2001 SUBARU FORESTER coolant temperature

Instruments and controls3-9
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Temperature gauge
CAUTION
If the pointer exceeds the normal operating range, safely stop the
vehicle as soon as possible.
See “ In case of emergency ” in this manual.
HS0052
Normal operating range
The temperature gauge shows engine coolant temperature when the
ignition switch is in the
“ON” position.
The coolant temperature will vary in accordance with the outside temper-
ature and driving conditions.
We recommend that you drive moderately until the pointer of the tempera-
ture gauge reaches near the middle of the range. Engine operation is opti-
mum with the engine coolant at this temperature range and high revving
operation when the engine is not warmed up enough should be avoided.
Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights come on momentarily and
then go out when the ignition switch is initially turned to the “ON” posi-
tion. This permits checking the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition switch to the “ON” position.
The following lights come on:

11-14Cooling system
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has
been shut off and has cooled down completely. Since the coolantis under pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a spray ofboiling hot coolant when the cap is removed.
CAUTION
The cooling system has been filled at the factory with a high
quality, corrosion-inhibiting, year-around coolant which providesprotection against freezing down to –33°F ( –36 °C). For adding,
use genuine SUBARU coolant or an equivalent: a mixture of 50%
soft water and 50% ethylene-glycol basis coolant. Use of improp-er coolants may result in corrosion in the cooling system. It is im-portant to maintain protection against freezing and corrosion,
even if freezing temperatures are not expected. Never mix differ-ent kinds of coolant. Do not splash the engine coolant over painted parts. The alco-
hol contained in the engine coolant may damage the paint sur-face.
Hose and connections
Your vehic le emp loys an elec tric c ooling fan whic h is thermostatic ally
c ontrolled to op erate when the eng ine c oolant reac h es a sp ec ific tem-
p erature.
If the rad iator c ooling fan d oes not op erate even w hen the eng ine
c oolant temp erature g aug e exc eed s the normal op erat ing rang e, the
c ooling fan c irc uit may b e d efec tive. Chec k the fus e and rep lac e it if
nec essary. If the fuse is not b lown, have the c ooli ng system c hec ked
b y your SUBARU d ealer.
If freq uent ad d ition of c oolant is nec essary, there may b e a leak in the
eng ine c ooling system. It is rec ommend ed that the c ooling system
and c onnec tions b e c hec ked for leaks, d amag e, or lo oseness.

Maintenance and service11-33
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Windshield washer fluid
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer fluid because it could cause paint damage.
Chec k the level of the washer fluid at eac h fuel st op . If the level is low, fill
the fluid up to the nec k of the reservoir.
Use wind shield washer fluid . If wind shield washer f luid is unavailab le use
c lean water.
In areas where water freezes in winter, use an anti -freeze typ e wind shield
washer fluid . SUBARU Wind shield Washer Fluid c ontai ns 58.5% methyl
alc ohol and 41.5% surfac tant, b y volume. Its freezi ng temp erature varies
ac c ord ing to how muc h it is d iluted , as ind ic ated b elow.
Washer Fluid Concentration
Freezing Temperature
30% 50%
100%10.4 °F ( –12 °C)
–4 °F ( –20 °C)
–49 °F ( –45 °C)
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