Parts for your 2009 Subaru Forester-Drive belt

2009 Subaru Forester drive-belt — purpose, care, and when to replace

Yes, a drive-belt is relevant to the 2009 Subaru Forester. The Subaru Owner’s Manual for MY09 Forester (Maintenance and Specifications) and the Subaru Factory Service Manual for the SH series describe inspection and replacement of the accessory/drive belt(s) that run the alternator, power steering pump and air conditioning. Those technical documents confirm that every 2009 Forester variant (petrol EJ25 and diesel EE20) uses external accessory drive-belt(s), separate from the engine’s timing belt.

This Forester’s drive-belt is the workhorse hanging off the front of the engine. Under the bonnet, it turns the alternator to keep the battery charged, spins the power steering pump for light steering at low speeds, and drives the A/C compressor for cool air on a hot arvo. If that belt slips, cracks, or snaps, drivers can get battery warning lights, heavy steering, and no air con — not ideal on a roadie across the ditch or down the coast.

Good servicing keeps it sweet. Subaru’s technical literature calls for regular inspection — look for cracking, fraying, glazing (shiny ribs), missing ribs, or rubber dust, also check tensioner and idler pulleys for smooth, quiet rotation. Workshops in AU/NZ commonly recommend replacing the belt around 90,000–120,000 kilometres or 5–7 years, sooner if there’s any noise or wear. The diesel and turbo models can be a bit tougher on belts and tensioners, so condition beats age every time.

• Classic symptoms: cold-start squeal, chirping on acceleration, battery light flicker, heavy steering, or A/C that cuts in and out.
• Best practice at service: inspect belt ribs and edges, check tensioner alignment and damping, spin idlers by hand, and listen for bearing growl.
• When fitting a new belt: route exactly as per the under-bonnet diagram or workshop manual, use the correct rib count/length, and torque the tensioner fasteners to spec.

Worth noting: the drive-belt isn’t the timing belt. The 2009 Forester’s timing belt (cambelt) sits behind covers and keeps the cams and crank in sync. The accessory drive-belt is external and much quicker to replace — usually a straightforward job for a competent home mechanic with the right tools, but most owners prefer it done during scheduled servicing to catch tired pulleys before they start complaining.

Popular questions

How often should the 2009 Forester drive-belt be replaced?

Have it inspected at every service. Many AU/NZ workshops replace the belt around 90,000–120,000 km or 5–7 years. Replace earlier if there’s squeal, cracks, glazing, or rib damage, or if the tensioner or idlers are noisy.

What noise does a worn drive-belt make?

Cold-start squeal, chirps when the A/C kicks in, or a rhythmic squeak at idle usually point to a slipping or glazed belt. A growl or rumble tends to be a tired idler or tensioner bearing — fix that when replacing the belt.

Does the 2009 Forester have a timing belt or chain, and is it the same as the drive-belt?

The 2009 Forester petrol and diesel engines use a timing belt (cambelt) inside covers, separate from the external accessory drive-belt. The timing belt synchronises engine internals, the drive-belt powers alternator, steering and A/C.