Maintenance Information: Other Subaru Forester SF

VIN CODE ID EXPLANATION

Numbers preceding the explanations in the legend below refer to the sequence of characters as listed on VIN identification label. See VIN example below.

VIN Code ID Explanation. Scheme 2

SEVERE & NORMAL SERVICE DEFINITIONS

Service is recommended at mileage intervals based on vehicle operation. Service schedules are based on the following primary operating conditions

Normal Service

1. Driven More Than 10 Miles Daily
2. No Operating Conditions From Severe Service Schedules

Severe Service (Unique Driving Conditions)

Note. Use the Severe Service schedule if the vehicle to be serviced is operated under ANY (one or more) of these conditions

1. Repeated Short Distance Driving
2. Driving On Rough And/Or Muddy Roads
3. Driving In Dusty Conditions
4. Driving In Extremely Cold Weather
5. Driving In Areas Where Road Salts Or Other Corrosive Materials are used
6. Living In Coastal Areas
7. Towing A Trailer

CAMSHAFT TIMING BELT

Inspect the camshaft timing belt every 30,000 miles and replace every 60,000 miles.

The condition of camshaft drive belts should always be checked on vehicles which have more than 50,000 miles. Although some manufacturers do not recommend belt replacement at a specified mileage, others require it at 60,000-100,000 miles. A camshaft drive belt failure may cause extensive damage to internal engine components on most engines, although some designs do not allow piston-to-valve contact. These designs are often called "Free Wheeling".

Many manufacturers changed their maintenance and warranty schedules in the mid-1980's to reflect timing belt inspection and/or replacement at 50,000-60,000 miles. Most service interval schedules in this manual reflect these changes.

Belts or components should be inspected and replaced if any of the following conditions exist

1. Cracks Or Tears In Belt Surface
2. Missing, Damaged, Cracked Or Rounded Teeth
3. Oil Contamination
4. Damaged Or Faulty Tensioners
5. Incorrect Tension Adjustment

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TIRE INFLATION

Check tire pressure after vehicle has been parked for 3 hours or more and tires are cold. DO NOT let air out of warm tires to adjust pressure.

SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (AIR BAG)

Note. See the AIR BAGS article in the ACCESSORIES/SAFETY EQUIPMENT Section.

Modifications or improper maintenance, including incorrect removal and installation of the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS), can adversely affect system performance. DO NOT cover, obstruct or change the steering wheel horn pad in any way, as such action could cause improper function of the system. Use only plain water when cleaning the horn pad. Solvents or cleaners could adversely affect the air bag cover and cause improper deployment of the system.

AIR CONDITIONING SERVICING

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM

On models equipped with anti-lock brake systems, ALWAYS observe the following cautions

1. DO NOT attempt to bleed hydraulic system without first referring to the appropriate ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM article in the BRAKES Section.
2. DO NOT mix tire sizes. As long as tires remain close to the original diameter, increasing the width is acceptable. Rolling diameter must be identical for all 4 tires. Some manufacturers recommend tires of the same brand, style and type. Failure to follow this precaution may cause inaccurate wheel speed readings.
3. Use ONLY recommended brake fluids. DO NOT use silicone brake fluids in an ABS-equipped vehicle.

REPLACING BLOWN FUSES

CATALYTIC CONVERTER

ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SENSITIVE (ESD) PARTS

ENGINE OIL

FUEL SYSTEM SERVICE

HALOGEN BULBS

METHANOL GASOLINE

RADIATOR CAP

RADIATOR FAN

WARRANTY INFORMATION

Note. This warranty information covers all models EXCEPT right hand drive Legacy.

BASIC NEW CAR LIMITED WARRANTY

Covers the cost of repair or replacement of parts on vehicle that have been proven defective in material or workmanship under normal use for 36 months/36,000 miles. Warranty coverage also includes any adjustment services required on vehicle, even if there is no defect in material or workmanship, or as a direct result of the repair or replacement of a part under this warranty for the first 12, months or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

WEAR ITEM LIMITED WARRANTY

Covers the cost of replacement for wear items such as brake pad/shoe linings, clutch disk linings, and wipers blades for 1 year or 12,000 miles, whichever occurs first, for all models except Right Hand Drive Legacy.

SEAT BELT LIFETIME LIMITED WARRANTY

Covers the cost of replacement for seat belts and related components which fail to function properly during normal use that lasts for the useful life of the vehicle.

This warranty does not apply to cosmetic appearance, such as color fading, when the seat belts function properly. Coverage also excludes any electrical related components or body anchor points.

POWERTRAIN COVERAGE

Upon expiration of the Basic New Car Warranty, this warranty covers the following powertrain components for repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship up to a maximum of 5 years or 60,000 miles, whichever occurs first.

1. Engine - Engine Block And Internal Parts, Cylinder Heads & Valve Train, Oil Pump, Oil Pan, Timing Belts Or Gears And Cover, Water Pump, Flywheel, Intake & Exhaust Manifolds, Oil Seals & Gaskets
2. Transaxle & Differential - Transmission Cases And Internal Parts, Torque Converter, Electronic Transmission Control Unit, Seals & Gaskets Axle Shafts & Constant Velocity Joints (Except Boots ( 1 )), Propeller Shaft.

( 1 ) - Axle shaft and/or CVJ damage due to broken, torn, split, or damaged boots, allowing the intrusion of road abrasive material, is not coverable under warranty.

RUST PERFORATION LIMITED WARRANTY

Covers any body sheet metal panel found to have developed perforation (rust-through) due to corrosion in normal use for 5 years with unlimited mileage.

Items excluded from the warranty coverage are as follows

1. Rusting of the outside of the underbody (floor pan) or any other part of the car except body panels.
2. Rust resulting from any alteration of any body panels.
3. Rust as a result of damage to paint caused by normal road hazards such as stones or other debris.
4. Body panel rust caused by abuse, lack of maintenance, or damage to the car.
5. Rust caused by sand, mud, salt, submergence of a body panel in water, exposure to industrial fallout, chemical fallout, tree sap, hail, or other causes beyond the control of SOA.
6. Replacement of body sheet metal panels.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM DEFECT WARRANTY (EXCEPT CALIFORNIA)

Warrants that the vehicle was designed, built and equipped to conform at the time of sale with all applicable U.S. emission standards. Covers any repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship of genuine Subaru parts which would cause the vehicle not to meet these standards for 3 years or 36,000 miles from date of original retail delivery or first use, whichever occurs first. See warranty parts list for components covered under this warranty.

For a period of 8 years/80,000 miles, whichever occurs first, specific Major Emissions Control Components are covered. The parts covered are as follows

1. Catalytic Converter
2. Engine Control Module
3. Electronic Emissions Control Unit
4. Onboard Emissions Diagnostic Device

EMISSION PERFORMANCE WARRANTY (EXCEPT CALIFORNIA)

Warranty applies to all vehicles in states requiring periodic emissions test approved by the EPA. Covers all repairs, adjustments, or replacements if vehicle has been maintained in accordance with the prescribed scheduled maintenance instructions and fails to conform to applicable emission standards as judged by an EPA-approved emission test and such failure results or will result in the vehicle owner having to bear any penalty or other sanctions under local, state or federal law. Covers remedy of non-conformity which causes vehicle to fail EPA-approved emissions test, at manufacturer's option, for 2 years or 24,000 miles, which ever occurs first. See copy of warranty for specific components covered.

EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WARRANTY (CALIFORNIA)

Manufacturer warrants its emission components in vehicle to be free of defects in material and workmanship and that vehicle is designed, built and equipped to conform at the time of sale to all applicable requirements of the Federal EPA and the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Covers any repairs needed to correct defects in materials or workmanship of parts which would cause the vehicle not to meet these standards for 3 years or 50,000 miles, which ever occurs first.

Primary emission system components are covered under this warranty for 7 years or 70,000 miles, whichever occurs first. The parts covered are as follows

1. Catalytic Converter
2. Engine Control Module
3. Fuel Tank
4. Intake Manifold
5. Pressure Sensor
6. Throttle Body Assembly

PARTS & ACCESSORIES LIMITED WARRANTY

Warrants all Subaru parts and accessories purchased and installed in vehicle to be free of defects in material or workmanship under normal use. Covers any repairs or replacement of parts or accessories necessary to correct defects at manufacturer's option. Warranty begins on date of purchase and lasts for one year or for the remaining coverage period of the particular part under the Basic New Car Limited Warranty, whichever is longer.

TOWING

SOA will pay for the cost of towing to the nearest Authorized Subaru Dealer if it cannot be driven due to a defect covered by these warranties.

FUSES & CIRCUIT BREAKERS

The fuse block is located under the instrument panel. If a fuse is blown, locate the cause before replacing the fuse. Spare fuses are contained in the fuse block. If an electrical failure has occurred and the fuses are in good condition, check the fusible links in the engine compartment and replace as necessary. Always use fuses and fusible links with the correct amperage rating.

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