Subaru Forester: Maintenance and service / Brake fluid
Checking the fluid level
WARNING
- Never let brake fluid contact your
eyes because brake fluid can be
harmful to your eyes. If brake
fluid gets in your eyes, immediately
flush them thoroughly with
clean water. For safety, when
performing this work, wearing
eye protection is advisable.
- Brake fluid absorbs moisture
from the air. Any absorbed moisture
can cause a dangerous loss
of braking performance.
- If the vehicle requires frequent
refilling, there may be a leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
CAUTION
- When adding brake fluid, be careful
not to allow any dirt into the
reservoir.
- Never splash the brake fluid over
painted surfaces or rubber parts.
Alcohol contained in the brake
fluid may damage them.
- Be careful not to spill brake fluid
when adding it. If brake fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If brake fluid gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.

- “MAX” level line
- “MIN” level line
- The brake fluid level must be checked in
this area.
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the
reservoir. Be sure to check the fluid level
for the brake system at the shaded area in
the illustration.
If the fluid level is below “MIN”, add the
recommended brake fluid to “MAX”. Use
only brake fluid from a sealed container.
Recommended brake fluid
Refer to “Fluids”.
CAUTION
Never use different brands of brake
fluid together. Also, avoid mixing
DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids even if
they are the same brand.
The brake booster utilizes the vacuum
produced by the engine manifold to reduce
the force required to depress the brake
pedal.
The vacuum in the brake booster may be
insufficient if the brake pedal is depressed
when the engine is stopped or after the
vehicle has been parked for a long period
..
Other information:
If towing is necessary, it is best done by
your SUBARU dealer or a commercial
towing service. Observe the following
procedures for safety.
WARNING
Never tow AWD models with the
front wheels raised off the ground
while the rear wheels are on the
ground, or with the rear wheels
raised off the ground while the front
wheels are on the ground...
Seatbelt warning light / Front
passenger’s seatbelt warning light
Rear seatbelt warning light
SRS airbag system warning light
Front passenger’s frontal airbag
ON indicator
Front passenger’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction
indicator light
Coolant temperature low
indicator light / Coolant temperature high warning light
Charge warning light
Oil pressure warning light
Engine low oil level warning
light
AT OIL TEMP warning light
ABS warning light
Brake system warning light (red)
Electronic parking brake
indicator light
Door open warning light
Engine hood open warning light
AWD warning light
Power steering warning light
Auto Vehicle Hold ON indicator
light
Auto Vehicle Hold operation
indicator light
Depress brake indicator light
(if equipped)
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning
light/Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF
indicator light
Turn signal indicator lights
LED headlight warning light
High beam indicator light
High beam assist indicator light
(if equipped)
Automatic headlight beam leveler
warning light
Steering Responsive Headlight
warning light/Steering Responsive Headlight OFF indicator light
Front fog light indicator light
(if equipped)
Access key warning indicator
light (if equipped)
Security indicator light
Sport (S) mode indicator (if
equipped)
Intelligent (I) mode indicator
(if equipped)
Sport Sharp (S#) mode indicator
(if equipped)
Headlight indicator light (if
equipped)
Cruise control indicator light
(if equipped)
Cruise control set indicator
light (if equipped)
X-MODE indicator light (if
equipped)
Hill descent control indicator
light (if equipped)
Low fuel warning light
Low tire pressure warning light
(U...