2014 SUBARU TRIBECA Owners Manual

11-12Maintenance and service
Air cleaner element
WARNING
Do not operate the engine with theair cleaner element removed. The aircleaner element not only filtersintake airbut also stops flames ifthe engine backfires. If the aircleaner element is not installedwhen the engine backfires, youcould be burned.
CAUTION
When replacing the air cleaner ele-ment, use a genuine SUBARU aircleaner element. If it is not used,there is the possibility of causing anegative effect to the engine.
The air cleaner element functions as afilter screen. When the element is perfo-rated or removed, engine wear will beexcessiveand engine life shortened.
It is unnecessary to clean or wash theelement.
&Replacing the air cleaner
element
Replace the air cleaner element accordingto the maintenance schedule in the“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Un-der extremely dusty conditions, replace itmore frequently. It is recommended thatyou always use genuine SUBARU parts.
1) Connector2) Clamp3) Air intake boot4) Clip
1. Unplug the connector that is attachedto the top of the air cleaner case.
2. Loosen the screw on the clamp andpull theair intake boot out of the aircleaner case.
3. Unsnap the two clips holding the air
cleaner case cover.
4. Open the air cleaner case cover andremove the air cleaner element.
5. Clean the inside of the air cleaner caseand case cover with a damp cloth andinstall a new air cleaner element.

6. To install the air cleaner case cover,insert the three projections on the aircleaner case cover into the slits on theair cleaner case.
7. Install in the reverse order of removal.
Spark plugs
It may be difficult to replace the sparkplugs. It is recommended that you havethe spark plugs replaced by yourSUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replacedaccording to the maintenance schedulein the“Warranty and Maintenance Book-let”.
&Recommended spark plugs
Refer to“Electrical system”F12-7.
Drive belts
The alternator, power steering pump, andair conditioner compressor depend ondrive belts. Satisfactory performance re-quires that belt tension be correct.
It is unnecessary to check belt tensionperiodically because your engine isequipped with an automatic belt tensionadjuster. However, replacement of the beltshould be done according to the main-tenance schedule in the“Warranty andMaintenance Booklet”.ConsultyourSUBARU dealer for replacement.
If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contactyour SUBARU dealer.
Maintenance and service11-13

11-14Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid
&Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expandslargely as its temperature rises; the fluidlevel differs according to fluid temperature.Therefore, there are two different scalesfor checking the level of hot fluid and coldfluid on the level gauge.
Though the fluid level can be checkedwithout warming up the fluid on the“COLD”range, we recommend checkingthe fluid level when the fluid is at operatingtemperature.
!Checking the fluid level when thefluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raisethe temperature of the transmission fluidup to normal operating temperature; 158to 1768F (70 to 808C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface andset the parking brake.
3. First shift the select lever in eachposition. Then shift it in the“P”position,and run the engine at idling speed.
1) Yellow handle
1) HOT range2) COLD range3) Upper level4) Lower level
4. Pull out the level gauge and check the
fluid level on the gauge. If it is below thelower level on the“HOT”range, add therecommended automatic transmissionfluid up to the upper level.
!Checking the fluid level when thefluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checkedwithout time to warm up the automatictransmission,check to see that the fluidlevel is between the lower level and upperlevel on the“COLD”range. If it is belowthat range, add fluid up to the upper level.Be careful not to overfill.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill automatictransmission fluid when adding it.If automatic transmission fluidtouches the exhaust pipe, it maycause a bad smell, smoke, and/or afire. If automatic transmission fluidgets on the exhaust pipe, be sure towipe it off.

&Recommended fluid
Refer to“Fluids”F12-7.
NOTE
Using any non-specified type of auto-matic transmission fluid could result indamage inside the transmission. Whenreplacingthe automatic transmissionfluid, be sure to use the specified type.
Front differential gear oil
&Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface andstop the engine.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,and insert it again.
1) Upper level2) Lower level
3. Pull out the level gauge again andcheck theoil level on it. If it is below thelower level, add oil to bring the level up tothe upper level.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill front differ-ential gear oil when adding it. If oiltouches the exhaust pipe, it maycause a bad smell, smoke, and/or afire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,be sure to wipe it off.
Maintenance and service11-15
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11-16Maintenance and service
&Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own baseoils and additives. Never use differentbrands together. For details, refer to“Frontdifferential and rear differential gear oil”F12-6.
Rear differential gear oil
There is no oil level gauge. To check therear differential gear oil level, consult yourSUBARU dealer for inspection.
&Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own baseoils and additives. Never use differentbrands together. For details, refer to“Frontdifferential and rear differential gear oil”F12-6.
Power steering fluid
&Checking the fluid level
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourselfbecause the fluid may be hot.
CAUTION
.When power steering fluid isbeing added, use only clean fluid,and be careful not to allow anydirt into the tank. And never usedifferent brands together.
.Be careful not to spill powersteering fluid when adding it. If

power steering fluid touches theexhaust pipe, it may cause a badsmell, smoke, and/or a fire. Ifpower steering fluid gets on theexhaust pipe, be sure to wipe itoff.
The power steering fluid expands greatlyas its temperature rises; the fluid leveldiffers according to fluid temperature.Therefore, the reservoir tank has twodifferent checking ranges for hot and coldfluids.
Check the power steering fluid levelmonthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface,and stop the engine.
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoirtank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle hasbeen run: Check that the oil level isbetween“HOT MIN”and“HOT MAX”onthe surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle isrun: Check that the oil level is between“COLD MIN”and“COLD MAX”on thesurface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than theapplicable“MIN”line, add the recom-mended fluid as necessary to bring thelevel between the“MIN”and“MAX”line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it mayindicate possible leakage. Consult yourSUBARU dealer for inspection.
&Recommended fluid
Refer to“Fluids”F12-7.
Brake fluid
&Checking the fluid level
WARNING
.Never let brake fluid contact youreyes because brake fluid can beharmful to your eyes. If brakefluid gets in your eyes, immedi-ately flush them thoroughly withclean water. For safety, whenperforming this work, wearingeye protection is advisable.
.Brake fluid absorbs moisturefrom the air. Any absorbed moist-ure can cause a dangerous lossof braking performance.
.If the vehicle requires frequentrefilling, there may be a leak. Ifyou suspecta problem, have thevehicle checked at your SUBARUdealer.
CAUTION
.When adding brake fluid, be care-ful not to allow any dirt into thereservoir.
.Never splash the brake fluid overpainted surfaces or rubber parts.
Maintenance and service11-17
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11-18Maintenance and service
Alcohol contained in the brakefluid may damage them.
.Be careful not to spill brake fluidwhen adding it. If brake fluidtouches the exhaust pipe, it maycause a bad smell, smoke, and/ora fire. If brake fluid gets on theexhaust pipe, be sure to wipe itoff.
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check thefluid level on the outside of thereservoir. If the level is below“MIN”, addthe recommended brake fluid to“MAX”.
Use only brake fluid from a sealedcontainer.
&Recommended brake fluid
Refer to“Fluids”F12-7.
CAUTION
Never use different brands of brakefluid together. Also, avoid mixingDOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids even ifthey are the same brand.
Brake booster
If the brake booster does not operate asdescribed in the following, have it checkedby your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brakepedal several times, applying the samepedal force each time. The distance thepedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, startthe engine. The pedal should moveslightly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stopthe engine and keep the pedal depressedfor 30 seconds. The pedal height shouldnot change.
4. Start the engine again and run forapproximately 1 minute then turn it off.Depress the brake pedal several times tocheck the brake booster. The brakebooster operates properly if the pedalstroke decreases with each depression.

Brake pedal
Check the brake pedal free play andreserve distance according to the main-tenance schedule in the“Warranty andMaintenance Booklet”.
&Checking the brake pedal
free play
1) 0.02–0.08 in (0.5–2.0 mm)
Stop the engine and firmly depress thebrake pedal several times. Lightly pull thebrake pedal up with one finger to checkthe free play with a force of less than 2 lbf(10 N, 1 kgf).
If the free play is not within properspecification, contact your SUBARU deal-er.
&Checking the brake pedal
reserve distance
1) More than 2.16 in (55 mm)
Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-mately 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf) and measurethe distance between the upper surface ofthe pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller thanthe specification, or when the pedal doesnot operate smoothly, contact with yourSUBARU dealer.
Replacement of brake pad
and lining
CAUTION
If you continue to drive despite thescraping noise from the audiblebrake pad wear indicator, it willresult in the need for costly brakerotor repair or replacement.
The disc brakes have audible wearindicators on the brake pads. If the brakepads wear close to their service limit, thewear indicator makes a very audiblescraping noise when the brake pedal isapplied.
If you hear this scraping noise each time
Maintenance and service11-19
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