1999 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 188

Starting and operating New vehicle break-in driving J The first 1,000 miles (1,600 km) 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): D Do not race the engine. B Break-in engine speed limit Never exceed 4,000 rpm engine speed except for brief acceleration in an emergency. D Do not drive at one constant engine or vehicle speed for a long time, either fast or slow. D Avoid starting suddenly and rapid acceleration, except in an emergency. D Avoid hard braking, except in an emergency. The same break-in procedures should be applied to an overhauled engine, newly mounted engine or when brake pads or brake linings are replaced with new ones. Fuel requirements J Fuel Octane Rating Your engine is designed to use only unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI or higher. This octane rating is the average of the Research Octane and Motor Octane numbers and is commonly referred to as the Anti Knock Index (AKI). Using a gasoline with a lower octane rating can cause persistent and heavy knocking, which can damage the engine. Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when you accelerate. See your dealer or a qualified service technician if you use a gasoline with the specified octane rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or persistently. - CONTINUED - 7-3