2003 SUBARU FORESTER spark plugs

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 - 2 0
Maintenance and service
1) Air cleaner element
3. Separate the rear air cleaner element case from
the front cleaner element case and remove the air
cleaner element.
4. Clean the inside of the front and rear air cleaner el-
ement cases with a damp cloth and install a new air
cleaner element.
5. Insert the four projections on the rear air cleaner el-
ement case into the slits on the front air cleaner ele-
ment case and snap the three clamps on the rear air
cleaner element case and then tighten the bolt.
Spark plugs
It may be difficult to replace the spark plugs. It is rec-
ommended that you have the spark plugs replaced by
your SUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”.
When disconnecting the spark plug cables,
always grasp the spark plug cap, not the ca-
1HSB031BB
HSB032BA

11 -2 1
Maintenance and service
–CONTINUED –
bles. Make sure the cables are replaced in the cor-
rect order.
Recommended spark plugs
RC10YC4 (Champion)
BKR6E-11 (NGK)
BKR5E-11 (NGK)
Drive belts
1) Power steering pump pulley
2) Air conditioner compressor pulley
3) Crank pulley
The alternator, power steering pump, and air condi-
tioner compressor depend on drive belts. Satisfactory
performance requires that belt tension be correct.
To check belt tension, place a straightedge (ruler)
across two adjacent pulleys and apply a force of 22 lb
(98 N, 10 kg) midway between the pulleys by using a
spring scale. Belt deflection should be the amount
specified. If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contact
2
3 A
B
1
HSB033BB

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