2004 SUBARU LEGACY belt

8-14
Driving tips
„
Snow tires
T All models except OUTBACK
yWhen replacing original tires with winter
(snow) tires, make sure you use only the same
size, construction and load range as the origi-
nal tires listed on the tire placard. Using other
sizes and construction may affect speedome-
ter/odometer calibration and clearance be-
tween the body and tires. It also may be danger-
ous and lead to loss of vehicle control. y You must install four winter tires that are of
the same size, circumferences, construction,
brand, and load range. Mixing other sizes, cir-
cumferences or constructions may result in se-
vere mechanical damage to the drive train of
your vehicle and may affect ride, handling,
braking and speedometer/odometer calibra-
tion. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss
of vehicle control. y Do not use a combination of radial, belted
bias or bias tires since it may cause dangerous
handling characteristics and lead to an acci-
dent. Your vehicle is equipped with “all season tires” which
are designed to provide an adequate measure of trac-
tion, handling and braking performance in year-round
driving. In winter, it may be possible to enhance per-
formance through use of tires designed specifically for
winter driving conditions.
If you choose to install winter tires on your vehicle, be
sure to use the correct tire size and type. You must in-
stall four winter tires that are of the same size, con-
struction, brand and load range and you should never
mix radial, belted bias or bias tires since this may re-
sult in dangerous handling characteristics. When you
choose a tire, make sure that there is enough clear-
ance between the tire and vehicle body.
Remember to drive with care at all times regardless of
the type of tires on your vehicle. T
OUTBACK models only
yWhen replacing original tires with winter
(snow) tires, make sure you use only the same
size and construction as recommended. Using
other sizes or construction may affect speed-
ometer/odometer calibration and clearance be-
tween the body and tires. It also may be danger-

8-15
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
ous and lead to loss of vehicle control. yYou must install four winter tires that are of
the same size, circumferences, construction,
brand, and load range. Mixing other sizes, cir-
cumferences or constructions may result in se-
vere mechanical damage to the drive train of
your vehicle and may affect ride, handling,
braking and speedometer/odometer calibra-
tion. It also may be dangerous and lead to loss
of vehicle control. y Do not use a combination of radial, belted
bias or bias tires since it may cause dangerous
handling characteristics and lead to an acci-
dent.
Your vehicle is equipped with “all season tires” which
are designed to provide an adequate measure of trac-
tion, handling and braking performance in year-round
driving. In winter, it may be possible to enhance per-
formance through use of tires designed specifically for
winter driving conditions.
If you choose to install winter tires on your vehicle, be
sure to use the correct tire size and type. You must in-
stall four winter tires that are of the same size, con-
struction, brand and load range and you should never
mix radial, belted bias or bias tires since this may re-
sult in dangerous handling characteristics. When you choose a tire, make sure that there is enough clear-
ance between the tire and vehicle body.
Remember to drive with care at all times regardless of
the type of tires on your vehicle.
Your OUTBACK comes with P225/60R16 “all sea-
son tires” as original equipment. You should be
aware that some winter tires with that same size
designation may actually be too large for the vehi-
cle and may cause rubbing on sharp turns. Listed
below is the winter tire size that we recommend.Recommended winter (snow) tire size
P215/60R16 Studless
„ Tire chains
Tire chains cannot be used on tires listed below
because of lack of clearance between the tires
and vehicle body.yP205/55R16 tires for GT models
y P225/60R16 tires for OUTBACK models
y P215/60R16 winter (snow) tires for OUTBACK

9-16
In case of emergency
Do not jump start unless cables in suitable con-
dition are available.y
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.
When your vehicle does not start due to a run down
(discharged) battery, the vehicle may be jump started
by connecting your battery to another battery (called
the booster battery) with jumper cables.
Jump starting is dangerous if it done incorrectly. If you
are unsure about the proper procedure for jump start-
ing, consult a competent mechanic. „ How to jump start
1. Make sure the booster battery is 12 volts and the
negative terminal is grounded.
2. If the booster battery is in another vehicle, do not let
the two vehicles touch.
3. Turn off all unnecessary lights and accessories.
4. Connect the jumper cables exactly in the sequence
illustrated.

11 - 1
11
Maintenance and service
Ma inte nan ce sche du le .. ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 11-3
Ma in te nan ce precau tio ns ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 11-3
B ef ore checki ng o r servicing in th e e ngi ne
c o m part ment ..... ..................... ..................... ... 11-4
W hen y ou do c h ecking or servic ing in t h e
e ngi ne c omp artme nt while the engi ne is
r u nn ing ............... ..................... ..................... ... 11-5
En gine ho od .. ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 11-5
Engine compartment overview ................... 11-8 2.5 liter models .................................................. 11-8
2.5 liter CALIFORNIA spec models ................. 11-9
3.0 liter models .................................................. 11-10
Engine oil ...................................................... 11-11 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-11
Changing the oil and oil filter .......................... 11-12
Recommended grade and viscosity ................ 11-15
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .............................. 11-16
Cooling system ............................................. 11-17 Hose and connections ...................................... 11-18
Engine coolant .................................................. 11-18
Air cleaner element ...................................... 11-22 Replacing the air cleaner element ................... 11-22
Spark plugs ................................................... 11-25 Recommended spark plugs ............................. 11-25
Drive belts ..................................................... 11-26 2.5 liter models .................................................. 11-26
3.0 liter models .................................................. 11-26
Manual transmission oil ............................... 11-27 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-27 Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-27
Automatic transmission fluid ...................... 11-28 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-28
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-30
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ...... 11-30 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-30
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-31
Rear differential gear oil ............................... 11-32 Checking the gear oil level .............................. 11-32
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-34
Power steering fluid ...................................... 11-35 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-35
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-36
Brake fluid ..................................................... 11-36 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-36
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-37
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) ............................ 11-38 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-38
Recommended clutch fluid .............................. 11-38
Brake booster ................................................ 11-39
Brake pedal .................................................... 11-39 Checking the brake pedal free play ................ 11-39
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ... 11-40
Clutch pedal (Manual transmission vehicles) ............... 11-40Checking the clutch function .......................... 11-40
Checking the clutch pedal free play ............... 11-41
Replacement of brake pad and lining ......... 11-41 Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings .... 11-42

11 - 4
2Maintenance and service
the materials in the vehicle may be hazardous if
improperly used or handled, for example, bat-tery acid. y
Your vehicle should only be serviced by per-
sons fully competent to do so. Serious person-
al injury may result to persons not experienced
in servicing vehicles. y Always use the proper tools and make certain
that they are well maintained. y Never get under the vehicle supported only
by a jack. Always use a safety stands to sup-
port the vehicle. y Never keep the engine running in a poorly
ventilated area, such as a garage or other
closed areas. y Do not smoke or allow open flames around
the fuel or battery. This will cause a fire. y Because the fuel system is under pressure,
replacement of the fuel filter should be per-
formed only by your SUBARU dealer.y Wear adequate eye protection to guard
against getting oil or fluids in your eyes. If
something does get in your eyes, thoroughly
wash them out with clean water. y Do not tamper with the wiring of the SRS air-
bag system or seatbelt pretensioner system, or
attempt to take its connectors apart, as that may activate the system or it can render it inop-
erative. The wiring and connectors of these
systems are yellow for easy identification. NEV-
ER use a circuit tester for these wiring.
If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pretensioner
needs service, consult your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
„ Before checking or servicing in the en-
gine compartment
yAlways stop the engine and set the parking
brake firmly to prevent the vehicle from mov-
ing. y Always let the engine cool down. Engine
parts become very hot when the engine is run-
ning and remain hot for some time after the en-
gine is stopped.y Do not spill engine oil, engine coolant, brake
fluid or any other fluid on hot engine compo-
nents. This may cause a fire.y Always remove the key from the ignition
switch. When the ignition switch is in the “ON”
position, the cooling fan may operate suddenly

11 - 5
2Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
even when the engine is stopped.
„ When you do checking or servicing in
the engine compartment while the en-
gine is running
A running engine can be dangerous. Keep your
fingers, hands, clothing, hair and tools away
from the cooling fan, belts and any other mov-
ing 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, re-
turn them to their original positions.
2. Pull the hood release knob under the instrument
panel.
UBB001BA

11 - 2 6
2Maintenance and service
Drive belts
The alternator, power steering pump, and air condi-
tioner compressor depend on drive belts. Satisfactory
performance requires that belt tension be correct. „
2.5 liter models
1) Power steering pump pulley
2) Air conditioner compressor pulley
3) Crank pulley in (mm)
To check belt tension, place a straightedge (ruler)
across two adjacent pulleys and apply a force of 22 lbs
(98 N, 10 kg) midway between the pulleys by using a
spring scale. Belt deflection should be the amount
specified. „ 3.0 liter models
It is unnecessary to check belt tension periodically be-
cause your engine is equipped with an automatic belt
tension adjuster. However, replacement of the belt
should be done according to the maintenance sched-
ule in the “Warranty and Maintenance Booklet”. Con-
sult your SUBARU dealer for replacement.
If a belt is loose, cracked, or worn, contact your SUBARU dealer.
2
3 A
B
1
HSB033BB
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)

11 -4 9
2Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
shown on the tire placard.
Using tires of a non-specified size detracts from con-
trollability, ride comfort, braking performance, speed-
ometer accuracy and odometer accuracy. It also cre-
ates incorrect body-to-tire clearances and inappropri-
ately changes the vehicle’s ground clearance.
All four tires must be the same in terms of manufactur-
er, brand (tread pattern), construction, and size. You
are advised to replace the tires with new ones that are
identical to those fitted as standard equipment.
For safe vehicle operation, SUBARU recommends re-
placing all four tires at the same time.
yAll four tires must be the same in terms of
manufacturer, brand (tread pattern), construc-
tion, degree of wear, speed symbol, load index
and size. Mixing tires of different types, sizes or
degrees of wear can result in damage to the ve-
hicle’s power train. Use of different types or siz-
es of tires can also dangerously reduce control-
lability and braking performance and can lead
to an accident. y Use only radial tires. Do not use radial tires
together with belted bias tires and/or bias-ply tires. Doing so can dangerously reduce control-
lability, resulting in an accident.
„ Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example, to damage,
make sure the replacement wheels match the specifi-
cations of the wheels that are fitted as standard equip-
ment. Replacement wheels are available from
SUBARU dealers.
Use only those wheels that are specified for
your vehicle. Wheels not meeting specifica-
tions could interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub against the
wheel well housing during turns. The resulting
loss of vehicle control could lead to an acci-
dent.