2003 SUBARU FORESTER clutch

11 - 8
Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview
1
23
4 5 67
8
9
10
11
12
13
HSB017BB
1) Manual transmission oil level
gauge (MT) (page 11-22) or Dif-
ferential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-26)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11- 19)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-
31)
4) Automatic transmission fluid lev-
el gauge (page 11-24)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11- 30)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-45)
7) Fuse box (page 11-50)
8) Battery (page 11-49)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
10) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11- 9)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-29)

11 -3 1
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
Any absorbed moisture can cause a dangerous
loss of braking performance. If the vehicle requires freq uent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer.
Never use different brands of brake fluid to-
gether. When adding brake fluid, be careful not to al-
low any dirt into the reservoir. Never splash the brake fluid over painted sur-
faces or rubber parts. Alcohol contained in the
brake fluid may damage them.
Recommended brake fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) Checking the fluid level
1) “MAX” level mark
2) “MIN” level mark
Check the fluid level on the outside of the reservoir. If
the level is below “MIN” level mark, add the recom-
mended clutch fluid to “MAX” level mark.
Use only clutch fluid from a sealed container.
Clutch fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
HSB018HB
MAXMIN
1
2

11 - 3 2
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.

11 - 3 4
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.
1
HSB049BB

11 -3 5
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
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.
HS7012BA

14-3
Index
Center console ............................................... 6-5
Charge warning light ...................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ............................................. 3-10
Child restraint systems ................................... 1-30 Installation with seatbelt ............................ 1-33
Top tether anchorages .............................. 1-38
Child safety locks ........................................... 2-20
Chime Key ............................................................ 3-3
Seat belt .............................................. 1-15, 3-9
Cigarette lighter socket ................................... 6-11
Clock .............................................................. 3-16
Clutch (MT)
Fluid ........................................................... 11-31
Pedal ......................................................... 11-34
Coat hook ....................................................... 6-16
Coil tray .......................................................... 6-7
Convenience net ............................................ 6-7
Coolant ........................................................... 11-15
Cooling system ............................................... 11-14
Corrosion protection ....................................... 10-4
Cruise control ................................................. 7-31
Cruise control indicator light ........................... 3-15
Cup holders ..................................................... 6-8 D
Dashboard storage compartment ................... 6-6
Daytime running light system ......................... 3-19
Differential gear oil
Front (AT vehicles) .................................... 11-26
Rear ........................................................... 11-27
Dimensions ..................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ..................................... 2-16
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ......... 7-22
Dome light ...................................................... 6-2
Door locks ...................................................... 2-3
Door open warning light ................................. 3-14
Drive belt ........................................................ 11-21
Driving in foreign country ................................ 8-5
Driving tips............................................... 7-13, 8-6 E
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system 7-25
Emergency locking retractor (ELR) ................ 1-14
Engine Compartment overview .............................. 11-8
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ................ 8-3
Hood .......................................................... 11-5
Oil .............................................................. 11-9
Coolant ...................................................... 11-15
Overheating ............................................... 9-12
Starting ...................................................... 7-9

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