2003 SUBARU FORESTER tires

11 -4 1
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
ly and to rapidly become hot. A sharp increase
in temperature could cause tread separation,
and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss
of vehicle control could lead to an accident.
Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced when your vehicle
was new, but the wheels will become unbalanced as
the tires become worn during use. Wheel imbalance
causes the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at certain
vehicle speeds and detracts from the vehicle’s
straight-line stability. It can also cause steering and
suspension system problems and abnormal tire wear.
If you suspect that the wheels are not correctly bal-
anced, have them checked and adjusted by your
SUBARU dealer. Also have them adjusted after tire re-
pairs and after tire rotation.
NOTE
Loss of correct wheel alignment* causes the tires
to wear on one side and reduces the vehicle

11 -4 3
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
After driving approximately 600 miles (1,000 km),
check the wheel nuts again and retighten any nut that
has become loose. Tire replacement
The wheels and tires are important and integral parts
of your vehicle’s design; they cannot be changed arbi-
trarily. The tires fitted as standard equipment are opti-
mally matched to the characteristics of the vehicle and
were selected to give the best possible combination of
running performance, ride comfort, and service life. It
is essential for every tire to have a size and construc-
tion matching those shown on the tire placard and to
have a speed symbol and load index matching those
shown on the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts from con-
trollability, ride comfort, braking performance, speed-
ometer accuracy and odometer accuracy. It also
creates incorrect body-to-tire clearances and inappro-
priately changes the vehicle’s ground clearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms of manufactur-
er, brand (tread pattern), construction, and size. You
are advised to replace the tires with new ones that are
identical to those fitted as standard equipment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends re- placing all four tires at the same time.

All four tires must be the same in terms of
manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), construc-
tion, degree of wear, speed symbol, load index
and size. Mixing tires of different types, sizes or
degrees of wear can result in damage to vehi-
cle

11 - 4 4
Maintenance and service
Use only those wheels that are specified for
your vehicle. Wheels not meeting specifica-
tions could interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub against the
wheel well housing during turns. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent.
Aluminum wheels (If equipped)
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged
easily. Handle them carefully to maintain their appear-
ance, performance, and safety.
When any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat, always check the
tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximately
600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to
the specified torque. Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or
tapered surface of the wheel. Never let the wheel rub against sharp protrusions or
curbs. Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly and completely
around the tire, otherwise the chains may scratch the
wheel. When wheel nuts, balance weights, or the center
cap is replaced, be sure to replace them with genuine
SUBARU parts designed for aluminum wheels.

12-1
12
Specifications
Specifications ............................................... 12-2 Dimensions ..................................................... 12-2
Engine .............................................................. 12-3
Electrical system ............................................ 12-3
Capacities ........................................................ 12-4
Tires ................................................................. 12-4
Wheel alignment ............................................. 12-5
Fuses and circuits ....................................... 12-6 Fuse panel located behind the coin tray ...... 12-6
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment 12-8
Bulb chart ..................................................... 12-9
Vehicle identification ................................... 12-10

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
)

13-2
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
Consumer information and Reporting safety defectsFor U.S.A.
The following information has been compiled accord-
ing to Code of Federal Regulations “Title 49, Part
575”.
Uniform tire quality grading stan-
dards
This information indicates the relative performance of
passenger car tires in the area of treadwear, traction,
and temperature resistance. This is to aid the consum-
er in making an informed choice in the purchase of tires.
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the
tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum
section width. For example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
The quality grades apply to new pneumatic tires for
use on passenger cars. However, they do not apply to
deep tread, winter type snow tires, space-saver or
temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diam-
eters of 12 inches or less, or to some limited produc-
tion tires.
All passenger car tires must confirm to Federal Safety
Requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and
one-half (1-1/2) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance
of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart significantly from the
norm due to variations in driving habits, service prac-
tices and differences in road characteristics and cli- mate. Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A,
B and C. Those grades represent the tire's ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test surfaces of
asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor
traction performance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based

13-3
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
–CONTINUED –
on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and
does not include acceleration, cornering, hy-
droplaning, or peak traction characteristics.
Temperature A, B, C
The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,
representing the tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the
material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire
failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of perfor-
mance which all passenger car tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards No. 109.
Grades B and A represent higher levels of perfor-
mance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum
required by law.
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation,
or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat buildup and pos-
sibletirefailure.

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