maintenance SUBARU OUTBACK 2009 5.G Owner's Manual

10-4Appearance care
Corrosion protection
Your SUBARU has been designed and
built to resist corrosion. Special materials
and protective finishes have been used on
most parts of the vehicle to help maintain
fine appearance, strength, and reliableoperation. &Most common causes of corrosion
The most common causes of corrosion are:
1. The accumulation of moisture retain-
ing dirt and debris in body panel sections,
cavities, and other areas.
2. Damage to paint and other protective
coatings caused by gravel and stone
chips or minor accidents.
Corrosion is accelerated on the vehicle when:
1. It is exposed to road salt or dust
control chemicals, or used in coastal
areas where there is more salt in the air,
or in areas where there is considerable
industrial pollution.
2. It is driven in areas of high humidity,
especially when temperatures range just
above freezing.
3. Dampness in certain parts of the
vehicle remains for a long time, even though other parts of the vehicle may be
dry.
4. High temperatures will cause corro-
sion to parts of the vehicle which cannot
dry quickly due to lack of proper ventila-tion.
& To help prevent corrosion
Wash the vehicle regularly to prevent
corrosion of the body and suspension
components. Also, wash the vehicle
promptly after driving on any of the
following surfaces: . roads that have been salted to prevent
them from freezing in winter. mud, sand, or gravel
. coastal roads
After the winter has ended, it is recom-
mended that the underbody be given a
very thorough washing.
Before the beginning of winter, check the
condition of underbody components, such
as the exhaust system, fuel and brake
lines, brake cables, suspension, steering
system, floor pan, and fenders. If any of
them are found to be rusted, they should
be given an appropriate rust prevention
treatment or should be replaced. Contact
your SUBARU dealer to perform this kind
of maintenance and treatment if you need assistance.
Repair chips and scratches in the paint as
soon as you find them.
Check the interior of the vehicle for water
and dirt accumulation under the floor mats
because that could cause corrosion.
Occasionally check under the mats to
make sure the area is dry.
Keep your garage dry. Do not park your
vehicle in a damp, poorly ventilated
garage. In such a garage, corrosion can
be caused by dampness. If you wash the
vehicle in the garage or put the vehicle
into the garage when wet or covered with
snow, that can cause dampness.
If your vehicle is operated in cold weather
and/or in areas where road salts and other
corrosive materials are used, the door
hinges and locks, trunk lid lock, and hood
latch should be inspected and lubricated
periodically.

Maintenance schedule....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................... 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-4
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-6
2.5 L non-turbo models ...................................... 11-6
2.5 L turbo models ............................................. 11-7
3.0 L models ...................................................... 11-8
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-9
Checking the oil level ......................................... 11-9
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-12
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .......................................... 11-13
Cooling system ................................................ 11-14
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-14
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-14
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-17
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-18
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-20
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-20
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-20
2.5 L models .................................................... 11-20
3.0 L models .................................................... 11-21
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-21
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-22Automatic transmission fluid
.......................... 11-22
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-22
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT models) ........... 11-24
Checking the oil level ...................................... 11-24
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-25
Rear differential gear oil .................................. 11-25
Checking the gear oil level ............................... 11-25
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-27
Power steering fluid ........................................ 11-27
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-27
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-28
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-28
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-28
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-29
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-29
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-29
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-30
Brake booster .................................................. 11-30
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-31
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-31
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-31
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-31
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-31
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-32
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-32
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....... 11-32
Parking brake stroke ....................................... 11-33
Tires and wheels .............................................. 11-33
Types of tires ................................................... 11-33
Maintenance and service
11

Maintenance and serviceTire pressure monitoring system (TPMS)(if equipped) ................................................... 11-34
Tire inspection ................................................. 11-35
Tire pressures and wear ................................... 11-36
Wheel balance .................................................. 11-38
Wear indicators ................................................ 11-38
Tire rotation direction mark .............................. 11-38
Tire rotation ..................................................... 11-39
Tire replacement .............................................. 11-39
Wheel replacement ........................................... 11-40
Aluminum wheels ............................................. 11-40
Windshield washer fluid .................................. 11-41
Replacement of wiper blades .......................... 11-42
Windshield wiper blade assembly ..................... 11-42
Windshield wiper blade rubber ......................... 11-43
Rear window wiper blade assembly .................. 11-44
Rear window wiper blade rubber ....................... 11-45
Battery. .............................................................. 11-46 Fuses
................................................................ 11-47
Main fuse .......................................................... 11-49
Installation of accessories .............................. 11-49
Replacing bulbs ............................................... 11-50
Headlight ......................................................... 11-51
Front turn signal/Parking and front side marker light .............................................................. 11-53
Front fog light (if equipped) .............................. 11-53
Rear combination lights ................................... 11-53
Back-up light (Station wagon) .......................... 11-56
License plate light ........................................... 11-56
Dome light ....................................................... 11-57
Map light ......................................................... 11-57
Vanity mirror light ............................................ 11-58
Door step light ................................................. 11-58
Cargo area light (Station wagon) ... ................... 11-59
Trunk light (Sedan) .......................................... 11-59
High mount stop light (Sedan) .......................... 11-59

Maintenance schedule
The scheduled maintenance items re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the“Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet ”.
For details of your maintenance schedule,
read the separate “Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet ”. Maintenance precautions
When maintenance and service are re-
quired, it is recommended that all work be
done by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and service
by yourself, you should familiarize yourself
with the information provided in this
section on general maintenance and
service for your SUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service could
cause improper or unsafe vehicle opera-
tion. Any problems caused by improper
maintenance and service performed by
you are not eligible for warranty coverage.
WARNING
. Testing of an All-Wheel Drive
vehicle must NEVER be per-
formed on a single two-wheel
dynamometer or similar appara-
tus. Attempting to do so will
result in transmission damage
and in uncontrolled vehicle
movement and may cause an
accident or injuries to persons
nearby.
. Always select a safe area when
performing maintenance on yourvehicle. .
Always be very careful to avoid
injury when working on the vehi-
cle. Remember that some of the
materials in the vehicle may be
hazardous if improperly used or
handled, for example, batteryacid.
. Your vehicle should only be ser-
viced by persons fully competent
to do so. Serious personal injury
may result to persons not experi-
enced in servicing vehicles.
. Always use the proper tools and
make certain that they are wellmaintained.
. Never get under the vehicle sup-
ported only by a jack. Always use
a safety stands to support thevehicle.
. Never keep the engine running in
a poorly ventilated area, such as
a garage or other closed areas.
. Do not smoke or allow open
flames around the fuel or battery.
This will cause a fire.
. Because the fuel system is under
pressure, replacement of the fuel
filter should be performed only
by your SUBARU dealer.
. Wear adequate eye protection to Maintenance and service
11-3
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11-4Maintenance and service
guard against getting oil or fluids
in your eyes. If something does
get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water.
. Do not tamper with the wiring of
the SRS airbag system or seat-
belt pretensioner system, or at-
tempt to take its connectors
apart, as that may activate the
system or it can render it inop-
erative. NEVER use a circuit
tester for these wiring. If your
SRS airbag or seatbelt preten-
sioner needs service, consult
your nearest SUBARU dealer.
& Before checking or servicing
in the engine compartment
WARNING
. Always stop the engine and set
the parking brake firmly to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving.
. Always let the engine cool down.
Engine parts become very hot
when the engine is running and
remain hot for some time after
the engine is stopped.
. Do not spill engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid or any other fluid on hot engine components.
This may cause a fire.
. Always remove the key from the
ignition switch. When the ignition
switch is in the “ON ”position,
thecoolingfanmayoperate
suddenly even when the engine
is stopped.
& When you do checking or
servicing in the engine com-
partment while the engine is running
WARNING
A running engine can be dangerous.
Keep your fingers, hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from the cooling
fan, belts and any other moving
engine parts. Removing rings,
watches and ties is advisable. Engine hood
To open the hood:
1. If the wiper blades are lifted off the
windshield, return them to their originalpositions.
2. Pull the hood release knob under the
instrument panel.

3. Release the secondary hood release
located under the front grille by moving the
lever toward the left.
4. Lift up the hood, release the hood prop
from its retainer and put the end of the
hood prop into the slot in the hood.To close the hood:
1. Lift the hood slightly and remove the
hood prop from the slot in the hood and
return the prop to its retainer. 2.
In the case of OUTBACK models,
lower the hood to a height of approxi-
mately 5.9 in (15 cm) above its closed
position and then let it drop.
In the case of the models except OUT- BACK, lower the hood to a height of
approximately 12 in (30 cm) above its
closed position and then let it drop.
3. After closing the hood, be sure the
hood is securely locked.
If this does not close the hood, release it
from a slightly higher position. Do not push
the hood forcibly to close it. It could
deform the metal.
WARNING
Always check that the hood is
properly locked before you start
driving. If it is not, it might fly open
while the vehicle is moving and
block your view, which may cause
an accident and serious bodily in-
jury. Maintenance and service
11-5

11-6Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview &2.5 L non-turbo models1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-27)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-21) or Differential gear oil level
gauge (AT) (page 11-24)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-29)
4) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-22)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-28)
6) Fuse box (page 11-47)
7) Battery (page 11-46)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-41)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
13) Air cleaner element (page 11-17)

&2.5 L turbo models1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-27)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge (MT) (page 11-21) or Differential gear oil level
gauge (AT) (page 11-24)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-29)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-28)
5) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-22)
6) Fuse box (page 11-47)
7) Battery (page 11-46)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-41)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
13) Air cleaner element (page 11-17) Maintenance and service
11-7
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11-8Maintenance and service
& 3.0 L models
1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-27)
2) Differential gear oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-24)
3) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-22)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-28)
5) Fuse box (page 11-47)
6) Battery (page 11-46)
7) Windshield washer tank (page 11-41)
8) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
10) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
12) Air cleaner element (page 11-17)

Engine oil NOTE .The engine oil consumption rate is
not stabilized, and therefore cannot be
determined until the vehicle has tra-
veled at least several thousand miles
(kilometers). Even after break-in, when
the vehicle is used under severe driv-
ing conditions such as those men-
tionedintheWarrantyandMainte-
nance Booklet, engine oil is consumed
or deteriorated more quickly than un-
der normal driving conditions. If you
drive your vehicle under these severe
conditions, you should check the oil
level at least at every second fuel fill-up
time, and change the oil more fre-
quently. Please refer to the Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet for more de-tails.. If the oil consumption rate seems
abnormally high after the break-in
period, for example more than 1 quart
per 1,200 miles or 1 liter per 2,000
kilometers, we recommend that you
contact your SUBARU dealer. &
Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuelstop.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine. If you check the oil level
just after stopping the engine, wait a few
minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil
pan before checking the level.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,
and insert it again.
3. Be sure the level gauge is correctly
inserted until it stops with the graphic
symbol “
”on its top appearing as
shown in the illustration.
2.5 L models
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level Maintenance and service
11-9
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