2007 SUBARU FORESTER transmission fluid

11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions .................................. 11-3Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment ........................................................ 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the
engine compartment while the engine is
running .................................................................. 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-4
Engine compartment overview ......................... 11-6 Non-turbo models ................................................... 11-6
Turbo models .......................................................... 11-7
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-8 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-8
Changing the oil and oil filter ................................ 11-8
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .................................... 11-11
Synthetic oil ............................................................ 11-11
Cooling system .................................................. 11-11 Cooling fan, hose and connections ...................... 11-12
Engine coolant ........................................................ 11-12
Air cleaner element ............................................ 11-15 Replacing the air cleaner element ......................... 11-15
Spark plugs ......................................................... 11-17 Recommended spark plugs ................................... 11-17
Drive belts ........................................................... 11-18
Manual transmission oil .................................... 11-18 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-18 Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-19
Automatic transmission fluid ............................ 11-20 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-20
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-21
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ............ 11-21 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-22
Rear differential gear oil .................................... 11-22 Checking the gear oil level .................................... 11-22
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-23
Power steering fluid ........................................... 11-23 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-23
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-24
Brake fluid ........................................................... 11-25 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ..................................... 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-26 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid .................................... 11-26
Brake booster ..................................................... 11-27
Brake pedal ......................................................... 11-27 Checking the brake pedal free play ...................... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ......... 11-27
Clutch pedal (MT vehicles) ................................ 11-28 Checking the clutch function ................................ 11-28
Checking the clutch pedal free play ..................... 11-28
Hill holder (MT vehicles – if equipped) ............. 11-28

11 - 6 Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview „Non-turbo models
12 3 456
7
8
9
10
11
13 12
B00357 1) Air cleaner element (page 11-15)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-18) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
6) Fuse box (page 11-41)
7) Battery (page 11-40)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-35)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11- 11)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
11) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-11)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-23)

Maintenance and service 11-7
„Turbo models
123 45 6
7
8
9
10
11
13 12
B00358 1) Air cleaner element (page 11-15)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-18) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
6) Fuse box (page 11-41)
7) Battery (page 11-40)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-35)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11- 11)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-8)
11) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-8)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-11)
13) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-23)

11 - 2 0 Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid „Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands
largely as its temperature rises; the fluid
level differs according to fluid tempera-
ture. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid
and cold fluid on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked
without warming up the fluid on the
“COLD” range, we recommend checking
the fluid level when the fluid is at operating
temperature. T Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise
the temperature of the transmission fluid
up to normal operating temperature; 154
to 176 qF (70 to 80 qC) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each po-
sition. Then shift it in the “P” position, and
run the engine at idling speed. 1) Yellow handle
1) HOT range
2) COLD range
3) Upper level
4) Lower level4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid
level on the gauge. If it is below the lower
level on the “HOT” range, add the recom-
mended automatic transmission fluid up to
the upper level. T
Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked
without time to warm up the automatic
transmission, check to see that the fluid
level is between the lower level and upper
level on the “COLD” range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level.
Be careful not to overfill.
1
B00369
3 4
3 4 2
1
B00370Be careful not to spill automatic
transmission fluid when adding it. If
automatic transmission fluid touch-
es the exhaust pipe, it may cause a
bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If au-
tomatic transmission fluid gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.

Maintenance and service 11 - 21
– CONTINUED –
„
Recommended fluid
Use one of the following types of automat-
ic transmission fluid.
Genuine Subaru Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid Type-HP
IDEMITSU ATF HP
Castrol Transmax J
Pennzoil ATF-J*
* Available only in the USA (except
Alaska and Hawaii)
NOTE
For optimum transmission perfor-
mance, only use the automatic trans-
mission fluid that is recommended and
provided by Subaru.
If the recommended automatic trans-
mission fluid is unavailable, Dexron III
may be temporarily used. If the Dexron
III is used continuously there will be a
noticeable increase in the vibration
and noise from the automatic transmis-
sion. Front differential gear oil (AT
vehicles) „
Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the differential oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and
insert it again. 1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check
the oil level on it. If it is below the lower
level, add oil to bring the level up to the up-
per level.
1
B00371
Be careful not to spill front differen-
tial gear oil when adding it. If oil
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off.
1 2
B00372

12-4 Specifications
„Capacities
AT: Automatic transmission
MT: Manual transmission
Fuel tank15.9 US gal (60 liters, 13.2 Imp gal)
Engine oil4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
Transmission oilMT3.7 US qt (3.5 liters, 3.1 Imp qt)
AT9.8 US qt (9.3 liters, 8.2 Imp qt)
Front differential gear oil (AT)1.3 US qt (1.2 liter, 1.1 Imp qt)
Rear differential gear oil0.8 US qt (0.8 liter, 0.7 Imp qt)
Power steering fluid0.7 US qt (0.7 liter, 0.6 Imp qt)
Engine coolant2.5-liter non-turbo modelsMT7.3 US qt (6.9 liters, 6.1 Imp qt)
AT7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt)
2.5-liter turbo modelsMT7.8 US qt (7.4 liters, 6.5 Imp qt)
AT7.7 US qt (7.3 liters, 6.4 Imp qt)

14-2 Index
A
ABS .................................................................................. 7-16Warning light ....................................................... 3-13, 7-17
Accessory power outlets .................................................... 6-8
Active head restraint ........................................................... 1-6
Air cleaner element ........................................................ 11-15
Air filtration system ........................................................... 4-12
Alarm system .................................................................... 2-12
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) ..................... 3-15
Aluminum wheel ............................................................. 11-35
Aluminum wheel cleaning ................................................. 10-3
Antenna system ................................................................. 5-2
Anti-lock brake system warning light (ABS) ............ 3-13, 7-16
Arming the system ............................................................ 2-13
Armrest ...................................................................... 1-10, 6-4
Ashtray (Canada only, if equipped) ......................... 6-11, 10-5
Audio set ............................................................................ 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ......................................... 3-26
Automatic climate control system ....................................... 4-8
Automatic transmission .................................................... 7-10
Capacities .................................................................... 12-4
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-20
Selector lever ............................................................... 7-11
Shift lock release ......................................................... 7-14
Temperature warning (AT OIL TEMP) ......................... 3-12
Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ........... 1-12 B
Battery ............................................................................ 11-40 Jump starting ................................................................. 9-7
Replacing (remote keyless entry) .................................. 2-8 Brake
Booster ...................................................................... 11-27
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-25
Pad and lining ............................................................ 11-29
Parking ....................................................................... 11-30
Pedal .......................................................................... 11-27
System ......................................................................... 7-16
Warning light ................................................................ 3-13
Brake pedal .................................................................... 11-27 Free play .................................................................... 11-27
Reserve distance ....................................................... 11-27
Braking ............................................................................. 7-15
Braking tips ....................................................................... 7-15
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ..................... 11-29
Bulb Chart ............................................................................ 12-9
Replacing ................................................................... 11-44
C
Capacities ......................................................................... 12-4
Cargo area cover (if equipped) ......................................... 6-13
Cargo area light .................................................................. 6-2
Cargo tie-down hooks ....................................................... 6-14
Center console ................................................................... 6-4
Charge warning light ......................................................... 3-12
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp 3-11
Child restraint systems ..................................................... 1-24 Installation with seatbelt ............................................... 1-27
Top tether anchorages ................................................. 1-34
Child safety ............................................................................ 5
Child safety locks .............................................................. 2-17

Index 14-3
ChimeKey ................................................................................ 3-5
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-12, 3-9
Clock ................................................................................ 3-16
Clutch (MT) Fluid ........................................................................... 11-26
Pedal ......................................................................... 11-28
Coat hook ......................................................................... 6-12
Coolant ........................................................................... 11-12
Cooling system ............................................................... 11-11
Corrosion protection ................................................ 8-10, 10-3
Cruise control ................................................................... 7-22
Cruise control indicator light ............................................. 3-15
Cup holders ........................................................................ 6-7 D
Dashboard storage compartment ....................................... 6-6
Daytime running light system ........................................... 3-18
Differential gear oil Front (AT vehicles) .................................................... 11-21
Rear ........................................................................... 11-22
Dimensions ....................................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ....................................................... 2-14
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................... 7-16
Dome light .......................................................................... 6-2
Door locks .......................................................................... 2-4
Door open warning light ................................................... 3-14
Drive belt ........................................................................ 11-18
Driving Car phone/cell phone ....................................................... 7
Drinking ............................................................................ 6
Drugs ................................................................................ 6 Foreign countries ........................................................... 8-4
Pets ................................................................................... 7
Snowy and icy roads ...................................................... 8-9
Tired or sleepy .................................................................. 7
Driving tips ................................................................. 7-10, 8-5 E
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system ........... 7-18
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................................ 1-11
Engine Compartment overview ................................................ 11-6
Coolant ....................................................................... 11-12
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ................................... 8-2
Hood ............................................................................ 11-4
Oil ................................................................................. 11-8
Overheating ................................................................. 9-10
Starting ........................................................................... 7-7
Stopping ......................................................................... 7-8
Exterior care ..................................................................... 10-2 F
Flat tires .............................................................................. 9-3
Floor mat ........................................................................... 6-12
Fluid level Automatic transmission .............................................. 11-20
Brake .......................................................................... 11-25
Clutch (MT vehicles) .................................................. 11-26
Power steering ........................................................... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ........................... 11-21
Front fog light button ......................................................... 3-20
Front seatbelt pretensioners ............................................. 1-21