Page 713 of 2870
![SUBARU FORESTER 2004 Service Repair Manual ID-4
IDENTIFICATION
Identification
2. MEANING OF V.I.N.
The meaning of the VIN is as follows:
Europe, Australia and General (Except GCC)
]JF1SG5LK44G002001[
The starting and ending brackets ( ][ ) a SUBARU FORESTER 2004 Service Repair Manual ID-4
IDENTIFICATION
Identification
2. MEANING OF V.I.N.
The meaning of the VIN is as follows:
Europe, Australia and General (Except GCC)
]JF1SG5LK44G002001[
The starting and ending brackets ( ][ ) a](/manual-img/17/57426/w960_57426-712.png)
ID-4
IDENTIFICATION
Identification
2. MEANING OF V.I.N.
The meaning of the VIN is as follows:
Europe, Australia and General (Except GCC)
]JF1SG5LK44G002001[
The starting and ending brackets ( ][ ) are stop marks.
GCC countries (Saudi Arabia, etc.)
]JF1SG93MX4J002001[
The starting and ending brackets ( ][ ) are stop marks.
Digits Code Meaning Details
1 to 3 JF1 Manufacturer body area JF1: Passengercar, FHI made
JF2: MPV, FHI made
4 S Car line S: FORESTER
5 G Body type G: Wagon
6 5 Displacement 5: 2.0L AWD
9: 2.5L AWD
7 L Steering position K: RHD (Right-hand drive)
L: LHD (Left-hand drive)
8 K Engine & transmission R: SOHC MPI 4-speed AT
K: SOHC MPI Full-time AWD 5-speed MT Dual range
D: DOHC Turbo Full-time AWD 5-speed MT
T: DOHC Turbo 4-speed D-AT
9 4 Drive type 3: Full-time AWD Single range
4: Full-time AWD Dual range
5: AWD AT
10 4 Model year 3: 2003MY
4: 2004MY
5: 2005MY
11 G Factory location G: FHI (Gunma)
12 to 17 002001 Serial number —
Digits Code Meaning Details
1 to 3 JF1 Manufacturer body area JF1: Passenger car, FHI made
4 S Car line S: FORESTER
5 G Body type G: Wagon
6 9 Displacement 9: 2.5L AWD
7 3 Grade 3: 2.5X
8 M Restraint M: Manual belts, dual airbag
9 X Check digit 0 — 9 & X
10 4 Model year 3: 2003MY
4: 2004MY
5: 2005MY
11 J Transmission type H: Full-time AWD 4-speed AT
J: Full-time AWD 5-speed MT dual range
12 to 17 002001 Serial number —
Page 714 of 2870

ID-5
IDENTIFICATION
Identification
3. MODEL NUMBER PLATE
The model number plate indicates: the applied model, the option code, the trim code, the engine type, the
transmission type, and the exterior color code. This information is helpful when placing orders for parts.
SG5BL1K
The engine and transmission type are as follows:
Engine
EJ201NWTAA
Digits Code Meaning Details
1 S Series S: FORESTER
2 G Body type G: Wagon
3 5 Engine displacement
Drive system
Suspension system5: 2.0 L AWD
9: 2.5 L AWD
4 B Minor change B: 2004MY
5 L Destination K: RHD (Right-hand drive)
L: LHD (Left-hand drive)
6 1 Grade 1: 2.0X
3: HUNTER Ver
5: 2.0XT
7: 2.5X
B: 2.5XT
7 K Transmission, fuel feed
systemR: SOHC MPI 4-speed AT
K: SOHC MPI Full-time AWD 5-speed MT Dual range
D: DOHC Turbo Full-time AWD 5-speed MT
P: DOHC Turbo 4-speed AT
T: DOHC Turbo 4-speed D-AT
Digits Code Meaning Details
1 and 2 EJ Engine type EJ: 4 cylinders
3 and 4 20 Displacement 20: 2.0L
25: 2.5L
5 1 Fuel feed system 1: D-MPI SOHC-A
5: L-MPI Turbo
6 N Emission control M: Unleaded non-STEP-III
N: Unleaded STEP-III
7 W Transmission W: MT
Y: MT (Response to CO
2 emission control)
X: AT
V: AT (Response to CO
2 emission control)
8 T Minor change T: 2004MY
9 to 10 AA Detailed specifications Used when ordering parts. See the parts catalog for details.
Page 717 of 2870
RM-2
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
Recommended Materials
1. Recommended Materials
A: RECOMMENDED MATERIALS
1. GENERAL
To insure the best performance, always use the
specified oil, gasoline, adhesive, sealant, etc. or a
substitute of equivalent quality.
2. FUEL
Always use a gasoline of the same or higher octane
value than specified in the owner’s manual. Ignor-
ing the specifications below will result in damage or
poor operation of the engine and fuel injection sys-
tem. Use the specified gasoline to correct perfor-
mance.
Unleaded gasoline
Use unleaded gasoline and not leaded gasoline on
vehicles with catalytic converter installed to reduce
air pollution. Using leaded gasoline will damage the
catalytic converter.
*For Australia model.
Leaded gasoline
On vehicles without catalytic converter, use leaded
gasoline with an octane value of 90 RON or higher.
Model Petrol RON
Non-turbo UnleadedMore than 95 RON
More than 90 RON
*
Turbo Unleaded More than 98 RON
Page 718 of 2870
RM-3
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
Recommended Materials
3. LUBRICANTS
Use either the lubricants in the table below or equivalent lubricants. See the table below to choose the correct
SAE viscosity.
LubricantRecommended
Alternative
API Spec. CCMC Spec. ACEA Spec.
Engine oil SL or SJ Grade “Energy conserving” G4 or G5 A1, A2 or A3 SH or SG
Manual transmission oil GL-5 — — —
Front differential oil GL-5 — — —
Rear differential oil GL-5 — — —
SAE
0W-20
NE
E
RG
G
YCONSERVIN
APISERVICESL
RM-00006
RM-00001
SAE
5W-30
NE
E
RG
G
YCONSERVIN
APISERVICESL
AMERICANPETROLEUMINSTITUTE
FOR
GASOLINE
ENGINES
CERTIFEID
RM-00002
Page 719 of 2870
RM-4
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
Recommended Materials
SAE viscosity No. and applicable temperature
Engine oil
Non-turbo model
Tu r b o m o d e l
RM-00032 (˚F) –22 –4 14 50 68 86 104 (˚C) –30 –20 –10 0 10 20 30 40
5W-30
32
10W-30 or 10W-40
0W-20 Recommend
RM-00033 (˚F)–22–4 14 50 68 86 104 (˚C)–30–20 –100
10 20 30 40
5W-30 Recommend
32
10W-30 or 10W-40
Page 720 of 2870

RM-5
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
Recommended Materials
4. FLUID
Use the fluids specified in the table below. Do not mix two different kinds or makes of fluid.
5. COOLANT
Use genuine coolant to protect the engine.
6. REFRIGERANT
Standard air conditioners on Subaru vehicles use HFC134a refrigerant. Do not mix it with other refrigerants.
Also, do not use any air compressor oil except for ZXL200PG.
7. GREASE
Use the grease and supplementary lubricants shown in the table below.
SAE viscosity No. and applicable temperature SAE J300
Manual transmission oil, front differential oil and rear differential oil
Fluid Recommended Alternative Remarks
Automatic transmission fluid DEXRON III — —
Power steering fluid DEXRON III — —
Brake fluid FMVSS No. 116 DOT3 FMVSS No. 116 DOT4 —
Clutch fluid FMVSS No. 116 DOT3 FMVSS No. 116 DOT4 —
Coolant Recommended Item number Alternative
Coolant SUBARU coolant 000016218 None
Water for dilution Distilled water — Tap water (Soft water)
Air conditioner Recommended Item number Alternative
Refrigerant HFC134a — None
Compressor oil ZXL200PG — None
Grease Application point Recommended Item number Alternative
Supplementary lubricants Oxygen sensor
Bolts, etc.SUBARU CRC 004301003 —
RM-00004 ( F)–22 –4 14 50 68 86 104 ( C)–30 –20 –100
10 20 30 40
85W
75W-9080W90
32
Page 722 of 2870
RM-7
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL
Recommended Materials
9. SEAL MATERIAL
Use seal material shown in the table below, or equivalent.
Seal material Application point Recommended Item number Alternative
Seal material Engine case
Torque converter
clutch case
Transmission case
(5MT)Three Bond 1215B 004403007 Dow Corning’s No. 7038
Transmission Three Bond 1217B K0877YA020 —
Rear differential Three Bond 1324 004403042 —
Rear differential Three Bond 1105 004403010 Dow Corning’s No. 7038
Weather strip Starcalking B-33A 000018901 Butyl Rubber sealant
Steering adjusting screw Three Bond 1102 004403006 —
SOHC camshaft cap Three Bond 1280B K0877YA018 —
Page 726 of 2870

PI-3
PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTION
Pre-delivery Inspection
B: PDI PROCEDURE
Follow the procedures shown in the table below.
Static Checks Just After Vehicle Receipt
Step Check point
1. Appearance check (1) If the vehicle is covered with protective coating, visually check the vehicle
body for damage and dents. If the protective coating has been removed,
visually check the body paints for small areas of damage or stains.
(2) Visually check the glass and light lenses for any damage and cracks or
excessive gaps to the body sheet metal.
(3) Visually check the plated parts for any damage.
2. Tire check (1) Check the tires for damage, abnormal conditions, and dents on the
wheels.
(2) Check the tire air pressure.
3. Fuse installation If the vehicle is about to be delivered to the customer, attach a room light
fuse.
4. Connection of air conditioner harness If the vehicle is about to be delivered to the customer, connect the air condi-
tioner harness.
5. Check the doors for lock/unlock and open/close
operations.(1) Using the key, check if the door can be locked and unlocked normally.
(2) Open and close all doors to see that there are no abnormal conditions.
6. Operation check of double lock Check that the double lock operates normally.
7. Operation check of the child safety lock system. Check the child safety lock system operates normally.
8. Check the rear gate for lock/unlock and open/
close operations.(1) Check if the rear gate can be unlocked normally from the emergency
door.
(2) Open and close the rear gate to see that there are no abnormal condi-
tions.
(3) Operate the power door locking switch to check that the rear gate is
locked and unlocked normally.
9. Operation check of fuel lid opener lock release
leverOperate the fuel lid opener to check that the fuel lid is unlocked normally.
10. Accessory check Check that the following accessories are provided:
Owner’s manual
Warranty booklet
Service booklet
Spare key
Jack
Tool set
Spare tire
11. Operation check of hood lock release system Operate the hood lock release lever to check that the hood opens normally.
12. Battery Check the battery for any abnormal conditions such as rust and trace of bat-
tery fluid leaks.
13. Brake fluid Check the fluid amount.
14. Engine oil Check the oil amount.
15. Transmission fluid (1) Check the fluid amount.
(2) For AT, check the front differential oil.
16. AT front differential oil Check the AT front differential oil amount.
17. Coolant Check the coolant amount.
18. Clutch fluid Check the clutch fluid amount.
19. Window washer fluid Check the window washer fluid amount.
20. Hood latch check Check that the hood is closed and latched securely.
21. Keyless entry system Check that the keyless entry system operates normally.
22. Security system Check that the security system operates normally.
23. Seat (1) Check the seat surfaces for smears or dirt.
(2) Check the seat installation conditions and functionality.
24. Seat belt Check the seat belt installation conditions and functionality.
25. Wheel alignment Check that the wheel alignments are properly adjusted.