maintenance SUBARU OUTBACK 2008 4.G User Guide

Fuel...................................................................... 7-3
Fuel requirements ............................................... 7-3
Fuel filler lid and cap ........................................... 7-5
State emission testing (U.S. only) ...................... 7-7
Preparing to drive ............................................... 7-8
Starting the engine .............................................. 7-9
Manual transmission vehicle ................................ 7-9
Automatic transmission vehicle ........................... 7-9
Stopping the engine ........................................... 7-10
Remote engine start system (dealer option) ................................................. 7-11
Starting your vehicle .......................................... 7-11
Remote start safety features ............................... 7-11
Entering the vehicle while it is running via remote start ................................................................. 7-12
Entering the vehicle following remote engine start shutdown ......................................................... 7-12
Pre-heating or pre-cooling the interior of the vehicle ............................................................. 7-12
Service mode ..................................................... 7-12
Remote transmitter programming and programmable feature option ............................ 7-12
System maintenance .......................................... 7-13
Manual transmission –5 speeds ...................... 7-14
Shifting speeds .................................................. 7-15
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-15
Manual transmission –6 speeds (2.5GT
spec.B) ............................................................. 7-16
Selecting reverse gear ........................................ 7-16
Shifting speeds .................................................. 7-17
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-17 Automatic transmission
–4-speed ................... 7-18
Selector lever .................................................... 7-18
Selector lever reverse inhibiting function ............ 7-20
Selection of manual mode .................................. 7-21
Maximum speeds ............................................... 7-22
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-22
SPORT mode ..................................................... 7-23
Shift lock release ............................................... 7-23
Automatic transmission –5-speed ................... 7-24
Selector lever .................................................... 7-25
Selector lever reverse inhibiting function ............ 7-26
Selection of manual mode .................................. 7-27
Maximum speeds ............................................... 7-29
Driving tips ........................................................ 7-29
Shift lock release ............................................... 7-29
SI-DRIVE (Except 2.5-liter non-Turbo models) ............................................................ 7-30
Intelligent (I) mode ............................................. 7-31
Sport (S) mode .................................................. 7-31
Sport Sharp (S#) mode. ...................................... 7-32
SI-DRIVE selector .............................................. 7-32
SI-DRIVE Sport Sharp (S#) switch ...................... 7-32
Rear viscous limited slip differential (LSD) (if equipped) .................................................... 7-33
Power steering ................................................... 7-33
Braking ............................................................... 7-34
Braking tips ....................................................... 7-34
Brake system .................................................... 7-34
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ............. 7-34
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) .......................... 7-35
Starting and operating
7

1. Open the driver’s door (the driver ’s
door must remain opened throughout the
entire process).
2. Insert the key into the vehicle ’s ignition
switch and turn to the “ON ”position.
3. Locate the small black programming
button behind the fuse box cover, on the
driver ’s side left under the dashboard
panel.
4. Press and hold the black programming
button for 10 to 15 seconds. The horn will
honk and the parking lights will flash three
times to indicate that the system has
entered programming mode. At this point
you can perform either action (Step 5 or
Step 6).
5. To program a remote transmitter:
press and release the “
”button on each
transmitter. The horn will honk and the
parking lights will flash one time to indicate
a successful transmitter learn each time
the “
”button is pressed. You can
program up to eight transmitters.
6. To toggle the Horn Confirmation chirps
ON/OFF: press and release the brake to
toggle the feature. The horn will chirp and
the parking lights will flash one time to
indicate Confirmation Horn Chirps are“ OFF ”. The horn will honk and the parking
lights will flash 2 times to indicate Con-
firmation Horn Chirps are “ON ”. Pressing
the brake pedal repeatedly will toggle the feature ON or OFF each time.
7. To exit the remote transmitter and
feature programming mode, turn the igni-
tion switch to the
“LOCK ”position, remove
the key from the ignition switch and test
operation of the remote transmitter(s) and
horn confirmation feature.
& System maintenance
! Changing the remote control bat-teries
The two 3-volt lithium batteries (model
CR-1220) supplied in your remote control
should last approximately three years,
depending on usage. When the batteries
begin to weaken, you will notice a
decrease in range (distance from the
vehicle that your remote control operates).
Follow the instructions below to change
the remote control batteries.
1. Carefully pry the remote control halves
apart using a small flathead screwdriver. Starting and operating
7-13
– CONTINUED –

New vehicle break-in driving–the first
1,000 miles (1,600 km) ..................................... 8-2
Fuel economy hints ............................................ 8-2
Engine exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) ........... 8-3
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-5
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ............................ 8-5
Off road driving ................................................... 8-6
All AWD models except OUTBACK ...................... 8-6
OUTBACK ........................................................... 8-6
Winter driving ...................................................... 8-8
Operation during cold weather ............................. 8-8
Driving on snowy and icy roads .......................... 8-9
Corrosion protection .......................................... 8-10
Snow tires ......................................................... 8-11 Tire chains
........................................................ 8-13
Rocking the vehicle ........................................... 8-13
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-13
Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 8-14
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ 8-15
Roof rail and crossbar (if equipped) ................... 8-15
Trailer hitch (if equipped) .................................. 8-19
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-20
When you do not tow a trailer .. .......................... 8-21
Trailer towing ..................................................... 8-21
Warranties and maintenance .............................. 8-21
Maximum load limits .......................................... 8-22
Trailer hitches .................................................... 8-25
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-26
Trailer towing tips .............................................. 8-27Driving tips
8

8-4Driving tips
2.5-liter turbo models
3.0-liter models
The catalytic converter is installed in the
exhaust system. It serves as catalyst to
reduce HC, CO and NOx in exhaust
gases, thus providing cleaner exhaust. To avoid damage to the catalytic conver-ter: .
Use only unleaded gasoline. Even a
small amount of leaded gasoline will
damage the catalytic converter. . Never start the engine by pushing or
pulling the vehicle.. Avoid racing the engine.
. Never turn off the ignition switch while
the vehicle is moving.. Keep your engine tuned-up. If you feel
the engine running rough (misfiring, back-
firing or incomplete combustion), have
your vehicle checked and repaired by an
authorized SUBARU dealer. . Do not apply undercoating or rust
prevention treatment to the heat shield of
catalytic converter and the exhaust sys-tem. Periodic inspections
To keep your vehicle in the best condition
at all times, always have the recom-
mended maintenance services listed in
the maintenance schedule in the
“War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet ”per-
formed at the specified time or mileageintervals.

.Drive carefully. Do not take unneces-
sary risks by driving in dangerous areas or
over rough terrain. . Slow down and employ extra caution at
all times. When driving off-road, you will
not have the benefit of marked traffic
lanes, banked curves, traffic signs and
the like. . Do not drive across steep slopes.
Instead, drive either straight up or straight
down the slopes. A vehicle can much
more easily tip over sideways than it can
end over end. Avoid driving straight up or
down slopes that are too steep. . Avoid sharp turning maneuvers, espe-
cially at higher speeds. . Do not grip the inside or spokes of the
steering wheel. A bad bump could jerk the
wheel and injure your hands. Instead drive
with your fingers and thumbs on the
outside of the rim. . If driving through water, such as when
crossing shallow streams, first check the
depth of the water and the bottom of the
stream bed for firmness and ensure that
the bed of the stream is flat. Drive slowly
and completely through the stream. The
water should be shallow enough that it
does not reach the vehicle ’s undercar-
riage. Water entering the engine air intake
or the exhaust pipe or water splashing
onto electrical parts may damage your vehicle and may cause it to stall. Never
attempt to drive through rushing water;
regardless of its depth, it can wash away
the ground from under your tires, resulting
in possible loss of traction and even
vehicle rollover. .
Always check your brakes for effec-
tiveness immediately after driving in sand,
mud or water. Do this by driving slowly
and stepping on the brake pedal. Repeat
that process several times to dry out the
brake discs and brake pads. . Do not drive or park over or near
flammable materials such as dry grass or
fallen leaves, as they may burn easily. The
exhaust system is very hot while the
engine is running and right after engine
stops. This could create a fire hazard. . After driving through tall grass, mud,
rocks, sand, rivers, etc., check that there
is no grass, bush, paper, rags, stones,
sand, etc. adhering to or trapped on the
underbody. Clear off any such matter from
the underbody. If the vehicle is used with
these materials trapped or adhering to the
underbody, a mechanical breakdown or
fire could occur. . Secure all cargo carried inside the
vehicle and make certain that it is not
piled higher than the seatbacks. During
sudden stops or jolts, unsecured cargo
could be thrown around in the vehicle and cause injury. Do not pile heavy loads on
the roof. Those loads raise the vehicle
’s
center of gravity and make it more prone
to tip over. . If you must rock the vehicle to free it
from sand or mud, depress the accelerator
pedal slightly and move the selector lever
back and forth between “D ” and “R ”
repeatedly. Do not race the engine. For
the best possible traction, avoid spinning
the wheels when trying to free the vehicle. . When the road surface is extremely
slippery, you can obtain better traction by
starting the vehicle with the transmission
in 2nd than 1st (both for MT and AT). . Never equip your vehicle with tires
larger than those specified in this manual.. Wash the vehicle ’s underbody after off-
road driving. Suspension components are
particularly prone to dirt buildup, so they
need to be washed thoroughly. . Frequent driving of an AWD vehicle
under hard-driving conditions such as
rough roads or off roads will necessitate
more frequent replacement of engine oil,
brake fluid and transmission oil than that
specified in the maintenance schedule
described in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet ”.
Remember that damage done to your
SUBARU while operating it off-road and Driving tips
8-7
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WARNING
Do not connect safety chains to part
of the vehicle other than the safety
chain hooks.
Hitch harness connector
8. Connect the hitch wire harness ’s black
four-pin wire connector to the towing trailer ’s wire harness.
9. Confirm proper function of the hitch
wire harness by individually activating the
brake, right turn signal, left turn signal,
stop, and parking lights on the trailer. NOTE
Always disconnect the trailer wire har-
ness before launching or retrieving a watercraft.
& When you do not tow a trailer
. Remove the ball mount from the hitch
receiver tube and insert the receiver cover
onto the hitch receiver tube. . Place the dust cap over the four-pin
connector of the hitch wire harness to
protect against possible damage. . Occasionally lubricate terminals of the
four-pin connector using the terminal grease. Trailer towing
Your vehicle is designed and intended to
be used primarily as a passenger-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional
loads on your vehicle
’s engine, drivetrain,
brakes, tires and suspension and has an
adverse effect on fuel economy.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety
and satisfaction depend upon proper use
of correct equipment and cautious opera-
tion of your vehicle. Seek the advice of
your SUBARU dealer to assist you in
purchasing a hitch and other necessary
towing equipment appropriate for your
vehicle. In addition, be sure to follow the
instructions on correct installation and use
provided by the trailer and other towing
equipment manufacturers.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for
injuries or vehicle damage that result from
trailer towing equipment, or from any
errors or omissions in the instructions
accompanying such equipment or for your
failure to follow the proper instructions.
& Warranties and maintenance
SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused
by trailer towing. If you use your vehicle to
tow a trailer, more frequent maintenance
will be required due to the additional load. Driving tips
8-21
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8-22Driving tips
(Refer to “Maintenance schedule under
severe driving conditions ”in the “Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet ”.)
Under no circumstances should a trailer
be towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle
with any new powertrain component (en-
gine, transmission, differential, wheel
bearings, etc.) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) of driving.
& Maximum load limits
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum load
limits explained in the following.
Exceeding the maximum load limits
could cause personal injury and/or
vehicle damage.
CAUTION
. Adequate size trailer brakes are
required when the trailer and its
cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
total weight. .
Before towing a trailer, check the
trailer total weight, GVW, GAWs
and tongue load. Make sure the
load and its distribution in your
vehicle and trailer are accepta-ble.
! Total trailer weightTotal trailer weight
The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo load) must never exceed the
maximum weight indicated in the followingtable.

If you park your vehicle in an emergency......... 9-2
Temporary spare tire ........................................... 9-2
Flat tires ............................................................... 9-4
Changing a flat tire .............................................. 9-4
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) .......................................................... 9-9
Jump starting ..................................................... 9-10
How to jump start ............................................... 9-11
Engine overheating ............................................ 9-13
If steam is coming from the engine compartment .................................................... 9-13 If no steam is coming from the engine
compartment ................................................... 9-13
Towing ................................................................ 9-14
Towing and tie-down hooks. ............................... 9-14
Using a flat-bed truck. ........................................ 9-17
Towing with all wheels on the ground ................. 9-17
Rear gate (Station wagon) –if the rear gate
cannot be unlocked ........................................ 9-18
Maintenance tools ............................................. 9-19
Jack .................................................................. 9-19
Jack handle ....................................................... 9-19
Other maintenance tools .................................... 9-20
In case of emergency
9

Maintenance tools &Jack
A jack and other maintenance tools are
stored in the tool bucket in the center of
the spare tire located in the trunk or in the
cargo area.
Sedan: To take out the jack and main-
tenance tools, open the floor cover and
remove the bucket from the center of the
spare tire. Then, take the jack out of thebucket.
Station wagon: To take out the jack and
maintenance tools, open the center lid and
remove the bucket from the center of the
spare tire. Then, take the jack out of thebucket. & Jack handle
The jack handle is stowed on the back of
the floor cover of the trunk or on the back
of the center lid of the cargo area.Sedan: Open the floor cover and remove
the jack handle from the back of the floor
cover.
Station wagon: Open the center lid,
remove the left-hand part of the lid, and
take out the jack handle. In case of emergency
9-19
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9-20In case of emergency
For how to use the jack, refer to “Flat
tires ”.
& Other maintenance tools
In addition to a jack and a jack handle, the
tool bucket on your vehicle contains the
following maintenance tools.
Screwdriver
Towing hook
Wheel nut wrench