SUBARU OUTBACK 2004 4.G Owners Manual

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2Maintenance and service
„
Wheel covers
T Removing the wheel cover
Insert the wheel nut wrench into the notch provided,
and pry the wheel cover off. T
Installing the wheel cover
Align the valve with the valve hole in the cover, then fit
the cover on the wheel by tapping your hand evenly
around the circumference of the cover.
NOTE
When any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat tire, always
check the tightness of the wheel nuts after driving
approximately 600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is
loose, tighten it to the specified torque.
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2Maintenance and service
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Aluminum wheels (if equipped)
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and damaged
easily. Handle them carefully to maintain their appear-
ance, performance, and safety. yWhen any of the wheels is removed and replaced
for tire rotation or to change a flat, always check the
tightness of the wheel nuts after driving approximatly
600 miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose, tighten it to
the specified torque.y Never apply oil to the threaded parts, wheel nuts, or
tapered surface of the wheel.y Never let the wheel rub against sharp protrusions or
curbs. y Be sure to fit tire chains on uniformly and completely
around the tire, otherwise the chains may scratch the
wheel.y When wheel nuts, balance weights, or the center
cap is replaced, be sure to replace them with genuine
SUBARU parts designed for aluminum wheels.Windshield washer fluid
Never use engine coolant as washer fluid be-
cause it could cause paint damage.
Check the level of the washer fluid at each fuel stop. If
the level is low, fill the fluid up to the neck of the reser- voir.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield washer fluid
is unavailable use clean water.
In areas where water freezes in winter, use an anti-
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2Maintenance and service
freeze type windshield washer fluid. SUBARU Wind-
shield Washer Fluid contains 58.5% methyl alcohol
and 41.5% surfactant, by volume. Its freezing temper-
ature varies according to how much it is diluted, as in-
dicated below.Replacement of wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other materials on the wind-
shield or the wiper blade results in jerky wiper opera-
tion and streaking on the glass. If you cannot remove
the streaks after operating the windshield washer or if
the wiper operation is jerky, clean the outer surface of
the windshield (or rear window) and the wiper blades
using a sponge or soft cloth with a neutral detergent or
mild-abrasive cleaner. After cleaning, rinse the wind-
shield and wiper blades with clean water. The wind-
shield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the
windshield with water.
Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline or
a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.
This will cause deterioration of the wiper
blades.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after follow-
ing this method, replace the wiper blades using the fol-
lowing procedures:
Washer Fluid Concentration Freezing Temperature
30% 10.4 °F (–12 °C)
50% –4 °F (–20 °C)
100% –49 °F (–45 °C)

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2Maintenance and service
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„Replacement wiper blade assembly
1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.
1) Stopper
2. Remove the wiper blade assembly by holding its
pivot area and pushing it in the direction shown by the
arrow while depressing the wiper blade stopper.
3. Install the wiper blade assembly to the wiper arm.
Make sure that it locks in place.
4. Lower the wiper arm. „
Replacement wiper blade rubber
T Windshield wiper blade rubber
1) Metal support
1. Grasp the locked end of the blade rubber assembly
and pull it firmly until the stoppers on the rubber are
free of the metal support.
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2Maintenance and service
1) Metal spines
2. If the new blade rubber is not provided with two
metal spines, remove the metal spines from the old
blade rubber and install them in the new blade rubber. 3. Align the claws of the metal support with the
grooves in the rubber and slide the blade rubber as-
sembly into the metal support until it locks.
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1) Stopper
4. Be sure to position the claws at the end of the metal
support between the stoppers on the rubber as shown.
If the rubber is not retained properly, the wiper blade
may scratch the windshield. T
Rear window wiper blade rubber
1) Plastic support
1. Pull out the end of the blade rubber assembly to un-
lock it from the plastic support.
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2. Pull the blade rubber assembly out of the plastic
support.
1) Metal spines
3. If the new blade rubber is not provided with two
metal spines, remove the metal spines from the old
blade rubber and install them in the new blade rubber.
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4. Align the claws of the plastic support with the
grooves in the blade rubber assembly, then slide the
blade rubber assembly into place. Securely lock the end of the plastic support as shown
in the illustration. If the rubber is not retained properly,
the wiper may scratch the rear window glass.
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2Maintenance and service
Battery
y
Before beginning work on or near any bat-
tery, be sure to extinguish all cigarettes, match-
es, and lighters. Never expose a battery to an
open flame or electric sparks. Batteries give off
a gas which is highly flammable and explosive.y For safety, in case an explosion does occur,
wear eye protection or shield your eyes when
working near any battery. Never lean over a bat-tery. y Do not let battery fluid contact eyes, skin,
fabrics, or paint because battery fluid is a cor-
rosive acid. If battery fluid gets on your skin or
in your eyes, immediately flush the area with
water thoroughly. Seek medical help immedi-
ately if acid has entered the eyes.
If battery fluid is accidentally swallowed, imme-
diately drink a large amount of milk or water,
and seek medical attention immediately. y To lessen the risk of sparks, remove rings,
metal watchbands, and other metal jewelry.
Never allow metal tools to contact the positive
battery terminal and anything connected to it
WHILE you are at the same time in contact with any other metallic portion of the vehicle be-
cause a short circuit will result.y
Keep everyone including children away from
the battery.y Charge the battery in a well-ventilated area.
y Battery posts terminals and related accesso-
ries contain lead and lead compounds, chemi-
cals known to the State of California to case
cancer and reproductive harm. Wash hands af-
ter handling.
Never use more than 10 amperes when charg-
ing the battery because it will shorten battery
life.
It is unnecessary to periodically check the battery fluid
level or periodically refill with distilled water.

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Fuses
Never replace a fuse with one having a higher
rating or with material other than a fuse be-
cause serious damage or a fire could result.
The fuses are designed to melt during an overload to
prevent damage to the wiring harness and electrical
equipment. The fuses are located in two fuse boxes.
One is located under the instrument panel behind the
coin tray on the driver’s seat side. The other one is housed in the engine compartment.
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