maintenance SUBARU OUTBACK 2005 4.G Workshop Manual

11 - 3 4
Maintenance and service
5 speed automatic transmission
A) Yellow handle
A) HOT range
B) COLD range
C) Upper level
D) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid level on the
gauge. If it is below the lower level on the “HOT”
range, add the recommended automatic transmission
fluid up to the upper level. ! Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked without time to
warm up the automatic transmission, check to see that
the fluid level is between the lower level and upper lev-
el on the “COLD” range. If it is below that range, add
A
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LF
LF
C D
CD B
A
HGB061BC

11 -3 5
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
fluid up to the upper level. Be careful not to overfill. !Recommended fluid
Use one of the following types of automatic transmis-
sion fluid.
Genuine Subaru Automatic Transmission Fluid
IDEMITSU ATF HP
Castrol Transmax J
Pennzoil ATF-J*
* Available only in the USA (except Alaska and Ha-
waii)
NOTE "Using any non-specified type of automatic
transmission fluid could result in damage inside
the transmission. When replacing the automatic
transmission fluid, be sure to use the kind speci-
fied above." If your vehicle has a four-speed automatic trans-
mission, you can use “Dexron III” Type Automatic
Transmission Fluid in addition to the recommend-
ed fluid types listed above. Front differential gear oil (AT vehi-
cles) !
Checking the oil level
A) Yellow handle
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it
again.
A
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11 - 3 6
Maintenance and service
A) Upper level
B) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on
it. If it is below the lower level, add oil to bring the level
up to the upper level. ! Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5 SAE viscosity No. and applicable temperature
L
F
A B
HSB040BC
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 -3 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Rear differential gear oil !Checking the gear oil level
If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be an oil leak. If you suspect a problem,
have the vehicle checked at your SUBARU deal-
er.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear differential
protector. The differential protector provides protec-
tion to the rear differential assembly during off-road
use. Removal of the rear differential protector is not re-
quired when checking the oil level. 2.5i (AT)
A) Filler plug
B) Drain plug
A
B
USB531BB

11 - 3 8
Maintenance and service
2.5i (AT)
A) Filler hole
B) Drain hole
C) Oil level
2.5-liter turbo and 3.0-liter models (AT)
A) Filler plug
B) Drain plug
A
B C
USB532BB
A
B
UBB517BB

11 -3 9
Maintenance and service
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2.5-liter turbo and 3.0-liter models (AT)
A) Filler hole
B) Drain hole
C) Oil level Others
A) Filler plug
B) Drain plug
A
B C
UBB518CBB AHSB042BC

11 - 4 0
Maintenance and service
Others
A) Filler hole
B) Drain hole
C) Oil level
Remove the plug from the filler hole and check the oil
level. The oil level should be kept even with the bottom
of the filler hole. If the oil level is below the bottom
edge of the hole, add oil through the filler hole to raise
the level. ! Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and addi-
tives. Never use different brands together.
Oil grade:
API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and applicable temperature
C A
B
HSB043BC
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 -4 1
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Power steering fluid !Checking the fluid level
Be careful not to burn yourself because the flu-
id may be hot.
"When power steering fluid is being added,
use only clean fluid, and be careful not to allow any dirt into the tank. And never use different
brands together.
"
Avoid spilling fluid when adding it in the tank.
The power steering fluid expands greatly as its tem-
perature rises; the fluid level differs according to fluid
temperature. Therefore, the reservoir tank has two dif-
ferent checking ranges for hot and cold fluids.
Check the power steering fluid level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface, and stop the en-
gine.
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run:
Check that the oil level is between “HOT MIN” and
“HOT MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is cool before the vehicle is run: Check
that the oil level is between “COLD MIN” and “COLD
MAX” on the surface of the reservoir tank.
3. If the fluid level is lower than the applicable “MIN”
line, add the recommended fluid as necessary to bring
the level between the “MIN” and “MAX” line.
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indicate possible
leakage. Consult your SUBARU dealer for an inspec-
tion.
HOT MAX COLD MAXHOT MIN
COLD MIN
UBB519BB

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Maintenance and service
!
Recommended fluid
“Dexron III” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake fluid !Checking the fluid level
"Never let brake fluid contact your eyes be-
cause brake fluid can be harmful to your eyes.
If brake fluid gets in your eyes, immediately
flush them thoroughly with clean water. For
safety, when performing this work, wearing eye
protection is advisable. " Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
Any absorbed moisture can cause a dangerous
loss of braking performance. " If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer.
" Never use different brands of brake fluid to-
gether. " When adding brake fluid, be careful not to al-
low any dirt into the reservoir." Never splash the brake fluid over painted sur-

11 -4 3
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
faces or rubber parts. Alcohol contained in the
brake fluid may damage them.
Check the fluid level monthly.
Check the fluid level on the outside of the reservoir. If
the level is below “MIN”, add the recommended brake
fluid to “MAX”.
Use only brake fluid from a sealed container. ! Recommended brake fluid
FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or 4 brake fluid
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) !Checking the fluid level
Never let clutch fluid contact your eyes be-
cause clutch fluid can be harmful to your eyes.
If clutch fluid gets in your eyes, immediately
flush them thoroughly with clean water. For
safety, when performing this work, wearing eye
protection is advisable.
"Clutch fluid absorbs moisture from the air.
Any absorbed moisture can cause improper
clutch operation." If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be a leak. If you suspect a problem, have
the vehicle checked at your SUBARU dealer." Never use different brands of clutch fluid to-
gether. " When clutch fluid is added, be careful not to
allow any dirt into the tank.
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