their appearance, perfor-mance, and safety.
.When any of the wheels are removedand replaced for tire rotation or to changea flat tire, always check the tightness ofthe wheel nuts after driving approximately600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose,tighten it to the specified torque.–For the wheel nut tightening torque,refer to“Tires”F12-8.–For the wheel nut tightening proce-dure, refer to“Changing a flat tire”F9-6..Never apply oil to the threaded parts,wheel nuts, or tapered surface of thewheel.
.Never let the wheel rub against sharpprotrusions or curbs.
.When wheel nuts, balance weights, orthe center cap is replaced, be sure toreplace them with genuine SUBARU partsdesigned for the specific wheel.
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