2002 SUBARU LEGACY Owners Manual

Maintenance and service11-15
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CONTINUED –
Engine coolant Checking the coolant level
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
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1. Check the coolant level on the outside of 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 is empty, re-
move the radiator cap and refill as required.
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Rubber gaskets
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, reinstall the caps
and check that the rubber gaskets inside the radiator cap are in the
proper position.

11-16
Changing the coolant
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.
Change the engine coolant using the following procedures according
to the maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Book-
let”. 1. Remove the under cover.
2. Place a proper container under the drain plug and loosen the drainplug.
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3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the coolant from the radiator. Then
drain the coolant from the reserve tank. Tighten the drain plug secure-
ly.

Maintenance and service11-17
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CONTINUED –
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4. Slowly pour the coolant and fill to the radiator filler neck and to the
reserve tank ’s “FULL” level mark. Do not pour the coolant too quickly,
as this may lead to insufficient air bleeding and trapped air in the sys-tem.
Coolant capacity: 2.5 liter models MT. 7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt) AT. 7.1 US qt (6.7 liters, 5.9 Imp qt)
3.0 liter models 8.4 US qt (7.9 liters, 7.0 Imp qt)
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Rubber gaskets
5. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten firmly. At this time, make
sure that the rubber gasket in the radiator cap is correctly in place.
6. Start and run the engine for more than five minutes at 2,000 to
3,000 rpm.

11-18
7. Stop the engine and wait until the coolant cools down (122 to 140°F [50 to 60 °C]). If there is any loss of coolant, add coolant to the
radiator’ s filler neck and to the reserve tank ’s “FULL” level.
8. Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap back on and tighten 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 cleaner element functions as a filter screen. When the element is
perforated or removed, engine wear will be excessive and engine life
shortened.
The air cleaner element is a viscous type. It is unnecessary to clean or wash the element. Replacing the air cleaner element
Replace the air cleaner element according to the maintenance sched-ule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. Under extremely
dusty conditions, replace it more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts.

Maintenance and service11-19
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CONTINUED –
n2.5 liter models
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1. Remove the bolt securing the rear air cleaner element case.
2. Unsnap the three clamps holding the rear air cleaner elementcase.
3. Separate the rear air cleaner element case from the front air clean-
er element case and remove the air cleaner element.
4. Clean the inside of the front and rear air cleaner element caseswith a damp cloth and install a new air cleaner element.
5. Insert the four projections on the rear air cleaner element case into
the slits on the front air cleaner element case and snap the three
clamps on the rear air cleaner element case and then tighten the bolt. n 3.0 liter models
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1. Unsnap the two clamps holding the air cleaner case cover.

11-20
2. Open the air cleaner case cover and remove the air cleaner ele- ment.
3. Clean the inside of the air cleaner cover and case with a damp
cloth and install a new air cleaner element.
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To install the air cleaner case cover, insert the two projections on the air cleaner case cover into the slits on the air cleaner case and then
snap the two clamps on the air cleaner case cover.
Spark plugs
CAUTION
When disconnecting the spark plug cables, always grasp the
spark plug cap, not the cables. Make sure the cables are replaced in the correct order.

Maintenance and service11-21
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CONTINUED –
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It may be difficult to replace the spark plugs. It is recommended that you
have the spark plugs replaced by your SUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced according to the maintenance
schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Recommended spark plugs
2.5 liter models: RC10YC4 (Champion)BKR6E-11 (NGK)BKR5E-11 (NGK)
3.0 liter models: PLFR6A-11 (NGK)

11-22
Drive belts
The alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner compressor de-
pend on drive belts. Satisfactory performance requires that belt tension
be correct.2.5 liter models
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in (mm)
Deflection
New beltUsed belt
10.28 — 0.35
(7.0 — 9.0)0.35 — 0.43
(9.0 — 11.0)
20.30 — 0.33 (7.5 — 8.5)0.35 — 0.40
(9.0 — 10.0)
To check belt tension, place a straightedge (ruler) across two adja-
cent pulleys and apply a force of 22 lb (98 N, 10 kg) midway betweenthe pulleys by using a spring scale. Belt deflection should be the
amount specified. 3.0 liter models
It is unnecessary to check belt tension periodically because your
engine is equipped with an automatic belt tension adjuster. However,
replacement of the belt should be done according to the maintenance