maintenance SUBARU OUTBACK 2005 4.G Owner's Guide

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Maintenance and service
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
3. Remove the oil filler cap.
2.5-liter turbo models Other models
4. Drain out the engine oil by removing the drain plug
while the engine is still warm. The used oil should be
drained into an appropriate container and disposed of
properly.
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
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Maintenance and service
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washer after the oil has completely drained out.
6. Remove the under cover.
7. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
8. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a thin coat of
engine oil to the seal.
9. Clean the rubber seal seating area of the bottom of
engine and install the oil filter by hand turning. Be
careful not to twist or damage the seal.
10.Tighten the oil filter by the amount indicated in the
following table after the seal makes contact with the
bottom of engine.
Never over tighten the oil filter because that can
result in an oil leak.
11.Reinstall the cover under the oil filter.
12.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: 5.8 US qt (5.5 liters, 4.8 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 temperature 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.
13.Start the engine and make sure that no oil leaks ap-
pear around the filter’s rubber seal and drain plug.
14.Run the engine until it reaches the normal operat-
ing 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.
Model Oil filter color Part number Amount of
rotation
2.5-liter
non-turbo
models Black 15208AA080 1 rotation
White 15208AA060 15208AA09A 2/3 – 3/4
rotation
2.5-liter
turbo models Black 15208AA080 1 rotation
White 15208AA09A 2/3 – 3/4 rotation
3.0-liter
models Black 15208AA031 3/4 rotation

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Maintenance and service
!
Recommended grade and viscosity
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
CONSERVING” (if you cannot obtain the oil with
SL grade, you may use SJ grade “ENERGY CON-
SERVING” oil).
These recommended oil grades can be identified by
looking for either or both of the following marks dis-
played on the oil container. New API Certification Mark (Starburst Mark)
AMERICANPETROLEUMINSTITUTE
CERTIFIED
HSB023AA

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Maintenance and service
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API Service label
A) Indicates the oil quality by API designations
B) Indicates the SAE oil viscosity grade
C) Indicates that the oil has fuel saving capabilities
In choosing an oil, you want the proper quality and vis-
cosity, as well as one that will add to fuel economy.
The following table lists the recommended viscosities
and applicable temperatures.
When adding oil, different brands may be used togeth-
er as long as they are the same API classification and
SAE viscosity as those recommended by SUBARU. SAE viscosity number and applicable temperature
*: 5W-30 is preferred.
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) affects fuel economy.
Oils of lower viscosity provide better fuel economy.
However, in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is re-
quired to properly lubricate the engine. ! Recommended grade and viscosity
under severe driving conditions
If the vehicle is used in desert areas, in areas with very
high temperatures, or used for heavy-duty applica-
tions such as towing a trailer, use of oil with the follow-
ing grade and viscosities is recommended.
APISERVICESL
ENERGYCONSERVING
SAE
5W-30
A
B
C
HSB022BC
5W-30*10W-30, 10W-40
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20
06 0
20 80 100 40
HSB024BA

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Maintenance and service
API classification SL (or SJ):
SAE viscosity No.:
30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50
Cooling system
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
"The cooling system has been filled at the fac-
tory with a high quality, corrosion-inhibiting,
year-around coolant which provides protection
against freezing down to –33 °F (–36 °C). For
adding, use genuine SUBARU coolant or an
equivalent: a mixture of 50% soft water and 50%
ethylene-glycol basis coolant. Use of improper
coolants may result in corrosion in the cooling
system. It is important to maintain protection
against freezing and corrosion, even if freezing
temperatures are not expected. Never mix dif-
ferent kinds of coolant. " Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-

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Maintenance and service
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ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
coolant may damage the paint surface.
! Hose and connections
Your vehicle employs an electric cooling fan which is
thermostatically controlled to operate when the engine
coolant reaches a specific temperature.
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 recom-
mended that the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness. !
Engine coolant
! Checking the coolant level
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside of the reser-
voir 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, remove the radiator cap and re-
fill as required.
FULL
LOW
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Maintenance and service
A) Rubber gaskets
3. After refilling the reserve tank and the radiator, re-
install the caps and check that the rubber gaskets in-
side the radiator cap are in the proper position.
" Be careful not to spill engine coolant when
adding it. If coolant touches the exhaust pipe, it
may cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. " Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
coolant may damage the paint surface.
! Changing the coolant
Always add genuine Subaru cooling system condition-
er whenever the coolant is replaced.
Change the engine coolant and add genuine Subaru
cooling system conditioner using the following proce-
dures according to the maintenance schedule in the
“Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
1. Remove the under cover.
A) Drain plug
2. Place a proper container under the drain plug and
A
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Maintenance and service
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loosen the drain plug.
3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the coolant from
the radiator. Then drain the coolant from the reserve
tank. Tighten the drain plug securely.
Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
4. Install the under cover. Non-turbo models
A) Fill up to here
A
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Maintenance and service
Turbo models
A) Fill up to here
5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill up to just below the
filler neck, allowing enough room to add genuine Sub-
aru cooling system conditioner in the radiator. Add
genuine Subaru cooling system conditioner until the
coolant level reaches the filler neck. Do not pour the
coolant too quickly, as this may lead to insufficient air
bleeding and trapped air in the system.
Coolant capacity (Guideline): 2.5-liter non-turbo models: MT. 6.8 US qt (6.4 liters, 5.6 Imp qt)
AT. 6.7 US qt (6.3 liters, 5.5 Imp qt)
2.5-liter turbo models: MT. 7.7 US qt (7.3 liters, 6.4 Imp qt)
AT. 7.6 US qt (7.2 liters, 6.3 Imp qt)
3.0-liter models:
7.6 US qt (7.2 liters, 6.3 Imp qt)
" Be careful not to spill engine coolant when
adding it. If coolant touches the exhaust pipe, it
may cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. " Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
coolant may damage the paint surface.
A
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Maintenance and service
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6. Pour the coolant and fill to the reservoir tank’s
“FULL” level mark. A) Rubber gaskets
7. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten firmly. At
this time, make sure that the rubber gasket in the radi-
ator cap is correctly in place.
8. Start and run the engine for more than five minutes
at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the coolant cools
down (122 to 140 °F [50 to 60 °C]). If there is any loss
of coolant, add coolant to the radiator’s filler neck and
to the reserve tank’s “FULL” level.
10.Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap back on and
tighten firmly.
FULL
LOW
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