Page 320 of 414

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 .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-5
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-6
Turbo models except STI .................................... 11-6
STI..................................................................... 11-7
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-8
Checking the oil level ......................................... 11-8
Changing the oil and oil filter .............................. 11-9
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-10
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-10
Cooling system ................................................ 11-11
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-11
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-12
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-13
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-13
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-14
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-14
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-15
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-15
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-15
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Rear differential gear oil .................................. 11-16
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16Power steering fluid
........................................ 11-17
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-17
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-17
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-18
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-18
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-18
Clutch fluid ....................................................... 11-19
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-19
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-19
Brake booster .................................................. 11-20
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-20
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-20
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-21
Clutch pedal ..................................................... 11-21
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-21
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-21
Hill start assist system .................................... 11-22
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-22
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....... 11-22
Parking brake stroke ....................................... 11-23
Tires and wheels .............................................. 11-23
Types of tires ................................................... 11-23
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) ...................................................... 11-24
Tire inspection ................................................. 11-25
Tire pressures and wear .................................. 11-25
Wheel balance ................................................. 11-27
Wear indicators ............................................... 11-28
Tire rotation direction mark .............................. 11-28
Tire rotation ..................................................... 11-29
Maintenance and service
11 
     
        
        Page 341 of 414

11-22Maintenance and service
Hill start assist system 
Ensure that the Hill start assist system 
operates properly under the followingcircumstances: 
1. Stop the vehicle on an uphill grade by 
depressing the brake pedal and clutch
pedal, with the engine running. 
2. Make sure that the vehicle does not 
move backward even after the brake
pedal is released. 
3. Then make sure the vehicle starts 
climbing the grade by following the normal
starting procedures. 
If the Hill start assist system does not 
operate as described above, contact with
your SUBARU dealer. Replacement of brake pad 
and lining
The disc brakes have audible wear 
indicators on the brake pads. If the brake
pads wear close to their service limit, the
wear indicator makes a very audible
scraping noise when the brake pedal isapplied. 
If you hear this scraping noise each time 
you apply the brake pedal, have the brake
pads serviced by your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
CAUTION
If you continue to drive despite the 
scraping noise from the audible
brake pad wear indicator, it will result in the need for costly brake
rotor repair or replacement.
& Breaking-in of new brake 
pads and linings
When replacing the brake pad or lining, 
use only genuine SUBARU parts. After
replacement, the new parts must be
broken in as follows. ! Brake pad and lining
While maintaining a speed of 30 to 40 
mph (50 to 65 km/h), step on the brake
pedal lightly. Repeat this five or moretimes. ! Parking brake lining
1. Drive the vehicle at a speed of 
approximately 22 mph (35 km/h). 
2. With the parking brake release button 
pushed in, pull the parking brake lever
SLOWLY and GENTLY (pulling with a
force of approximately 33.7 lbf [150 N,
15.3 kgf]). 
3. Drive the vehicle for approximately 
220 yards (200 meters) in this condition. 
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the parking 
brake to cool down. Repeat this proce-dure. 
5. Check the parking brake stroke. If the 
parking brake stroke is out of the specified  
     
        
        Page 347 of 414

11-28Maintenance and service
NOTE 
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 performance. &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
cause the vehicle to hydroplane.
The resulting loss of vehicle control
can lead to an accident.
NOTE 
For safety, inspect tire tread regularly 
and replace the tires before their tread
wear indicators become visible. &
Tire rotation direction mark
Example of tire rotation direction mark 
1) Front
If the tire has the rotation direction 
specification, the tire rotation direction
mark is placed on its sidewall. 
When you install a tire that has the tire 
rotation direction mark, install the tire with
the direction mark facing forward.