Driving tips -> Engine exhaust gas for Your Subaru Forester SUV 2024

New vehicle break-in driving – the first 1,000 miles (1,600 km)  
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8-1. New vehicle break-in  
driving – the first 1,000 miles  
(1,600 km)  
8-2. Fuel economy hints  
8-3. Engine exhaust gas (car-  
bon monoxide)  
The following suggestions will help to save  
your fuel.  
WARNING  
.
Select the proper gear position for the  
speed and road conditions.  
The performance and long life of your  
vehicle are dependent on how you handle  
and care for your vehicle while it is new.  
Follow these instructions during the first  
1,000 miles (1,600 km):  
.
Never inhale engine exhaust gas.  
Engine exhaust gas contains  
carbon monoxide, a colorless  
and odorless gas which is dan-  
gerous, or even lethal, if inhaled.  
.
Avoid sudden acceleration or decelera-  
tion. Always accelerate gently until you  
reach the desired speed. Then try to  
maintain that speed for as long as  
possible.  
.
Do not race the engine. And do not  
allow engine speed to exceed 4,000  
rpm except in an emergency.  
.
.
.
Always properly maintain the en-  
gine exhaust system to prevent  
engine exhaust gas from entering  
the vehicle.  
.
Do not pump the accelerator and avoid  
racing the engine.  
.
.
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Do not drive at one constant engine or  
vehicle speed, either fast or slow.  
Avoid starting suddenly and rapid ac-  
celeration, except in an emergency.  
Avoid hard braking, except in an emer-  
gency.  
.
.
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Avoid unnecessary engine idling.  
Keep the engine properly tuned.  
Never run the engine in a closed  
space, such as a garage, except  
for the brief time needed to drive  
the vehicle in or out of it.  
Keep the tires inflated to the correct  
pressure shown on the tire inflation  
pressure label, which is located under  
the door latch on the driver’s side. Low  
pressure will increase tire wear and fuel  
consumption.  
Avoid remaining in a parked ve-  
hicle for a lengthy time while the  
engine is running. If that is un-  
avoidable, then use the ventila-  
tion fan to force fresh air into the  
vehicle.  
The same break-in procedures should be  
applied to an overhauled engine, newly  
mounted engine or when brake pads are  
replaced with new ones.  
.
.
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Use the air conditioner only when  
necessary.  
Keep the front and rear wheels in  
proper alignment.  
Avoid carrying unnecessary luggage or  
cargo.  
.
Always keep the front ventilator  
inlet grille free from snow, leaves  
or other obstructions to ensure  
that the ventilation system al-  
ways works properly.  
Catalytic converter 397  
backfiring or incomplete combustion),  
have your vehicle checked and re-  
paired by an authorized SUBARU deal-  
er.  
Do not apply undercoating or rust  
prevention treatment to the heat shield  
of catalytic converter and the exhaust  
system.  
.
.
If at any time you suspect that  
exhaust fumes are entering the  
vehicle, have the problem  
checked and corrected as soon  
as possible. If you must drive  
under these conditions, drive  
only with all windows fully open.  
8-4. Catalytic converter  
.
.
Keep the rear gate closed while  
driving to prevent exhaust gas  
from entering the vehicle.  
Do not drive with an extremely low fuel  
level.  
WARNING  
NOTE  
.
.
Avoid fire hazards. Do not drive  
or park the vehicle anywhere  
near flammable materials (e.g.,  
grass, paper, rags or leaves),  
because the catalytic converter  
operates at very high tempera-  
tures.  
Due to the expansion and contraction  
of the metals used in the manufacture  
of the exhaust system, you may hear a  
crackling sound coming from the ex-  
haust system for a short time after the  
engine has been shut off. This sound is  
normal.  
The catalytic converter is installed in the  
exhaust system. It serves as a catalyst to  
reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust gases,  
thus providing cleaner exhaust.  
To avoid damage to the catalytic converter:  
Keep everyone and flammable  
materials away from the exhaust  
pipe while the engine is running.  
The exhaust gas is very hot.  
.
Use only unleaded fuel. Even a small  
amount of leaded fuel will damage the  
catalytic converter.  
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Never start the engine by pushing or  
pulling the vehicle.  
.
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Avoid racing the engine.  
Never turn the ignition switch to the  
“OFF” position while the vehicle is  
moving.  
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Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel  
the engine running rough (misfiring,