2012 SUBARU FORESTER engine oil

11-12Maintenance and service
Non-turbo models
Turbo models
7. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
8. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a
thin coat of engine oil to the seal. 9. Clean the seal seating area. Screw on
the oil filter by hand until its seal contacts
the seating surface. Be careful not to twist
or damage the seal.
10. Tighten the oil filter further by the
amount indicated in the following table.
Turbo models
Oil filter color Part number Amount of
rotation
Black 15208AA100 1 rotation
Blue 15208AA12A 7/8
rotation
Non-turbo models Oil filter color Part number Amount of
rotation
Black 15208AA130 3/4 rotation
15208AA160
1 rotation
CAUTION
. Never over tighten the oil filter
because that can result in an oil leak.
. Thoroughly wipe off any engine
oil that has spilled over the
exhaust pipe and/or under-cover.
If spilled oil is not promptly
wiped up, the oil could cause afire. 11. Reinstall under cover (turbo models).
12. Pour engine oil through the filler neck.
For the oil capacity guideline, refer to “
Engine oil ”F 12-5.
The oil quantity indicated above is onlyguideline.
The necessary quantity of oil depends on
the quantity of oil that has been drained.
The quantity of drained oil differs slightly
depending on the temperature of the oil
and the time the oil is left flowing out. After
refilling the engine with oil, therefore, you
must use the level gauge to confirm that
the level is correct.
13. Start the engine and make sure that no
oil leaks appear around the filter ’s rubber
seal and drain plug.
14. Run the engine until it reaches the
normal operating temperature. Then stop
the engine and wait a few minutes to allow
the oil drain back. Check the oil level
again and if necessary, add more engineoil.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill engine oil
when adding it. If oil touches the
exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad
smell, smoke, and/or a fire.

&Recommended grade and viscosity
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recom-
mended grade and viscosity.
Refer to “Engine oil ”F 12-5.
NOTE
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) affects
fuel economy. Oils of lower viscosity
provide better fuel economy. However,
in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is
required to properly lubricate the en-gine. & Synthetic oil
You should use synthetic engine oil that
meets the same requirements given for
conventional engine oil. When using
synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same
classification, viscosity and grade shown
in this Owner ’s Manual. Refer to “Engine
oil ”F 12-5. Also, you must follow the oil
and filter changing intervals shown in the
Warranty and Maintenance booklet. NOTE
Synthetic oil of the grade and viscosity
noted in chapter 12 is the recom- mended engine oil for optimum engine
performance. Conventional oil may be
used if synthetic oil is unavailable.
Cooling systemWARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down
completely. Since the coolant is
under pressure, you may suffer
serious burns from a spray of boil-
ing hot coolant when the cap isremoved.
CAUTION
. Vehicles are filled at the factory
with SUBARU Super Coolant that
does not require the first change
for 11 years/137,500 miles (11
years/220,000 km). This coolant
should not be mixed with any
other brand or type of coolant
during this period. Mixing with a
different coolant will reduce the
life of the coolant. Should it be
necessary to top up the coolant
for any reason, use only
SUBARU Super Coolant.
If the SUBARU Super Coolant is
diluted with another brand or
type, the maintenance interval is Maintenance and service
11-13
– CONTINUED –

WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap/coolant filler tank cap until
the engine has been shut off and
has cooled down completely. Since
the coolant is under pressure, you
may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when
the cap is removed.
CAUTION
. Be careful not to spill engine
coolant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If engine coolant gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe
it off.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface. Air cleaner element
The air cleaner element functions as a
filter screen. When the element is perfo-
rated or removed, engine wear will be
excessive and engine life shortened.
It is not necessary to clean or wash the element.
WARNING
Do not operate the engine with the
air cleaner element removed. The air
cleaner element not only filters
intake air but also stops flames if
the engine backfires. If the air
cleaner element is not installed
when the engine backfires, you
could be burned.
CAUTION
When replacing the air cleaner ele-
ment, use a genuine SUBARU air
cleaner element. If it is not used,
there is the possibility of causing a
negative effect to the engine. &
Replacing the air cleaner element
Replace the air cleaner element according
to the maintenance schedule in the“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. Un-
der extremely dusty conditions, replace it
more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts. ! Non-turbo models
1) Connector
2) Clip
3) Clamp
4) Air intake boot
5) Clip
1. Unplug the connector that is attached
to the top of the air cleaner case.
2. Detach the clip on the connector cable
from the right side of the air cleaner case. Maintenance and service
11-15
– CONTINUED –

11-18Maintenance and service
Drive belts &Turbo models
1) Power steering oil pump pulley
2) Front side belt
3) Alternator pulley
4) Air conditioner compressor pulley
5) Rear side belt
6) Crank pulley
A) 22 lbf (98 N, 10 kgf)
CAUTION
The front side belt, which runs in
conjunction with the following com-
ponents, must be used within the
specified deflection. . Power steering oil pump pulley
. Alternator pulley .
Crank pulley
Check the deflection of the front
side belt and if there is any loosen-
ess, cracks, wear or unusual noise
on the front side belt, contact your
SUBARU dealer.
Continuing to use the vehicle with
the belt outside of the specification
may cause the engine to malfunc-
tion and the above components tomalfunction.
To check the deflection of the front side
belt, place a straightedge (ruler) across
two adjacent pulleys (alternator pulley and
crank pulley) and apply a force of 22 lbf
(98 N, 10 kgf) midway between the pulleys
by using a spring scale. The belt deflec-
tion should be the amount specified. If the
front side belt is loose, cracked or worn,
contact your SUBARU dealer. in (mm)
Deflection
New belt Used belt
A 0.28
–0.35
(7.0 –9.0) 0.35
–0.43
(9.0 –11.0)
The rear side belt is a stretch-type belt,
therefore the deflection does not need to
be checked. If there are cracks or wear
confirmed on the belts and a squeaking
sound is heard from them, contact your SUBARU dealer. &
Non-turbo models
It is unnecessary to check the deflection of
the drive belt periodically because your
engine is equipped with an automatic belt
tension adjuster. However, replacement of
the belt should be done according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet ”. Consult your
SUBARU dealer for replacement.
If the belt is loose, cracked or worn,
contact your SUBARU dealer.

Manual transmission oil &Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,
and insert it again.
1) Full level
2) Low level
3. Pull out the level gauge again and
check the oil level on it. If it is below the
low level, add oil through the level gauge
hole to bring the level up to the full level.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill manual trans-
mission 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. &
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.
Maintenance and service
11-19

&Recommended fluid
Refer to “Fluids ”F 12-9.
NOTE
Using any non-specified type of auto-
matic transmission fluid could result in
damage inside the transmission. When
replacing the automatic transmission
fluid, be sure to use the specified type. Front differential gear oil (AT models) &
Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,
and insert it again.
1) Full level
2) Low level
3. Pull out the level gauge again and
check the oil level on it. If it is below the
low level, add oil to bring the level up to
the full level.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill front differ-
ential 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. Maintenance and service
11-21
– CONTINUED –

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.

Specifications..................................................... 12-2
Dimensions ........................................................ 12-2
Engine ............................................................... 12-3
Electrical system ................................................ 12-3
Fuel ................................................................... 12-4
Engine oil .......................................................... 12-5
Manual transmission, front differential and rear differential gear oil ........................................... 12-8
Fluids ................................................................ 12-9
Engine coolant ................................................... 12-9 Tires
................................................................ 12-10
Fuses and circuits ........................................... 12-11
Fuse panel located in the passenger compartment ................................................. 12-11
Fuse panel located in the engine compartment ................................................. 12-13
Bulb chart ......................................................... 12-15
Vehicle identification ....................................... 12-18Specifications
12