ECO mode SUBARU OUTBACK 2003 3.G Service Manual

8-36Connection of trailer lights to your vehicle
’s electrical system requires
modifications to the vehicle ’s lighting circuit to increase its capacity
and accommodate wiring changes. To ensure the trailer lights are
connected properly, please consult your SUBARU dealer. Check for
proper operation of the turn signals, the brake lights and parkinglights each time you hitch up. n Tires
WARNING
Never tow a trailer when the temporary spare tire is used. The temporary spare tire is not designed to sustain the towing load.
Use of the temporary spare tire when towing can result in failureof the spare tire and/or less stability of the vehicle.
Make sure that all the tires on your vehicle are properly inflated. OUTBACK: The recommended cold tire pressure under trailer
towing conditions is indicated on the tire placard located under thedoor striker on the driver ’s side. Adjust the rear tire pressure to the
recommended pressure shown on the tire placard when the tires
are cold. Normal pressure should be maintained in the front tires.Other models: It is recommended to inflate the rear tires to 3 psi
(20 kPa, 0.2 kg/cm 2
) above their normal operating pressure when
the tires are cold. Normal pressure should be maintained in the
front tires.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and proper inflation pressure
should be in accordance with the trailer manufacturer ’s specifications.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire when towing a trailer, ask a
commercial road service to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your vehicle or trailer as a pre-
caution against getting a flat tire, be sure that the spare tire is firmly
secured.

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Maintenance and service11-9
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Engine oil
Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuel stop.
HBB061BD
HBB004JA
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Be sure the dipstick is correctly inserted until it stops with the
graphic symbol
on its top appearing as shown in the illustra-
tion.
4. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on it. If it is belowthe lower level, add oil to bring the level up to the upper level.
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recommended grade and viscosity.
If you check the oil level just after stopping the engine, wait a few min-
utes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan before checking the level.
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not add any additional oilabove the upper level when the engine is cold.
In 2.5-liter-engine models, the dipstick has a notch above the upper level.
Just after driving or while the engine is warm, the engine oil level
reading may be in a range between the upper level and the notch
mark. This is caused by thermal expansion of the engine oil.

11-1212. Reinstall the cover under the oil filter.
13. Pour engine oil through the filler neck.
Oil capacity (Guideline): 2.5 liter models: 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)3.0 liter models: 5.9 US qt (5.6 liters, 4.9 Imp qt)
The oil quantity indicated above is only a guideline. The necessary quantity of oil depends on the quantity of oil that has been drained.
The quantity of drained oil differs slightly depending on the tempera-
ture of the oil and the time the oil is left flowing out. After refilling the
engine with oil, therefore, you must use the dipstick to confirm that the
level is correct.
14. Start the engine and make sure that no oil leaks appear around the filter ’s rubber seal and drain plug.
15. Run the engine until it reaches the normal operating temperature.
Then stop the engine and wait a few minutes to allow the oil drain
back. Check the oil level again and if necessary, add more engine oil. Recommended grade and viscosity CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recommended grade and viscosity.
Oil grade: ILSAC GF-3, which can be identified with the new API certification mark (Starburst mark)
or API classification SL with the words “ENERGY CON-
SERVING” (if you cannot obtain the oil with SL grade,
you may use SJ grade “ENERGY CONSERVING ” oil).
These recommended oil grades can be identified by looking for either
or both of the following marks displayed on the oil container.

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Maintenance and service11-19
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Replacing the air cleaner element
Replace the air cleaner element according to the maintenance sched- ule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. Under extremely
dusty conditions, replace it more frequently. It is recommended that
you always use genuine SUBARU parts. n 2.5 liter models
HBB064BB
HBB063BB
1. Remove the bolt securing the rear air cleaner element case.
2. Unsnap the three clamps holding the rear air cleaner elementcase.
3. Separate the rear air cleaner element case from the front air clean-
er element case and remove the air cleaner element.
4. Clean the inside of the front and rear air cleaner element caseswith a damp cloth and install a new air cleaner element.
5. Insert the four projections on the rear air cleaner element case into
the slits on the front air cleaner element case and snap the three
clamps on the rear air cleaner element case and then tighten the bolt.

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Maintenance and service11-21
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Spark plugs
CAUTION
When disconnecting the spark plug cables, always grasp the
spark plug cap, not the cables. Make sure the cables are replaced in the correct order.
HBA004BA
It may be difficult to replace the spark plugs. It is recommended that you
have the spark plugs replaced by your SUBARU dealer.
The spark plugs should be replaced according to the maintenance
schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Recommended spark plugs
2.5 liter models: RC10YC4 (Champion)BKR6E-11 (NGK)BKR5E-11 (NGK)
3.0 liter models: PLFR6A-11 (NGK)

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Maintenance and service11-57
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Headlight
CAUTION
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 develop into hot spots, caus-ing the bulb to break. If there are finger prints or grease on thebulb surface, wipe them away with a soft cloth moistened with al-cohol.
NOTE If headlight aiming is required, consult your SUBARU dealer for proper adjustment of the headlight aim. For GT and OUTBACK models
HBB040BB
HBB039BA
Remove the headlight bulb cover, by turning it counterclockwise.

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Maintenance and service11-59
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5. To install the bulb to the headlight assembly, turn it clockwise until it clicks.
6. Install the headlight bulb cover.
Except GT and OUTBACK models
HBB046BAHBB045BB
1. Disconnect the electrical connector while pressing the lock release tab.
2. Remove the bulb holder from the headlight assembly by turning it
counterclockwise.
3. Remove the bulb from the headlight assembly.
4. Install the new bulb.
5. Install the bulb holder in the headlight assembly by turning it clock-wise until it locks.
6. Remove the electrical connector.
Front fog light (if equipped)
It may be difficult to replace the bulbs. Have your SUBARU dealer
replace the bulbs if necessary. Front turn signal light, parking light and side marker light
The headlight assembly must be removed before the front turn signal
light and parking light bulbs can be replaced. When the headlight as-
sembly has been removed and then reinstalled, it may become neces-
sary to make a headlight aiming adjustment. After a bulb has been re-
placed, it is recommended that the headlight aiming adjustment be

GAS STATION REFERENCE
Fuel:2.5 Liter models: Use only unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87
AKI or higher. 3.0 Liter models:
Use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of
91 AKI or higher. Regular unleaded gasoline with an oc-
tane rating of 87 AKI may be used if necessary. For opti-
mum engine performance and driveability, it is recom-
mended that you use premium grade unleaded gasoline. Fuel octane rating:
This octane rating is the average of the Research Octane
and Motor Octane numbers and is commonly referred toas the Anti Knock Index (AKI). Refer to “Fuel” section in
this manual.
Fuel capacity: 16.9 US gal (64 liters, 14.1 Imp gal)
Engine oil: Use only API classification SL with the words “ENERGY
CONSERVING”
and the New API certification mark (starburst mark) dis-
played on the container.
Engine oil capacity: 2.5 liter models 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
3.0 liter models 6.1 US qt (5.8 liters, 5.1 Imp qt)
Cold tire pressure: See the label located under the driver ’s door latch.