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Maintenance and service
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Engine oil !Checking the oil level
Check the engine oil level at each fuel stop.
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.
3. Be sure the dipstick is correctly inserted until it
stops with the graphic symbol on its top appear-
ing as shown in the illustration. 2.5-liter turbo models
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level
HGB056BA
1 2
3
UGB081BB
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Maintenance and service
2.5-liter and 2.0-liter turbo models
1) Notch
2) Upper level
3) Lower level
4. 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.
" Use only engine oil with the recommended
grade and viscosity. " Be careful not to spill engine oil when adding
it. If oil touches the exhaust pipe, it may cause
a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire.
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.
Just after driving or while the engine is warm, the en-
gine oil level reading may be in a range between the
upper level and the notch mark. This is caused by ther-
mal expansion of the engine oil.
To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not add any
additional oil above the upper level when the engine iscold. ! Changing the oil and oil filter
Change the oil and oil filter according to the mainte-
nance schedule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
The engine oil and oil filter must be changed more fre-
quently than listed in the maintenance schedule when
driving on dusty roads, when short trips are frequently
made, or when driving in extremely cold whether.
1. Warm up the engine by letting the engine idle for
about 10 minutes to ease draining the engine oil.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and stop the en-
gine.
1 2
3
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Maintenance and service
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Non-turbo models
7. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter wrench.
8. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a thin coat of
engine oil to the seal.
9. Clean the rubber seal seating area of the lower
crank case/oil cooler (For Turbo) and install the oil fil-
ter by hand turning. Be careful not to twist or damage
the seal.
10.Tighten it approximately two-thirds of a turn after
the seal makes contact with the lower crank case/oil
cooler (For Turbo).
Never over tighten the oil filter because that canresult in an oil leak.
11.Reinstall under cover (For Turbo).
12.Pour engine oil through the filler neck.
Oil capacity (guideline): Non-turbo models: 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
Turbo models:
4.8 US qt (4.5 liters, 4.0 Imp qt)
The oil quantity indicated above is only guideline.
The necessary quantity of oil depends on the quantity
of oil that has been drained. The quantity of drained oil
differs slightly depending on the temperature of the oil
and the time the oil is left flowing out. After refilling the
engine with oil, therefore, you must the dipstick to con-
firm that the level is correct.
13.Start the engine and make sure that no oil leaks ap-
pear around the filter’s rubber seal and drain plug.
14.Run the engine until it reaches the normal operat-
ing temperature. Then stop the engine and wait a few
minutes to allow the oil drain back. Check the oil level
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Maintenance and service
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Never attempt to remove the radiator cap until
the engine has been shut off and has cooled
down completely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious burns from a
spray of boiling hot coolant when the cap is re-
moved.
4. Install the under cover.
Non-turbo models
1) Filler neck
2) Fill up to this level Turbo models
1) Filler neck
2) Fill up to this level
5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill to the radiator filler
neck. Do not pour the coolant too quickly, as this may
lead to insufficient air bleeding and trapped air in the system.
1
2
UGB508BB
1
2
USB518BB
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Maintenance and service
your SUBARU dealer.
in (mm)Manual transmission oil !Checking the oil level
5 speed transmission (Non-turbo model)
1) Yellow handle
Deflection
New belt Used belt
A 0.28 — 0.35 (7.0 — 9.0) 0.35 — 0.43 (9.0 — 11.0)
B 0.30 — 0.33 (7.5 — 8.5) 0.35 — 0.40 (9.0 — 10.0)
HGB056DB
1
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Maintenance and service
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the dipstick again and check the oil level on
it. If it is below the lower level, add oil through the dip-
stick hole 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
F
L1
2 1
2
USB526BB
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA
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Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Front differential gear oil (AT vehi-
cles) !Checking the oil level
1) 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. 1) Upper level
2) 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
HGB056FB
1
L F
1 2
HSB040BB
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Maintenance and service
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
Rear differential gear oil !
Checking the gear oil level
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.
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug
-30
-20 20 40 60 90
85W
80W
80W/90 80 100
0
-20 -10 10 20 30 40
0
HSB041AA
2 1HSB042BB