2010 SUBARU OUTBACK Engine coolant

11-18Maintenance and service
&Engine coolant
! 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.
CAUTION
. 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. If engine coolant gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe
it off.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface. !
Changing the coolant
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has cooled down
completely. Since the coolant is
under pressure, you may suffer
serious burns from a spray of boil-
ing hot coolant when the cap isremoved.
Always add genuine SUBARU cooling
system conditioner whenever the coolant
is replaced.
Change the engine coolant and add
genuine SUBARU cooling system condi-
tioner using the following procedures
according to the maintenance schedule
in the “Warranty and Maintenance Book-
let ”.

1. Remove the under cover.
2.5 L models
1) Drain plug
3.6 L 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.
1) Fill up to here
5. Slowly pour the coolant and fill up to
just below the filler neck, allowing enough
room to add genuine SUBARU cooling
system conditioner in the radiator. Add
genuine SUBARU cooling system condi-
tioner 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 L non-turbo models:MT: 6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)
CVT: 6.8 US qt (6.4 liters, 5.6 Imp qt)
2.5 L turbo models: 6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)
3.6 L models: 6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)
CAUTION
. 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. If engine coolant gets on
the exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe
it off.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface. Maintenance and service
11-19
– CONTINUED –

11-20Maintenance and service
6. Pour the coolant and fill to the reser-
voir tank’s “FULL ”level mark.
7. Put the radiator cap back on and
tighten firmly. At this time, make sure that
the rubber gasket in the radiator cap is
correctly in place. 8. Start and race the engine at 2,000 to
3,000 rpm for 5 to 6 times within 40seconds.
9. Stop the engine and wait until the
coolant cools down (122 to 140
8F [50 to
60 8C]). 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. Air cleaner element
WARNING
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.
CAUTION
When replacing the air cleaner ele-
ment, use a genuine SUBARU air
cleaner element. If it is not used,
there is the possibility of causing a
negative effect to the engine.
The air cleaner element functions as a
filter screen. When the element is perfo-
rated 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 ele-ment.

11-42Maintenance and service
Aluminum wheels
Aluminum wheels can be scratched and
damaged easily. Handle them carefully to
maintain their appearance, performance,
and safety. .When any of the wheels is removed
and replaced for tire rotation or to change
a flat, always check the tightness of the
wheel nuts after driving approximately 600
miles (1,000 km). If any nut is loose,
tighten it to the specified torque. . Never apply oil to the threaded parts,
wheel nuts, or tapered surface of the wheel. . Never let the wheel rub against sharp
protrusions or curbs.. When wheel nuts, balance weights, or
the center cap is replaced, be sure to
replace them with genuine SUBARU parts
designed for aluminum wheels. Windshield washer fluid
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paintdamage.
If you spray washer fluid on the windshield
but the windshield washer fluid warning
light illuminates or the supply of washer
fluid runs out, add washer fluid in the tank.
Remove the washer tank filler cap, then
add fluid until it reaches the “FULL ”mark
on the tank.
Use windshield washer fluid. If windshield
washer fluid is unavailable use clean
water.

In areas where water freezes in winter,
use an anti-freeze type windshield washer
fluid. SUBARU Windshield Washer Fluid
contains 58.5% methyl alcohol and 41.5%
surfactant, by volume. Its freezing tem-
perature varies according to how much it
is diluted, as indicated in the followingtable.Washer Fluid
Concentration Freezing
Temperature
30% 10.48F( 12 8C)
50% 48F( 20 8C)
100% 49 8F( 45 8C)
CAUTION
Never use engine coolant as washer
fluid because it could cause paintdamage.
In order to prevent freezing of washer
fluid, check the freezing temperatures in
the table above when adjusting the fluid
concentration to the outside temperature.
If you fill the reservoir tank with a fluid with
a different concentration from the one
used previously, purge the old fluid from
the piping between the reservoir tank and
washer nozzles by operating the washer
for a certain period of time. Otherwise, if the concentration of the fluid remaining in
the piping is too low for the outside
temperature, it may freeze and block thenozzles.
CAUTION
. Adjust the washer fluid concen-
tration appropriately for the out-
side temperature. If the concen-
tration is inappropriate, sprayed
washer fluid may freeze on the
windshield and obstruct your
view, and the fluid may freeze in
the reservoir tank.
. State or local regulations on
volatile organic compounds may
restrict the use of methanol, a
common windshield washer anti-
freeze additive. Washer fluids
containing non-methanol anti-
freeze agents should be used
only if they provide cold weather
protection without damaging
your vehicle ’s paint, wiper blades
or washer system. Replacement of wiper blades
Grease, wax, insects, or other materials
on the windshield or the wiper blade
results in jerky wiper operation and streak-
ing on the glass. If you cannot remove the
streaks after operating the windshield
washer or if the wiper operation is jerky,
clean the outer surface of the windshield
(or rear window) and the wiper blades
using a sponge or soft cloth with a neutral
detergent or mild-abrasive cleaner. After
cleaning, rinse the windshield and wiper
blades with clean water. The windshield is
clean if beads do not form when you rinse
the windshield with water.
CAUTION
. Do not clean the wiper blades
with gasoline or a solvent, such
as paint thinner or benzine. This
will cause deterioration of the
wiper blades.
. When you wish to raise the
passenger-side wiper arm, first
raise the driver-side wiper arm.
Otherwise, the passenger-side
wiper assembly and driver-side
wiper assembly will touch each
other, possibly resulting inscratches. Maintenance and service
11-43
– CONTINUED –

12-4Specifications
&Capacities
Fuel tank 18.5 US gal (70 liters, 15.4 Imp gal)
Engine oil 2.5 L models 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters, 3.5 Imp qt)
3.6 L models 6.7 US qt (6.3 liters, 5.5 Imp qt)
Transmission oil (MT) 3.9 US qt (3.7 liters, 3.3 Imp qt)
Transmission fluid (CVT) 13.2 US qt (12.5 liters, 11.0 Imp qt)
Transmission fluid (AT) 10.4 US qt (9.8 liters, 8.6 Imp qt)
Front differential gear oil (AT and CVT models) 1.5 US qt (1.4 liters, 1.2 Imp qt)
Rear differential gear oil 0.8 US qt (0.8 liter, 0.7 Imp qt)
Power steering fluid 0.7 US qt (0.7 liter, 0.6 Imp qt)
Engine coolant 2.5 L non-turbo models MT6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)
CVT 6.8 US qt (6.4 liters, 5.6 Imp qt)
2.5 L turbo models 6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)
3.6 L models 6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)

&Glossary of tire terminology
. Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be
replaced) of automatic transmis-
sion, power steering, power brakes,
power windows, power seats, radio,
and heater, to the extent that these
items are available as factory-in-
stalled equipment (whether in-
stalled or not). . Bead
The part of the tire that is made of
steel wires, wrapped or reinforced
by ply cords and that is shaped to fit
the rim. . Bead separation
A breakdown of the bond between
components in the bead. . Bias ply tire
A pneumatic tire in which the ply
cords that extend to the beads are
laid at alternate angles substantially
less than 90 degrees to the center-
line of the tread. . Carcass
The tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber which, when in-
flated, bears the load.
. Chunking
The breaking away of pieces of the
tread or sidewall. . Cold tire pressure
The pressure in a tire that has been
driven less than 1 mile or has been
standing for three hours or more. . Cord
The strands forming the plies in the tire. . Cord separation
The parting of cords from adjacent
rubber compounds. . Cracking
Any parting within the tread, side-
wall, or inner liner of the tire
extending to cord material. . Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with
standard equipment including the
maximum capacity of fuel, oil and
coolant, and if so equipped, air
conditioning and additional weight
optional engine. .
Extra load tire
A tire designed to operate at higher
loads and higher inflation pressure
than the corresponding standardtire. . Groove
The space between two adjacent
tread ribs. . Innerliner
The layer(s) forming the inside sur-
face of a tubeless tire that contains
the inflating medium within the tire. . Innerliner separation
The parting of the innerliner from
cord material in the carcass. . Intended outboard sidewall
(1) The sidewall that contains a
whitewall, bears white lettering
or bears manufacturer, brand,
and/or model name molding that
is higher or deeper than the
same molding on the other side-
wall of the tire, or (2) The outward facing sidewall
of an asymmetrical tire that has
a particular side that must al-
ways face outward when mount-
Consumer information and Reporting safety defects
13-7
– CONTINUED –

System................................................................. 7-24
Brake pedal Free play ............................................................. 11-33
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-33
Brake system ............................................................ 7-24
Warning light ......................................................... 3-17
Braking ..................................................................... 7-23
Tips...................................................................... 7-23
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-34
Bulb Chart .................................................................. 12-10
Replacing ............................................................. 11-50
C Capacities ................................................................. 12-4
Cargo area Cover ................................................................... 6-15
Light ....................................................................... 6-3
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-17
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center Console .................................................................. 6-6
Ventilators ............................................................... 4-3
Changing
Coolant ................................................................ 11-18
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-6
Oil and oil filter ..................................................... 11-14
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-14
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator lamp ...................................................................... 3-12 Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-33
Brake pedal reserve distance ................................. 11-33
Clutch function ..................................................... 11-33
Clutch pedal free play ........................................... 11-34
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-18
Fluid level (automatic transmission fluid) .................. 11-24
Fluid level (brake fluid) .......................................... 11-30
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-31
Fluid level (power steering fluid) .. ........................... 11-29
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-42
Oil level (engine oil) .............................................. 11-12
Oil level (front differential gear oil) .......................... 11-26
Oil level (manual transmission oil) .......................... 11-23
Oil level (rear differential gear oil) ........................... 11-27
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-25
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-31
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ... ............................. 1-28
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-33
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-35
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks .................................................................... 2-20
Chime Key........................................................................ 3-4Light ..................................................................... 3-27
Seatbelt. ........................................................ 1-14, 3-10
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ...................................................... 4-14 Index
14-3