2003 SUBARU FORESTER brake fluid

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

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.

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

14-3
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

14-6
Index
P
Parking brake ......................................... 7-27, 11-37
Stroke ........................................................ 11-37
Parking light switch ......................................... 3-21
Parking your vehicle ....................................... 7-27
Periodic inspections ....................................... 8-5Power Door locking switches ................................ 2-5
Steering ..................................................... 7-20
Steering fluid level ..................................... 11-29
Windows .................................................... 2-21
R
Rear Combination lights ..................................... 11-61
Differential gear oil level ............................ 11-27
Gate ................................................... 2-24, 9-17
Seats ......................................................... 1-9
Viscous limited slip differential (LSD) ........ 7-20
Rear Window Defogger switch ......................................... 3-27
Wiper and washer switch ........................... 3-25
Remote keyless entry system ........................ 2-6
Replacing Air cleaner element .................................... 11-19
Battery (remote keyless entry) ................... 2-9
Bulbs ......................................................... 11-54 Transmitters ............................................... 2-10
Rocking the vehicle ......................................... 8-13
Roof rail and crossbar ..................................... 8-17 S
Seatbelts ......................................................... 1-12
Seatbelt Maintenance ............................................... 1-26
Pretensioners ............................................. 1-27
Safety tips ................................................... 1-12
Warning light and chime ............................. 3-9
Seats
Fabric ......................................................... 10-5
Heater ......................................................... 1-8
Seat height adjustment (driver’s side) ............. 1-5
Security system ............................................... 2-14
Selector lever (AT vehicles) ............................ 7-15
Self-leveling rear suspension .......................... 7-34
Shift lock release ............................................. 7-18
Shift position indicator ..................................... 3-15
Shopping bag hook ......................................... 6-18
Snow tires ....................................................... 8-12
Snowy and icy roads ....................................... 8-11
Spark plugs ..................................................... 11-20
Specifications .................................................. 12-2
Speedometer ................................................... 3-5
SRS airbags .................................................... 1-39