2003 SUBARU FORESTER power steering fluid

11 - 1
11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ................................ 11-3
Maintenance precautions ........................... 11-3 Before checking or servicing in the engine
compartment ................................................... 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the
engine compartment while the engine is
running ............................................................. 11-5
Engine hood ................................................. 11-5
Engine compartment overview .................. 11-8
Engine oil ..................................................... 11-9 Checking the oil level ..................................... 11-9
Changing the oil and oil filter ........................ 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity .............. 11-12
Recommended grade and viscosity under
severe driving conditions .............................. 11-14
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-14
Cooling system ............................................ 11-14 Cooling fan, hose and connections .............. 11-15
Engine coolant ................................................ 11-15
Air cleaner element ..................................... 11-19 Replacing the air cleaner element ................. 11-19
Spark plugs .................................................. 11-20 Recommended spark plugs ........................... 11-21
Drive belts .................................................... 11-21
Manual transmission oil .............................. 11-22 Checking the oil level ..................................... 11-22
Recommended grade and viscosity .............. 11-23
Automatic transmission fluid ..................... 11-24 Checking the fluid level .................................. 11-24 Recommended fluid ....................................... 11-25
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ..... 11-26 Checking the oil level ..................................... 11-26
Recommended grade and viscosity ............. 11-26
Rear differential gear oil .............................. 11-27 Checking the gear oil level ............................ 11-27
Recommended grade and viscosity ............. 11-28
Power steering fluid ..................................... 11-29 Checking the fluid level .................................. 11-29
Recommended fluid ....................................... 11-30
Brake fluid .................................................... 11-30 Checking the fluid level .................................. 11-30
Recommended brake fluid ............................. 11-31
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) ........................... 11-31 Checking the fluid level .................................. 11-31
Recommended clutch fluid ............................ 11-32
Brake booster ............................................... 11-32
Brake pedal ................................................... 11-33 Checking the brake pedal free play .............. 11-33
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance . 11-33
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) .......................... 11-34 Checking the clutch function ........................ 11-34
Checking the clutch pedal free play ............. 11-34
Hill holder (MT vehicles — if equipped) ..... 11-35
Replacement of brake pad and lining ........ 11-35 Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings .. 11-36
Parking brake stroke ................................... 11-37
Tires and wheels .......................................... 11-37 Types of tires .................................................. 11-37

11 - 8
Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview
1
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 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

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

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
)

14-4
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