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4-2. Maintenance
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Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartmentNOTE
SUBARU does not endorse the use of non-SUBARU approved flushing sys-
tems and strongly advises against performing these services on a SUBARU
vehicle. Non-SUBARU approved flushing systems use chemicals and/or sol-
vents which have not been tested or approved by SUBARU.
SUBARU warranties do not cover any part of the vehicle which is damaged
by adding or applying chemicals and/or solvents other than those approved
or recommended by SUBARU.
ItemsCheck points
Battery Check the connections.
(→ P. 306)
Brake fluid At the correct level? ( →P. 304)
Engine coolant At the correct level? ( →P. 302)
Engine oil At the correct level? ( →P. 299)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hoses Not blocked with foreign matter? (
→P. 304)
Washer fluid At the correct level? ( →P. 310)
Listed below are the general maintenance items that should be per-
formed at the intervals specified in the “Warranty and Maintenance
Booklet”. It is recommended that any problem you notice should be
brought to the attention of your SUBARU dealer or qualified service
shop for advice.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
WARNING
The engine compartment contains many mechanisms and fluids that may
move suddenly, become hot, or become electrically energized. To avoid death
or serious injury, observe the following precautions.
■When working in the engine compartment
●Keep hands, clothing, and tools away from the moving fan and engine
drive belt.
●Be careful not to touch the engine, radiator, exhaust manifold, etc. right
after driving as they may be hot. Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
●Do not leave anything that may burn easily, such as paper or rags, in the
engine compartment.
●Do not smoke, cause sparks or expose an open flame to fuel or the bat-
tery. Fuel and battery fumes are flammable.
●Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It contains poisonous
and corrosive sulfuric acid.
■When working near the electric cooling fans or radiator grille
Vehicles without a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
engine switch is off. With the engine switch in the “ON” position, the electric
cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air conditioning is on and/or
the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 304)
Vehicles with a keyless access with push button start system: Be sure the
push-button ignition switch is off. With the push-button ignition switch in
“ON” mode, the electric cooling fans may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or the coolant temperature is high. ( →P. 304)
■Safety glasses
Wear safety glasses to prevent flying or falling material, fluid spray, etc. from
getting in the eyes.
CAUTION
■If you remove the air cleaner filter
Driving with the air cleaner filter removed may cause excessive engine wear
due to dirt in the air. Also a backfire could cause a fire in the engine compart-ment.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine hood
Release the lock from the inside of the vehicle to open the engine
hood.Pull the engine hood release
lever.The engine hood will pop up
slightly.
Push the auxiliary catch lever
to the left and lift the engine
hood.
Hold the engine hood open by
inserting the supporting rod
into the slot.
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
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Maintenance and care
WARNING
■Pre-driving check
Check that the engine hood is fully closed and locked.
If the engine hood is not locked properly it may open while the vehicle is in
motion and cause an accident, which may result in death or serious injury.
CAUTION
■When opening the engine hood
●Do not lift up or operate the wipers. Doing so may cause the engine hood
and wipers to contact, scratching the engine hood.
●Use caution when opening the engine hood in windy weather as it may
close suddenly in strong wind.
●Do not attach any accessories other than genuine SUBARU products to
the engine hood. Such additional weight on the engine hood may cause it
to be too heavy to be supported by the supporting rod when opened.
■When closing the engine hood
Do not apply excessive weight or force when closing the engine hood as
doing so may result in damage.
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Engine compartment
Battery (→P. 306)
Engine oil level dipstick (→ P. 299)
Brake fluid reservoir (→ P. 304)
Engine oil filler cap (→ P. 300)Washer fluid tank
(→ P. 310)
Electric cooling fans
Condenser ( →P. 304)
Radiator ( →P. 304)
Engine coolant reservoir (→ P. 302)
Fuse box ( →P. 335)
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Maintenance and care
Engine oilWith the engine at operating temperature and turned off, check the oil
level on the dipstick.
■Checking the engine oil Park the vehicle on level ground. After warming up the engine
and turning it off, wait more than five minutes for the oil to
drain back into the bottom of the engine.
Hold a rag under the end and
pull the dipstick out.
Wipe the dipstick clean.
Reinsert the dipstick fully.
Holding a rag under the end, pull the dipstick out and check
the oil level.
When checking the oil, look at both sides of the dipstick and use the
lower measurement to determine the level of oil.
Wipe the dipstick and reinsert it fully.
Low
Full
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
STEP 4
STEP 5
STEP 6
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4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
■Adding engine oilIf the oil level is below or near
the low level mark, add engine
oil of the same type as already in
the engine.
Make sure to check the oil type and prepare the items needed before
adding oil.
Remove the oil filler cap by turning it counterclockwise.
Add engine oil slowly, checking the dipstick.
Install the oil filler cap by turning it clockwise.
Engine oil selection →
P. 420
Oil quantity
(Low → Full) 1.1 qt. (1.0 L, 0.9 Imp. qt.)
Items
Clean funnel
■Engine oil consumption
Some engine oil will be consumed while driving. Under the following condi-
tions, oil consumption can be increased and thus require refilling between
maintenance intervals:
●When the engine is new and within the break-in period
●When the engine oil is of lower quality
●When the incorrect oil viscosity is used
●When engine braking is employed
STEP 1
STEP 2
STEP 3
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Maintenance and care
●When the engine is operated at high engine speeds
●When the engine is operated under heavy loads
●When towing a trailer
●When the engine idles for long periods of time
●When the vehicle is operated in stop and go and/or heavy traffic situa- tions
●When the vehicle is used under severe thermal conditions
●When the vehicle accelerates and decelerates frequently
Under these or similar conditions, you should check your oil at least every
2nd fuel fill-up and change your engine oil more frequently. If your oil con-
sumption rate is greater than 1 quart ev ery 1,200 miles or 1 liter every 2,000
kilometers, contact your SUBARU dealer who may perform a test under con-
trolled conditions.
WARNING
■Used engine oil
●Used engine oil contains potentially harmful contaminants which may
cause skin disorders such as inflammation or skin cancer, so care should
be taken to avoid prolonged and repeated contact. To remove used engine
oil from your skin, wash thoroughly with soap and water.
●Dispose of used oil and filters only in a safe and acceptable manner. Do
not dispose of used oil and filters in household trash, in sewers or onto the
ground.
Call your SUBARU dealer, service station or auto parts store for informa-
tion concerning recycling or disposal.
●Do not leave used engine oil within the reach of children.