2005 SUBARU FORESTER radiator

1-34
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
low for easy identification. Do not use electrical
test equipment on any circuit related to the
seatbelt pretensioner and SRS airbag systems.
For required servicing of the seatbelt preten-
sioner, see your nearest SUBARU dealer.
The front sub sensors are located near the bot-
tom of the radiator and the side airbag sensor
is located inside each center pillar and the SRS
airbag control module including the impact
sensors is located under the center console. If
you need service or repair in those areas or
near the front seatbelt retractors, we recom-
mend that you have an authorized SUBARU
dealer perform the work.
NOTE
If the front part of the vehicle is damaged in an ac-
cident to the extent that the seatbelt pretensioner
does not operate, contact your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
„
Precautions against vehicle modifica- tion
Always consult your SUBARU dealer if you want to in-
stall any accessory parts to your vehicle.
Do not perform any of the following modifica-
tions. Such modifications can interfere with
proper operation of the seatbelt pretensioners.y Attachment of any equipment (bush bar,
winches, snow plow, skid plate, etc.) other than
genuine SUBARU accessory parts to the front
end. y Modification of the suspension system or
front end structure. y Installation of a tire of different size and con-
struction from the tires specified on the tire
placard attached to the driver’s door jamb.

1-75
Seat, seatbelt and SRS airbags
– CONTINUED –
„SRS airbag system servicing
yWhen discarding an airbag module or scrap-
ping the entire vehicle damaged by a collision,
consult your SUBARU dealer. y The SRS airbag has no user-serviceable
parts. Do not use electrical test equipment on
any circuit related to the SRS airbag system.
For required servicing of the SRS airbag, see
your nearest SUBARU dealer. Tampering with
or disconnecting the system’s wiring could re-
sult in accidental inflation of the SRS airbag or
could make the system inoperative, which may
result in serious injury. The wiring harnesses of
the SRS airbag system are covered with yellow
insulation and system connectors are yellow
for easy identification.
If you need service or repair in areas listed be-
low, we recommend that you have an autho-
rized SUBARU dealer perform the work. The
SRS airbag control module, impact sensors
and airbag modules are stored in these areas. y
Under the center console
y Near the bottom of the radiator
y Steering wheel and column and nearby areas
y Top of the dashboard on front passenger’s
side and nearby areasy Each front seat and nearby area (for vehicles
with SRS side airbags only)
y Inside each center pillar
In the event that the SRS airbag is deployed, re-
placement of the system should be performed
only by an authorized SUBARU dealer. When the
components of the SRS airbag system are re-
placed, use only genuine SUBARU parts.
To ensure their long-term reliability, the SRS airbags
must be inspected by a SUBARU dealer ten years af-
ter the date of manufacture, which is shown on the cer-
tification plate attached to the driver’s door jamb.
NOTE
In the following cases, contact your SUBARU deal-
er as soon as possible.y The front part of the vehicle was involved in an
accident in which the SRS frontal airbags did not
deploy.y The pad section of the steering wheel or front

4-17
Climate control
– CONTINUED –
Operating tips for heater and air con-
ditioner „Cleaning ventilation grille
Always keep the front ventilation inlet grille free of
snow, leaves, or other obstructions to ensure efficient
heating and defrosting. Since the condenser is located
in front of the radiator, this area should be kept clean
because cooling performance is impaired by any ac-
cumulation of insects and leaves on the condenser. „
Efficient cooling after parking in direct
sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with the windows
open for a few minutes to allow outside air to circulate
into the heated interior. This results in quicker cooling
by the air conditioner. Keep the windows closed during
the operation of the air conditioner for maximum cool-
ing efficiency. „ Lubrication oil circulation in the refrig- erant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at a low en-
gine speed (at idle or low driving speeds) a few min-
utes each month during the off-season to circulate its
oil. „ Checking air conditioning system be-
fore summer season
Check the air conditioner unit for refrigerant leaks,
hose conditions, and proper operation each spring.
This check is best performed by your SUBARU dealer.
HS4022CA

9-12
In case of emergency
Engine overheating
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has fully
cooled down. When the engine is hot, the cool-
ant is under pressure. Removing the cap while
the engine is still hot could release a spray of
boiling hot coolant, which could burn you very
seriously.
If the engine overheats, safely pull off the road and
stop the vehicle in a safe place. „ If steam is coming from the engine
compartment
Turn the engine off and get everyone away from the
vehicle until it cools down. „ If no steam is coming from the engine
compartment
1. Keep the engine running at idling speed.
2. Open the hood to ventilate the engine compart- ment. Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If the fan is not
turning, immediately turn the engine off and contact
your authorized dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature has dropped,
turn off the engine.
If the temperature gauge stays at the overheated
zone, turn the engine off.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down, check the
coolant level in the reserve tank.
If the coolant level is below the “LOW” mark, add cool-
ant up to the “FULL” mark.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve tank, add cool-
ant to the reserve tank. Then remove the radiator cap
and fill the radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot radiator, first
wrap a thick cloth around the radiator cap, then turn
the cap counterclockwise slowly without pressing
down until it stops. Release the pressure from the ra-
diator. After the pressure has been fully released, re-
move the cap by pressing down and turning it.

11 - 8
Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview „
Non-turbo models
13 12 11 10 9 8 23
5
46
17USB102BB
1) Air cleaner element (page 11-
21)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-27) or Dif-
ferential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-31)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-
37)
4) Automatic transmission fluid lev- el gauge (page 11-29)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11- 36)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-50)
7) Fuse box (page 11-60)
8) Battery (page 11-58)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-16)
10) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-10)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11- 10)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-16)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-34)

11 - 9
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
„Turbo models
1
23 5
467
8
9
10
11
12
13
USB101BB
1) Manual transmission oil level
gauge (MT) (page 11-27) or Dif-
ferential gear oil level gauge
(AT) (page 11-31)
2) Air cleaner element (page 11- 21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-
37)
4) Automatic transmission fluid lev- el gauge (page 11-29)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11- 36)
6) Windshield washer tank (page
11-50)
7) Fuse box (page 11-60)
8) Battery (page 11-58)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-10)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-16)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11- 10)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-16)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-34)

11 - 1 6
Maintenance and service
Cooling system
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
The cooling system has been filled at the facto-
ry with a high quality, corrosion-inhibiting,
year-around coolant which provides protection
against freezing down to –33
°F (–36 °C). For
adding, use genuine SUBARU coolant or an
equivalent: a mixture of 50% soft water and 50%
ethylene-glycol basis coolant. Use of improper
coolants may result in corrosion in the cooling
system. It is important to maintain protection
against freezing and corrosion, even if freezing
temperatures are not expected. Never mix dif-
ferent kinds of coolant. „
Cooling fan, hose and connections
Your vehicle employs an electric cooling fan which is
thermostatically controlled to operate when the engine
coolant reaches a specific temperature.
If the radiator cooling fan does not operate even when
the engine coolant temperature gauge exceeds the
normal operating range, the cooling fan circuit may be
defective. Check the fuse and replace it if necessary.
If the fuse is not blown, have the cooling system
checked by your SUBARU dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is necessary, there may
be a leak in the engine cooling system. It is recom-
mended that the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness.

11 -1 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
„Engine coolant
T Checking the coolant level
A) “FULL” level mark
B) “LOW” level mark
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside of the reser-
voir while the engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the “LOW” level
mark, add coolant up to the “FULL” level mark. If the
reserve tank is empty, remove the radiator cap and re-
fill as required. A) Rubber gaskets
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, re-
install the caps and check that the rubber gaskets in-
side the radiator cap are in the proper position.
y Be careful not to spill engine coolant when
adding it. If coolant touches the exhaust pipe, it
may cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. y Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
HSB018CC
A
B
A
HSB026BC