2005 SUBARU LEGACY Owners Manual

11 - 3 0
Maintenance 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
A) Power steering pump pulley
B) Air conditioner compressor pulley
C) 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 SUB-
ARU dealer.
B
C a
b
A
HSB033BC
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 -3 1
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Manual transmission oil !Checking the oil level
Non-turbo models
A) Yellow handle Turbo models
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.
A
UBB515EB
UBB516BA

11 - 3 2
Maintenance and service
A) Upper level
B) 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
LA
B A
B
USB526BC
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 -3 3
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
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. ! 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. 4 speed automatic transmission
A) Yellow handle
A
UBB515GB

11 - 3 4
Maintenance and service
5 speed automatic transmission
A) Yellow handle
A) HOT range
B) COLD range
C) Upper level
D) Lower level
4. Pull out the dipstick and check the fluid level on the
gauge. If it is below the lower level on the “HOT”
range, add the recommended automatic transmission
fluid up to the upper level. ! Checking the fluid level when the fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked without time to
warm up the automatic transmission, check to see that
the fluid level is between the lower level and upper lev-
el on the “COLD” range. If it is below that range, add
A
UBB516DB
LF
LF
C D
CD B
A
HGB061BC

11 -3 5
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
fluid up to the upper level. Be careful not to overfill. !Recommended fluid
Use one of the following types of automatic transmis-
sion fluid.
Genuine Subaru Automatic Transmission Fluid
IDEMITSU ATF HP
Castrol Transmax J
Pennzoil ATF-J*
* Available only in the USA (except Alaska and Ha-
waii)
NOTE "Using any non-specified type of automatic
transmission fluid could result in damage inside
the transmission. When replacing the automatic
transmission fluid, be sure to use the kind speci-
fied above." If your vehicle has a four-speed automatic trans-
mission, you can use “Dexron III” Type Automatic
Transmission Fluid in addition to the recommend-
ed fluid types listed above. Front differential gear oil (AT vehi-
cles) !
Checking the oil level
A) 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.
A
UBB515FB

11 - 3 6
Maintenance and service
A) Upper level
B) 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 SAE viscosity No. and applicable temperature
L
F
A B
HSB040BC
-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 0 60 20
80W
75W/90 80 100
40
85W 90
HSB036BA

11 -3 7
Maintenance and service
– CONTINUED –
Rear differential gear oil !Checking the gear oil level
If the vehicle requires frequent refilling, there
may be an oil leak. If you suspect a problem,
have the vehicle checked at your SUBARU deal-
er.
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. 2.5i (AT)
A) Filler plug
B) Drain plug
A
B
USB531BB