2005 SUBARU OUTBACK air condition

8-40
Driving tips
and in “GAS STATION REFERENCE” at the end of
this manual. Adjust the rear tire pressure to the recom-
mended pressure when the tires are cold. Normal
pressure should be maintained in the front tires.
Trailer tire condition, size, load rating and proper infla-
tion pressure should be in accordance with the trailer
manufacturer’s specifications.
In the event your vehicle gets a flat tire when towing a
trailer, ask a commercial road service to repair the flat tire.
If you carry a regular size spare tire in your vehicle or
trailer as a precaution against getting a flat tire, be
sure that the spare tire is firmly secured. !
Trailer towing tips
"Never exceed 45 mph (72 km/h) when towing
a trailer in hilly country on hot days. " When towing a trailer, steering, stability,
stopping distance and braking performance
will be different from normal operation. For
safety’s sake, you should employ extra caution
when towing a trailer and you should never speed. You should also keep the following tips
in mind:
! Before starting out on a trip
" Check that the vehicle and vehicle-to-hitch mount-
ing are in good condition. If any problems are appar-
ent, do not tow the trailer." Check that the vehicle sits horizontally with the trail-
er attached. If the vehicle is tipped sharply up at the
front and down at the rear, check the total trailer
weight, GVW, GAWs and tongue load again, then con-
firm that the load and its distribution are acceptable. " Check that the tire pressures are correct.
" Check that the vehicle and trailer are connected
properly. Confirm that.
– the trailer tongue is connected properly to the
hitch ball.
– the trailer lights connector is connected properly
and trailer’s brake lights illuminate when the vehi-
cle’s brake pedal is pressed, and that the trailer’s
turn signal lights flash when the vehicle’s turn signal
lever is operated.
– the safety chains are connected properly.
– all cargo in the trailer is secured safety in position.
– the side mirrors provide a good rearward field of
view without a significant blind spot.

8-41
Driving tips
– CONTINUED –
"Sufficient time should be taken to learn the “feel” of
the vehicle/trailer combination before starting out on a
trip. In an area free of traffic, practice turning, stopping
and backing up. ! Driving with a trailer
" You should allow for considerably more stopping
distance when towing a trailer. Avoid sudden braking because it may result in skidding or jackknifing and
loss of control." Avoid abrupt starts and sudden accelerations. If
your vehicle has a manual transmission, always start
out in first gear and release the clutch at moderate en-
gine revolution. " Avoid uneven steering, sharp turns and rapid lane
changes. " Slow down before turning. Make a longer than nor-
mal turning radius because the trailer wheels will be
closer than the vehicle wheels to the inside of the turn.
In a tight turn, the trailer could hit your vehicle. " Crosswinds will adversely affect the handling of
your vehicle and trailer, causing sway. Crosswinds
can be due to weather conditions or the passing of large trucks or buses. If swaying occurs, firmly grip the
steering wheel and slow down immediately but gradu-
ally. " When passing other vehicles, considerable dis-
tance is required because of the added weight and length caused by attaching the trailer to your vehicle.
A) Left turn
B) Right turn
" Backing up with a trailer is difficult and takes prac-
tice. When backing up with a trailer, never accelerate
or steer rapidly. When turning back, grip the bottom of
the steering wheel with one hand and turn it to the left
for a left turn, and turn it to the right for a right turn. " If the ABS warning light illuminates while the vehicle
is in motion, stop towing the trailer and have repairs
performed immediately by the nearest SUBARU deal- er.
A B
UB8502BB

8-42
Driving tips
!
Driving on grades
" Before going down a steep hill, slow down and shift
into lower gear (if necessary, use 1st gear) in order to
utilize the engine braking effect and prevent overheat-
ing of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not make sudden
downshifts." When driving uphill in hot weather, the air condition-
er may turn off automatically to protect the engine from
overheating." When driving uphill in hot weather, pay attention to
the water temperature gauge pointer (for all vehicles)
and AT OIL TEMP warning light (for AT vehicles) since
the engine and transmission are relatively prone to
overheating under these conditions. If the water tem-
perature gauge pointer approaches the OVERHEAT
zone or the AT OIL TEMP warning light illuminates,
immediately switch off the air conditioner and stop the
vehicle at the nearest safe place. Refer to the “Engine
overheating” section in chapter 9, and “Warning and
indicator lights” section in chapter 3.
NOTE
With AT vehicles, the temperature of engine cool-
ant is less likely to rise to the OVERHEAT zone in
the “D” position than in the manual mode position. " If your vehicle has an automatic transmission, avoid
using the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on an uphill slope instead of using the parking brake or foot
brake. That may cause the transmission fluid to over-
heat. !
Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both vehicle and trailer
when parking. Apply the parking brake firmly. You
should not park on a hill or slope. But if parking on a
hill or slope cannot be avoided, you should take the
following steps:
1. Apply the brakes and hold the pedal down.
2. Have someone place wheel blocks under both the
vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, release the
regular brakes slowly until the blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then apply the park-
ing brake; slowly release the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual transmission)
or “P” (automatic transmission) and shut off the en-
gine.

10-5
Appearance care
– CONTINUED –
proper ventilation. !To help prevent corrosion
Wash the vehicle regularly to prevent corrosion of the
body and suspension components. Also, wash the ve-
hicle promptly after driving on any of the following sur-
faces: " roads that have been salted to prevent them from
freezing in winter " mud, sand, or gravel
" coastal roads
After the winter has ended, it is recommended that the
underbody be given a very thorough washing.
Before the beginning of winter, check the condition of
underbody components, such as the exhaust system,
fuel and brake lines, brake cables, suspension, steer-
ing system, floor pan, and fenders. If any of them are
found to be rusted, they should be given an appropri-
ate rust prevention treatment or should be replaced.
Contact your SUBARU dealer to perform this kind of
maintenance and treatment if you need assistance.
Repair chips and scratches in the paint as soon as you
find them.
Check the interior of the vehicle for water and dirt ac- cumulation under the floor mats because that could
cause corrosion. Occasionally check under the mats
to make sure the area is dry.
Keep your garage dry. Do not park your vehicle in a
damp, poorly ventilated garage. In such a garage, cor-
rosion can be caused by dampness. If you wash the
vehicle in the garage or put the vehicle into the garage
when wet or covered with snow, that can cause damp-ness.
If your vehicle is operated in cold weather and/or in ar-
eas where road salts and other corrosive materials are
used, the door hinges and locks, trunk lid lock, and
hood latch should be inspected and lubricated period-
ically.

11 - 1
11
Maintenance and service
Maintenance schedule ................................. 11-3
Maintenance precautions ............................ 11-3 Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................. 11-4
When you do checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is
running ............................................................ 11-5
Engine hood .................................................. 11-5
Engine compartment overview ................... 11-8 2.5-liter non-turbo models ................................ 11-8
2.5-liter non-turbo California-spec. models .... 11-9
2.5-liter turbo models ....................................... 11-10
3.0-liter models .................................................. 11-11
Engine oil ...................................................... 11-12 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-12
Changing the oil and oil filter .......................... 11-13
Recommended grade and viscosity ................ 11-16
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe driving conditions .............................. 11-17
Cooling system ............................................. 11-18 Hose and connections ...................................... 11-19
Engine coolant .................................................. 11-19
Air cleaner element ...................................... 11-24 Replacing the air cleaner element ................... 11-24
Spark plugs ................................................... 11-29 Recommended spark plugs ............................. 11-29
Drive belts ..................................................... 11-30 2.5-liter models .................................................. 11-30
3.0-liter models .................................................. 11-30
Manual transmission oil ............................... 11-31 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-31
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-32
Automatic transmission fluid ...................... 11-33 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-33
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-35
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ...... 11-35 Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-35
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-36
Rear differential gear oil ............................... 11-37 Checking the gear oil level .............................. 11-37
Recommended grade and viscosity ............... 11-40
Power steering fluid ...................................... 11-41 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-41
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-42
Brake fluid ..................................................... 11-42 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-42
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-43
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) ............................ 11-43 Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-43
Recommended clutch fluid .............................. 11-44
Brake booster ................................................ 11-44
Brake pedal .................................................... 11-45 Checking the brake pedal free play ................ 11-45
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ... 11-45
Clutch pedal (Manual transmission vehicles) ..................................................... 11-46Checking the clutch function .......................... 11-46
Checking the clutch pedal free play ............... 11-46
Replacement of brake pad and lining ......... 11-47

11 - 2 2
Maintenance and service
Turbo models
A) Fill up to here
5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill up to just below the
filler neck, allowing enough room to add genuine Sub-
aru cooling system conditioner in the radiator. Add
genuine Subaru cooling system conditioner until the
coolant level reaches the filler neck. Do not pour the
coolant too quickly, as this may lead to insufficient air
bleeding and trapped air in the system.
Coolant capacity (Guideline): 2.5-liter non-turbo models: MT. 6.8 US qt (6.4 liters, 5.6 Imp qt)
AT. 6.7 US qt (6.3 liters, 5.5 Imp qt)
2.5-liter turbo models: MT. 7.7 US qt (7.3 liters, 6.4 Imp qt)
AT. 7.6 US qt (7.2 liters, 6.3 Imp qt)
3.0-liter models:
7.6 US qt (7.2 liters, 6.3 Imp qt)
" 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. " Do not splash the engine coolant over paint-
ed parts. The alcohol contained in the engine
coolant may damage the paint surface.
A
UBB511BB

11 - 2 4
Maintenance and service
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 dry type. It is unnecessary
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. !
Non-turbo models
0
A) Connector
B) Duct
C) Clamp
1. Unplug the connector that is attached to the top of
the air cleaner case.
2. Remove the hose that is located at the bottom of
the side surface of the air cleaner case.
3. Undo the screw and pull the air duct out of the air
cleaner case.
4. Unsnap the two clamps holding the air cleaner
case cover.
A
C
BUBB512CB

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)