2005 SUBARU FORESTER brake fluid

11 - 3 6
Maintenance and service
Brake fluid „
Checking the fluid level
A) “MAX” level mark
B) “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
fluid to “MAX”.
Use only brake fluid from a sealed container.
y Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
Any absorbed moisture can cause a dangerous
loss of braking performance. y If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer.
y Never use different brands of brake fluid to-
gether. y When adding brake fluid, be careful not to al-
low any dirt into the reservoir. y Never splash the brake fluid over painted sur-
faces or rubber parts. Alcohol contained in the
brake fluid may damage them.
„ Recommended brake fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid
MAX
MIN
HSB018GC
A B

11 -3 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) „Checking the fluid level
A) “MAX” level mark
B) “MIN” level mark
Check the fluid level on the outside of the reservoir. If
the level is below “MIN” level mark, add the recom-
mended clutch fluid to “MAX” level mark.
Use only clutch fluid from a sealed container.
y Clutch fluid absorbs moisture from the air. Any absorbed moisture can cause improper
clutch operation.y
If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer.y Never use different brands of clutch fluid to-
gether.y When clutch fluid is added, be careful not to
allow any dirt into the tank.
„ Recommended clutch fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid
B
A
HSB018NC

14-2
Index
A
ABS ................................................................... 7-23
Warning light ........................................ 3-15, 7-24
Accessory power outlet ....................................... 6-9
Active head restraint ............................................ 1-9
Air cleaner element ......................................... 11-21
Air filtration system ............................................ 4-18
All-Wheel Drive .................................................. 3-19
Aluminum wheel .............................................. 11-50
Aluminum wheel cleaning .................................. 10-3
Antenna system .................................................. 5-2
Anti-lock brake system warning light (ABS) .................................................... 3-15, 7-24
Arming the system ............................................. 2-17
Ashtray ..................................................... 6-14, 10-7
Audio set ............................................................. 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass .......................... 3-35
Automatic climate control system ...................... 4-11
Automatic transmission ..................................... 7-15 Capacities ..................................................... 12-4
Fluid ............................................................ 11-29
Selector lever ................................................ 7-16
Shift lock release .......................................... 7-20
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) .......... 3-15
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) .......................................................... 1-16 B
Battery ............................................................. 11-58
Jump starting .................................................. 9-9
Replacing (remote keyless entry) ................. 2-11
Brake
Booster ....................................................... 11-38
Fluid ............................................................ 11-36
Pad and lining ............................................. 11-41
Parking ....................................................... 11-42
Pedal .......................................................... 11-38
System ......................................................... 7-22
Warning light ................................................ 3-18
Brake pedal ..................................................... 11-38 Free play .................................................... 11-38
Reserve distance ........................................ 11-39
Braking .............................................................. 7-22
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-22
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ..... 11-41Bulb Chart ............................................................. 12-9
Replacing ................................................... 11-63
C
Capacities ......................................................... 12-4
Cargo area cover (if equipped) ......................... 6-16
Cargo area light ................................................... 6-2
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................................... 6-18

14-3
Index
Center console .................................................... 6-5
Charge warning light ......................................... 3-14CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator lamp ................................................ 3-13
Child restraint systems ...................................... 1-35
Installation with seatbelt ............................... 1-39
Top tether anchorages ................................. 1-50
Child safety locks .............................................. 2-23
Chime Key ................................................................. 3-5
Seatbelt ............................................... 1-16, 3-13
Cigarette lighter socket ...................................... 6-11
Clock ................................................................. 3-22
Clutch (MT)
Fluid ............................................................ 11-37
Pedal .......................................................... 11-39
Coat hook .......................................................... 6-16
Coin tray .............................................................. 6-7
Convenience net ................................................. 6-7
Coolant ............................................................ 11-17
Cooling system ................................................ 11-16
Corrosion protection ................................. 8-12, 10-4
Cruise control .................................................... 7-38
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-21
Cup holders ......................................................... 6-8 D
Dashboard storage compartment ........................ 6-6
Daytime running light system ............................ 3-25
Differential gear oil
Front (AT vehicles) ..................................... 11-31
Rear ............................................................ 11-33
Dimensions ........................................................ 12-2
Disarming the system ........................................ 2-19
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............ 7-23
Dome light ........................................................... 6-2
Door locks ........................................................... 2-6
Door open warning light .................................... 3-19
Drive belt ......................................................... 11-26
Driving in foreign country ..................................... 8-6
Driving tips .................................................. 7-14, 8-6 E
Electronic brake force distribution (EBD) system ........................................................... 7-26
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................. 1-15
Engine Compartment overview ................................. 11-8
Coolant ....................................................... 11-17
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .................... 8-3
Hood ............................................................. 11-5
Oil ............................................................... 11-10
Overheating .................................................. 9-12

14-4
Index
Starting ........................................................... 7-9
Stopping ....................................................... 7-12
Exterior care ...................................................... 10-2 F
Flat tires .............................................................. 9-3
Floor mat ........................................................... 6-15Fluid level Automatic transmission .............................. 11-29
Brake .......................................................... 11-36
Clutch (MT vehicles) ................................... 11-37
Power steering ............................................ 11-34
Fog light button ................................................. 3-27
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ............ 11-31
Front seatbelt pretensioners .............................. 1-31
Front seats .......................................................... 1-2 Fore and aft adjustment ........................... 1-3, 1-5
Reclining .................................................. 1-4, 1-7
Fuel ..................................................................... 7-2 Economy hints ................................................ 8-2
Filler lid and cap ............................................. 7-4
Gauge ............................................................. 3-9
Requirements ................................................. 7-2
Fuses .............................................................. 11-60
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 ....................................... 3-7
Headlight flasher ............................................... 3-24
Headlights ......................................................... 3-23
Headrest adjustment ......................................... 1-12
Heater operation ................................................. 4-6
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-21
Hill holder ............................................... 7-36, 11-40
Horn .................................................................. 3-40 I
Ignition switch ...................................................... 3-3
Illuminated entry ................................................ 2-11
Illumination brightness control ........................... 3-26
Immobilizer indicator light .................................... 2-5
Indicator light ..................................................... 3-12
Inside mirror ...................................................... 3-35
Interior lights ........................................................ 6-2

14-6
Index
Outside temperature indicator ........................... 3-11
Overhead console ............................................... 6-6 P
Parking brake ......................................... 7-34, 11-42
Stroke ......................................................... 11-42
Parking light switch ............................................ 3-27
Parking your vehicle .......................................... 7-34
Periodic inspections ............................................ 8-5 Power
Door locking switches ..................................... 2-8
Seat ................................................................ 1-5
Steering ........................................................ 7-21
Steering fluid level ...................................... 11-34
Windows ....................................................... 2-24
R
Rear Combination lights ...................................... 11-70
Differential gear oil level ............................. 11-33
Gate ..................................................... 2-27, 9-17
Seats ............................................................ 1-11
Viscous limited slip differential (LSD) ........... 7-21
Rear window
Defogger button ............................................ 3-33
Wiper and washer switch .............................. 3-31
Wiper blades ............................................... 11-54 Remote keyless entry system ............................. 2-9
Replacing
Air cleaner element .................................... 11-21
Battery (remote keyless entry) ..................... 2-11
Bulbs .......................................................... 11-63
Transmitters ................................................. 2-13
Rocking the vehicle ........................................... 8-14
Roof rail and crossbar ....................................... 8-17 S
Seat height adjustment (driver’s side) ................. 1-5
Seatbelt
Extender ....................................................... 1-29
Maintenance ................................................. 1-29
Pretensioners ............................................... 1-31
Safety tips ..................................................... 1-14
Warning light and chime ...................... 1-16, 3-13
Seatbelts ........................................................... 1-14Seats
Fabric ........................................................... 10-6
Heater ........................................................... 1-10
Security system ................................................. 2-17
Selector lever (AT vehicles) .............................. 7-16
Self-leveling rear suspension ............................ 7-43
Shift lock release ............................................... 7-20
Shift position indicator ....................................... 3-20
Shopping bag hook ........................................... 6-18

14-8
Index
W
Warning and indicator lights .............................. 3-12
Warning lights
ABS .............................................................. 3-15
All-Wheel Drive ............................................. 3-19
Anti-lock Brake system ................................. 3-15
AT OIL TEMPerature .................................... 3-15
Brake system ................................................ 3-18
Charge .......................................................... 3-14
CHECK ENGINE .......................................... 3-13
Door open ..................................................... 3-19
Low fuel ........................................................ 3-19
Oil pressure .................................................. 3-15
Seatbelt ............................................... 1-16, 3-13
SRS airbag system ....................................... 3-13
Vehicle Dynamics Control ............................ 3-16
Warranties and maintenance ............................ 8-25
Washing ............................................................ 10-2
Waxing and polishing ........................................ 10-3
Wear indicators ............................................... 11-47
Wheel
Alignment ..................................................... 12-5
Aluminum .................................................... 11-50
Balance ...................................................... 11-46
Replacement .............................................. 11-49
Windows ............................................................ 2-24 Windshield
Washer fluid ............................................... 11-50
Wiper and washer switches .......................... 3-29
Wiper deicer ................................................. 3-32
Windshield wiper blades Replacement .............................................. 11-51
Winter driving .................................................... 8-10
Wiper and washer ............................................. 3-28