2004 SUBARU OUTBACK Windshield wiper

8-13
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
ing, abrupt acceleration, high-speed driving, and
sharp turning when driving on snowy or icy roads.
Always maintain ample distance between your vehicle
and the vehicle ahead of you to avoid the need for sud-
den braking.
To supplement the foot brake, use the engine brake
effectively to control the vehicle speed. (Shift into a
lower gear when necessary.)
Avoid shifting down abruptly. Such behavior can
cause the wheels to lock, possibly leading to loss of vehicle control.
An anti-lock brake system (ABS) enhances your vehi-
cle’s braking performance on snowy and icy roads.
Refer to the “ABS (Anti-lock Brake System)” and “VDC
(Vehicle Dynamics Control) system (if equipped)” sec-
tion in chapter 7 for information on braking on slippery surfaces. TWiper operation when snowing
Before driving in cold weather, make sure the wiper
blades are not frozen to the windshield or rear window.
If the wiper blades are frozen to the windshield or rear
window, use the defroster with the airflow control but-
ton/dial in the “ ” position and the temperature
control dial set for maximum warmth until the wiper
blades are completely thawed out. If your vehicle is
equipped with a wiper deicer, it is helpful to thaw the windshield wiper blades. To thaw out the rear wiper
blade, use the rear window defogger.
When driving in snow, if frozen snow starts to stick on
the surface of the windshield despite wiper operation,
use the defroster with the airflow control button/dial in
“ ” and the temperature control dial set for maxi-
mum warmth. After the windshield gets warmed
enough to melt the frozen snow on it, wash it away us-
ing the windshield washer.
Snow stuck on the wiper arm prevents the wiper from working effectively. If snow is stuck on the wiper arm,
pull off the road to a safe place, then remove it. If you
stop the car at road side, use the hazard warning
flasher to alert other drivers.
We recommend use of non-freezing type wiper blades
(winter blades) during the seasons you could have
snow and sub-zero temperatures. Blades of this type
give superior wiping performance in snowy conditions.
Be sure to use blades that are suitable for your vehi- cle. „
Corrosion protection
Refer to the “Corrosion protection” section (chapter 10).

11 - 2
Maintenance and service
Parking brake stroke .................................... 11-43
Tires and wheels .......................................... 11-43Types of tires .................................................... 11-43
Tire inspection .................................................. 11-44
Tire pressures and wear .................................. 11-44
Wheel balance ................................................... 11-47
Wear indicators ................................................. 11-47
Tire rotation ....................................................... 11-48
Tire replacement ............................................... 11-48
Wheel replacement ........................................... 11-49
Wheel covers .................................................... 11-50
Aluminum wheels (if equipped) .................. 11-51
Windshield washer fluid .............................. 11-51
Replacement of wiper blades ...................... 11-52 Replacement wiper blade assembly ............... 11-53
Replacement wiper blade rubber .................... 11-53
Battery ........................................................... 11-58
Fuses ............................................................. 11-59
Main fuse ....................................................... 11-61
Installation of accessories .......................... 11-62
Replacing bulbs ............................................ 11-63 Headlight ........................................................... 11-65
Front fog light (if equipped) ............................. 11-69
Front turn signal light, parking light and side marker light .................................................... 11-69
Rear combination lights ................................... 11-71
License plate light ............................................ 11-76
Map light, dome light, luggage compartment light and door step light ................................ 11-76
Trunk light ......................................................... 11-79
High mount stop light ...................................... 11-79

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 - 5 2
2Maintenance and service
freeze type windshield washer fluid. SUBARU Wind-
shield Washer Fluid contains 58.5% methyl alcohol
and 41.5% surfactant, by volume. Its freezing temper-
ature varies according to how much it is diluted, as in-
dicated below.Replacement of wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other materials on the wind-
shield or the wiper blade results in jerky wiper opera-
tion and streaking on the glass. If you cannot remove
the streaks after operating the windshield washer or if
the wiper operation is jerky, clean the outer surface of
the windshield (or rear window) and the wiper blades
using a sponge or soft cloth with a neutral detergent or
mild-abrasive cleaner. After cleaning, rinse the wind-
shield and wiper blades with clean water. The wind-
shield is clean if beads do not form when you rinse the
windshield with water.
Do not clean the wiper blades with gasoline or
a solvent, such as paint thinner or benzene.
This will cause deterioration of the wiper
blades.
If you cannot eliminate the streaking even after follow-
ing this method, replace the wiper blades using the fol-
lowing procedures:
Washer Fluid Concentration Freezing Temperature
30% 10.4 °F (–12 °C)
50% –4 °F (–20 °C)
100% –49 °F (–45 °C)

11 -5 3
2Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
„Replacement wiper blade assembly
1. Raise the wiper arm off the windshield.
1) Stopper
2. Remove the wiper blade assembly by holding its
pivot area and pushing it in the direction shown by the
arrow while depressing the wiper blade stopper.
3. Install the wiper blade assembly to the wiper arm.
Make sure that it locks in place.
4. Lower the wiper arm. „
Replacement wiper blade rubber
T Windshield wiper blade rubber
1) Metal support
1. Grasp the locked end of the blade rubber assembly
and pull it firmly until the stoppers on the rubber are
free of the metal support.
1
HSB058CB
1
HSB059BB

11 -5 5
2Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
1) Stopper
4. Be sure to position the claws at the end of the metal
support between the stoppers on the rubber as shown.
If the rubber is not retained properly, the wiper blade
may scratch the windshield. T
Rear window wiper blade rubber
1) Plastic support
1. Pull out the end of the blade rubber assembly to un-
lock it from the plastic support.
1
HSB062BB
1
USB585BB

12-7
Specifications
– CONTINUED –
T3.0 liter models
1210AyIllumination brightness
control
1315AyFuel pump
1410AyRear window wiper and
washer
1530AyWindshield wiper and
washer
1620AyBrake light
1715AyAir conditioner
1815AyBackup light
y Cruise control
y ABS control
1920AyWiper deicer
2020AyAccessory power sock- et
y Seat heater
2115AyIgnition coil and ignitor
(CALIFORNIA spec vehicle only)
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
115AyHeater fan
19
18
17
16
21
20
15
14
12
11
10 9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
13
UBC001CB

12-8
Specifications
215Ay
Heater fan
315AyPower door lock
y Keyless entry
420AyCigarette lighter
y Remote controlled rear
view mirrors
y Mirror heater
510AyTail light
y Parking light
615AySRS airbag
715AyFront fog light
830AyABS (VDC) solenoid
915AyRadio
y Clock
1015AyTrailer
1115AyEngine ignition system
y SRS airbag
1210AyIllumination brightness control
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit
1315AyFuel pump
1410AyRear window wiper and
washer
1530AyWindshield wiper and
washer
1620AyBrake light
1715AyAir conditioner
1815AyBackup light
y Cruise control
y ABS (VDC) control
1920AyWiper deicer
2020AyMcIntosh audio amp (if
equipped)
2120AyAccessory power sock- et
y Seat heater
Fuse panelFuse ratingCircuit