2006 SUBARU OUTBACK cooling

11 - 4 Maintenance and service
„ Before checking or servicing
in the engine compartment „ When you do checking or ser-
vicing in the engine compart-
ment while the engine is run-
ning Engine hood
To open the hood:
1. If the wiper blades are lifted off the
windshield, return them to their original
positions.
2. Pull the hood release knob under the
instrument panel.y Wear adequate eye protection to
guard against getting oil or fluids
in your eyes. If something does
get in your eyes, thoroughly wash
them out with clean water.
y Do not tamper wi th the wiring of
the SRS airbag system or seatbelt
pretensioner system, or attempt
to take its connectors apart, as
that may activate the system or it
can render it inoperative. The wir-
ing and connectors of these sys-
tems are yellow for easy identifi-
cation. NEVER use a circuit tester
for these wiring.
If your SRS airbag or seatbelt pre-
tensioner needs service, consult
your nearest SUBARU dealer.
y Always stop the engine and set
the parking brake firmly to pre-
vent the vehicle from moving. y Always let the engine cool down.
Engine parts b ecome very hot
when the engine is running and
remain hot for some time after the
engine is stopped.
y Do not spill engine oil, engine
coolant, brake fluid or any other
fluid on hot engine components.
This may cause a fire.
y Always remove the key from the
ignition switch. When the ignition
switch is in the “ON” position, the
cooling fan may operate suddenly
even when the engine is stopped.
A running engine can be dangerous.
Keep your fingers, hands, clothing,
hair and tools away from the cooling
fan, belts and any other moving en-
gine parts. Removing rings, watch-
es and ties is advisable. B00099

Maintenance and service
11 - 1 3
– CONTINUED –SAE viscosity number and applicable
temperature
*: 5W-30 is preferred.
Engine oil viscosity (t hickness) affects fuel
economy. Oils of lower viscosity provide
better fuel economy. However, in hot
weather, oil of higher viscosity is required
to properly lubricate the engine.
„ Recommended grade and
viscosity under severe driv-
ing conditionsIf the vehicle is used in desert areas, in ar-
eas with very high temperatures, or used
for heavy-duty applications such as tow-
ing a trailer, use of oil with the following
grade and viscosities is recommended. API classification SM (or SL):
SAE viscosity No.:
30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, 20W-50
Cooling systemB00503
5W-30*
10W-30, 10W-40-30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30 40
-20 06 020 80 10040
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down com-
pletely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious
burns from a spray of boiling hot
coolant when the cap is removed.
y The cooling system has been
filled at the factory with a high
quality, corrosion-inhibiting, year-
around coolant which provides
protection against freezing down
to –33 ° F (–36 ° C). For adding, use
genuine SUBARU coolant or an
equivalent: a mixture of 50% soft
water and 50% ethylene-glycol ba-
sis coolant. Use of improper cool-
ants may result in corrosion in the
cooling system. It is important to
maintain protection against freez-
ing and corrosion, even if freezing
temperatures are not expected.
Never mix different kinds of cool-
ant.

11 - 1 4 Maintenance and service
„ Hose and connectionsYour vehicle employs an electric cooling
fan which is thermostatically controlled to
operate when the engine coolant reaches
a specific temperature.
If the radiator coolin g fan does not operate
even when the engine coolant tempera-
ture gauge exceeds the normal operating
range, the cooling fan circuit may be de-
fective. Check the fuse and replace it if
necessary. If the fuse is not blown, have
the cooling system checked by your
SUBARU dealer.
If frequent addition of coolant is neces-
sary, there may be a leak in the engine
cooling system. It is recommended that
the cooling system and connections be
checked for leaks, damage, or looseness. „ Engine coolant T Checking the coolant level
Check the coolant level at each fuel stop.
1. Check the coolant level on the outside
of the reservoir while the engine is cool.
2. If the level is close to or lower than the
“LOW” level mark, add coolant up to the
“FULL” level mark. If the reserve tank is
empty, remove the radiator cap and refill
as required. 3. After refilling the reserve tank and the
radiator, reinstall the caps and check that
the rubber gaskets inside the radiator cap
are in the proper position.y Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
FULL
LOW 600151
y Be careful not to spill engine cool-
ant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If engine co olant gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.
y Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface. B00018

Maintenance and service
11 - 1 5
– CONTINUED –T Changing the coolant
Always add genuine Subaru cooling sys-
tem conditioner whenever the coolant is
replaced.
Change the engine coolant and add gen-
uine Subaru cooling system conditioner
using the following procedures according
to the maintenance schedule in the “War-
ranty and Maintenance Booklet”.
1. Remove the under cover.
2.5-liter models
1) Drain plug 3.0-liter models
1) Drain plug
2. Place a proper container under the
drain plug and loosen the drain plug.
3. Loosen the radiator cap to drain the
coolant from the radiator. Then drain the
coolant from the reserve tank. Tighten the
drain plug securely. 4. Install the under cover.
Non-turbo models
1) Fill up to here
Turbo models
1) Fill up to here1 B00422
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down com-
pletely. Since the coolant is under
pressure, you may suffer serious
burns from a spray of boiling hot
coolant when the cap is removed. B00423
1
1 B00424
1
B00425

11 - 1 6 Maintenance and service
5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill up to
just below the filler neck, allowing enough
room to add genuine Subaru cooling sys-
tem conditioner in the radiator. Add genu-
ine Subaru cooling system conditioner un-
til 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)
6. Pour the coolant and fill to the reservoir
tank’s “FULL” level mark. 7. Put the radiator cap back on and tight-
en firmly. At this time , make sure that the
rubber gasket in the radiator cap is cor-
rectly in place.
8. Start and run the engine for more than
five minutes at 2,000 to 3,000 rpm.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the cool-
ant 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.
10.Put the radiator cap and reservoir cap
back on and tighten firmly.y Be careful not to spill engine cool-
ant when adding it. If coolant
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If engine co olant gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off. y Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
FULL
LOW 600151 B00018

Index
14-3Center
Console ......................................................................... 6-5
Ventilators ...................................................................... 4-3
Changing
Flat tire ........................................................................... 9-4
Oil and oil filter ........................................................... 11-10
Charge warning light ........................................................ 3-18
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator
lamp .............................................................................. 3-17
Checking
Brake pedal free play ................................................. 11-30
Brake pedal reserve distance . ................................... 11-30
Clutch function ........................................................... 11-31
Clutch pedal free play ................................................ 11-31
Engine oil level ..................... ....................................... 11-9
Fluid level ............................... .. 11-22, 11-27, 11-28, 11-29
Gear oil level .............................................................. 11-24
Child restraint systems ....................................... .............. 1-25
Installation with seatbelt .............................................. 1-28
Lower and tether anchorages ...................................... 1-32
Child safety ............................................................................ 5
Locks .......... ............................ ............ ........... .............. 2-18
Chime
Key ................................................................................ 3-5
Seatbelt ....................................................................... 1-13
Cleaning
Aluminum wheels ................... ..................................... 10-3
Interior ......................................................................... 10-5
Ventilator grille ............................................................. 4-12
Climate control system
Automatic ....................................................................... 4-7
Manual ........................................................................... 4-3 Clock ................................................................................. 3-25
Clutch
Fluid ........................................................................... 11-29
Pedal .......................................................................... 11-31
Coat hook ......................................................................... 6-10
Cooling system .......... ....................................... .............. 11-13
Corrosion protection ................................................ 8-10, 10-4
Cruise control .................................................................... 7-36
Set indicator light ......................................................... 3-25
Cup holder
Front passengers ........................................................... 6-7
Rear passengers ............................................................ 6-7
D
Daytime running li ght system ........ ............ ........... ............. 3-32
Differential gear oil
Front ........................................................................... 11-23
Rear ........................................................................... 11-24
Dimensions ....................................................................... 12-2
Disarming the system ....................................................... 2-16
Disc brake pad wear warning indica tors ........................... 7-26
Dome light ................................................................ 6-2, 11-53
Door locks ........................................................................... 2-4
Door open warning light .................................................... 3-22
Drive belts ....................................................................... 11-20
Driving
All-Wheel Drive vehicle ................................................ 3-22
Car phone/cell phone ........................................................ 7
Drinking ............................................................................. 6
Drugs ................................................................................ 7
Foreign countries ..................... ...................................... 8-4
Pets ................................................................................... 7