Subaru Forester: Cooling system / Engine coolant
Checking the coolant level
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radiator
cap until the engine has been shut
off and has cooled down completely.
Since the coolant is under pressure,
you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when
the cap is removed.

- “FULL” level mark
- “LOW” level mark
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
- Check the coolant level on the outside
of the reservoir while the engine is cool.
- If the level is close to or lower than the
“LOW” level mark, add coolant up to the
“FULL” level mark. If the reserve tank is
empty, remove the radiator cap and refill
coolant up to just below the filler neck as
shown in the following illustration.

Fill up to this level.

- After refilling the reserve tank and the
radiator, reinstall the cap and check that
the rubber gaskets inside the radiator cap
are in the proper position.
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”.
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...
Other information:
Release the parking brake and put the
transmission in the neutral position.
The ignition switch should be in the
“ON” position while the vehicle is being
towed.
Take up slack in the towline slowly to
prevent damage to the vehicle.
WARNING
Never turn the ignition switch to
the “LOCK”/“OFF” position while
the vehicle is being towed because
the steering wheel and the
direction of the wheels will be
locked...
Release button
Emergency key
While pressing the release button of the
access key fob, take out the emergency
key.
Lock or unlock the driver’s door with the
emergency key in the procedure described
in “Locking and unlocking from the outside”...