2002 SUBARU OUTBACK checking oil

4-20
Operating tips for heater and air conditionerCleaning ventilator grille
HB5019BC
Always keep the front ventilator inlet grille free of snow, leaves, or oth-
er obstructions to ensure efficient heating and defrosting. Since the
condenser is located in front of the radiator, this area should be kept
clean because cooling performance is impaired by any accumulation
of insects and leaves on the condenser. Efficient cooling after parking in direct sunlight
After parking in direct sunlight, drive with the windows open for a few
minutes to allow outside air to circulate into the heated interior. This
results in quicker cooling by the air conditioner. Keep the windowsclosed during the operation of the air conditioner for maximum cool-
ing efficiency. Lubrication oil circulation in the refrigerant circuit
Operate the air conditioner compressor at a low engine speed (at idle
or low driving speeds) a few minutes each month during the off-sea-
son to circulate its oil. Checking air conditioning system before summer season
Check the air conditioner unit for refrigerant leaks, hose conditions,
and proper operation each spring. This check is best performed by
your SUBARU dealer.

11-4
Always use the proper tools and make certain that they are
well maintained. Never get under the vehicle supported only by a jack. Always
use a safety stands to support the vehicle. 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 guard against getting oil or
fluids in your eyes. If something does get in your eyes, thorough-
ly wash them out with clean water. Do not tamper with the wiring of the SRS airbag system or
seatbelt pretensioner system, or attempt to take its connectorsapart, as that may activate the system or it can render it inopera-tive. The wiring and connectors of these systems are yellow for
easy identification. NEVER use a circuit tester for these wiring. If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pretensioner needs service, con-
sult your nearest SUBARU dealer. Before checking or servicing in the engine compart- ment
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 af-ter 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, the cooling fan may oper-
ate suddenly even when the engine is stopped.

Maintenance and service11-9
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CONTINUED –
Engine oil
Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuel stop.
HBB061BD
HBB004BA
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Be sure the dipstick is correctly inserted until it stops with the
graphic symbol
on its top appearing as shown in the illustra-
tion.
4. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on it. If it is belowthe lower level, add oil to bring the level up to the upper level.
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recommended grade and viscosity.
If you check the oil level just after stopping the engine, wait a few min-
utes for the oil to drain back into the oil pan before checking the level.
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not add any additional oilabove the upper level when the engine is cold.
In 2.5-liter-engine models, the dipstick has a notch above the upper level.
Just after driving or while the engine is warm, the engine oil level
reading may be in a range between the upper level and the notch
mark. This is caused by thermal expansion of the engine oil.

Maintenance and service11-23
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CONTINUED –
schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”. Consult your
SUBARU dealer for replacement.
If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contact your SUBARU dealer.
Manual transmission oil Checking the oil level
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
OM-H0210
Upper level Lower level
HBB004DB
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on it. If it is below
the lower level, add oil through the dipstick hole to bring the level upto the upper level. Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base oils and additives. Never use
different brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5

11-26
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles)Checking the oil level
Check the differential oil level monthly.
HBA010BB
Lower level Upper levelHBB004EB
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the engine.
2. Pull out the dipstick, wipe it clean, and insert it again.
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on it. If it is belowthe 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 additives. Never use
different brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5

Maintenance and service11-27
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CONTINUED –
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
OM-H0212
Rear differential gear oil
Checking the gear oil level CAUTION
If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there may be an oil leak. If you suspect a problem, have the vehicle checked at your
SUBARU dealer.
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear differential protector. The
differential protector provides protection to the rear differential assem-
bly during off-road use. Removal of the rear differential protector is not
required when checking the oil level.

Maintenance and service11-29
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CONTINUED –
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
OM-H0205
Power steering fluid
Checking the fluid level
WARNING
Be careful not to burn yourself because the fluid may be hot.
CAUTION
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 temperature rises; the
fluid level differs according to fluid temperature. Therefore, the reser-
voir tank has two different 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 engine.
2. Check the fluid level of the reservoir tank.
When the fluid is hot after the vehicle has been run: Check that the oillevel is between “HOT MIN ” and “HOT MAX ” on the surface of the
reservoir tank.

11-30
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 res-
ervoir 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.
HBB031BB
HBB030BB
Specified range SpecifiedrangeReservoir tank
If the fluid level is extreme low, it may indicate possible leakage. Con- sult your SUBARU dealer for inspection. Recommended fluid
“ Dexron III ” Type Automatic Transmission Fluid
Brake fluid
Checking the fluid level
WARNING
Never let brake fluid contact your eyes because brake fluid can
be harmful to your eyes. If brake fluid gets in your eyes, immedi-
ately flush them thoroughly with clean water. For safety, whenperforming this work, wearing eye protection is advisable. Brake fluid absorbs moisture from the air. Any absorbed mois-
ture can cause a dangerous loss of braking performance.