Subaru Tribeca (2014 year). Instruction — part 22

& Engine coolant

! Checking the coolant level

Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside

of the reservoir while the engine is cool.
2. 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

as required.

3. After refilling the reserve tank and the

radiator, reinstall the caps 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”.

Maintenance and service

11-11

11-12

Maintenance and service

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 unnecessary to clean or wash the

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.

1)

Connector

2)

Clamp

3)

Air intake boot

4)

Clip

1. Unplug the connector that is attached

to the top of the air cleaner case.
2. Loosen the screw on the clamp and

pull the air intake boot out of the air

cleaner case.
3. Unsnap the two clips holding the air

cleaner case cover.

4. Open the air cleaner case cover and

remove the air cleaner element.
5. Clean the inside of the air cleaner case

and case cover with a damp cloth and

install a new air cleaner element.

6. To install the air cleaner case cover,

insert the three projections on the air

cleaner case cover into the slits on the

air cleaner case.
7. Install in the reverse order of removal.

Spark plugs

It may be difficult to replace the spark

plugs. It is recommended that you have

the spark plugs replaced by your

SUBARU dealer.

The spark plugs should be replaced

according to the maintenance schedule

in the “Warranty and Maintenance Book-

let”.

& Recommended spark plugs

Refer to “Electrical system” F12-7.

Drive belts

The alternator, power steering pump, and

air conditioner compressor depend on

drive belts. Satisfactory performance re-

quires that belt tension be correct.
It is unnecessary to check belt tension

periodically because your engine is

equipped with an automatic belt tension

adjuster. However, replacement of the belt

should be done according to the main-

tenance schedule in the “Warranty and

Maintenance Booklet”. Consult your

SUBARU dealer for replacement.
If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contact

your SUBARU dealer.

Maintenance and service

11-13

11-14

Maintenance and service

Automatic transmission fluid

& Checking the fluid level

The automatic transmission fluid expands

largely as its temperature rises; the fluid

level differs according to fluid temperature.

Therefore, there are two different scales

for checking the level of hot fluid and cold

fluid on the level gauge.

Though the fluid level can be checked

without warming up the fluid on the
“COLD” range, we recommend checking

the fluid level when the fluid is at operating

temperature.

! Checking the fluid level when the

fluid is hot

Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise

the temperature of the transmission fluid

up to normal operating temperature; 158

to 1768F (70 to 808C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

set the parking brake.
3. First shift the select lever in each

position. Then shift it in the “P” position,

and run the engine at idling speed.

1)

Yellow handle

1)

HOT range

2)

COLD range

3)

Upper level

4)

Lower level

4. Pull out the level gauge and check the

fluid level on the gauge. If it is below the

lower level on the “HOT” range, add the

recommended automatic transmission

fluid up to the upper level.

! Checking the fluid level when the

fluid is cold

When the fluid level has to be checked

without time to warm up the automatic

transmission, check to see that the fluid

level is between the lower level and upper

level on the “COLD” range. If it is below

that range, add fluid up to the upper level.

Be careful not to overfill.

CAUTION

Be careful not to spill automatic

transmission fluid when adding it.

If automatic transmission fluid

touches the exhaust pipe, it may

cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a

fire. If automatic transmission fluid

gets on the exhaust pipe, be sure to

wipe it off.

& Recommended fluid

Refer to “Fluids” F12-7.

NOTE

Using any non-specified type of auto-

matic transmission fluid could result in

damage inside the transmission. When

replacing the automatic transmission

fluid, be sure to use the specified type.

Front differential gear oil

& Checking the oil level

1)

Yellow handle

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

stop the engine.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,

and insert it again.

1)

Upper level

2)

Lower level

3. Pull out the level gauge again and

check the oil level on it. If it is below the

lower level, add oil to bring the level up to

the upper level.

CAUTION

Be careful not to spill front differ-

ential gear oil when adding it. If oil

touches the exhaust pipe, it may

cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a

fire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,

be sure to wipe it off.

Maintenance and service

11-15

– CONTINUED –

11-16

Maintenance and service

& Recommended grade and

viscosity

Each oil manufacturer has its own base

oils and additives. Never use different

brands together. For details, refer to “Front

differential and rear differential gear oil”

F12-6.

Rear differential gear oil

There is no oil level gauge. To check the

rear differential gear oil level, consult your

SUBARU dealer for inspection.

& Recommended grade and

viscosity

Each oil manufacturer has its own base

oils and additives. Never use different

brands together. For details, refer to “Front

differential and rear differential gear oil”

F12-6.

Power steering fluid

& Checking the fluid level

WARNING

Be careful not to burn yourself

because the fluid may be hot.

CAUTION

. When power steering fluid is

being added, use only clean fluid,

and be careful not to allow any

dirt into the tank. And never use

different brands together.

. Be careful not to spill power

steering fluid when adding it. If

power steering fluid touches the

exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad

smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If

power steering fluid gets on the

exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it

off.

The power steering fluid expands greatly

as its temperature rises; the fluid level

differs according to fluid temperature.

Therefore, the reservoir tank has two

different checking ranges for hot and cold

fluids.

Check the power steering fluid level

monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface,

and stop the engine.
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir

tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has

been run: Check that the oil level is

between “HOT MIN” and “HOT MAX” on

the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is

run: Check that the oil level is between
“COLD MIN” and “COLD MAX” on the

surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the

applicable “MIN” line, add the recom-

mended fluid as necessary to bring the

level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.

If the fluid level is extreme low, it may

indicate possible leakage. Consult your

SUBARU dealer for inspection.

& Recommended fluid

Refer to “Fluids” F12-7.

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, immedi-

ately 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 moist-

ure 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 care-

ful not to allow any dirt into the

reservoir.

. Never splash the brake fluid over

painted surfaces or rubber parts.

Maintenance and service

11-17

– CONTINUED –

11-18

Maintenance and service

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.

Check the fluid level monthly.

Check the fluid level on the outside of the

reservoir. If the 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” F12-7.

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.

Brake booster

If the brake booster does not operate as

described in the following, have it checked

by your SUBARU dealer.
1. With the engine off, depress the brake

pedal several times, applying the same

pedal force each time. The distance the

pedal travels should not vary.
2. With the brake pedal depressed, start

the engine. The pedal should move

slightly down to the floor.
3. With the brake pedal depressed, stop

the engine and keep the pedal depressed

for 30 seconds. The pedal height should

not change.
4. Start the engine again and run for

approximately 1 minute then turn it off.

Depress the brake pedal several times to

check the brake booster. The brake

booster operates properly if the pedal

stroke decreases with each depression.

Brake pedal

Check the brake pedal free play and

reserve distance according to the main-

tenance schedule in the “Warranty and

Maintenance Booklet”.

& Checking the brake pedal

free play

1)

0.02 – 0.08 in (0.5 – 2.0 mm)

Stop the engine and firmly depress the

brake pedal several times. Lightly pull the

brake pedal up with one finger to check

the free play with a force of less than 2 lbf

(10 N, 1 kgf).
If the free play is not within proper

specification, contact your SUBARU deal-

er.

& Checking the brake pedal

reserve distance

1)

More than 2.16 in (55 mm)

Depress the pedal with a force of approxi-

mately 66 lbf (294 N, 30 kgf) and measure

the distance between the upper surface of

the pedal pad and the floor.
When the measurement is smaller than

the specification, or when the pedal does

not operate smoothly, contact with your

SUBARU dealer.

Replacement of brake pad

and lining

CAUTION

If you continue to drive despite the

scraping noise from the audible

brake pad wear indicator, it will

result in the need for costly brake

rotor repair or replacement.

The disc brakes have audible wear

indicators on the brake pads. If the brake

pads wear close to their service limit, the

wear indicator makes a very audible

scraping noise when the brake pedal is

applied.

If you hear this scraping noise each time

Maintenance and service

11-19

– CONTINUED –

11-20

Maintenance and service

you apply the brake pedal, have the brake

pads serviced by your SUBARU dealer as

soon as possible.

& Breaking-in of new brake

pads and linings

When replacing the brake pad or lining,

use only genuine SUBARU parts. After

replacement, the new parts must be

broken in as follows.

! Brake pad and lining
While maintaining a speed of 30 to 40

mph (50 to 65 km/h), step on the brake

pedal lightly. Repeat this five or more

times.

! Parking brake lining

WARNING

A safe location and situation should

be selected for break-in driving.

CAUTION

Pressing the parking brake pedal

too forcefully may cause the rear

wheels to lock. To avoid this, be

certain to press the pedal slowly

and gently.

1. Drive the vehicle at a speed of

approximately 22 mph (35 km/h).
2. Depress the parking brake pedal

SLOWLY and GENTLY. (Pressing with a

force of approximately 34 lbf [150 N, 15

kgf].)
3. Drive the vehicle for approximately

220 yards (200 meters) in this condition.
4. Wait 5 to 10 minutes for the parking

brake to cool down. Repeat this proce-

dure.
5. Check the parking brake stroke. If the

parking brake stroke is out of the specified

range, adjust it by turning the adjusting nut

located on the parking brake pedal.

Parking brake stroke:

5 – 6 notches / 67 lbf (300 N, 30 kgf)

Parking brake stroke

Check the parking brake stroke according

to the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.

When the parking brake is properly

adjusted, braking power is fully applied

by depressing the pedal five to six notches

gently but firmly (approximately 67 lbf [300

N, 30 kgf]). If the parking brake pedal

stroke is not within the specified range,

have the brake system checked and

adjusted at your SUBARU dealer.

Tires and wheels

& Types of tires

You should be familiar with type of tires

present on your vehicle.

! All season tires
The factory-installed tires on your new

vehicle are all season tires.
All season tires are designed to provide

an adequate measure of traction, handling

and braking performance in year-round

driving including snowy and icy road

conditions. However all season tires do

not offer as much traction performance as

winter (snow) tires in heavy or loose snow

or on icy roads.
All season tires are identified by “ALL

SEASON” and/or “M+S” (Mud & Snow) on

the tire sidewall.

! Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed capability

tires best suited for highway driving under

dry conditions.
Summer tires are inadequate for driving

on slippery roads such as on snow-

covered or icy roads.
If you drive your vehicle on snow-covered

or icy roads, we strongly recommend the

use of winter (snow) tires.
When installing winter tires, be sure to

replace all four tires.

! Winter (snow) tires
Winter tires are best suited for driving on

snow-covered and icy roads. However

winter tires do not perform as well as

summer tires and all season tires on roads

other than snow-covered and icy roads.

& Tire pressure monitoring

system (TPMS)

The tire pressure monitoring system pro-

vides the driver with a warning message

by sending a signal from a sensor that is

installed in each wheel when tire pressure

is severely low. The tire pressure monitor-

ing system will activate only when the

vehicle is driven. Also, this system may

not react immediately to a sudden drop in

tire pressure (for example, a blow-out

caused by running over a sharp object).

If you adjust the tire pressures in a warm

garage and will then drive the vehicle in

cold outside air, the resulting drop in tire

pressures may cause the low tire pressure

warning light to illuminate. To avoid this

problem when adjusting the tire pressures

in a warm garage, inflate the tires to

pressures higher than those shown on the

tire placard. Specifically, inflate them by an

extra 1 psi (6.9 kPa, 0.07 kgf/cm

2

) for

every difference of 108F (5.68C) between

the temperature in the garage and the

temperature outside. By way of example,

the following table shows the required tire

pressures that correspond to various out-

side temperatures when the temperature

in the garage is 608F (15.68C).
Standard tire pressures:
Front: 33 psi (230 kPa, 2.3 kgf/cm

2

)

Rear: 32 psi (220 kPa, 2.2 kgf/cm

2

)

Garage temperature: 608F (15.68C)

Outside

temperature

Adjusted pressure

[psi (kPa, kgf/cm

2

)]

Front

Rear

308F (−18C)

36 (250, 2.5)

35 (240, 2.4)

108F (−128C)

38

(265, 2.65)

37

(255, 2.55)

−108F

(−238C)

40 (280, 2.8)

39 (270, 2.7)

If the low tire pressure warning light

illuminates when you drive the vehicle in

cold outside air after adjusting the tire

pressures in a warm garage, re-adjust the

tire pressures using the method described

above. Then, increase the vehicle speed

to at least 20 mph (32 km/h) and check to

see that the low tire pressure warning light

turns off a few minutes later. If the low tire

pressure warning light does not turn off,

the tire pressure monitoring system may

Maintenance and service

11-21

– CONTINUED –

11-22

Maintenance and service

not be functioning normally. In this event,

go to a SUBARU dealer to have the

system inspected as soon as possible.

While the vehicle is driven, friction be-

tween tires and the road surface causes

the tires to warm up. After illumination of

the low tire pressure warning light, any

increase in the tire pressures caused by

an increase in the outside air temperature

or by an increase in the temperature in the

tires can cause the low tire pressure

warning light to turn off.

System resetting is necessary when the

wheels are changed (for example, a

switch to snow tires) and new TPMS

valves are installed on the newly fitted

wheels. Have this work performed by a

SUBARU dealer following wheel replace-

ment.

It may not be possible to install TPMS

valves on certain wheels that are on the

market. Therefore, if you change the

wheels (for example, a switch to snow

tires), use wheels that have the same part

number as the standard-equipment

wheels. Without four operational TPMS

valve/sensors on the wheels, the TPMS

will not fully function and the warning light

in the instrument panel will illuminate

steadily after blinking for approximately

one minute.

When a tire is replaced, adjustments are

necessary to ensure continued normal

operation of the tire pressure monitoring

system. As with wheel replacement, there-

fore, you should have the work performed

by a SUBARU dealer.

WARNING

If the low tire pressure warning light

does not illuminate briefly after the

ignition switch is turned ON or the

light illuminates steadily after blink-

ing for approximately one minute,

you should have your Tire Pressure

Monitoring System checked at a

SUBARU dealer as soon as possi-

ble.
If this light illuminates while driving,

never brake suddenly and keep

driving straight ahead while gradu-

ally reducing speed. Then slowly

pull off the road to a safe place.

Otherwise an accident involving

serious vehicle damage and serious

personal injury could occur.
If this light still illuminates while

driving after adjusting the tire pres-

sure, a tire may have significant

damage and a fast leak that causes

the tire to lose air rapidly. If you have

a flat tire, replace it with a spare tire

as soon as possible.
When a spare tire is mounted or a

wheel rim is replaced without the

original pressure sensor/transmitter

being transferred, the low tire pres-

sure warning light will illuminate

steadily after blinking for approxi-

mately one minute. This indicates

the TPMS is unable to monitor all

four road wheels. Contact your

SUBARU dealer as soon as possible

for tire and sensor replacement and/

or system resetting. If the light

illuminates steadily after blinking

for approximately one minute,

promptly contact a SUBARU dealer

to have the system inspected.

& Tire inspection

Check on a daily basis that the tires are

free from serious damage, nails, and

stones. At the same time, check the tires

for abnormal wear.
Contact your SUBARU dealer immedi-

ately if you find any problem.

NOTE

. When the wheels and tires strike

curbs or are subjected to harsh treat-

ment as when the vehicle is driven on a

rough surface, they can suffer damage

that cannot be seen with the naked eye.

This type of damage does not become

evident until time has passed. Try not

to drive over curbs, potholes or on

other rough surfaces. If doing so is

unavoidable, keep the vehicle’s speed

down to a walking pace or less, and

approach the curbs as squarely as

possible. Also, make sure the tires are

not pressed against the curb when you

park the vehicle.
. If you feel unusual vibration while

driving or find it difficult to steer the

vehicle in a straight line, one of the

tires and/or wheels may be damaged.

Drive slowly to the nearest authorized

SUBARU dealer and have the vehicle

inspected.

& Tire pressures and wear

Maintaining the correct tire pressures

helps to maximize the tires’ service lives

and is essential for good running perfor-

mance. Check and, if necessary, adjust

the pressure of each tire (including the

spare) at least once a month (for example,

during a fuel stop) and before any long

journey.

Check the tire pressures when the tires

are cold. Use a pressure gauge to adjust

the tire pressures to the values shown on

the tire placard. The tire placard is located

on the door pillar on the driver’s side.
Driving even a short distance warms up

the tires and increases the tire pressures.

Also, the tire pressures are affected by the

outside temperature. It is best to check tire

pressure outdoors before driving the

vehicle.

When a tire becomes warm, the air inside

it expands, causing the tire pressure to

increase. Be careful not to mistakenly

release air from a warm tire to reduce its

pressure.

NOTE

. The air pressure in a tire increases

by approximately 4.3 psi (30 kPa, 0.3

kgf/cm

2

) when the tire becomes warm.

. The tires are considered cold when

the vehicle has been parked for at least

3 hours or has been driven less than 1

mile (1.6 km).

WARNING

Do not let air out of warm tires to

adjust pressure. Doing so will result

in low tire pressure.

Incorrect tire pressures detract from con-

trollability and ride comfort, and they

cause the tires to wear abnormally.

Maintenance and service

11-23

– CONTINUED –

11-24

Maintenance and service

. Correct tire pressure (tread worn

evenly)

Roadholding is good, and steering is

responsive. Rolling resistance is low, so

fuel consumption is also lower.

. Abnormally low tire pressure (tread

worn at shoulders)

Rolling resistance is high, so fuel con-

sumption is also higher.

. Abnormally high tire pressure (tread

worn in center)

Ride comfort is poor. Also, the tire

magnifies the effects of road surface

bumps and dips, possibly resulting in

vehicle damage.

WARNING

Driving at high speeds with exces-

sively low tire pressures can cause

the tires to deform severely and to

rapidly become hot. A sharp in-

crease in temperature could cause

tread separation, and destruction of

the tires. The resulting loss of

vehicle control could lead to an

accident.

& Wheel balance

Each wheel was correctly balanced when

your vehicle was new, but the wheels will

become unbalanced as the tires become

worn during use. Wheel imbalance causes

the steering wheel to vibrate slightly at

certain vehicle speeds and detracts from

the vehicle’s straight-line stability. It can

also cause steering and suspension sys-

tem problems and abnormal tire wear. If

you suspect that the wheels are not

correctly balanced, have them checked

and adjusted by your SUBARU dealer.

Also have them adjusted after tire repairs

and after tire rotation.

CAUTION

Loss of correct wheel alignment

causes the tires to wear on one side

and reduces the vehicle’s running

stability. Contact your SUBARU

dealer if you notice abnormal tire

wear.

NOTE

The suspension system is designed to

hold each wheel at a certain alignment

(relative to the other wheels and to the

road) for optimum straight-line stability

and cornering performance.

& Wear indicators

1)

New tread

2)

Worn tread

3)

Tread wear indicator

Each tire incorporates a tread wear

indicator, which becomes visible when

the depth of the tread grooves decreases

to 0.071 in (1.8 mm). A tire must be

replaced when the tread wear indicator

appears as a solid band across the tread.

WARNING

When a tire’s tread wear indicator

becomes visible, the tire is worn

beyond the acceptable limit and

must be replaced immediately. With

a tire in this condition, driving at

high speeds in wet weather can

cause the vehicle to hydroplane.

The resulting loss of vehicle control

can lead to an accident.

NOTE

For safety, inspect the tire tread reg-

ularly and replace the tires before their

tread wear indicators become visible.

& Tire rotation direction mark

Example of tire rotation direction mark
1)

Front

If the tire has the rotation direction

specification, the tire rotation direction

mark is placed on its sidewall.
When you install a tire that has the tire

rotation direction mark, install the tire with

Maintenance and service

11-25

– CONTINUED –

11-26

Maintenance and service

the direction mark facing forward.

& Tire rotation

Vehicles equipped with 4 non-unidirec-

tional tires
1)

Front

Vehicles equipped with unidirectional tires
1)

Front

Tire wear varies from wheel to wheel. To

maximize the life of each tire and ensure

that the tires wear uniformly, it is best to

rotate the tires every 7,500 miles (12,000

km). Move the tires to the positions shown

in the illustration each time they are

rotated.
Replace any damaged or unevenly worn

tire at the time of rotation. After tire

rotation, adjust the tire pressures and

make sure the wheel nuts are correctly

tightened.

After driving approximately 600 miles

(1,000 km), check the wheel nuts again

and retighten any nut that has become

loose.

& Tire replacement

The wheels and tires are important and

integral parts of your vehicle’s design;

they cannot be changed arbitrarily. The

tires fitted as standard equipment are

optimally matched to the characteristics

of the vehicle and were selected to give

the best possible combination of running

performance, ride comfort, and service

life. It is essential for every tire to have a

size and construction matching those

shown on the tire placard and to have a

speed symbol and load index matching

those shown on the tire placard.

Using tires of a non-specified size detracts

from controllability, ride comfort, braking

performance, speedometer accuracy and

odometer accuracy. It also creates incor-

rect body-to-tire clearances and inappro-

priately changes the vehicle’s ground

clearance.

All four tires must be the same in terms of

manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), con-

struction, and size. You are advised to

replace the tires with new ones that are

identical to those fitted as standard equip-

ment.

For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU

recommends replacing all four tires at

the same time.