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2020 Subaru Forester Owners Manual - Cleaning the interior



Cleaning the interior

Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the climate control panel, audio equipment, instru- ment panel, center console, combination meter panel, and switches. (Do not use organic solvents.)

Remove loose dirt, dust or debris with a vacuum cleaner. If the dirt is caked on the fabric or hard to remove with a vacuum cleaner, use a soft brush then vacuum it.

Wipe the fabric surface with a tightly wrung cloth and dry the seat fabric thoroughly. If the fabric is still dirty, wipe using a solution of mild soap and lukewarm water then dry thoroughly.

If the stain does not come out, try a commercially-available fabric cleaner. Use the cleaner on a hidden place and

446 Cleaning the interior

make sure it does not affect the fabric adversely. Use the cleaner according to its instructions.

The leather used by SUBARU is a high quality natural product which will retain its distinctive appearance and feel for many years with proper care.

Allowing dust or road dirt to build up on the surface can cause leather to become brittle and wear prematurely. To maintain its resiliency, leather should be cleaned monthly or whenever it becomes soiled.

Before cleaning leather upholstery, va- cuum it to remove dust. Use a soft and lint-free cloth dampened with lukewarm water and mild soap, taking care not to soak the leather or allow water to pene- trate the stitched seams. Use a gentle circular motion while cleaning the leather - do not rub or apply extreme pressure. Wipe the leather again with another clean,

slightly damp cloth to remove soap residue and dry with a soft cloth.

Minor surface blemishes or difficult dirt spots may be treated with a commercial leather spray. Never use alcohol, cleaning solvents, leather oils, varnishes or polishes on your leather as it will dry out the leather finish.

If your SUBARU is to be parked for a long time in bright sunlight, it is recommended that the seats and headrests be covered, or the windows shaded, to prevent fading or shrinkage.

You will discover that each leather seat section will develop soft folds or wrinkles, which is characteristic of genuine leather.

    Synthetic leather upholstery

The synthetic leather material used on the SUBARU may be cleaned using mild soap or detergent and water, after first vacuum- ing or brushing away loose dirt. Allow the soap to soak in for a few minutes and wipe off with a clean, damp cloth. Commercial foam-type cleaners suitable for synthetic leather materials may be used when necessary.

    Water repellent seat material (if equipped)

The water repellency of the seat fabric will decrease over time. Do not apply addi- tional water repellent coating.

    Seatbelt

For details about how to clean the seatbelt, refer to “Seatbelt maintenance”  P57.

    Climate control panel, audio panel, instrument panel, con- sole panel, and switches

Use a soft, damp cloth to clean the climate control panel, audio equipment, instru- ment panel, center console, combination meter panel, and switches.

& Monitor

To clean the audio/navigation/multi-func- tion display monitor, wipe it with a silicone cloth or with a soft cloth. If the monitor is extremely dirty, clean it with a soft cloth moistened with neutral detergent then carefully wipe off any remaining detergent.

Maintenance and service

11-1. Maintenance schedule 451

11-2. Maintenance precautions 451

11-3. Maintenance tips 453

11-4. Engine hood 455

11-5. Engine compartment overview 457

11-6. Engine oil. 458

11-7. Cooling system 460

11-11. Continuously variable transmission

fluid 464

11-12. Front differential gear oil and rear

differential gear oil 465

11-13. Brake fluid 465

11-14. Brake booster 466

11-15. Brake pedal 466

11-16. Replacement of brake pad 467

11-17. Tires and wheels. 467

11-8. Air cleaner element 462

11-9. Spark plugs 464

11-10. Drive belts 464

11-18. Alloy wheels 475

11-19. Windshield washer fluid 475

Maintenance and service

11-20. Replacement of wiper blades. 477

11-21. Battery 481

11-22. Fuses 482

11-23. Installation of accessories 484

11-24. Replacing bulbs 484

11-25. Replacing key battery 491


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