2002 Subaru Forester Owner's Manual - Page 151

B Checking air conditioning system before summer season Check the air conditioner unit for refrigerant leaks, hose conditions, and proper operation each spring. This check is best performed by your SUBARU dealer. B Cooling and dehumidifying in high humidity and low temperature weather condition Under certain weather conditions (high relative humidity, low temperatures, etc.) a small amount of water vapor emission from the air outlets may be noticed during cooling or dehumidifying. This condition is normal and does not indicate any problem with the air conditioning system. B Air conditioner compressor shut-off when engine is heavily loaded To improve acceleration and gas mileage, the air conditioner compressor is designed to temporarily shut off during air conditioner operation whenever the accelerator is fully depressed. Such as during rapid acceleration or when driving on a steep upgrade. B Refrigerant for your climate control system Your air conditioner uses ozone friendly refrigerant HFC134a. Therefore, the method of adding, changing or checking the refrigerant is different from the method for CFC12 (freon). Consult your SUBARU dealer for service. Repairs needed as a result of using the wrong refrigerant are not covered under warranty. Air filtration system (if equipped) If your vehicle's air conditioning system is equipped with a optional air filtration system, replace the filter element according to the replacement schedule shown below. This schedule should be followed to maintain the filter's dust collection ability. Under extremely dusty conditions, the filter should be replaced more frequently. Since the filter element is a viscous type, it is unnecessary to clean or wash the element. It is recommended that you have your filter checked or replaced by your SUBARU dealer. For replacement, use only a genuine SUBARU air filter kit. 4-12