Subaru Forester: Replacing bulbs

Bulbs may become very hot while illuminated. Before replacing bulbs, turn off the lights and wait until the bulbs cool down. Otherwise, there is a risk of sustaining a burn injury.

Replace any bulb only with a new bulb of the specified wattage. Using a bulb of different wattage could result in a fire. For the specified wattage of each bulb, refer to “Bulb chart”.

Headlights (models with HID headlights)

High-intensity-discharge (HID) bulbs are used for the low beams of the headlights. These HID bulbs use an extremely high voltage. To avoid the risk of an electric shock that could result in serious injury, observe the following precautions.

- Do not replace any headlight bulbs (both low beam and high beam) by yourself.

- Do not remove/restore the headlight assemblies by yourself.

- Do not remove any headlightassembly components by yourself.

For replacement, contact your SUBARU dealer.

Headlights (models without HID headlights)

Halogen headlight bulbs become very hot while in use. If you touch the bulb surface with bare hands or greasy gloves, fingerprints or grease on the bulb surface will develop into hot spots, causing the bulb to break. If there are finger prints or grease on the bulb surface, wipe them away with a soft cloth moistened with alcohol.

NOTE
- If headlight aiming is required, consult your SUBARU dealer for proper adjustment of the headlight aim.

- It may be difficult to replace the bulbs. Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU dealer if necessary.

Low beam light bulbs

Right-hand side

1. Use a screwdriver to undo the clips on the air intake duct, then remove the air intake duct (right-hand side).

Left-hand side

2. Use a screwdriver to remove the secured clip of the washer tank. To make it easy to access the bulb, move the washer tank to the horizontal direction (left-hand side).

3. Remove the bulb cover, by turning it counterclockwise.

4. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb.

5. Remove the bulb from the headlight assembly by turning it counterclockwise.

6. Replace the bulb with a new one. At this time, do not touch the bulb surface.

7. To install the bulb to the headlight assembly, turn it clockwise until it clicks.

8. Reconnect the electrical connector.

9. Install the bulb cover.

10. Install the air intake duct with clips (right-hand side).

11. Set the washer tank to the original place and secure it by clip (left-hand side).

High beam light bulbs

Right-hand side

1. Use a screwdriver to undo the clips on the air intake duct, then remove the air intake duct (right-hand side).

2. Disconnect the electrical connector from the bulb.

3. Remove the bulb from the headlight assembly by turning it counterclockwise.

4. Replace the bulb with new one. At this time, use care not to touch the bulb surface.

5. To install the bulb to the headlight assembly, turn it clockwise until it clicks.

6. Reconnect the electrical connector.

7. Install the air intake duct with clips (right-hand side).

Position light

1. Turn the bulb socket counterclockwise and pull out the socket.

2. Pull the bulb out of the socket.

3. Install a new bulb.

4. Install the bulb socket by turning it clockwise.

Front turn signal light

It may be difficult to replace the bulbs.

Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU dealer if necessary.

Rear combination lights

1. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the upper and lower screws that secure the rear combination light assembly.

2. Slide the rear combination light assembly rearward and remove it from the vehicle.

1) Brake/tail light
2) Rear turn signal light
3) Back-up light

3. Remove the bulb socket from the rear combination light assembly by turning it counterclockwise.

4. Pull the bulb out of the bulb socket and replace it with a new one.

5. Set the bulb socket into the rear combination light assembly and turn it clockwise until it locks.

6. Put the rear combination light assembly into place while aligning the clip with the guide on the vehicle.

7. Tighten the upper and lower screws.

License plate light

1. Remove the mounting screws using a Phillips screwdriver.

2. Remove the cover and lens.

3. Pull the bulb out of the socket.

4. Install a new bulb.

5. Reinstall the lens and cover.

6. Tighten the mounting screws.

Dome light, map light, cargo area light and door step light

When the door is opened, the map light illuminates and becomes very hot. When replacing the map light bulb, close the door and be careful not to burn yourself.

Dome light (type A)

Dome light (type B)

Map light

Cargo area light

Door step light

1. Remove the lens by prying the edge of the lens with a flat-head screwdriver.

2. Pull the bulb out of the socket.

3. Install a new bulb.

4. Reinstall the lens.

Other bulbs

It may be difficult to replace the bulbs.

Have the bulbs replaced by your SUBARU dealer if necessary.