2003 SUBARU FORESTER automatic transmission fluid

11 - 2 4
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
HSB018EB
1

11 -2 5
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
A) HOT range
B) COLD range
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid level on the
gauge. If it is below the lower level on the “HOT”
range, add the recommended automatic transmission
fluid up to the upper level. Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked without time to
warm up the automatic transmission, check to see that
the fluid level is between the lower level and upper lev-
el on the “COLD” range. If it is below that range, add fluid up to the upper level. Be careful not to overfill.
Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
1
2 B A
1
2
HSB038BB

11 - 3 0
Maintenance and service
Be careful not to burn yourself because the flu-
id may be hot.

When power steering fluid is being added,
use only clean fluid, and be careful not to allow
any dirt into the tank. And never use different
brands together.
Avoid spilling fluid when adding it in the tank.
Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake fluid Checking the fluid level
1) “MAX” level mark
2) “MIN” level mark
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the reservoir. If
the level is below “MIN”, add the recommended brake
fluidto“MAX”.
Use only brake fluid from a sealed container.
M AXMAX
M INMIN
HSB018GB
1 2

12-4
Specifications
Capacities
Tires
Fuel tank15.9 US gal (60 liters, 13.2 Imp gal)
Engine oil4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
Transmission oilManual transmission3.7 US qt (3.5 liters, 3.1 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission9.8 US qt (9.3 liters, 8.2 Imp qt)
AT differential gear oil1.3 US qt (1.2 liter, 1.1 Imp qt)
Rear differential0.8 US qt (0.8 liter, 0.7 Imp qt)
Power steering gear fluid0.7 US qt (0.7 liter, 0.6 Imp qt)
Engine coolantManual transmission7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
Automatic transmission7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt)
Tire sizeP215/60R16 94H
Wheel size16 x 6 1
/2 JJ
PressureFrontLight load29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kg/cm 2
)
Full load29 psi (200 kPa, 2.0 kg/cm 2
)
RearLight load28 psi (190 kPa, 1.9 kg/cm 2
)
Full load36 psi (250 kPa, 2.5 kg/cm 2
)
Trailer towing41 psi (280 kPa, 2.8 kg/cm 2
)

14-2
Index
A
ABS ................................................................ 7-22
Warning light ...................................... 3-12, 7-23
Accessory power outlet .................................. 6-9
Active head restraint ....................................... 1-7
Air cleaner element ........................................ 11-19
Air filtration system ......................................... 4-18
Aluminum wheel ............................................. 11-44
Aluminum wheel Cleaning .............................. 10-3
Ambient temperature gauge ........................... 3-9
Antenna system ............................................. 5-2
Anti-lock brake warning light (ABS) ........ 3-12, 7-23
Arming the system .......................................... 2-14
Ashtray ........................................................... 6-14
Audio set ........................................................ 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ....................... 3-29
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor
(A/ELR) ....................................................... 1-14
Automatic climate control system .................... 4-10
Automatic transmission .................................. 7-14 Capacities .................................................. 12-4
Fluid ........................................................... 11-24
Selector lever ............................................. 7-15
Shift lock release ....................................... 7-18
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) ....... 3-12 B
Battery ............................................................. 11-49
Jump starting .............................................. 9-9
Replacing (remote keyless entry) . .............. 2-9
Brake
Booster ....................................................... 11-32
Fluid ............................................................ 11-30
Pad and lining ............................................. 11-36
Parking ....................................................... 11-37
Pedal .......................................................... 11-33
System ....................................................... 7-21
Warning light .............................................. 3-13
Braking ............................................................ 7-21
Braking tips ..................................................... 7-21
Brake pedal ..................................................... 11-33 Free play .................................................... 11-33
Reserve distance ........................................ 11-33
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ..... 11-36 Bulb Chart ........................................................... 12-9
Replacing ................................................... 11-54
C
Capacities ....................................................... 12-4
Cargo area cover (if equipped) ....................... 6-16
Cargo area light ............................................... 6-2
Cargo tie-down hooks ..................................... 6-18

14-4
Index
Stopping .................................................... 7-11
Exterior care ................................................... 10-2 F
Flat tires ................................................. 9-3, 9-5
Floor mat ........................................................ 6-15
Fluid level Automatic transmission ............................. 11-24
Brake ......................................................... 11-30
Clutch (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-31
Power steering ........................................... 11-29
Fog light switch ............................................... 3-21
Front differential gear oi l (AT vehicles) ........... 11-26
Front seatbelt pretensioners ........................... 1-27
Front seats ..................................................... 1-2 Fore and aft adjustment ............................. 1-3
Reclining .................................................... 1-4
Front-wheel drive warning light (AT vehicles) . 3-15
Fuel ................................................................ 7-2
Economy hints ........................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ........................................ 7-4
Gauge ........................................................ 3-7
Requirements ............................................ 7-2
Fuses ............................................................. 11-50
Fuses and circuits .......................................... 12-6 G
GAWR ............................................................. 8-16
Glove box ........................................................ 6-5
Gross axle weight rating .................................. 8-16
Gross vehicle weight rating ............................. 8-16
GVWR ............................................................. 8-16 H
Hazard warning flasher ................................... 3-5
Headlights ....................................................... 3-17
Headrest adjustment ....................................... 1-10
Headlight flasher ............................................. 3-18
Heater operation ............................................. 4-6
High beam indicator light ................................. 3-15
Hill holder ................................................ 7-29, 11-35
Horn ................................................................ 3-34 I
Ignition switch .................................................. 3-2
Illuminated entry .............................................. 2-8
Illumination brightness control ......................... 3-20
Indicator light ................................................... 3-9
Inside mirror .................................................... 3-29
Interior lights .................................................... 6-2