2003 SUBARU FORESTER oil level

11 - 1 2
Maintenance and service
result in an oil leak.
11.Close the access cover by turning it clockwise and
reinstall the six clips in their original positions.
12.Pour engine oil through the filler neck.
Oil quantity (guideline):
4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
The oil quantity indicated above is only a guideline.
The necessary quantity of oil depends on the quantity
of oil that has been drained. The quantity of drained oil
differs slightly depending on the temperature of the oil
and the time the oil is left flowing out. After pouring oil
into the engine, therefore, you must use the dipstick to
confirm that the level is correct.
13.Start the engine and make sure that no oil leaks ap-
pear around the filter’s rubber seal.
14.Run the engine until it reaches the normal operat-
ing temperature. Then stop the engine and wait a few
minutes to allow the oil drain back. Check the oil level
again and if necessary, add more engine oil.
Recommended grade and viscosity
Oil grade:
API classification SL or SJ with the words “ENER-
GY CONSERVING” (if you cannot obtain the oil
with the SL or SJ grade, you may use SH or SG
grade oil.) or the new API certification mark (Star-
burst mark) displayed on the container.
API Service label
1) Indicates the oil quality by API designations
2) Indicates the SAE oil viscosity grade
3) Indicates that the oil has fuel saving capabilities
APISERVICESL
E
NERGYCONSERVING
SAE
5W µ30
1
2
3
HSB022BB

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 - 2 2
Maintenance and service
your SUBARU dealer.
in (mm)Manual transmission oil Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it
again.
Deflection
New belt Used belt
A 0.28 — 0.35 (7.0 — 9.0) 0.35 — 0.43 (9.0 — 11.0)
B 0.30 — 0.33 (7.5 — 8.5) 0.35 — 0.40 (9.0 — 10.0)
HSB018DB
1

11 -2 3
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on
it. If it is below the lower level, add oil through the dip-
stick hole to bring the level up to the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5 SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
LF
1 2
HSB035BB
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 - 2 6
Maintenance and service
Front differential gear oil (AT vehi-
cles)
Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the differential oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it
again. 1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on
it. If it is below the lower level, add oil to bring the level
up to the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
HSB018FB
1
L F
1 2
HSB040BB

11 -2 7
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
Rear differential gear oil Checking the gear oil level
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear differential
protector. The differential protector provides protec-
tion to the rear differential assembly during off-road
use. Removal of the rear differential protector is not re-
quired when checking the oil level.
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug
-30
-20 20 40 60 90
85W
80W
80W/90 80 100
0
-20 -10 10 20 30 40
0
HSB041AA
2 1HSB042BB

11 - 2 8
Maintenance and service
1) Filler hole
2) Drain hole
3) Oil level
Remove the plug from the filler hole and check the oil
level. The oil level should be kept even with the bottom
of the filler hole. If the oil level is below the bottom
edge of the hole, add oil through the filler hole to raise
the level.
If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be an oil leak. If you suspect a problem,
have the vehicle checked at your SUBARU deal-
er.
Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
3 1
2
HSB043BB-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 -2 9
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
Power steering fluid Checking the fluid level
1) Reservoir tank
The power steering fluid expands greatly as its tem-
perature rises; the fluid level differs according to fluid
temperature. Therefore, the reservoir tank has two dif-
ferent checking ranges for hot and cold fluids.
Check the power steering fluid level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and stop the en-
gine. 1) Specified range
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run:
Check that the oil level is between “HOT MIN” and
“HOT MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is run: Check
that the oil level is between “COLD MIN” and “COLD
MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the applicable “MIN”
line, add the recommended fluid as necessary to bring
the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indicate possible
leakage. Consult your SUBARU dealer for inspection.
1
HSB044BB
1 1
HSB045BB