2016 SUBARU BRZ Owners Manual

288 4-2. Maintenance
WARNING
■If your vehicle is not properly maintained
It could result in serious damage to the vehicle and possible serious injury or
death.
■Warning in handling of battery
●Before beginning work on or near any battery, be sure to extinguish all cig-
arettes, matches, and lighters. Never expose a battery to an open flame or
electric sparks. Batteries give off a gas which is highly flammable and
explosive.
●For safety, in case an explosion does occur, wear eye protection or shield
your eyes when working near any battery. Never lean over a battery.
●Do not let battery fluid contact eyes, skin, fabrics, or paint because battery
fluid is a corrosive acid. If battery fluid gets on your skin or in your eyes,
immediately flush the area with water thoroughly. Seek medical help
immediately if acid has entered the eyes.
If battery fluid is accidentally swallowed, immediately drink a large amount
of milk or water, and seek medical attention immediately.
●To lessen the risk of sparks, remove rings, metal watchbands, and other
metal jewelry. Never allow metal tools to contact the positive battery termi-
nal and anything connected to it WHILE you are at the same time in con-
tact with any other metallic portion of the vehicle because a short circuit
will result.
●Keep everyone including children away from the battery.
●Charge the battery in a well ventilated area.
●Battery posts, terminals and related accessories contain lead and lead
compounds, chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer
and reproductive harm. Batteries also contain other chemicals known to
the State of California to cause cancer. Wash hands after handling.

289
4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
General maintenance
Engine compartment
NOTE
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
BatteryCheck the connections.
(oP. 306)
Brake fluid At the correct level? (oP. 304)
Engine coolant At the correct level? (oP. 302)
Engine oil At the correct level? (oP. 299)
Exhaust system No fumes or strange sounds?
Radiator/condenser/hosesNot blocked with foreign matter?
(oP. 304)
Washer fluid At the correct level? (oP. 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.

290 4-2. Maintenance
Vehicle interior
ItemsCheck points
Accelerator pedal• Moves smoothly (without uneven
pedal effort or catching)?
Automatic transmission “Park”
mechanism• Can the vehicle be held securely
on an incline with the select lever
in P?
Brake pedal• Moves smoothly?
• Does it have appropriate clear-
ance and correct amount of free
play?
Brakes• Not pull to one side when
applied?
• Loss of brake effectiveness?
• Spongy feeling brake pedal?
• Pedal almost touches floor?
Clutch pedal • Moves smoothly?
Head restraints• Move smoothly and lock
securely?
Indicators/buzzers • Function properly?
Lights • Do all the lights come on?
Parking brake• Moves smoothly?
• Can hold the vehicle securely on
an incline?
Seatbelts• Does the seatbelt system oper-
ate smoothly?
• Are the belts undamaged?
Seats• Do the seat controls operate
properly?
Steering wheel• Moves smoothly?
• Has correct free play?
• No strange noises?

291 4-2. Maintenance
4
Maintenance and care
Vehicle exterior
ItemsCheck points
Door/trunk lid • Operate smoothly?
Engine hood • The lock system works properly?
Fluid leaks• Is there any leakage after park-
ing?
Ti re• Inflation pressure is correct?
• Tire surfaces not worn or dam-
aged?
• Tires rotated according to the
maintenance schedule?
• Wheel nuts are not loose?
Windshield wipers
•The wiper blades should not show
any signs of cracking, splitting,
wear, contamination or deforma-
tion.
•The wiper blades should clear the
windshield without streaking or
skipping.
WARNING
■If the engine is running
Turn the engine off and ensure that there is adequate ventilation before per-
forming maintenance checks.

292
4-2. Maintenance
Emission inspection and maintenance (I/M) programs
Some states have vehicle emission inspection programs which
include OBD (On Board Diagnostics) checks. The OBD system moni-
tors the operation of the emission control system.
■If the malfunction indicator lamp comes on
The OBD system determines that a problem exists somewhere
in the emission control system. Your vehicle may not pass the I/
M test and may need to be repaired. Contact your SUBARU
dealer to service the vehicle.
■Your vehicle may not pass the I/M test:
●When the battery is disconnected or discharged
Readiness codes that are set during ordinary driving are
erased.
Also, depending on your driving habits, the readiness codes
may not be completely set.
●When the fuel tank cap is loose
The malfunction indicator lamp comes on as a temporary mal-
function and your vehicle may not pass the I/M test.
■When the malfunction indicator lamp goes off after several
driving trips
The error code in the OBD system will not be cleared unless the
vehicle is driven 40 or more times.
■If your vehicle does not pass the I/M test
Contact your SUBARU dealer to prepare the vehicle for re-test-
ing.

293
4
Maintenance and care
4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
Do-it-yourself ser vice precautions
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the correct
procedure as given in these sections.
ItemsParts and tools
Battery condition (oP. 306)•Warm water
• Baking soda
• Grease
• Conventional wrench
(for terminal clamp bolts)
• Distilled water
Brake fluid level (oP. 304)• FMVSS No.116 fresh DOT 3 or
DOT 4 brake fluid
• Rag or paper towel
• Funnel (used only for adding
brake fluid)
Engine coolant level (oP. 302)• SUBARU Super Coolant or simi-
lar high-quality ethylene glycol-
based non-silicate, non-amine,
non-nitrite and non-borate coolant
with long-life hybrid organic acid
technology.
SUBARU Super Coolant is pre-
mixed with 50% coolant and
50% deionized water.
• Funnel (used only for adding
engine coolant)
Engine oil level (oP. 299)• SUBARU approved engine oil or
equivalent
• Rag or paper towel, funnel (used
only for adding engine oil)
Fuses (oP. 334)• Fuse with same amperage rating
as original

294 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
ItemsParts and tools
Light bulbs (oP. 342)• Bulb with same number and watt-
age rating as original
• Phillips-head screwdriver
• Flathead screwdriver
Radiator and condenser
(oP. 304)

Tire inflation pressure (oP. 319)• Tire pressure gauge
• Compressed air source
Washer fluid (oP. 310)• Water washer fluid containing anti-
freeze (for winter use)
• Funnel

295 4-3. Do-it-yourself maintenance
4
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. (oP. 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. (oP. 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.