2017 SUBARU FORESTER Mode

&Turbo models1) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-18)
2) Fuse box (page 11-37)
3) Battery (page 11-36)
4) Windshield washer tank (page 11-30)
5) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-10)
6) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-13)
7) Radiator cap (page 11-13)
8) Engine oil filter (page 11-11)
9) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-10)
10) Air cleaner case (page 11-14)
Maintenance and service/Engine compartment overview
11-9

Maintenance and service/Air cleaner element
CAUTION
.Be careful not to spill engine
coolant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If engine coolant gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe
it off.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
! Changing the coolant
It may be difficult to change the coolant.
Have the coolant changed by your
SUBARU dealer if necessary.
The coolant should be changed according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Air cleaner element
WARNING
Do not operate the engine with the
air cleaner element removed. The air
cleaner element not only filters
intake air but also stops flames if
the engine backfires. If the air
cleaner element is not installed
when the engine backfires, you
could be burned.
CAUTION
When replacing the air cleaner ele-
ment, use a genuine SUBARU air
cleaner element. If it is not used,
there is the possibility of causing a
negative effect to the engine.
The air cleaner element functions as a
filter screen. When the element is perfo-
rated or removed, engine wear will be
excessive and engine life shortened.
It is not necessary to clean or wash the air
cleaner element.
& Replacing the air cleaner
element
Replace the air cleaner element according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. Un-
der extremely dusty conditions, replace it
more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts.
! Non-turbo models
1) Clip
1. Unsnap the two clips holding the air
cleaner case (front).
11-14

2. Open the air cleaner case (rear).
3. Remove the air cleaner element.
4. Clean the inside of the air cleaner case
(both front and rear) with a damp cloth and
install a new air cleaner element.
5. To install the air cleaner case (rear),
insert the three projections on the air
cleaner case (rear) into the slits on the
air cleaner case (front).
6. Install in the reverse order of removal.!
Turbo models1) Clip
1. Unsnap the two clips holding the air
cleaner case (rear).
2. Open the air cleaner case and remove
Maintenance and service/Air cleaner element
–CONTINUED –11-15

Manual transmission oil
It is not necessary to check the transmis-
sion oil level. Check that there are no
cracks, damage or leakage. However, the
oil inspection should be performed ac-
cording to the maintenance schedule in
the“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Consult your SUBARU dealer for details.
& Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together. For details, refer to
“Manual transmission, front differential
and rear differential gear oil ”F 12-7.
Continuously variable trans-
mission fluid
It is not necessary to check the transmis-
sion fluid level. Check that there are no
cracks, damage or leakage. However, the
fluid inspection should be performed
according to the maintenance schedule
in the “Warranty and Maintenance Book-
let ”. Consult your SUBARU dealer for
details.
Front differential gear oil
(CVT models) and rear differ-
ential gear oil
It is not necessary to check the gear oil
level. Check that there are no cracks,
damage or leakage. However, the oil
inspection should be performed according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Consult your SUBARU dealer for details.
& Recommended grade and
viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together. For details, refer to
“Manual transmission, front differential
and rear differential gear oil ”F 12-7.
CAUTION
Using a differential gear oil other
than the specified oil may cause a
decline in vehicle performance.
Maintenance and service/Manual transmission oil11-17

Clutch fluid (MT models)
&Checking the fluid level
WARNING
Never let clutch fluid contact your
eyes because clutch fluid can be
harmful to your eyes. If clutch fluid
gets in your eyes, immediately flush
them thoroughly with clean water.
For safety, when performing this
work, wearing eye protection is
advisable.
CAUTION
. Clutch fluid absorbs moisture
from the air. Any absorbed moist-
ure can cause improper clutch
operation.
. If the vehicle requires frequent
refilling, there may be a leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
. When clutch fluid is added, be
careful not to allow any dirt into
the tank.
. Never splash the clutch fluid over
painted surfaces or rubber parts. Alcohol contained in the clutch
fluid may damage them.
. Be careful not to spill clutch fluid
when adding it. If clutch fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If clutch fluid gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.
. The fluid level for the clutch
system must be checked at the
inboard side of the reservoir. It
cannot be checked at the out-
board side of the reservoir.
1) “MAX ”level line
2) The clutch fluid level must be checked in this area.
3) “MIN ”level line
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the
reservoir. Because this reservoir is used
for both the brake and clutch systems and
has chambers for each system, be sure to
check the fluid level for the clutch system
at the inboard side of the reservoir
(shaded area in the illustration). If the fluid
level is below “MIN ”,addtherecom-
mended clutch fluid to “MAX ”.
Use only clutch fluid from a sealed
container.
& Recommended clutch fluid
Refer to “Fluids ”F 12-9.
CAUTION
Never use different brands of clutch
fluid together. Also, avoid mixing
DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids even if
they are the same brand.
Maintenance and service/Clutch fluid (MT models)11-19

Clutch pedal (MT models)
Check the clutch pedal free play according
to the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
& Checking the clutch function
Check the clutch engagement and disen-
gagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there
are no abnormal noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed, and that shifting into
1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal
slowly to check that the engine and
transmission smoothly couple without
any sign of slippage.
&Checking the clutch pedal
free play
1) 0.16 - 0.43 in (4.0 - 11.0 mm)
Lightly depress the clutch pedal down with
your finger until you feel resistance, and
check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er.
Hill start assist system
Ensure that the Hill start assist system
operates properly under the following
circumstances.
1. Stop the vehicle on an uphill grade by
depressing the brake pedal (all models)
and clutch pedal (MT models only), with
the engine running.
2. Make sure that the vehicle does not
move backward for several seconds 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 your
SUBARU dealer.
Maintenance and service/Clutch pedal (MT models)11-21

Replacing bulbs
WARNING
Bulbs may become very hot while
illuminated. Before replacing bulbs,
turn off the lights and wait until the
bulbs cool down. Otherwise, there is
a risk of sustaining a burn injury.
CAUTION
Replace any bulb only with a new
bulb of the specified wattage. Using
a bulb of different wattage could
result in a fire. For the specified
wattage of each bulb, refer to“Bulb
chart” F12-16.
Do not touch the glass portion of the
light bulb with bare hands. When
holding the glass portion is una-
voidable, hold it using a clean dry
cloth to avoid getting moisture and
oils on the bulb. Also, if the bulb is
scratched or dropped, it may blow
out or crack.
NOTE
. For models with type A combination
meter, if SRH is malfunctioning, the SRH OFF indicator on the combination
meter blinks when the ignition switch is
in the
“ON ”position. It indicates that
SRH has been deactivated. Contact a
SUBARU dealer for an inspection.
. For models with type B combination
meter, if SRH is malfunctioning, a
message appears on the warning
screen when the ignition switch is in
the “ON ”position. It indicates that SRH
has been deactivated. Contact a
SUBARU dealer for an inspection.
& Headlights (models with LED
headlights)
The LED headlights may be malfunction-
ing if the headlights do not illuminate or if
they do not illuminate at the appropriate
brightness. In this case, have your vehicle
inspected at a SUBARU dealer as soon as
possible.
&Headlights (models with ha-
logen headlights)
CAUTION
Halogen headlight bulbs become
very hot while in use. If you touch
the bulb surface with bare hands or
greasy gloves, fingerprints or
grease on the bulb surface will develop into hot spots, causing the
bulb to break. If there are finger
prints or grease on the bulb surface,
wipe them away with a soft cloth
moistened with alcohol.
NOTE
.
If headlight aiming is required, con-
sult your SUBARU dealer for proper
adjustment of the headlight aim.
. It may be difficult to replace the
bulbs. Have the bulbs replaced by your
SUBARU dealer if necessary.
To replace the right side headlight bulb,
use a screwdriver to undo the clips on the
air intake duct, then remove the air intake
duct.
Maintenance and service/Replacing bulbs
–CONTINUED –11-39

&Front turn signal light, front
side marker light and parking
light
NOTE
. It may be difficult to replace the
bulbs. Have the bulbs replaced by your
SUBARU dealer if necessary.
. The bulbs used for the parking light
emit light that is whiter than conven-
tional bulbs. Consult your SUBARU
dealer for replacement.
. Models with LED headlight: It may
be difficult to replace the bulbs used
for the parking light. Have the bulbs
replaced by your SUBARU dealer if
necessary.
Front side marker light and parking light
(models with halogen headlight)
Front side marker light (models with LED
headlight)
Front turn signal light (models with halo-
gen headlight)
Front turn signal light (models with LED
headlight)
1. Remove the electrical connector from
the clip.
Front turn signal light (models with halo-
gen headlight)
Maintenance and service/Replacing bulbs
–CONTINUED –
11-41