2009 SUBARU OUTBACK Owners Manual

!Turbo models
1. Use a screwdriver to undo the clips on
the air intake duct, then remove the air
intake duct.
2. Unplug the connector that is attached to the top of the air cleaner case.
3. Unsnap the two clamps holding the air
cleaner case cover.
At the same time, pull the hose from the
clamp that runs next to the case cover.
4. Open the air cleaner case cover andremove the air cleaner element.
5. Clean the inside of the air cleaner
cover and case with a damp cloth and
install a new air cleaner element.
6. Snap the two clamps on the air cleaner
case cover.
Maintenance and service
11-19

11-20Maintenance and service
Spark plugs
CAUTION
. When disconnecting the spark
plug cables, always grasp the
spark plug cap, not the cables.
. Make sure the cables are re-
placed in the correct order.
It may be difficult to replace the spark
plugs. It is recommended 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 Maintenance Book-
let ”. &
Recommended spark plugs
2.5 L non-turbo models: FR5AP-11 (NGK)
2.5 L turbo models:
SILFR6A (NGK)
3.0 L models: ILFR6B (NGK) Drive belts
The power steering oil pump, alternator
and air conditioner compressor depend on
drive belts. Satisfactory performance re-
quires that belt tension be correct. &
2.5 L models
1) Power steering oil pump pulley
2) Alternator pulley
3) Air conditioner compressor pulley
4) Crank pulley
A) 22 lbf (98 N, 10 kgf)
B) 22 lbf (98 N, 10 kgf)

in (mm)
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)
To check the belt tension, place a straight-
edge (ruler) across two adjacent pulleys
and apply a force of 22 lbf (98 N, 10 kgf)
midway between the pulleys by using a
spring scale. Belt deflection should be the
amount specified. If a belt is loose,
cracked or worn, contact your SUBARU
dealer. & 3.0 L models
It is unnecessary to check the belt tension
periodically because your engine is
equipped with an automatic belt tension
adjuster. However, replacement of the belt
should be done according to the main-
tenance schedule in the “Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ”. Consult your
SUBARU dealer for replacement.
If a belt is loose, cracked or worn, contact
your SUBARU dealer. Manual transmission oil &
Checking the oil level
5-speed transmission (non-turbo models)
1) Yellow handle
5-speed transmission (turbo models)
6-speed transmission
Check the oil level monthly.
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean, Maintenance and service
11-21
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11-22Maintenance and service
and insert it again.
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the level gauge again and
check the oil level on it. If it is below the
lower level, add oil through the level
gauge hole to bring the level up to the
upper level.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill manual trans-
mission 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. &
Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5SAE viscosity No. and applicable tempera- ture 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 level gauge.
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 operatingtemperature. ! Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several miles to raise
the temperature of the transmission fluid
up to normal operating temperature; 158
to 176 8F (70 to 80 8C) is normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
set the parking 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
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 level gauge 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
level on the “COLD ”range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level.
Be careful not to overfill.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill automatic
transmission fluid when adding it.
If automatic transmission fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If automatic transmission fluid
gets on the exhaust pipe, be sure to
wipe it off.
& Recommended fluid
Use one of the following types of auto-
matic transmission fluid. –SUBARU ATF Type-HP
– IDEMITSU ATF HP
NOTE . For 5-speed automatic transmis-
sion:
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 specified typeabove.. For 4-speed automatic transmis-
sion:
For optimum transmission perfor- Maintenance and service
11-23
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11-24Maintenance and service
mance, only use the automatic trans-
mission fluid that is recommended and
provided by SUBARU.
If the recommended automatic trans-
mission fluid is unavailable, Dexron III
may be temporarily used. If the Dexron
III is used continuously there will be a
noticeable increase in the vibration and
noise from the automatic transmission. Front differential gear oil
(AT models) &
Checking the oil level
1) Yellow handle
1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
stop the engine.
2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,
and insert it again.
1) Upper level
2) Lower level
3. Pull out the level gauge 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.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill front differ-
ential 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.

&Recommended grade and viscosity
Each oil manufacturer has its own base
oils and additives. Never use different
brands together.
Oil grade: API classification GL-5
SAE viscosity No. and applicable tempera- ture Rear differential gear oil &
Checking the gear oil level
Your vehicle may be equipped with a rear
differential protector. The differential pro-
tector provides protection to the rear
differential assembly during off-road use.
Removal of the rear differential protector is
not required when checking the oil level.
2.5 L non-turbo models (AT) (without
Vehicle Dynamics Control system)
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug
3) Oil level Maintenance and service
11-25
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11-26Maintenance and service
2.5 L turbo and 3.0 L models (AT)
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug
3) Oil level2.5 L turbo 6MT models
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug
3) Oil levelOthers
1) Filler plug
2) Drain plug
3) Oil level
Remove the plug from the filler hole and
check the oil level. The oil level should be
kept even with the bottom of the filler hole.