2003 SUBARU FORESTER engine

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Maintenance and service
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Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
4. Install the under cover.
1) Filler neck
2) Fill up to this level 5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill to the radiator filler
neck. Do not pour the coolant too quickly, as this may
lead to insufficient air bleeding and trapped air in the system.
Guideline of coolant quantity (including coolant in reservoir tank):
MT. 7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
AT. 7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt)
1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level mark
6. Pour the coolant and fill to the reservoir tank’s
“FULL” level mark.
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Maintenance and service

Be careful not to spill engine coolant when
adding it. If coolant touches the exhaust pipe, it
may cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contain ed in the engine
coolant may damage the paint surface.
1) Rubber gaskets
7. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten firmly. At
this time, make sure that the rubber gasket in the radi- ator cap is correctly in place.
8. Start and run the engine for more than five minutes
at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the coolant cools
down (122 to 140
°F[50to60 °C]). If there is any loss
of coolant, add coolant to the radiator’s filler neck and
to the reserve tank’s “FULL” level.
10.Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap back on and
tighten firmly.
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Maintenance and service
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Air cleaner element
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 unnec-
essary to clean or wash the element.
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.
Replacing the air cleaner element
Replace the air cleaner element according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. Under extremely dusty conditions, re-
place it more frequently. It is recommended that you
always use genuine SUBARU parts.
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1) Bolt
1. Remove the bolt securing the rear air cleaner ele-
ment case.
2. Unsnap the three clamps holding the rear air clean-
er element case.
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Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as
its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according to
fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid and cold fluid
on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked without warm-
ing up the fluid on the “COLD” range, we recommend
checking the fluid level when the fluid is at operating temperature. Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the temper-
ature of the transmission fluid up to normal operating
temperature; 154 to 176 °F (70 to 80 °C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the park-
ing brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then
shift it in the “P” position, and run the engine at idling
speed. 1) Yellow handle
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Maintenance and service
Any absorbed moisture can cause improper
clutch operation.
If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer. Never use different brands of clutch fluid to-
gether. When clutch fluid is added, be careful not to
allow any dirt into the tank.
Recommended clutch fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid
Brake booster
If the brake booster does not operate as described be-
low, have it checked by your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake pedal sever-
al times, applying the same pedal force each time. The
distance the pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start the engine.
The pedal should move slightly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop the engine
and keep the pedal depressed for 30 seconds. The
pedal height should not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for about one minute
then turn it off. Depress the brake pedal several times
to check the brake booster. Brake booster operates
properly if the pedal stroke decreases with each de-
pression.

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Maintenance and service
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Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play and reserve distance
according to the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Checking the brake pedal free play
1) 0.04–0.12in(1.0–3.0mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress the brake pedal
several times. Lightly press the brake pedal down with
one finger to check the free play with a force of less
than2lb(10N,1kg).
If the free play is not within proper specification, con- tact your SUBARU dealer.
Checking the brake pedal reserve dis- tance
1) More than 2.56 in (65 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approximately 66 lb
(294 N, 30 kg) and measure the distance between the
upper surface of the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than the specifica-
tion, or when the pedal does not operate smoothly,
contact with your SUBARU dealer.
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Maintenance and service
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles)
Check the clutch pedal free play and reserve distance
according to the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
Checking the clutch function
Check the clutch engagement and disengagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there are no ab-
normal noises when the clutch pedal is depressed,
and that shifting into 1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal slowly to
check that the engine and transmission smoothly cou-
ple without any sign of slippage.
Checking the clutch pedal free play
1) 0.16 – 0.51 in (4.0 –13.0 mm)
Lightly press the clutch pedal down with your finger
until you feel resistance, and check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper specification, con-
tact your SUBARU dealer.
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Maintenance and service
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Hill holder (MT vehicles — if
equipped)
Ensure that the hill holder operates properly under the
following circumstances:
1. Stop the vehicle on an uphill grade by depressing
the brake pedal and clutch pedal, with the engine run-
ning.
2. Make sure that the vehicle does not move back-
ward even after the brake pedal is released.
3. Then make sure the vehicle starts climbing the
grade by following the normal starting procedures.
If the hill holder does not operate as described above,
contact with your SUBARU dealer.
Replacement of brake pad and lining
The front disc brakes and the right rear disc brake
have an audible wear indicators on the brake pads. If
the brake pads wear close to their service limit, the
wear indicator makes a very audible scraping noise
when the brake pedal is applied.
If you hear this scraping noise each time you apply the
brake pedal, have the brake pads serviced by your
SUBARU dealer as soon as possible.
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