2001 SUBARU FORESTER air filter

4-12
Checking air conditioning system before summer season
Chec k the air c ond itioner unit for refrig erant leak s, hose c ond itions,
and p rop er op eration eac h sp ring . This c hec k is b es t p erformed b y
your SUBARU d ealer. Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low tempera- ture weather condition
Und er c ertain weather c ond itions (hig h relative hum id ity, low temp era-
tures, etc .) a small amount of water vap or emission from the air outlets
may b e notic ed d uring c ooling or d ehumid ifying . Thi s c ond ition is nor-
mal and d oes not ind ic ate any p rob lem with the air c ond itioning sys-
tem. Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded
To imp rove ac c eleration and g as mileag e, the air c o nd itioner c om-
p ressor is d esig ned to temp orarily shut off d uring air c ond itioner op -
eration whenever the ac c elerator is fully d ep ressed . Suc h as d uring
rap id ac c eleration or when d riving on a steep up g r ad e.
Refrigerant for your climate control system
Your air c ond itioner uses ozone friend ly refrig eran t HFC134a. There-
fore, the method of ad d ing , c hang ing or c hec king th e refrig erant is
d ifferent from the method for CFC12 (freon). Consul t your SUBARU
d ealer for servic e. Rep airs need ed as a result of using the wrong re-
frig erant are not c overed und er warranty.
Air filtration system (if equipped)
If your vehic le ’s air c ond itioning system is eq uip p ed with a op tion al air
filtration system, rep lac e the filter element ac c or d ing to the rep lac ement
sc hed ule shown b elow. This sc hed ule should b e follo wed to maintain the
filter ’s d ust c ollec tion ab ility. Und er extremely d usty c o nd itions, the filter
should b e rep lac ed more freq uently. Sinc e the filte r element is a visc ous
typ e, it is unnec essary to c lean or wash the elemen t. It is rec ommend ed
that you have your filter c hec ked or rep lac ed b y yo ur SUBARU d ealer.
For rep lac ement, use only a g enuine SUBARU air filt er kit.

Climate control4-13
–
CONTINUED –
Replacement schedule:
Every 12 months or 7,500 miles (12,000 km) whichever comes first
NOTE The filter can influence the air conditioning, heating and defroster performance.
Replacement procedure
HS4007BB
HS0254
Old filter
1. Remove the filter c over from the c ooling unit b y
removing the two
(2) c lip s with a b lad e sc rewd river and unhooking th e hing e. The
sc rewd river must b e inserted into the top of the c l ip . Do not p ry the
mid d le on the c lip .
2. Remove the old filters.

4-14
HS4004BB
3. Insert the front filter assemb ly in the c ooling unit, then install the
rear filter assemb ly. NOTE Hold the filter tabs to facilitate installation.
The passenger compartment side of each filter is marked with
arrows (indicating “UP” and the direction of air flow). Ensure the
arrows point in the correct directions. Ensure each filter assembly ’s tongues and grooves fit the cor-
responding cooling unit and matching filter tongues and grooves.
HS4005BB
4. Reinstall the c over and sec ure it using the c lip s .
NOTE
Ensure no air leaks from the cooling unit through the cover.

11-4
Always use the proper tools and make certain that they are
well maintained. Never get under the vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
use a safety stand to support the vehicle. Never keep the engine running in a poorly ventilated area,
such as a garage or other closed areas. Do not smoke or allow open flames around the fuel or battery.
This will cause a fire. Wear adequate eye protection to guard against getting oil or
other fluids in your eyes. If something does get in your eyes,
thoroughly wash it out with clean water. Because the fuel system is under pressure, replacement of the
fuel filter should be performed only by your SUBARU dealer. The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable parts. Tampering with
or disconnecting the system ’s wiring could result in accidental
inflation of the airbag or could make the system inoperative,
which may result in serious injury. The wiring harnesses of theSRS airbag system are covered with yellow insulation and the
connectors of the system are yellow, for easy identification. Donot use electrical test equipment on any circuit related to the SRSairbag system. For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see your
nearest SUBARU dealer. Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment
Always stop the engine and set the parking brake firmly to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving. Always let the engine cool down. Engine parts become very
hot when the engine is running and remain hot for some time af-ter the engine is stopped. Do not spill engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components. This may cause a fire. Always remove the key from the ignition switch. When the
ignition switch is in the “ON” position, the cooling fan may oper-
ate suddenly even when the engine is stopped.

11-8Engine compartment overview 1
Manual transmission oil level
g aug e (MT) (p ag e 11-21) or
Differential g ear oil level
g aug e (AT) (p ag e 11-24)
2 Air c leaner element
(p ag e 11-18)
3 Clutc h fluid reservoir
(p ag e 11-30)
4 Automatic transmission fluid
level g aug e (p ag e 11-22)
5 Brake fluid reservoir
(p ag e 11-28)
6 Fuel filter 7
Wind shield washer tank
(p ag e 11-33)
8 Fuse b ox (p ag e 11-44)
9 Battery (p ag e 11-31)
Q Eng ine oil filler c ap
(p ag e 11-9)
W Eng ine c oolant reservoir
(p ag e 11-15)
E Eng ine oil level g aug e
(p ag e 11-9)
R Power steering fluid reservoir
(p ag e 11-27)
T Rad iator c ap (p ag e 11-15) HGA017BB

11-18rad iator
’s filler nec k and to the reserve tank ’s “Full ” level.
9. Put the rad iator c ap and reservoir c ap b ac k on an d tig hten firmly.
Air cleaner element
WARNING
Do not operate the engine with the air cleaner element removed. The air cleaner element not only filters intake air but also stops
flames if the engine backfires. If the air cleaner element is not
installed when the engine backfires, you could be burned.
The air c leaner element func tions as a filter sc ree n. When the element is
p erforated or removed , eng ine wear will b e exc essiv e and eng ine life
shortened .
The air c leaner element is a visc ous typ e. It is un nec essary to c lean or
wash the element.
Replacing the air cleaner element
Rep lac e the air c leaner element ac c ord ing to the ma intenanc e sc hed -
ule in the “Warranty and Maintenanc e Booklet ”. Und er extremely
d usty c ond itions, rep lac e it more freq uently. It is rec ommend ed that
you always use g enuine SUBARU p arts.
HBA003BB
HBA002BB
1. Remove the b olt sec uring the rear air c leaner ele ment c ase.