2009 SUBARU FORESTER maintenance

For U.S.A............................................................ 13-2
Tire information .................................................. 13-2
Tire labeling ....................................................... 13-2
Recommended tire inflation pressure .................. 13-5
Glossary of tire terminology ............................... 13-6
Tire care –maintenance and safety practices ...... 13-7
Vehicle load limit –how to determine .................. 13-8
Determining compatibility of tire and vehicle load capacities ...................................................... 13-11 Adverse safety consequences of overloading on
handling and stopping and on tires ................ 13-11
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit ......... 13-11
Uniform tire quality grading standards .......... 13-12
Treadwear ....................................................... 13-12
Traction AA, A, B, C ......................................... 13-12
Temperature A, B, C ......................................... 13-13
Reporting safety defects (U.S.A.) ................... 13-13
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13

whitewall, bears white lettering
or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that
is higher or deeper than the
same molding on the other side-
wall of the tire, or (2)The outward facing sidewall
of an asymmetrical tire that has
a particular side that must al-
ways face outward when mount-
ing on a vehicle.
. Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of floor mats, leather
seats and cross bars to the extent
that these items are available as
factory-installed equipment
(whether installed or not). . Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil, and
coolant and air conditioning. . Maximum loaded vehicle weight
The sum of curb weight, accessory
weight, vehicle capacity weight and production options weight.
. Normal occupant weight
150 lbs (68 kg) times the number of
occupants (3 occupants). . Occupant distribution
Distribution of occupants in a vehi-
cle, 2 in front, 1 in rear seat.. Production options weight
The combined weight of those
installed regular production options
weighing over 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) in
excess of those standards items
which they replace, not previously
considered in curb weight or acces-
sory weight. . Vehicle capacity weight
The total weight of cargo, luggage
and occupants that can be added to
the vehicle. . Vehicle maximum load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is
determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the maximum
loaded vehicle weight and dividing
by two. . Vehicle normal load on a tire
Load on an individual tire that is determined by distributing to each
axle its share of the curb weight,
accessory weight, and normal oc-
cupant weight and dividing by two. &
Tire care –maintenance and
safety practices
. 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.. Inspect the tire tread regularly
and replace the tires before their
tread wear indicators become visi-
ble. When a tire ’s tread wear
indicator becomes visible, the tire
is worn beyond the acceptable limit
and must be replaced immediately.
With a tire in this condition, driving
at even low speeds in wet weather
can cause the vehicle to hydro-
plane. Possible resulting loss of
vehicle control can lead to anaccident. . To maximize the life of each tire
and ensure that the tires wear
uniformly, it is best to rotate the
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-7
– CONTINUED –

14-6Index
K Key Number .................................................................. 2-2
Reminder chime. ...................................................... 3-5
Replacement ........................................................... 2-4
Keyless entry system ................................................... 2-7
Keys .......................................................................... 2-2
L
Leather seat materials ................................................ 10-5
License plate light ..................................................... 11-51
Light Cargo area .............................................................. 6-3
Control switch ........................................................ 3-24
Dome ..................................................................... 6-2
Front fog ............................................................... 3-27
Ignition switch .......................................................... 3-5
License plate ........................................................ 11-51
Map ....................................................................... 6-3
Rear combination .................................................. 11-50
Loading your vehicle .................................................. 8-11
Low fuel warning light ........................................... 3-8, 3-17
Low tire pressure warning light .................................... 3-14
Lower and tether anchorage ........................................ 1-29
M
Main fuse ................................................................. 11-45
Maintenance Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule .............................................................. 11-3
Seatbelt ................................................................ 1-19 Tools
..................................................................... 9-17
Malfunction indicator lamp (check engine warning light)... 3-12 Manual
Climate control system ............................................. 4-3
Seat ....................................................................... 1-3
Transmission ......................................................... 7-13
Transmission oil ................................................... 11-19
Map light .................................................................... 6-3
Maximum load limits ................................................... 8-16
Meters and gauges ...................................................... 3-5
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-33
Moonroof ................................................................... 2-22
N
New vehicle break-in driving ......................................... 8-2
O
Odometer/Trip meter .................................................... 3-6
Oil filter ..................................................................... 11-9
Oil level Engine .................................................................. 11-8
Front differential gear ............................................ 11-21
Manual transmission ............................................. 11-19
Rear differential .................................................... 11-22
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-13
On-pavement and off-road driving .................................. 8-6
Outside mirrors .......................................................... 3-35
Outside temperature indicator ...................................... 3-22
Overhead console ....................................................... 6-6
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-11

14-8Index
S Safety Precautions when driving ............................................. 4
Symbol ...................................................................... 2
Warnings ................................................................... 2
Seat
Fabric ................................................................... 10-5
Heater .................................................................... 1-6
Seat height adjustment ................................................. 1-4
Seatbelt ......................................................................... 4
Maintenance .......................................................... 1-19
Pretensioners ........................................................ 1-19
Safety tips ............................................................. 1-10
Warning light and chime ................................... 1-12, 3-9
Seatbelts .................................................................. 1-10
Security ID plate .......................................................... 2-3
Security indicator light. .......................................... 2-3, 3-19
Selector lever ............................................................ 7-15
Position indicator ................................................... 3-20
Shift lock release ....................................................... 7-20
Shock sensors ........................................................... 2-18
Shopping bag hook .................................................... 6-11
Snow tires ........................................................ 8-10, 11-31
Snowy and icy roads .................................................... 8-9
Sounding a panic alarm ................................................ 2-9
Spark plugs .............................................................. 11-18
Specifications ............................................................ 12-2
Speedometer ............................................................... 3-6
SPORT mode ............................................................ 7-20
SPORT mode indicator light ........................................ 3-20 SRS
Curtain airbag ........................................................ 1-49
Frontal airbag ......................................................... 1-38
Side airbag ............................................................ 1-49
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag)... 4, 1-34
SRS airbag system Monitors ................................................................ 1-59
Servicing ............................................................... 1-59
Warning light .......................................................... 3-11
Starting the engine ...................................................... 7-7
State emission testing (U.S. only) .................................. 7-6
Steering wheel Power ................................................................... 7-21
Tilt ........................................................................ 3-36
Tilt/telescopic ......................................................... 3-37
Stopping the engine ..................................................... 7-9
Storage compartment ................................................... 6-4
Sun shade ................................................................. 2-23
Sun visors .................................................................. 6-4
Supplemental Restraint System airbag (SRS) ................ 1-34
Synthetic leather upholstery ......................................... 10-5
T
Tachometer ................................................................. 3-7
Temperature warning light AT OIL TEMP ......................................................... 3-14
Temporary spare tire .................................................... 9-2
Tether (child restraint system) .............................. 1-29, 1-32
Tie-down hooks .......................................................... 9-12
Tilt steering wheel. ...................................................... 3-36

14-10Index
Low fuel .......................................................... 3-8, 3-17
Low tire pressure ................................................... 3-14
Oil pressure .......................................................... 3-13
Seatbelt .......................................................... 1-12, 3-9
SRS airbag system ................................................ 3-11
Vehicle Dynamics Control ............................... 3-18, 7-28
Warranties ..................................................................... 1
Warranties and maintenance ....................................... 8-16
Washing ................................................................... 10-2
Waxing and polishing ................................................. 10-3
Wear indicators ......................................................... 11-35
Wheel Alignment .............................................................. 12-5
Aluminum ............................................................. 11-38
Balance ............................................................... 11-35
Replacement ........................................................ 11-37
Windows ................................................................... 2-19
Windshield Washer fluid ......................................................... 11-38
Wiper and washer switches ..................................... 3-29
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-40
Wiper deicer .......................................................... 3-32
Winter Driving .................................................................... 8-8
Tires ............................................................ 8-10, 11-31
Winter tire ........................................................ 8-10, 11-31
Wiper and washer ...................................................... 3-28