2007 SUBARU FORESTER Service

Maintenance and service 11 - 37
– CONTINUED –
Replacement of wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other material on
the windshield or the wiper blade results in
jerky wiper operation and streaking on the
glass. If you cannot remove the streaks af-
ter operating the windshield washer or if
the wiper operation is jerky, clean the out-
er surface of the windshield (or rear win-
dow) and the wiper blades using a sponge
or soft cloth with a neutral detergent or
mild-abrasive cleaner. After cleaning,
rinse the windshield and wiper blades with
clean water. The windshield is clean if
beads do not form when you rinse the
windshield with water.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even
after following this method, replace the
wiper blades using the following proce-
dures: „Windshield wiper blades
1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield. 1) Stopper
2. Remove the wiper blade assembly by
holding its pivot area and pushing it in the
direction shown by the arrow while de-
pressing the wiper blade stopper. 1) Metal support
3. Grasp the locked end of the blade rub-
ber assembly and pull it firmly until the
stoppers on the rubber are free of the met-
al support.
Do not clean the wiper blades with
gasoline or a solvent, such as paint
thinner or benzene. This will cause
deterioration of the wiper blades.
1
B00380
1
B00330

11 - 3 8 Maintenance and service
1) Metal spines
4. If the new blade rubber is not provided
with two metal spines, remove the metal
spines from the old blade rubber and in-
stall them in the new blade rubber. 5. Align the claws of the metal support
with the grooves in the rubber and slide
the blade rubber assembly into the metal
support until it locks.
1) Stopper
Be sure to position the claws at the end of
the metal support between the stoppers
on the rubber as shown. If the rubber is
not retained properly, the wiper blade may
scratch the windshield.
6. Install the wiper blade assembly to the
wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
7. Lower the wiper arm. „ Rear window wiper blade
1. Raise the wiper arm off the rear win-
dow. 2. Turn the wiper blade assembly coun-
terclockwise.
3. Having turned the wiper blade assem-
bly to the angle shown in the illustration,
pull it in the direction of the arrow to re-
move it from the wiper arm.
1
B00331
B00059
1
B00332
B00061
B00062

Maintenance and service 11 - 39
– CONTINUED –
1) Plastic support
4. Pull out the end of the blade rubber as-
sembly to unlock it from the plastic sup-
port.
5. Pull the blade rubber assembly out of the plastic support.
1) Metal spines
6. If the new blade rubber is not provided
with two metal spines, remove the metal
spines from the old blade rubber and in-
stall them in the new blade rubber. 7. Align the claws of the plastic support
with the grooves in the blade rubber as-
sembly, then slide the blade rubber as-
sembly into place.
Securely lock the end of the plastic sup-
port as shown in the illustration. If the rub-
1
B00381
B00064
1
B00333
B00066
B00067

11 - 4 0 Maintenance and service
ber is not retained properly, the wiper may
scratch the rear window glass.
8. Install the wiper blade assembly to the
wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
9. Lower the wiper arm.Battery
yBefore beginning work on or near
any battery, be sure to extinguish
all cigarettes, matches, and light-
ers. Never expose a battery to an
open flame or electric sparks. Bat-
teries give off a gas which is high-
ly flammable and explosive.
yFor safety, in case an explosion
does occur, wear eye protection
or shield your eyes when working
near any battery. Never lean over
a battery.
yDo not let battery fluid contact
eyes, skin, fabrics, or paint be-
cause battery fluid is a corrosive
acid. If battery fluid gets on your
skin or in your eyes, immediately
flush the area with water thor-
oughly. Seek medical help imme-
diately if acid has entered the
eyes.
If battery fluid is accidentally
swallowed, immediately drink a
large amount of milk or water, and
seek medical attention immediate-
ly.
yTo lessen the risk of sparks, re-
move rings, metal watchbands,
and other metal jewelry. Never al-
low metal tools to contact the pos-
itive battery terminal and anything
connected to it WHILE you are at
the same time in contact with any
other metallic portion of the vehi-
cle because a short circuit will re-
sult.
yKeep everyone including children
away from the battery.
yCharge the battery in a well-venti-
lated area.
yBattery posts, terminals and relat-
ed accessories contain lead and
lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California to
cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Batteries also contain other
chemicals known to the State of
California to cause cancer. Wash
hands after handling.
Never use more than 10 amperes
when charging the battery because
it will shorten battery life.

Maintenance and service 11 - 41
– CONTINUED –
1) Cap
2) Upper level
3) Lower level
It is unnecessary to periodically check the
battery fluid level or periodically refill with
distilled water.
However, if the battery fluid level is below
the lower level, remove the cap. Fill to the
upper level with distilled water.
Fuses
The fuses are designed to melt during an
overload to prevent damage to the wiring
harness and electrical equipment. The
fuses are located in two fuse boxes.
One is located under the instrument panel
behind the cover on the driver’s seat side.
To remove the cover, pull it out. The other one is housed in the engine
compartment.
1) Fuse puller
2) Spare fuse
The fuse puller and spare fuses are stored
UPPER LEVELUPPER LEVEL
LOWER LEVEL
1
2 3
B00382 Never replace a fuse with one hav-
ing a higher rating or with material
other than a fuse because serious
damage or a fire could result.
B00069
600444
1
2
B00383

11 - 4 2 Maintenance and service
in the main fuse box cover in the engine
compartment.1) Good
2) Blown
If any lights, accessories or other electri-
cal controls do not operate, inspect the
corresponding fuse. If a fuse has blown,
replace it.
1. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”
position and turn off all electrical accesso-
ries.
2. Remove the cover.
3. Determine which fuse may be blown.
The back side of each fuse box cover and
the “Fuses and circuits” section in chapter
12 in this manual show the circuit for each
fuse. 4. Pull out the fuse with the fuse puller.
5. Inspect the fuse. If it has blown, re-
place it with a spare fuse of the same rat-
ing.
6. If the same fuse blows again, this indi-
cates that its system has a problem. Con-
tact your SUBARU dealer for repairs.Main fuse
Main fuse box
The main fuses are designed to melt dur-
ing an overload to prevent damage to the
wiring harness and electrical equipment.
Check the main fuses if any electrical
component fails to operate (except the
starter motor) and other fuses are good. A
melted main fuse must be replaced. Use
only replacements with the same speci-
fied rating as the melted main fuse. If a
main fuse blows after it is replaced, have
the electrical system checked by your
nearest SUBARU dealer.
12
B00338
600160
600444

Maintenance and service 11 - 43
Installation of accessories
Always consult your SUBARU dealer be-
fore installing fog lights or any other elec-
trical equipment in your vehicle. Such ac-
cessories may cause the electronic sys-
tem to malfunction if they are incorrectly
installed or if they are not suited for the ve-
hicle.

11 - 4 4 Maintenance and service
Replacing bulbs
3
2
1
11 12 13
15 14
7
86 5
4
910
B00384