2014 SUBARU TRIBECA Owners Manual

10-2Appearance care
Exterior care
&Washing
CAUTION
.When washing the vehicle, thebrakes may get wet. As a result,the brake stopping distance willbe longer. To dry the brakes,drive the vehicle at a safe speedwhile lightly pressing the brakepedal to heat up the brakes.
.Do not wash the engine compart-ment and areas adjacent to it. Ifwater enters the engine air in-take, electrical parts or the powersteering fluid reservoir, it willcause engine trouble or a mal-functionof the power steering.
.Do not use any organic solventswhen washing the surface of thebulb assembly cover. However, ifa detergent with organic solventsis used to wash the cover sur-face, completely rinse off thedetergent with water. Otherwise,the cover surface may be da-maged.
.Since your vehicle is equippedwith a rear wiper, automatic car-wash brushes could become
tangled around it, damaging thewiper arm and other compo-nents. Ask the automatic car-wash operator not to let thebrushes touch the wiper arm orto fix the wiper arm on the rearwindow glass with adhesive tapebefore operating the machine.
NOTE
When having your vehicle washed inan automatic car wash, make surebeforehand that the car wash is ofsuitable type.
The best way to preserve your vehicle’sbeauty is frequent washing. Wash thevehicleat least once a month to avoidcontamination by road grime.
Wash dirt off with a wet sponge and plentyof lukewarm or cold water. Do not washthe vehicle with hot water and in directsunlight.
Salt, chemicals, insects, tar, soot, treesap, and bird droppings should be washedoff by using a light detergent, as required.If you use a light detergent, make certainthat it is a neutral detergent. Do not usestrong soap or chemical detergents. Allcleaning agents should be promptlyflushed from the surface and not allowed
to dry there. Rinse the vehicle thoroughlywith plenty of lukewarm water. Wipe theremaining water off with a chamois or softcloth.
!Washing the underbody
Chemicals, salts and gravel used fordeicing road surfaces are extremely cor-rosive, accelerating the corrosion of un-derbody components, such as the exhaustsystem, fuel and brake lines, brakecables, floor pan and fenders, and sus-pension.
Thoroughly flush the underbody and in-side of the fenders with lukewarm or coldwater at frequent intervals to reduce theharmful effects of such agents.
Mud and sand adhering to the underbodycomponents may accelerate their corro-sion.
Afterdriving off-road or muddy or sandyroads, wash the mud and sand off theunderbody.
Carefully flushthe suspension and axleparts, as they are particularly prone tomud and sand buildup. Do not use asharp-edged tool to remove caked mud.
NOTE
Be careful not to damage brake hoses,sensor harnesses, and other partswhen washing suspension compo-

nents.
!Using a warm water washer
.Keep a good distance of 12 in (30 cm)or more between the washer nozzle andthe vehicle.
.Do not wash the same area continu-ously.
.If a stain will not come out easily, washby hand. Some warm water washers areof the high temperature, high pressuretype, and they can damage or deform theresin parts such as mouldings, or causewater to leak into the vehicle.
&Waxing and polishing
Always wash and dry the vehicle beforewaxing and polishing.
Use a good quality polish and wax andapply them according to the manufac-turer’s instructions. Wax or polish whenthe painted surface is cool.
Be sure to polish and wax the chrome trim,as well as the painted surfaces. Loss ofwax on a painted surface leads to loss ofthe original luster and also quickens thedeterioration of the surface. It is recom-mended that a coat of wax be applied atleast once a month, or whenever thesurface no longer repels water.
If the appearance of the paint has dimin-
ished to the point where the luster or tonecannot be restored, lightly polish thesurface with a fine-grained compound.Never polish just the affected area, butinclude the surrounding area as well.Always polish in only one direction. ANo. 2000 grain compound is recom-mended. Never use a coarse-grainedcompound. Coarser grained compoundshave a smaller grain-size number andcould damage the paint. After polishingwith a compound, coat with wax to restorethe original luster. Frequent polishing withacompoundoranincorrectpolishingtechnique will result in removing the paintlayer and exposing the undercoat. Whenin doubt, it is always best to contact yourSUBARU dealer or an auto paint specia-list.
CAUTION
Do not use any agents with organicsolventson the surface of the bulbassembly cover. However, if a polishor wax with organic solvents isapplied to the cover surface, com-pletely wipe off the polish or wax.Otherwise, the cover surface may bedamaged.
NOTE
Be careful not to block the windshieldwasher nozzles with wax when waxingthe vehicle.
&Cleaning aluminum wheels
.Promptly wipethe aluminum wheelsclean of any kind of grime or agent. If dirtis left on too long, it may be difficult toclean off.
.Do not use soap containing grit toclean the wheels. Be sure to use a neutralcleaning agent, and later rinse thoroughlywith water. Do not clean the wheels with astiff brush or expose them to a high-speedwashing device.
.Clean the vehicle (including the alumi-num wheels) with water as soon aspossible when it has been splashed withsea water, exposed to sea breezes, ordriven on roads treated with salt or otheragents.
Appearance care10-3

10-4Appearance care
Corrosion protection
Your SUBARU has been designed andbuilt to resist corrosion. Special materialsand protective finishes have been used onmost parts of the vehicle to help maintainfine appearance, strength, and reliableoperation.
&Most common causes of
corrosion
The most common causes of corrosionare:
1. The accumulation of moisture retain-ing dirt and debris in body panel sections,cavities,and other areas.
2. Damage to paint and other protectivecoatings caused by gravel and stonechips or minor accidents.
Corrosion is accelerated on the vehiclewhen:
1. It is exposed to road salt or dustcontrol chemicals, or used in coastalareas where there is more salt in the air,or in areas where there is considerableindustrial pollution.
2. It is driven in areas of high humidity,especially when temperatures range justabove freezing.
3. Dampness in certain parts of thevehicle remainsfor a long time, even
though other parts of the vehicle may bedry.
4. High temperatures will cause corro-sion to parts of the vehicle which cannotdry quickly due to lack of proper ventila-tion.
&To help prevent corrosion
Wash the vehicle regularly to preventcorrosion of the body and suspensioncomponents. Also, wash the vehiclepromptly after driving on any of thefollowing surfaces.
.roads that have been salted to preventthem from freezing in winter
.mud, sand, or gravel
.coastal roads
After the winter has ended, it is recom-mended that the underbody be given avery thorough washing.
Before the beginning of winter, check thecondition of underbody components, suchas the exhaust system, fuel and brakelines, brake cables, suspension, steeringsystem, floor pan, and fenders. If any ofthem are found to be rusted, they shouldbe given an appropriate rust preventiontreatment or should be replaced. Contactyour SUBARU dealer to perform this kindof maintenance and treatment if you need
assistance.
Repair chips and scratches in the paint assoon as you find them.
Check the interior of the vehicle for waterand dirt accumulation under the floor matsbecause that could cause corrosion.Occasionally check under the mats tomake sure the area is dry.
Keep your garage dry. Do not park yourvehicle in a damp, poorly ventilatedgarage. In such a garage, corrosion canbe caused by dampness. If you wash thevehicle in the garage or put the vehicleinto the garage when wet or covered withsnow, that can cause dampness.
If your vehicle is operated in cold weatherand/or in areas where road salts and othercorrosive materials are used, the doorhinges and locks, and hood latch shouldbe inspected and lubricated periodically.

Cleaning the interior
Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the climatecontrol panel, audio equipment, instru-ment panel, center console, combinationmeter panel, and switches. (Do not useorganic solvents.)
&Seat fabric
Remove loose dirt, dust or debris with avacuum cleaner. If the dirt is caked on thefabric or hard to remove with a vacuumcleaner, use a soft blush then vacuum it.
Wipe the fabric surface with a tightlywrung cloth and dry the seat fabricthoroughly. If the fabric is still dirty, wipeusing a solution of mild soap and luke-warmwater then dry thoroughly.
If the stain does not come out, try acommercially available fabric cleaner. Usethe cleaner on a hidden place and makesure it does not affect the fabric adversely.Use the cleaner according to its instruc-tions.
NOTE
When cleaning the seat, do not usebenzine, paint thinner, or any similarmaterials.
&Leather seat materials
The leather used by SUBARU is a highquality natural product which will retain itsdistinctive appearance and feel for manyyears with proper care.
Allowing dust or road dirt to build up on thesurface can cause the material to becomebrittle and to wear prematurely. Regularcleaning witha soft, moist, natural fibercloth should be performed monthly, takingcare not to soak the leather or allow waterto penetrate the stitched seams.
A mild detergent suitable for cleaningwoolen fabrics may be used to removedifficult dirt spots, rubbing with a soft, drycloth afterwards to restore the luster. Ifyour SUBARU is to be parked for a longtime in bright sunlight, it is recommendedthat the seats and headrests be covered,or the windows shaded, to prevent fadingor shrinkage.
Minor surface blemishes or bald patchesmay be treated with a commercial leatherspray lacquer. You will discover that eachleather seat section will develop soft foldsor wrinkles, which is characteristic ofgenuine leather.
&Synthetic leather upholstery
The synthetic leather material used on theSUBARU may be cleaned using mild soap
or detergent and water, after first vacuum-ing or brushing away loose dirt. Allow thesoap to soak in for a few minutes and wipeoff with a clean, damp cloth. Commercialfoam-type cleaners suitable for syntheticleather materials may be used whennecessary.
NOTE
Strong cleaning agents such as sol-vents, paint thinners, window cleaneror gasoline must never be used onleather or synthetic interior materials.
&Climate control panel, audio
panel, instrument panel,
console panel, switches,
combination meter, and other
plastic surface
Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the climatecontrol panel, audio equipment, instru-ment panel, center console, combinationmeter panel, and switches.
CAUTION
.Do not use organic solvents suchas paint thinners or fuel, orstrongcleaning agents that con-tain those solvents.
.Do not use chemical solvents
Appearance care10-5
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10-6Appearance care
that contain silicone on the vehi-cle audio system, electrical com-ponents of the air-conditioner orany switches. If silicone adheresto these parts, it may causedamage to electrical compo-nents.
&Navigation monitor (if
equipped)
To clean the navigation monitor, wipe itwith a silicone cloth or with a soft cloth. Ifthenavigation monitor is extremely dirty,clean it with a soft cloth moistened withneutral detergent then carefully wipe offany remaining detergent.
NOTE
.Do not spray neutral detergent di-rectly onto the monitor. Doing so coulddamage the monitor’s components..Do not wipe the monitor with a hardcloth. Doing so could scratch themonitor..Do not use cleaning fluid that con-tains thinner, gasoline, or any othervolatile substance. Such cleaning fluidcould erase the lettering on theswitches at the bottom of the monitor.

Maintenance schedule....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions................................... 11-3Before checking or servicing in the enginecompartment.................................................... 11-4When you do checking or servicing in the enginecompartment while the engine is running.......... 11-4
Engine hood....................................................... 11-4
Engine compartment overview.......................... 11-6
Engine oil............................................................ 11-7Checking the oil level......................................... 11-7Changing the oil and oil filter.............................. 11-8Recommendedgrade and viscosity.................... 11-9Synthetic oil....................................................... 11-9
Cooling system................................................ 11-10Hose and connections...................................... 11-10Engine coolant................................................. 11-11
Air cleaner element.......................................... 11-12Replacing the air cleaner element..................... 11-12
Spark plugs...................................................... 11-13Recommended spark plugs.............................. 11-13
Drive belts........................................................ 11-13
Automatic transmission fluid.......................... 11-14Checking the fluid level.................................... 11-14Recommended fluid......................................... 11-15
Front differential gear oil................................. 11-15Checking the oil level....................................... 11-15Recommended grade and viscosity.................. 11-16
Rear differential gear oil.................................. 11-16Recommended grade and viscosity.................. 11-16
Power steering fluid........................................ 11-16Checking the fluid level.................................... 11-16Recommended fluid......................................... 11-17
Brake fluid........................................................ 11-17Checking the fluid level.................................... 11-17Recommended brake fluid............................... 11-18
Brakebooster.................................................. 11-18
Brake pedal...................................................... 11-19Checking the brake pedal free play.................. 11-19Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-19
Replacement of brake pad and lining............ 11-19Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings....... 11-20
Parking brake stroke....................................... 11-20
Tires and wheels.............................................. 11-21Types of tires................................................... 11-21Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS).......... 11-21Tire inspection................................................. 11-22Tire pressuresand wear.................................. 11-23Wheel balance................................................. 11-25Wear indicators............................................... 11-25Tire rotation direction mark.............................. 11-25Tire rotation..................................................... 11-26Tire replacement.............................................. 11-26Wheel replacement.......................................... 11-27
Aluminum wheels............................................ 11-27
Windshield washer fluid.................................. 11-28
Replacement of wiper blades......................... 11-29Windshield wiper blade assembly..................... 11-30Windshield wiper blade rubber ......................... 11-30Rear window wiper blade assembly.................. 11-31
Maintenance and service
11

Maintenance and service
Rear window wiper blade rubber....................... 11-31
Battery............................................................... 11-33
Fuses................................................................ 11-34
Main fuse.......................................................... 11-35
Installation of accessories............................... 11-36
Replacing bulbs............................................... 11-36Headlights(models with HID headlights)........... 11-36Headlights (models without HID headlights) ...... 11-36Parking light (right-hand side)........................... 11-38Front turn signal light (right-hand side)............. 11-39
Front fog light.................................................. 11-39Rear combination lights................................... 11-39Backup light/Tail light...................................... 11-40Rear gate light................................................. 11-41License plate light........................................... 11-41Dome light....................................................... 11-42Map light......................................................... 11-43Vanity mirror light............................................ 11-43Door step light................................................. 11-43Cargo area light............................................... 11-44

Maintenance schedule
The scheduled maintenance items re-quired to be serviced at regular intervalsare shown in the“Warranty and Main-tenance Booklet”.
For details of your maintenance schedule,read the separate“Warranty and Main-tenance Booklet”.
Maintenance precautions
When maintenance and service are re-quired, it is recommended that all work bedone by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and serviceby yourself, you should familiarize yourselfwith the information provided in thissection on general maintenance andservice for yourSUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service couldcause improper or unsafe vehicle opera-tion. Any problems caused by impropermaintenance and service performed byyou are not eligible for warranty coverage.
WARNING
.Te s t i n g o f a n A l l - W h e e l D r i v emodel must NEVER be per-formed on a single two-wheeldynamometer or similar appara-tus. Attempting to do so willresult in transmission damageand in uncontrolled vehiclemovement and may cause anaccident or injuries to personsnearby.
.Always select a safe area whenperforming maintenance on yourvehicle.
.Always be very careful to avoidinjury when working on the vehi-cle. Remember that some of thematerials in the vehicle may behazardous if improperly used orhandled, for example, batteryacid.
.Your vehicle should only be ser-viced by persons fully competentto do so. Serious personal injurymay result to persons not experi-enced in servicing vehicles.
.Always use the proper tools andmake certain that they are wellmaintained.
.Never get under the vehicle sup-ported only by a jack. Always usea safety stands to support thevehicle.
.Never keep the engine running ina poorly ventilated area, such asa garage or other closed areas.
.Do not smoke or allow openflames around the fuel or battery.This will cause a fire.
.Because the fuel system is underpressure, replacement of the fuelfilter should be performed onlyby your SUBARU dealer.
.Wear adequate eye protection to
Maintenance and service11-3
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