maintenance SUBARU OUTBACK 2003 3.G Owner's Manual

11-10
Changing the oil and oil filter
Change the oil and oil filter according to the maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
The engine oil and oil filter must be changed more frequently than
listed in the maintenance schedule when driving on dusty roads,
when short trips are frequently made, or when driving in extremely
cold whether.
1. Warm up the engine by letting the engine idle for about 10 minutes to ease draining the engine oil.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
HBB005BB
4. Drain out the engine oil by removing the drain plug while the en-
gine is still warm. The used oil should be drained into an appropriate
container and disposed of properly.
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself with hot engine oil.
5. Wipe the seating surface of the drain plug with a clean cloth and
tighten it securely with a new sealing washer after the oil has com-pletely drained out.

11
Maintenance and service11-11
–
CONTINUED –
HBB051BB
HBB055BA
HBB054BA
6. Remove three clips at the front of the cover under the oil filter.
7. Slide the cover toward the vehicle front to remove it.
8. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
9. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a thin coat of engine oil to theseal.
10. Clean the rubber seal seating area of the lower crank case and
install the oil filter by hand turning. Be careful not to twist or damagethe seal.
11. Tighten it approximately two-thirds of a turn after the seal makes
contact with the lower crank case.
CAUTION
Never over tighten the oil filter because that can result in an oilleak.

11
Maintenance and service11-13
–
CONTINUED –
New API Certification Mark (Starburst Mark)
1
Indicates the oil quality by API desig- nations
2 Indicates the SAE oil viscosity grade
3 Indicates that the oil has fuel savingcapabilities
In choosing an oil, you want the proper quality and viscosity, as well
as one that will add to fuel economy. The following table lists the rec-
ommended viscosities and applicable temperatures.
When adding oil, different brands may be used together as long as
they are the same API classification and SAE viscosity as those rec-
ommended by SUBARU.
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) affects fuel economy. Oils of lower vis-
cosity provide better fuel economy. However, in hot weather, oil of
higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine.
OM-H2756
SAE viscosity numbr and applicable temperature

11
Maintenance and service11-15
–
CONTINUED –
controlled to operate when the engine coolant reaches a specific tem-
perature.If the radiator cooling fan does not operate even when the engine
coolant temperature gauge exceeds the normal operating range, the
cooling fan circuit may be defective. Check the fuse and replace it if
necessary. If the fuse is not blown, have the cooling system checked
by your SUBARU dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is necessary, there may be a leak in the
engine cooling system. It is recommended that the cooling systemand connections be checked for leaks, damage, or looseness.
Engine coolant Checking the coolant level
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
HBB004FB
1. Check the coolant level on the outside of the reservoir while the
engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the “LOW” level mark, add
coolant up to the “FULL” level mark. If the reserve tank is empty, re-
move the radiator cap and refill as required.

11-16
HG0115
Rubber gaskets3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, reinstall the caps
and check that the rubber gaskets inside the radiator cap are in the
proper position. Changing the coolant
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until the engine has
been shut off and has cooled down completely. Since the coolantis under pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a spray ofboiling hot coolant when the cap is removed.
Change the engine coolant using the following procedures according
to the maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Book-
let”. 1. Remove the under cover.
2. Place a proper container under the drain plug and loosen the drainplug.

11
Maintenance and service11-17
–
CONTINUED –
HBB059BB
HBB006BB
3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the coolant from the radiator. Then
drain the coolant from the reserve tank. Tighten the drain plug secure-
ly.
HBB004FB
HBB007CB
4. Slowly pour the coolant and fill to the radiator filler neck and to the
reserve tank ’s “FULL” level mark. Do not pour the coolant too quickly,
as this may lead to insufficient air bleeding and trapped air in the sys-tem.
Coolant capacity (Guideline): 2.5 liter models MT. 7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt)
AT. 7.1 US qt (6.7 liters, 5.9 Imp qt)
3.0 liter models 8.4 US qt (7.9 liters, 7.0 Imp qt)

11
Maintenance and service11-19
–
CONTINUED –

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.

11
Maintenance and service11-21
–
CONTINUED –
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)

11-22Drive belts
The alternator, power steering pump, and air conditioner compressor de-
pend on drive belts. Satisfactory performance requires that belt tension
be correct.
2.5 liter models
HGA005BB
in (mm)
Deflection
New beltUsed belt
10.28 — 0.35
(7.0 — 9.0)0.35 — 0.43
(9.0 — 11.0)
20.30 — 0.33 (7.5 — 8.5)0.35 — 0.40
(9.0 — 10.0)
To check belt tension, place a straightedge (ruler) across two adja-
cent pulleys and apply a force of 22 lb (98 N, 10 kg) midway betweenthe pulleys by using a spring scale. Belt deflection should be the
amount specified. 3.0 liter models
It is unnecessary to check belt tension periodically because your
engine is equipped with an automatic belt tension adjuster. However,
replacement of the belt should be done according to the maintenance

11
Maintenance and service11-23
–
CONTINUED –
schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. Consult your
SUBARU dealer for replacement.
If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contact your SUBARU dealer.
Manual transmission oil Checking the oil level
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
OM-H0210
Upper level Lower level
HBB004DB
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on it. If it is below
the lower level, add oil through the dipstick hole to bring the level upto the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and additives. Never use
different brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5