2004 SUBARU OUTBACK Maintenance and service

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2Maintenance and service
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Coolant capacity (Guideline):
2.5 liter models: MT. 7.2 US qt (6.8 liters, 6.0 Imp qt)
AT. 7.1 US qt (6.7 liters, 5.9 Imp qt)
3.0 liter models:
8.4 US qt (7.9 liters, 7.0 Imp qt)
y Be careful not to spill engine coolant when
adding it. If coolant touches the exhaust pipe, it
may cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. y Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
coolant may damage the paint surface. 1) “FULL” level mark
2) “LOW” level mark
5. Pour the coolant and fill to the reservoir tank’s
“FULL” level mark.
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2Maintenance and service
1) Rubber gaskets
6. Put the radiator cap back on and tighten firmly. At
this time, make sure that the rubber gasket in the radi-
ator cap is correctly in place.
7. Start and run the engine for more than five minutes
at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
8. Stop the engine and wait until the coolant cools
down (122 to 140 °F [50 to 60 °C]). If there is any loss
of coolant, add coolant to the radiator’s filler neck and
to the reserve tank’s “FULL” level.
9. Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap back on and
tighten firmly.
Air cleaner element
Do not operate the engine with the air cleaner
element removed. The air cleaner element not
only filters intake air but also stops flames if the
engine backfires. If the air cleaner element is
not installed when the engine backfires, you
could be burned.
The air cleaner element functions as a filter screen.
When the element is perforated or removed, engine
wear will be excessive and engine life shortened.
The air cleaner element is a viscous type. It is unnec-
essary to clean or wash the element. „ Replacing the air cleaner element
Replace the air cleaner element according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. Under extremely dusty conditions, re-
place it more frequently. It is recommended that you
always use genuine SUBARU parts.
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2Maintenance and service
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T2.5 liter models0
1) Bolt
1. Remove the bolt securing the rear air cleaner ele- ment case.
2. Unsnap the three clamps holding the rear air clean-
er element case. 1) Air cleaner element
3. Separate the rear air cleaner element case from
the front air cleaner element case and remove the air
cleaner element.
4. Clean the inside of the front and rear air cleaner el-
ement cases with a damp cloth and install a new air
cleaner element.
5. Insert the four projections on the rear air cleaner el-
ement case into the slits on the front air cleaner ele-
ment case and snap the three clamps on the rear air
cleaner element case and then tighten the bolt.
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2Maintenance and service
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2.5 liter CALIFORNIA spec models and 3.0 liter models
0
1. Unsnap the two clamps holding the air cleanercase cover. 2. Open the air cleaner case cover and remove the air
cleaner element.
3. Clean the inside of the air cleaner cover and case
with a damp cloth and install a new air cleaner ele- ment.
To install the air cleaner case cover, insert the two pro-
jections on the air cleaner case cover into the slits on
the air cleaner case and then snap the two clamps on
the air cleaner case cover.
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2Maintenance and service
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Spark plugs
yWhen disconnecting the spark plug cables,
always grasp the spark plug cap, not the ca-
bles. y Make sure the cables are replaced in the cor-
rect order.
It may be difficult to replace the spark plugs. It is rec-
ommended that you have the spark plugs replaced by
your SUBARU dealer. The spark plugs should be replaced according to the
maintenance schedule in the “Warranty and Mainte-
nance Booklet”. „
Recommended spark plugs
2.5 liter models:
RC10YC4 (Champion)
BKR6E-11 (NGK)
BKR5E-11 (NGK)
2.5 liter CALIFORNIA spec models: FR5AP-11 (NGK)
3.0 liter models:
PLFR6A-11 (NGK)
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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.
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3 A
B
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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)

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2Maintenance and service
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Manual transmission oil „Checking the oil level
1) Yellow
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 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
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2Maintenance and service
SAE viscosity No. and Applicable Temperature
Automatic transmission fluid „
Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands largely as
its temperature rises; the fluid level differs according to
fluid temperature. Therefore, there are two different
scales for checking the level of hot fluid and cold fluid
on the dipstick.
Though the fluid level can be checked without warm-
ing up the fluid on the “COLD” range, we recommend
checking the fluid level when the fluid is at operating
temperature. T Checking the fluid level when the fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise the temper-
ature of the transmission fluid up to normal operating
temperature; 158 to 176 °F (70 to 80 °C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and set the park-
ing brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each position. Then
shift it in the “P” position, and run the engine at idling
speed.-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
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