2010 SUBARU FORESTER steering wheel

9-16In case of emergency
CAUTION
If your vehicle has a front under-
spoiler and rear underspoiler (if
equipped), be careful not to scrape
them when placing the vehicle on
the carrier and when removing the
vehicle from the carrier.
& Towing with all wheels on the ground
1. Release the parking brake and put the
transmission in neutral.
2. The ignition switch should be in the “Acc ”position while the vehicle is being
towed.
3. Take up slack in the towline slowly to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
WARNING
. Never turn the ignition switch to
the “LOCK ”position while the
vehicle is being towed because
the steering wheel and the direc-
tion of the wheels will be locked.
. Remember that the brake booster
and power steering do not func-
tion when the engine is not
running. Because the engine is
turned off, it will take greater
effort to operate the brake pedal
and steering wheel.
CAUTION
. If transmission failure occurs,
transport your vehicle on a flat-
bed truck.
. Do not run the engine while being
towed using this method. Trans-
mission damage could result if
the vehicle is towed with the
engine running.
. For models with automatic trans-
mission, the traveling speed
must be limited to less than 20
mph (30 km/h) and the traveling
distance to less than 31 miles (50
km). For greater speeds and distances, transport your vehicle
on a flat-bed truck.

Maintenance schedule....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3
Before 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 ....................................................... 11-5
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 .............................. 11-9
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-11
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions ............................... 11-12
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-12
Cooling system ................................................ 11-12
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-12
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-13
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-15
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-16
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-18
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-18
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-18
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-19
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-19
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-20
Automatic transmission fluid .......................... 11-20
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-20 Recommended fluid
......................................... 11-21
Front differential gear oil (AT models) ........... 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 .................. 11-22
Power steering fluid ........................................ 11-23
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-23
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-24
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-24
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-24
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-25
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-25
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-26
Brake booster .................................................. 11-26
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-27
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-27
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-27
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-27
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-27
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-28
Hill start assist system (MT models) .............. 11-28
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-28
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....... 11-29
Parking brake stroke ....................................... 11-29
Tires and wheels .............................................. 11-30
Types of tires ................................................... 11-30
Maintenance and service
11

11-34Maintenance and service
.Abnormally high tire pressure (tread
worn in center)
Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tire
magnifies the effects of road-surface
bumps and dips, possibly resulting in
vehicle damage.
If the tire placard shows tire pressures for
the vehicle when fully loaded, adjust the
tire pressures to the values that match
current loading conditions.
WARNING
Driving at high speeds with exces-
sively low tire pressures can cause
the tires to deform severely and to
rapidly become hot. A sharp in-
crease in temperature could cause
tread separation, and destruction of the tires. The resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to anaccident.
& Wheel balance
Each wheel was correctly balanced when
your vehicle was new, but the wheels will
become unbalanced as the tires become
worn during use. Wheel imbalance causes
the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at
certain vehicle speeds and detracts from
the vehicle ’s straight-line stability. It can
also cause steering and suspension sys-
tem problems and abnormal tire wear. If
you suspect that the wheels are not
correctly balanced, have them checked
and adjusted by your SUBARU dealer.
Also have them adjusted after tire repairs
and after tire rotation. NOTE
Loss of correct wheel alignment*
causes the tires to wear on one side
and reduces the vehicle ’s running
stability. Contact your SUBARU dealer
if you notice abnormal tire wear.
*: The suspension system is designed to hold
each wheel at a certain alignment (relative to
the other wheels and to the road) for optimum
straight-line stability and cornering perfor- mance. &
Wear indicators
1) New tread
2) Worn tread
3) Tread wear indicator
Each tire incorporates a tread wear
indicator, which becomes visible when
the depth of the tread grooves decreases
to 0.063 in (1.6 mm). A tire must be
replaced when the tread wear indicator
appears as a solid band across the tread.
WARNING
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
high speeds in wet weather can

Pad and lining...................................................... 11-29
Parking ........................................................ 7-31, 11-29
Pedal .................................................................. 11-27
System ................................................................. 7-22
Brake pedal Free play ............................................................. 11-27
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-27
Brake system ............................................................ 7-22
Warning light ......................................................... 3-17
Braking ..................................................................... 7-21
Tips...................................................................... 7-21
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-29
Bulb
Chart .................................................................. 12-10
Replacing ............................................................. 11-46
C Capacities ................................................................. 12-4
Cargo area
Cover ................................................................... 6-13
Light ............................................................. 6-3, 11-50
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-15
Cargo tray ................................................................. 10-6
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center Console .................................................................. 6-5
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Center and side ventilators ............................................ 4-3
Changing Coolant ................................................................ 11-13
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-6 Oil and oil filter
....................................................... 11-9
Charge warning light ................................................... 3-14
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ...................................................................... 3-12
Checking Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-27
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-27
Clutch function ..................................................... 11-27
Clutch pedal free play ........................................... 11-28
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-13
Fluid level (automatic transmission fluid) .................. 11-20
Fluid level (brake fluid) .......................................... 11-24
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-25
Fluid level (power steering fluid) .. ........................... 11-23
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-38
Oil level (engine oil) ................................................ 11-8
Oil level (front differential gear oil) .......................... 11-21
Oil level (manual transmission oil) .......................... 11-19
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-23
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-29
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ... ............................. 1-26
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-30
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-33
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks .................................................................... 2-19
Chime Key........................................................................ 3-5 Light ..................................................................... 3-25
Seatbelt. ........................................................ 1-13, 3-10
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3 Index
14-3

Seatbelt................................................................. 4, 1-11
Fastening .............................................................. 1-14
Maintenance .......................................................... 1-20
Pretensioners ........................................................ 1-20
Safety tips ............................................................. 1-11
Warning light and chime ................................. 1-13, 3-10
Security Alarm system ........................................................ 2-14
ID plate ................................................................... 2-3
Immobilizer. ............................................................. 2-2
Indicator light ................................................... 2-3, 3-20
Shock sensors ....................................................... 2-19
Select lever ............................................................... 7-16
Position indicator ................................................... 3-21
Shift lock function ....................................................... 7-17
Shift lock release ....................................................... 7-17
Shock sensors ........................................................... 2-19
Shopping bag hook .................................................... 6-12
Snow tires ........................................................ 8-10, 11-30
Snowy and icy roads .................................................... 8-9
Sounding a panic alarm .............................................. 2-10
Spark plugs .............................................................. 11-18
Specifications ............................................................ 12-2
Speedometer ............................................................... 3-6
SPORT mode ............................................................ 7-20
SPORT mode indicator light ........................................ 3-20
SRS
Curtain airbag ........................................................ 1-50
Frontal airbag ........................................................ 1-39
Side airbag ........................................................... 1-50
SRS airbag (Supplemental Restraint System airbag) ... 4, 1-35 SRS airbag system
Monitors ................................................................ 1-60
Servicing ............................................................... 1-60
Warning light .......................................................... 3-11
Starting the engine ...................................................... 7-7
State emission testing (U.S. only) .................................. 7-6
Steering wheel Power ................................................................... 7-21
Tilt/telescopic ......................................................... 3-42
Stopping the engine ..................................................... 7-9
Storage compartment ................................................... 6-5
Sun shade ................................................................. 2-25
Sun visors .................................................................. 6-4
Supplemental Restraint System airbag (SRS) ................ 1-35
Synthetic leather upholstery ......................................... 10-5
T
Tachometer ................................................................. 3-8
Temperature warning light AT OIL TEMP ......................................................... 3-14
Coolant ................................................................. 3-13
Temporary spare tire .................................................... 9-2
Tether (child restraint system) .............................. 1-30, 1-33
Tie-down hooks .......................................................... 9-13
Tire Chains .................................................................. 8-11
Inspection ............................................................ 11-32
Pressures and wear .............................................. 11-32
Replacement. ....................................................... 11-36
Rotation .............................................................. 11-35
Size and pressure .................................................. 12-5 Index
14-9