2012 SUBARU FORESTER power steering fluid

10-2Appearance care
Exterior care &Washing
CAUTION
. When washing the vehicle, the
brakes may get wet. As a result,
the brake stopping distance will
be longer. To dry the brakes,
drive the vehicle at a safe speed
while lightly pressing the brake
pedal to heat up the brakes.
. Do not wash the engine compart-
ment and area adjacent to it. If
water enters the engine air in-
take, electrical parts or the power
steering fluid reservoir, it will
cause engine trouble or a mal-
function of power steering.
. Do not use organic solvents
when washing the surface of the
bulb assembly cover. If a deter-
gent with organic solvents is
mistakenly used to wash the
surface, completely rinse off the
detergent with water. Otherwise,
the surface may be damaged.
. Since your vehicle is equipped
with a rear wiper, automatic car-
wash brushes could become
tangled around it, damaging the wiper arm and other compo-
nents. Ask the automatic car-
wash operator not to let the
brushes touch the wiper arm or
to fix the wiper arm on the rear
window glass with adhesive tape
before operating the machine.
NOTE
When having your vehicle washed in
an automatic car wash, make sure
beforehand that the car wash is of
suitable type.
The best way to preserve your vehicle ’s
beauty is frequent washing. Wash the
vehicle at least once a month to avoid
contamination by road grime.
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plenty
of lukewarm or cold water. Do not wash
the vehicle with hot water and in directsunlight.
Salt, chemicals, insects, tar, soot, tree
sap, and bird droppings should be washed
off by using a light detergent, as required.
If you use a light detergent, make certain
that it is a neutral detergent. Do not use
strong soap or chemical detergents. All
cleaning agents should be promptly
flushed from the surface and not allowed
to dry there. Rinse the vehicle thoroughly with plenty of lukewarm water. Wipe the
remaining water off with a chamois or softcloth. !
Washing the underbody
Chemicals, salts and gravel used for
deicing road surfaces are extremely cor-
rosive, accelerating the corrosion of un-
derbody components, such as the exhaust
system, fuel and brake lines, brake
cables, floor pan and fenders, and sus-pension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and in-
side of the fenders with lukewarm or cold
water at frequent intervals to reduce the
harmful effects of such agents.
Mud and sand adhering to the underbody
components may accelerate their corro-sion.
After driving off-road or on muddy or
sandy roads, wash the mud and sand off
the underbody. Carefully flush the suspen-
sion and axle parts, as they are particu-
larly prone to mud and sand buildup. Do
not use a sharp-edged tool to remove
caked mud.
CAUTION
. Be careful not to damage brake
hoses, sensor harnesses, and
other parts when washing sus-

Maintenance schedule....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment (non-turbo models) ...................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-5
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-7
Non-turbo models .............................................. 11-7
Turbo models ..................................................... 11-8
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-9
Checking the oil level ......................................... 11-9
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-11
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-13
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-13
Cooling system ................................................ 11-13
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-14
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-14
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-15
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-15
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-17
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-18
Turbo models ................................................... 11-18
Non-turbo models ............................................ 11-18
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-19
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-19
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-19Automatic 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
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-22
Power steering fluid ........................................ 11-22
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-22
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-23
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-23
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-23
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-24
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-24
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-24
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-25
Brake booster .................................................. 11-25
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-26
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-26
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-26
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-27
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-27
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-27
Hill start assist system (MT models) .............. 11-27
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-28
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....... 11-28
Parking brake stroke ....................................... 11-29
Maintenance and service
11

Engine compartment overview &Non-turbo models1) Power steering fluid reservoir (page 11-
22)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-19) or Differential gear oil level
gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-24)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-23)
6) Fuse box (page 11-44)
7) Battery (page 11-43)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-37)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
12) Engine oil filter (page 11-11)
13) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
14) Air cleaner case (page 11-15) Maintenance and service
11-7
– CONTINUED –

11-8Maintenance and service
& Turbo models
1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-22)
2) Differential gear oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-21)
3) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-20)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-23)
5) Fuse box (page 11-44)
6) Battery (page 11-43)
7) Windshield washer tank (page 11-37)
8) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
12) Air cleaner case (page 11-15)

11-22Maintenance and service
&Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together. For details, refer to“ Manual transmission, front differential
and rear differential gear oil ”F 12-8. Rear differential gear oil
There is no rear differential gear oil level
gauge. To check the rear differential gear
oil level, consult your SUBARU dealer forinspection. &
Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together. For details, refer to“ Manual transmission, front differential
and rear differential gear oil ”F 12-8. Power steering fluid &
Checking the fluid level
The power steering fluid expands greatly
as its temperature rises; the fluid level
differs according to fluid temperature.
Therefore, the reservoir has two different
checking ranges for hot and cold fluids.
Check the power steering fluid level
monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface,
and stop the engine.

2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has
been run: Check that the oil level isbetween“HOT MIN ”and “HOT MAX ”on
the surface of the reservoir.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is
run: Check that the oil level is between“ COLD MIN ”and “COLD MAX ”on the
surface of the reservoir.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the
applicable “MIN ”line, add the recom-
mended fluid as necessary to bring the
level between the “MIN ”and “MAX ”line.
If the fluid level is extremely low, it may
indicate possible leakage. Consult your
SUBARU dealer for an inspection.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself
because the fluid may be hot.
CAUTION
. When power steering fluid is
being added, use only clean fluid,
and be careful not to allow any
dirt into the tank. Never use
different brands of fluids to-
gether.
. Be careful not to spill power
steering fluid when adding it. If
power steering fluid touches the
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If
power steering fluid gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe itoff.
& Recommended fluid
Refer to “Fluids ”F 12-9. Brake fluid &
Checking the fluid level
1) “MAX ”level mark
2) “MIN ”level mark
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the
reservoir. If the level is below “MIN ”, add
the recommended brake fluid to “MAX ”.
Use only brake fluid from a sealed
container.
WARNING
. Never let brake fluid contact your
eyes because brake fluid can be
harmful to your eyes. If brake
fluid gets in your eyes, immedi-
ately flush them thoroughly with Maintenance and service
11-23
– CONTINUED –

&Fluids
NOTE
Each quantity indicated here is only a guideline. The necessary quantity for replacement may differ slightly depending on the
temperature and other factors.
Fluid Fluid type Fluid capacity
Automatic transmission fluid (AT models) · SUBARU ATF
· IDEMITSU ATF HP 9.8 US qt (9.3 liters, 8.2 Imp qt)
Power steering fluid · SUBARU ATF
· IDEMITSU ATF HP ·
“Dexron III ”Type Automatic Transmission Fluid 0.7 US qt (0.7 liter, 0.6 Imp qt)
Brake fluid FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4 brake fluid –
Clutch fluid (MT models) –
For the checking procedure, or other details, refer to “Automatic transmission fluid ”F 11-20, “Power steering fluid ”F 11-22, “Brake fluid ”F 11-23 or
“ Clutch fluid (MT models) ”F 11-24.
& Engine coolant
NOTE
Each quantity indicated here is only a guideline. The necessary quantity for replacement may differ slightly depending on the
temperature and other factors.
Model Coolant capacity Coolant type
Non-turbo Manual transmission 7.5 US qt (7.1 liters, 6.2 Imp qt)
SUBARU Super Coolant
Automatic transmission 7.4 US qt (7.0 liters, 6.2 Imp qt)
Turbo 8.5 US qt (8.0 liters, 7.0 Imp qt)
For the checking, adding and replacing procedure, or other details, refer to “Cooling system ”F 11-13. Specifications
12-9
– CONTINUED –

Parking........................................................ 7-29, 11-29
Pedal .................................................................. 11-26
System ................................................................. 7-22
Brake pedal Free play ............................................................. 11-26
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-26
Brake system ............................................................ 7-22
Warning light ......................................................... 3-20
Braking ..................................................................... 7-22
Tips...................................................................... 7-22
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-28
Bulb Chart .................................................................. 12-15
Replacing ............................................................. 11-45
C
Cargo area Cover ................................................................... 6-14
Light ............................................................. 6-3, 11-50
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-15
Cargo tray ................................................................. 10-6
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center
Console .................................................................. 6-5
Changing Flat tire ................................................................... 9-6
Oil and oil filter ..................................................... 11-11
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-17
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light ....................................................................... 3-16 Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-26
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-26
Clutch function ..................................................... 11-27
Clutch pedal free play ........................................... 11-27
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-14
Fluid level (automatic transmission fluid) .................. 11-20
Fluid level (brake fluid) .......................................... 11-23
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-24
Fluid level (power steering fluid) .. ........................... 11-22
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-37
Oil level (engine oil) ................................................ 11-9
Oil level (front differential gear oil) .......................... 11-21
Oil level (manual transmission oil) .......................... 11-19
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-22
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-28
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ... ............................. 1-25
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-29
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-32
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks .................................................................... 2-19
Chime
Key........................................................................ 3-5Light ..................................................................... 3-29
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-13
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ...................................................... 4-10
Climate control system Automatic ............................................................... 4-6 Index
14-3