maintenance SUBARU OUTBACK 2010 5.G User Guide

7-14Starting and operating
&Service mode
In service mode, the remote engine start
function is temporarily disabled to prevent
the system from unexpectedly starting the
engine while being serviced.
To engage or disengage service mode:
1. Enter the vehicle and close all vehicle
doors and the trunk/rear gate.
2. Verify that the select lever is in the “P ”
position (AT and CVT models)
3. Depress and hold the brake pedal
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON ”
position
5. Press and release the remote engine
start transmitter “
”button three times.
The system will honk the vehicle ’s horn
each time the button is pressed.
6. The system will pause for 1 second
then honk the vehicle ’s horn three times to
indicate that the service mode has been
engaged or honk one time to indicate that
the service mode has been disengaged.
NOTE
When taking your vehicle in for service,
it is recommended that you inform the
service personnel that your vehicle is
equipped with a remote engine startsystem. &
Remote transmitter program
New transmitters can be programmed to
the remote engine start system in the
event that a transmitter is lost, stolen,
damaged or additional transmitters are
desired (the system will accept up to eight
transmitters). New remote engine start
transmitters can be programmed accord-
ing to the following procedure.
1. Open the driver ’s door (the driver ’s
door must remain opened throughout the
entire process).
2. Depress and hold the brake pedal.
3. Turn the ignition switch to “ON ”then
“ LOCK ”, back to “ON ”then “LOCK ”, then
back to “ON ”again and leave the ignition
“ ON ”throughout the programming pro-
cess.
4. The system will flash the side marker
lights, tail lights and front position lights
and honk the horn three times, indicating
that the system has entered the transmit-
ter learn mode.
5. Press and release the “
”button on
the transmitter that you want to program.
6. The system will flash the side marker
lights, tail lights and front position lights
and honk the horn one time, indicating that
the system has learned the transmitter.
Upon successful programming, the re-
mote start confirmation transmitter button will flash one time.
7. Repeat step 5 for any additional
transmitters (the system will accept up to
eight transmitters).
8. The system will exit the transmitter
learn mode if the key is turned to the“
LOCK ”position, the door is closed or
after 2 minutes.
& System maintenance
NOTE
In the event that the vehicle ’s battery is
replaced, discharged or disconnected,
it will be necessary to start the vehicle
a minimum of one time using the key
prior to activating the remote engine
start system. This is required to allow
the vehicle electronic systems to re-synchronize. ! Changing the batteries
CAUTION
. Do not let dust, oil or water get on
or in the remote engine start
transmitter when replacing the
battery.
. Be careful not to damage the
printed circuit board in the re-
mote engine start transmitter
when replacing the battery.

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) ............ 8-2
Catalytic converter .............................................. 8-3
Periodic inspections ........................................... 8-4
Driving in foreign countries ............................... 8-4
Driving tips for AWD vehicles ............................ 8-5
Off road driving ................................................... 8-6
Legacy ................................................................ 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 ......................................................... 8-10
Tire chains ......................................................... 8-11 Rocking the vehicle
........................................... 8-11
Loading your vehicle ......................................... 8-12
Vehicle capacity weight ...................................... 8-13
GVWR and GAWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and Gross Axle Weight Rating) ........................ 8-13
Roof rails with integrated crossbars (Outback) ........................................................ 8-14
Trailer hitch (Outback —if equipped) .............. 8-16
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-17
When you do not tow a trailer .. .......................... 8-18
Trailer towing ..................................................... 8-19
Warranties and maintenance .............................. 8-19
Maximum load limits .......................................... 8-19
Trailer hitches .................................................... 8-22
Connecting a trailer ........................................... 8-23
Trailer towing tips .............................................. 8-24Driving tips
8

8-4Driving tips
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. . Do not drive with an extremely low fuel
level. 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. Driving in foreign countries
When planning to use your vehicle in
another country: .
Confirm the availability of the correct
fuel. Refer to “Fuel requirements ”F 7-2.
. Comply with all regulations and re-
quirements of each country.

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 the
engine stops. This could create a firehazard. . 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 select 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, AT and CVT).
For AT and CVT models, refer to “Selec-
tion of manual mode ”F 7-21.
. 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
not using common sense precautions
such as those listed above is not eligible
for warranty coverage.
Driving tips
8-7

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. (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 weight
Total trailer weight
The total trailer weight (trailer weight plus
its cargo load) must never exceed the
maximum weight. ! Legacy
The total trailer weight must not exceed
1,000 lbs (453 kg). ! Outback
The maximum total trailer weight is in-
dicated in the following tables. Driving tips
8-19
– CONTINUED –

If you park your vehicle in an emergency......... 9-2
Temporary spare tire ........................................... 9-2
Maintenance tools ............................................... 9-3
Legacy ................................................................ 9-4
Outback .............................................................. 9-5
Flat tires ............................................................... 9-6
Changing a flat tire .............................................. 9-6
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) ...................................................... 9-9
Jump starting ..................................................... 9-10
How to jump start ............................................... 9-10
Engine overheating ............................................ 9-12
If steam is coming from the engine compartment .................................................... 9-12 If no steam is coming from the engine
compartment ................................................... 9-12
Towing ................................................................ 9-12
Towing and tie-down hooks. ............................... 9-13
Using a flat-bed truck. ........................................ 9-15
Towing with all wheels on the ground ................. 9-15
Electronic parking brake –if the electronic
parking brake cannot be released ................. 9-16
Trunk lid (Legacy) –if the trunk lid cannot
be opened ....................................................... 9-19
Rear gate (Outback) –if the rear gate
cannot be unlocked ........................................ 9-19
Moonroof –if moonroof cannot be closed ...... 9-20
In case of emergency
9

CAUTION
Never use any temporary spare tire
other than the original. Using other
sizes may result in severe mechan-
ical damage to the drive train of yourvehicle.
The temporary spare tire is smaller and
lighter than a conventional tire and is
designed for emergency use only. Re-
move the temporary spare tire and re-
install the conventional tire as soon as
possible because the spare tire is de-
signed only for temporary use.
Check the inflation pressure of the tem-
porary spare tire periodically to keep the
tire ready for use. The correct pressure is
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2) .
When using the temporary spare tire, note
the following precautions. . Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
. Do not put a tire chain on the temporary
spare tire. Because of the smaller tire size,
a tire chain will not fit properly. . Do not use two or more temporary
spare tires at the same time.. Do not drive over obstacles. This tire
has a smaller diameter, so road clearance
is reduced.
1) Tread wear indicator bar
2) Indicator location mark
. When the wear indicator appears on
the tread, replace the tire. . The temporary spare tire must be used
only on a rear wheel. If a front wheel tire
gets punctured, replace the wheel with a
rear wheel and install the temporary spare
tire in place of the removed rear wheel. Maintenance tools
Your vehicle is equipped with the following
maintenance tools. .
Jack
. Jack handle
. Screwdriver
. Towing hook (eye bolt)
. Wheel nut wrench
. Electronic parking brake release tool In case of emergency
9-3
– CONTINUED –

.When releasing the electronic
parking brake by using the elec-
tronic parking brake release tool,
always perform the followingitems. – Shift the shift lever in the “1 ”
or “R ” position (MT models).
– Shift the select lever in the “P ”
position (AT and CVT models).
– Use tire stops under the tires.
. When releasing the electronic
parking brake by using the elec-
tronic parking brake release tool,
make sure that the ignition
switch is in the “LOCK ”position.
Otherwise, the electronic parking
brake system may operate and
the electronic parking brake re-
lease tool may rotate and unex-
pected accident may occur.
CAUTION
. Under certain weather conditions
(rain, snow, sandstorm, etc.), do
not release the electronic parking
brakebyusingtheelectronic
parking brake release tool. If
water or dust enters the device,
the device may malfunction. .
If the cap cannot be removed,
contact your SUBARU dealer for inspection.
. After releasing the electronic
parking brake by using the elec-
tronic parking brake release tool,
make sure that the cap is rein-
stalled to the parking brake re-
lease device. If the cap is not
reinstalled, water or dust enters
the device and the device maymalfunction.
NOTE
It may be difficult to release the elec-
tronic parking brake by using the
electronic parking brake release tool.
Have your SUBARU dealer release the
electronic parking brake if necessary.
In the event that you cannot release the
electronic parking brake by pulling the
electronic parking brake switch or by
depressing the accelerator pedal, you
can release the electronic parking brake
manually by using the electronic parking
brake release tool.
1. Shift the shift lever in the “1 ” or “R ”
position (MT models) or the select lever in the “P ”position (AT and CVT models).
2. Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK ”
position. 3. Make sure that the brake system
warning light and the indicator light on
the parking brake switch have turned off.
4. Use tire stops under the tires to
prevent the vehicle from moving.
5. Take out the electronic parking brake
release tool. Refer to
“Maintenance tools ”
F 9-3. In case of emergency
9-17
– CONTINUED –

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 checking or servicing in the engine compartment (2.5 L non-turbo models) .. ........... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Maintenance tips ................................................ 11-5
Removing and reinstalling clips .......................... 11-5
Removing air intake duct .................................... 11-7
Pulling off the fender lining ................................ 11-7
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-7
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-9
2.5 L non-turbo models ...................................... 11-9
2.5 L turbo models ........................................... 11-10
3.6 L models .................................................... 11-11
Engine oil .......................................................... 11-12
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-12
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-14
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .......................................... 11-17
Cooling system ................................................ 11-17
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-17
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-18
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-20
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-21
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-22
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-22 Drive belts
........................................................ 11-23
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-23
Checking the oil level ...................................... 11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-24
Automatic transmission fluid .......................... 11-24
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-24
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-25
Continuously variable transmission fluid ...... 11-26
Front differential gear oil (AT and CVT models) .......................................................... 11-26
Checking the oil level ...................................... 11-26
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-27
Rear differential gear oil .................................. 11-27
Checking the gear oil level ............................... 11-27
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-28
Power steering fluid ........................................ 11-29
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-29
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-30
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-30
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-30
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-31
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-31
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-31
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-32
Brake booster .................................................. 11-32
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-33
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-33
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-33 Maintenance and service
11