2003 SUBARU FORESTER engine coolant

11 -1 5
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
Cooling fan, hose and connections
Your vehicle employs an electric cooling fan which is
thermostatically controlled to operate when the engine
coolant reaches a specific temperature.
If the radiator cooling fan does not operate even when
the engine coolant temperature gauge exceeds the
normal operating range, the cooling fan circuit may be
defective. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary.
If the fuse is not blown, have the cooling system
checked by your SUBARU dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is necessary, there may
be a leak in the engine cooling system. It is recom-
mended that the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness.
Engine coolant
Checking the coolant level
1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level mark
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside of the reser-
voir 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, remove the radiator cap and re-
fill as required.
HSB018CB
1
2

11 - 1 6
Maintenance and service
1) Rubber gaskets
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, re-
install the caps and check that the rubber gaskets in-
side the radiator cap are in the proper position.
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.
Changing the coolant
1) Drain plug
Change the engine coolant using the following proce-
dures according to the maintenance schedule.
1. Remove the under cover.
2. Place a proper container under the drain plug and
loosen the drain plug.
3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the coolant from
the radiator. Then drain the coolant from the reserve
tank. Tighten the drain plug securely.
1
HSB026BB
1HSB027BB

11 -1 7
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
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.
1
2
HSB028BB
HSB018CB
1
2

11 - 1 8
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.
1
HSB026BB

11 -4 5
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
Windshield washer fluid
Check the level of the washer fluid at each fuel stop. If
the level is low, fill the fluid up to the neck of the reser- voir.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield washer fluid
is unavailable use clean water.
In areas where water freezes in winter, use an anti-
freeze type windshield washer fluid. SUBARU Wind-
shield Washer Fluid contains 58.5% methyl alcohol
and 41.5% surfactant, by volume. Its freezing temper-
ature varies according to how much it is diluted, as in-
dicated below.
Never use engine coolant as washer fluid be-
cause it could cause paint damage.
HSB018IA
Washer Fluid Concentration Freezing Temperature
30% 10.4 °F (–12 °C)
50% –4 °F (–20 °C)
100% –49 °F (–45 °C)

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
)

14-3
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