2003 SUBARU FORESTER transmission

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Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule
The scheduled maintenance items required to be ser-
viced at regular intervals are shown in the “Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet”.
For details of your maintenance schedule, read the
separate “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.Maintenance precautions
When maintenance and service are required, it is rec-
ommended that all work be done by an authorized
SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and service by yourself,
you should familiarize yourself with the information
provided in this section on general maintenance and
service for your SUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service could cause improper
or unsafe vehicle operation. Any problems caused by
improper maintenance and service performed by you
are not eligible for warranty coverage.
Testing of an All-Wheel Drive vehicle must
NEVER be performed on a single two-wheel dy-
namometer or similar apparatus. Attempting to
do so will result in transmission damage and in
uncontrolled vehicle movement and may cause
an accident or injuries to persons nearby. Always select a safe area when performing
maintenance on your vehicle. Always be very careful to avoid injury when
working on the vehicle. Remember that some of

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Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview
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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 - 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 4
Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as
its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according to
fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid and cold fluid
on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked without warm-
ing up the fluid on the “COLD” range, we recommend
checking the fluid level when the fluid is at operating temperature. Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the temper-
ature of the transmission fluid up to normal operating
temperature; 154 to 176 °F (70 to 80 °C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the park-
ing brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then
shift it in the “P” position, and run the engine at idling
speed. 1) Yellow handle
HSB018EB
1

11 -2 5
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
A) HOT range
B) COLD range
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid level on the
gauge. If it is below the lower level on the “HOT”
range, add the recommended automatic transmission
fluid up to the upper level. Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked without time to
warm up the automatic transmission, check to see that
the fluid level is between the lower level and upper lev-
el on the “COLD” range. If it is below that range, add fluid up to the upper level. Be careful not to overfill.
Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
1
2 B A
1
2
HSB038BB

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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

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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

12-2
Specifications
Specifications
Specifications
These specifications are subject to change without notice.
Dimensions
in (mm)
*1: Measured with vehicle empty
Item2.5-liter
XXS
Drive systemAWD
Transmission typeAutomatic
transmissionManual
transmissionAutomatic
transmissionManual
transmission
Overall length175.2 (4450)
Overall width68.3 (1735)
Overall height62.6 (1590)
Wheel base99.4 (2525)
TreadFront58.9 (1495)
Rear58.5 (1485)
Ground clearance* 17.5 (190)