Hi Everyone,

Just purchased my first Subaru on Thursday:  a 2009 Forester 2.5 LE with 67k miles and cannot verify what maintenance was accomplished.  In a prior thread, I received excellent advice on general maintenance and what type of fluids to use.  You can search the thread, "What brand fluids?" for a real education.

Today, I tackled the oil change and coolant change.  All cleaned up now and getting the kids ready for bed when it just hit me that I forgot to add the coolant conditioner.  The radiator and resivoir are already topped off with Subaru Super Coolant.

What should I do?  I am thinking drain a couple quarts of coolant into a clean pan, add the conditioner into the radiator, then top off the radiator with what was drained out, and take it for a 30 minute drive.

Needing advice on how to recover from this mistake...

Pasta-man

You pretty much answered your own question there. Drain enough to add the conditioner. Voila!

Thanks spazomatic, hopefully this is the worst mistake I make in the maintenance of the vehicle.

Not a big deal at all.   Remove some fluid - an old large eye-dropper (like for basting turkeys or old science kits) works too.   Or prime some of that clear aquarium hose into a bucket.

 

then follow directions on the bottle.

yeah, even the bottle says just take 5 oz w'ever out and add the conditioner. Turkey baster works. Don't dump in the overflow tank.

 

don't  let pets/toddlers near open/spilled coolant. It is a sweet but deadly substance.

Edited August 17, 201411 yr by 1 Lucky Texan

Thanks, everyone, knocked it out this morning.

Anyone know the size of the star (*) shaped adapter needed for the front differential drain plug?

finally, what manual should I buy: Chilton, Hayes, Subaru FSM.  Found a 2010 thread here recommending the FSM.  Where is the best place to buy one?

thanks,

Pasta

Pasta, this is my first post here, but have posted a lot on subaruoutback.org  (where Texan and Gary also linger about).

 

Chilton, and Haynes both suck.  all 2000-2009 EJ25 SOHC are basically lumped into one edition.  (despite its many iterations).  

I think those are about $20 for something for a 12 year old to read while jumping from lawn mowers to dune buggies.  

(but I would not stick a EJ25 SOHC in a dune buggy, maybe a EJ18 from the early 90's).

 

the Subaru FSM is only like $35 and is updated and specific...so if you got a project that is the thing to buy at the time.   The price is inexpensive compared to other manufacturers.

Or you could download the appropriate FSM for your car for free from this this thread. http://sl-i.net/FORUM/viewtopic.php?t=28539

T-70 Torx

 

I think I got mine from Amazon but i also have read AutoZones carries it. maybe Lisle branded?

Thanks guys, getting tired of running in/out of the house dirty looking up stuff on the computer (so is my wife).  Will go with the FSM.  I checked out that site Bratman, but they did not list anything after the 2008 Forester and mine is a 2009.  No worries, it is worth 35 bucks to have the peace of an organized/complete manual.  I am a total Noob with Subaru and an authoritative manual will be helpful in the short and long-run. We hope to keep this vehicle for a very long time.

 

Thanks for the Torx bit size, Texan.  Going to knock out part of that list every pay.  Next weekend will be AT and front/rear diff fluids.

I used my floor jack on the end of my breaker bar to bust the upper and lower plugs loose on the rear diff. Do the upper one first. Kinda a standard recomm. due to the remote possibility of draining the diff and not being able to fill it if the upper plug is stuck - couldn't even drive the car to the store to by some penetrating oil!

 

be careful, there's no hurry!

Sorry about that, the poster on there had just done an update so I just kinda figured he had newer fsms for all models.

i go here when I need FSM info: http://jdmfsm.info/Auto/Japan/Subaru/

 

Bookmark for later reference.

 

pick your model, then year, then the section you need.

file names arent the greatest once you get into them, but the info is all there.

That site has my vehicle.  The FSM is great!  Will be doing a good bit of reading.  Looks like you remove the air cleaner case and battery to access spark plugs.  Good to know.  This will probably cut down on my lurking.....Nahhhh.  Thanks all for your kindness and help!