2006 SUBARU OUTBACK automatic transmission fluid

8-28 Driving tips
sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the
engine braking effect and prevent over-
heating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not
make sudden downshifts.
y When driving uphill in hot weather, the
air conditioner may turn off automatically
to protect the engine from overheating.
y 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 condi-
tions. If the water temperature gauge
pointer approaches the OVERHEAT zone
or the AT OIL TEMP warning light illumi-
nates, immediately switch off the air con-
ditioner and stop the vehicle at the nearest
safe place. Refer to the “Engine overheat-
ing” section in chapter 9, and “Warning
and indicator lights” section in chapter 3.
NOTE With AT vehicles, the temperature of
engine coolant is less likely to rise to
the OVERHEAT zone in the “D” posi-
tion than in the manual mode position.
y If your vehicle has an automatic trans-
mission, avoid using the accelerator pedal
to stay stationary on an uphill slope in-
stead of using the parking brake or foot
brake. That may cause the transmission fluid to overheat.
T Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both vehi-
cle 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 un-
der both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place, re-
lease the regular brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then ap-
ply the parking brake; slowly release the
regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (manual
transmission) or “P” (automatic transmis-
sion) and shut off the engine.

11Maintenance and serviceMaintenance 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 ......... 11-4
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-4
Engine compartment overview ......................... 11-6 2.5-liter non-turbo models ..................................... 11-6
2.5-liter turbo models ............................................. 11-7
3.0-liter models ....................................................... 11-8
Engine oil ............................................................ 11-9 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-9
Changing the oil and oil filter ................................ 11-10
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-12
Recommended grade and viscosity under severe
driving conditions ................................................ 11-13
Cooling system .................................................. 11-13 Hose and connections ........................................... 11-14
Engine coolant ........................................................ 11-14
Air cleaner element ............................................ 11-17 Replacing the air cleaner element ......................... 11-17
Spark plugs ......................................................... 11-19
Recommended spark plugs ................................... 11-19
Drive belts ........................................................... 11-20
2.5-liter models ....................................................... 11-20
3.0-liter models ....................................................... 11-20
Manual transmission oil .................................... 11-20 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-20
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-21
Automatic transmission flui d ............................ 11-22Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-22
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT vehicles) ............ 11-23 Checking the oil level ............................................. 11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-24
Rear differential gear oil .................................... 11-24 Checking the gear oil level .................................... 11-24
Recommended grade and viscosity ..................... 11-26
Power steering fluid ........................................... 11-27 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-27
Recommended fluid ............................................... 11-27
Brake fluid ........................................................... 11-28 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-28
Recommended brake fluid ..................................... 11-28
Clutch fluid (MT vehicles) .................................. 11-29 Checking the fluid level .......................................... 11-29
Recommended clutch fluid .................................... 11-29
Brake booster ..................................................... 11-30
Brake pedal ......................................................... 11-30 Checking the brake pedal free play ...................... 11-30
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ......... 11-30
Clutch pedal (Man ual transmission
vehicles) ........................................................... 11-31
Checking the clutch function ................................ 11-31
Checking the clutch pedal free play ..................... 11-31

11 - 6 Maintenance and service
Engine compartment overview „ 2.5-liter non-turbo models 12 3 4 56
7891011
13 12 B004141) Power steering fluid reservoir (page
11-27)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-20) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-23)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-29)
4) Automatic transmi ssion fluid level
gauge (page 11-22)
5) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-28)
6) Fuse box (page 11-45)
7) Battery (page 11-44)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-39)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-
14)
11) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
12) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
13) Air cleaner element (page 11-17)

Maintenance and service
11 - 7
– CONTINUED –„ 2.5-liter turbo models 12 4635
13 12 11 10 9 8 7 B004161) Power steering fluid reservoir (page
11-27)
2) Manual transmission oil level gauge
(MT) (page 11-20) or Differential gear
oil level gauge (AT) (page 11-23)
3) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-29)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-28)
5) Automatic transmission fluid level
gauge (page 11-22)
6) Fuse box (page 11-45)
7) Battery (page 11-44)
8) Windshield washer tank (page 11-39)
9) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-9)
10) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-
14)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-9)
12) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
13) Air cleaner element (page 11-17)

11 - 2 2 Maintenance and service
Automatic transmission fluid „ Checking the fluid levelThe automatic transmission fluid expands
largely as its temperature rises; the fluid
level differs according to fluid tempera-
ture. 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 warming 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 se veral miles to raise
the temperature 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 parking brake.
3. First shift the selector lever in each po-
sition. Then shift it in the “P” position, and
run the engine at idling speed. 4-speed automatic transmission
1) Yellow handle
5-speed automatic transmission
1) Yellow handle 1) HOT range
2) COLD range
3) Upper level
4) 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 recom-
mended automatic transmission fluid up to
the upper level.
T 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
level on the “COLD” range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level.
Be careful not to overfill.1
B00428
1
B00429 3
43
4
2 1 B00370

Maintenance and service
11 - 2 3
– CONTINUED –„ Recommended fluid Use one of the following types of automat-
ic transmission fluid.
Genuine Subaru Automatic Transmis-
sion Fluid Type-HP
IDEMITSU ATF HP
Castrol Transmax J
Pennzoil ATF-J*
* Available only in the USA (except
Alaska and Hawaii)
NOTE Using any non-specified type of auto-
matic transmission fluid could result in
damage inside the transmission. When
replacing the automatic transmission
fluid, be sure to use the kind specified
above. Front differential gear oil (AT
vehicles) „ Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
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 to bring the level up to the up-
per level.Be careful not to spill automatic
transmission fluid when adding it. If
automatic transmission fluid touch-
es the exhaust pipe, it may cause a
bad smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If au-
tomatic transmissi on fluid gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off. 1
B00430
Be careful not to spill front differen-
tial gear oil when adding it. If oil
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If oil gets on the exhaust pipe,
be sure to wipe it off. 1
2 B00372

14-2 Index
A
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ....... ...................... ............. 7-26
Warning light ....................................................... 3-20, 7-27
Accessories .................................................................... 11-47
Accessory power outlet .............. ........................................ 6-8
Active head restraint .. ..................................................... .... 1-6
Air cleaner element ........................................................ 11-17
Air conditioner .............. .................................................. .... 4-7
Air filtration system ........................................................... 4-13
Air flow selection ..................... ........................................... 4-2
Alarm system .................................................................... 2-14
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT vehicles) ..................... 3-22
Aluminum wheels ......... .................................... .............. 11-39
Antenna system ................................................................. 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) .... ......................... ............. 7-26
Arming the system ........ ....................................... ............. 2-15
Armrest ............................................................................. 1-10
Ashtray ............................................................................... 6-9
AT OIL TEMPerature warning light .................................. 3-18
Audio control button ......................................................... 5-39
Audio set ............................................................................ 5-3
Auto-dimming mirror/compass ...... ................................... 3-40
Automatic climate control system .. ................................. .... 4-7
Automatic transmission
4-speed ....................................................................... 7-11
5-speed ....................................................................... 7-17
Capacities .................................................................... 12-4
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-22
Manual mode .............. ............................ ............ 7-14, 7-20
Selector lever ...................................................... 7-12, 7-18
Shift lock release ................................................ 7-16, 7-23
Temperature warning light (AT OIL TEMP) ................. 3-18 Automatic/Emergency Locking Retractor (A/ELR) ............ 1-13
B
Battery ............................................................................ 11-44
Jump starting ............................................................... 9-10
Replacement (Remote keyless en try system) .... ........... 2-7
Brake
Booster ...................................................................... 11-30
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-28
Pad and lining ............................................................ 11-32
Pedal .......................................................................... 11-30
Brake pedal
Free play .................................................................... 11-30
Reserve distance ....................................................... 11-30
Brake system ......... ........................................................ ... 7-25
Warning light ................................................................ 3-20
Braking ............................................................................. 7-25
Tips .............................................................................. 7-25
Breaking
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................ 11-32
Bulb
Chart ............................................................................ 12-9
Replacing ................................................................... 11-48
C
Capacities ........... ........................................................ ...... 12-4
Cargo area
Cover ........................................................................... 6-12
Light ............................................................................... 6-2
Tie-down hooks ........................................................... 6-15
Catalytic converter .................... .......................................... 8-3

14-4 Index
Snowy and icy roads ..................................................... 8-9
Tips ..................................................... 7-11, 7-16, 7-23, 8-5
Tired or sleepy ................................................................... 7
E
Electrical system ....... .......................................... ............. 12-3
Electronic Brake Force Distributio n (EBD) system . .......... 7-28
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ................................ 1-12
Engine
Compartment overview ............. ................................... 11-6
Coolant ...................................................................... 11-14
Exhaust gas (Carbon monoxide) .. ............. .............. ...... 8-2
Hood ............................................................................ 11-4
Oil ................................................................................ 11-9
Overheating ................................................................. 9-12
Starting .......................................................................... 7-8
Stopping ........................................................................ 7-9
Exterior care ..................................................................... 10-2
F
Flat tires ............................................................................. 9-4
Floor mat .......................................................................... 6-12
Fluid level
Automatic transmission ............................................. 11-22
Brake ......................................................................... 11-28
Clutch ........................................................................ 11-29
Power steering ........................................................... 11-27
Fog light switch ................................................................. 3-34
Front
Differential gear oil ..................................................... 11-23
Fog light ..................................................................... 11-50 Seatbelt pretensioners ................................................. 1-21
Seats .............................................................................. 1-2
Fuel ..................................................................................... 7-2
Economy hints ............................................................... 8-2
Filler lid and cap ............................................................. 7-4
Gauge ................................................................... 3-8, 3-12
Requirements ................................................................ 7-2
Fuses .............................................................................. 11-45
Fuses and circuits ............................................................. 12-6
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating ) .................................. 8-14
Glove box ........................................................................... 6-4
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Ra ting) ............................. 8-14
H
Hazard warning flasher ....................................................... 3-5
Head restraint adjustment (Front) ... ...................... .............. 1-5
Headlight
Flasher ......................................................................... 3-32
Indicator light ....................... ........................................ 3-25
Headlights ........... .......................................... ......... 3-31, 11-49
Heater operation ......... .......................................... .............. 4-5
High beam indicator light .................................................. 3-25
High mount stop light ...................................................... 11-56
Horn .................................................................................. 3-43
Hose and connections ................. ................................... 11-14
I
Ignition switch ..................................................................... 3-3
Light ............................................................................... 3-5