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Maintenance and service 11 - 15
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Air cleaner element
The air cleaner element functions as a fil-
ter screen. When the element is perforat-
ed or removed, engine wear will be exces-
sive and engine life shortened.
The air cleaner element has a viscous
type and a dry type.
Be sure to use the appropriate type of air
cleaner element, which depends on the
vehicle type.
If there is the embossed requirement "Use
of genuine dry air cleaner element is re-
quired" on the air cleaner case cover,
which is shown in the following figure, use
the dry type air cleaner element.
For vehicles without the requirement on
the air cleaner case cover, use the vis-
cous type air cleaner element.1) Embossed requirement
„ Replacing the air cleaner ele- ment
Replace the air cleaner element according
to the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Under
extremely dusty conditions, replace it
more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts. T
Non-turbo models
1. Unsnap the two clamps holding the air
cleaner case cover.
2. Push the air cleaner case cover in the
direction of the arrow shown in the draw-
Do not operate the engine with the
air cleaner element removed. The air
cleaner element not only filters in-
take air but also stops flames if the
engine backfires. If the air cleaner
element is not installed when the en-
gine backfires, you could be burned.
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Maintenance and service 11 - 17
3. Clean the inside of the air cleaner cov-
er and case with a damp cloth and install
a new air cleaner element.
4. To install the air cleaner case cover, in-
sert the two projections on the air cleaner
case cover into the slits on the air cleaner
case and then snap the two clamps on the
air cleaner case cover.Spark plugs
It may be difficult to replace the spark
plugs. It is recommended that you have
the spark plugs replaced by your
SUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced ac-
cording to the maintenance schedule in
the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”. „
Recommended spark plugs
Non-turbo models:
FR5AP-11 (NGK)
Turbo models:
ILFR6B (NGK)
B00026
y When disconnecting the spark
plug cables, always grasp the
spark plug cap, not the cables.
y Make sure the cables are replaced
in the correct order.
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Maintenance and service 11 - 27
Brake booster
If the brake booster does not operate as
described in the following, have it checked
by your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake
pedal several times, applying the same
pedal force each time. The distance the
pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start
the engine. The pedal should move slight-
ly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop
the engine and keep the pedal depressed
for 30 seconds. The pedal height should
not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for ap-
proximately one minute then turn it off.
Depress the brake pedal several times to
check the brake booster. The brake boost-
er operates properly if the pedal stroke de-
creases with each depression.Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play and re-
serve distance according to the mainte-
nance schedule in the “Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet”. „Checking the brake pedal free
play
1) 0.02 – 0.08 in (0.5 – 2.0 mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress the
brake pedal several times. Lightly press
the brake pedal down with one finger to
check the free play with a force of less
than 2 lbs (10 N, 1 kg).
If the free play is not within proper specifi-
cation, contact your SUBARU dealer. „
Checking the brake pedal re-
serve distance
1) More than 2.56 in (65 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-
mately 66 lbs (294 N, 30 kg) and measure
the distance between the upper surface of
the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than
the specification, or when the pedal does
not operate smoothly, contact with your
SUBARU dealer.
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11 - 2 8 Maintenance and service
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles)
Check the clutch pedal free play and re-
serve distance according to the mainte-
nance schedule in the “Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet”. „Checking the clutch function
Check the clutch engagement and disen-
gagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there
are no abnormal noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed, and that shifting into
1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal
slowly to check that the engine and trans-
mission smoothly couple without any sign
of slippage. „
Checking the clutch pedal
free play
1) 0.15 – 0.44 in (4 – 11 mm)
Lightly press the clutch pedal down with
your finger until you feel resistance, and
check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper specifi-
cation, contact your SUBARU dealer. Hill holder (MT vehicles – if
equipped)
Ensure that the hill holder operates prop-
erly under the following circumstances:
1. Stop the vehicle on an uphill grade by
depressing the brake pedal and clutch
pedal, with the engine running.
2. Make sure that the vehicle does not
move backward even after the brake ped-
al is released.
3. Then make sure the vehicle starts
climbing the grade by following the normal
starting procedures.
If the hill holder does not operate as de-
scribed above, contact with your SUBARU
dealer.
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11 - 3 0 Maintenance and service
Parking brake stroke
Check the parking brake stroke according
to the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”. When
the parking brake is properly adjusted,
braking power is fully applied by pulling
the lever up seven to eight notches gently
but firmly (approximately 44 lbs, 196 N, 20
kg). If the parking brake lever stroke is not
within the specified range, have the brake
system checked and adjusted at your
SUBARU dealer.Tires and wheels „Types of tires
You should be familiar with type of tires
present on your vehicle. T All season tires
The factory-installed tires on your new ve-
hicle are all season tires.
All season tires are designed to provide
an adequate measure of traction, handling
and braking performance in year-round
driving including snowy and icy road con-
ditions. However all season tires do not of-
fer as much traction performance as win-
ter (snow) tires in heavy or loose snow or
on icy roads.
All season tires are identified by “ALL
SEASON” and/or “M+S” (Mud & Snow) on
the tire sidewall. T Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed capability
tires best suited for highway driving under
dry conditions.
Summer tires are inadequate for driving
on slippery roads such as on snow-cov-
ered or icy roads.
If you drive your vehicle on snow-covered
or icy roads, we strongly recommend the
use of winter (snow) tires.
When installing winter tires, be sure to re- place all four tires. T
Winter (snow) tires
Winter tires are best suited for driving on
snow-covered and icy roads. However
winter tires do not perform as well as sum-
mer tires and all season tires on roads oth-
er than snow-covered and icy roads.
„ Tire inspection
Check on a daily basis that the tires are
free from serious damage, nails, and
stones. At the same time, check the tires
for abnormal wear.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immediate-
ly if you find any problem.
NOTE y When the wheels and tires strike
curbs or are subjected to harsh treat-
ment as when the vehicle is driven on a
rough surface, they can suffer damage
that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
This type of damage does not become
evident until time has passed. Try not
to drive over curbs, potholes or on oth-
er rough surfaces. If doing so is un-
avoidable, keep the vehicle’s speed
down to a walking pace or less, and ap-
proach the curbs as squarely as possi-
ble. Also, make sure the tires are not
pressed against the curb when you
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