2012 SUBARU OUTBACK coolant level

&3.6 L models1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-24)
2) Differential gear oil level gauge (page 11-23)
3) Automatic transmission fluid level gauge (page 11-21)
4) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
5) Fuse box (page 11-44)
6) Battery (page 11-43)
7) Windshield washer tank (page 11-37)
8) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-12)
9) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-17)
10) Radiator cap (page 11-17)
11) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-12)
12) Air cleaner case (page 11-18) Maintenance and service
11-11

11-16Maintenance and service
12. Start the engine and make sure that no
oil leaks appear around the filter ’s rubber
seal and drain plug.
13. Keep the engine idling until the engine
reaches the normal operating temperature
range, as indicated by the temperature
gauge on the combination meter. After
that, check the engine oil level again. For
further details about the check procedure,
refer to “Checking the oil level ”F 11-12.
& Recommended grade and viscosity
CAUTION
Use only engine oil with the recom-
mended grade and viscosity.
Refer to “Engine oil ”F 12-4.
NOTE
Engine oil viscosity (thickness) 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 en- gine. & Synthetic oil
You should use synthetic engine oil that
meets the same requirements given for conventional engine oil. When using
synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same
classification, viscosity and grade shown
in this Owner
’s Manual. Refer to “Engine
oil ”F 12-4. Also, you must follow the oil
and filter changing intervals shown in the
Warranty and Maintenance booklet.
NOTE
Synthetic oil of the grade and viscosity
noted in chapter 12 is the recom-
mended engine oil for optimum engine
performance. Conventional oil may be
used if synthetic oil is unavailable. Cooling system
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.
CAUTION
. Vehicles are filled at the factory
with SUBARU Super Coolant that
does not require the first change
for 11 years/137,500 miles (11
years/220,000 km). This coolant
should not be mixed with any
other brand or type of coolant
during this period. Mixing with a
different coolant will reduce the
life of the coolant. Should it be
necessary to top off the coolant
for any reason, use only
SUBARU Super Coolant.
If the SUBARU Super Coolant is
diluted with another brand or
type, the maintenance interval is

shortened to that of the mixing coolant.
. Do not splash the engine coolant
over painted parts. The alcohol
contained in the engine coolant
may damage the paint surface.
& Cooling fan, hose and con- nections
Your vehicle employs an electric cooling
fan which is thermostatically controlled to
operate when the engine coolant reaches
a specific temperature.
If the radiator cooling fan does not operate
even when the coolant temperature high
warning light illuminates, the cooling fan
circuit may be defective. Check the fuse
and replace it if necessary. Refer to“ Fuses ”F 11-44 and “Fuses and circuits ”
F 12-10. 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
! 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
It may be difficult to change the coolant.
Have the coolant changed by your
SUBARU dealer if necessary.
The coolant should be changed according
to the maintenance schedule in the“ Warranty and Maintenance Booklet ”.
Maintenance and service
11-17

Pedal.................................................................. 11-28
System ................................................................. 7-23
Brake pedal
Free play ............................................................. 11-28
Reserve distance .................................................. 11-28
Brake system ............................................................ 7-23
Warning light ......................................................... 3-17
Braking ..................................................................... 7-23
Tips...................................................................... 7-23
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ................... 11-30
Bulb Chart .................................................................. 12-14
Replacing ............................................................. 11-45
C
Cargo area Cover ................................................................... 6-15
Light ....................................................................... 6-3
Tie-down hooks ..................................................... 6-17
Catalytic converter ....................................................... 8-3
Center Console .................................................................. 6-6
Changing
Coolant ................................................................ 11-17
Flat tire ................................................................... 9-6
Oil and oil filter ..................................................... 11-14
Charge warning light .................................................. 3-14
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light ....................................................................... 3-12
Checking
Brake pedal free play ............................................ 11-28 Brake pedal reserve distance
................................. 11-28
Clutch function ..................................................... 11-29
Clutch pedal free play ........................................... 11-29
Coolant level ........................................................ 11-17
Fluid level (automatic transmission fluid) .................. 11-21
Fluid level (brake fluid) .......................................... 11-25
Fluid level (clutch fluid) .......................................... 11-26
Fluid level (power steering fluid) .. ........................... 11-24
Fluid level (washer fluid) ........................................ 11-37
Oil level (engine oil) .............................................. 11-12
Oil level (front differential gear oil) .......................... 11-23
Child restraint systems ................................................ 1-23
Installation of a booster seat .................................... 1-29
Installation with A/ELR seatbelt ... ............................. 1-26
Lower and tether anchorages ................................... 1-30
Top tether anchorages ............................................ 1-33
Child safety ................................................................... 5
Locks .................................................................... 2-19
Chime Key........................................................................ 3-4Light ..................................................................... 3-27
Seatbelt. ................................................................. 3-9
Cleaning Aluminum wheels ................................................... 10-3
Interior .................................................................. 10-5
Ventilation grille ....................................................... 4-8
Climate control system Automatic ............................................................... 4-5
Manual ................................................................... 4-6
Clock ........................................................................ 3-23 Index
14-3

Warning........................................................ 3-18, 7-34
Emergency Locking Retractor (ELR) ............................. 1-13
Engine
Compartment overview ........................................... 11-9
Coolant ........................................................ 11-17, 12-8
Exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) ............................. 6, 8-2
Hood .................................................................... 11-7
Low oil level warning light ....................................... 3-14
Oil............................................................... 11-12, 12-4 Overheating .......................................................... 9-13
Starting ................................................................... 7-8
Stopping ............................................................... 7-10
Exterior care .............................................................. 10-2
F
Flat tires ..................................................................... 9-6
Floor mat .................................................................. 6-14
Fluid level Automatic transmission .......................................... 11-21
Brake .................................................................. 11-25
Clutch .................................................................. 11-26
Power steering ..................................................... 11-24
Fog light
Bulb .................................................................... 11-48
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-23
Switch .................................................................. 3-30
Folding mirror switch .................................................. 3-51
Front Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-23, 12-7
Fog light ...................................................... 3-30, 11-48
Fog light indicator light ............................................ 3-23 Position light
........................................................ 11-48
Seatbelt pretensioners ............................................ 1-21
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-48
Front fog light ........................................................... 11-48
Front seats ................................................................. 1-2
Forward and backward adjustment ............................ 1-3
Head restraint adjustment ......................................... 1-6
Power seat ............................................................. 1-4
Reclining ................................................................ 1-3
Seat height adjustment (driver ’s seat) ........................ 1-4
Fuel ........................................................................... 7-2
Economy hints ........................................................ 8-2
Filler lid and cap ...................................................... 7-3
Gauge .................................................................... 3-7
Requirements ................................................. 7-2, 12-3
Fuses ..................................................................... 11-44
Fuses and circuits .................................................... 12-10
G
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) .. ............................. 8-14
Glove box ................................................................... 6-6
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating) ........................... 8-14
H
Hands-free system. ..................................................... 5-49
Hazard warning flasher .......................................... 3-5, 9-2
Head restraint adjustment Front seat ............................................................... 1-6
Rear seat .............................................................. 1-10
Headlight ......................................................... 3-27, 11-45
Bulb wattage ........................................................ 12-14 Index
14-5

V
Valet mode................................................................ 2-18
Vanity mirror ...................................................... 6-5, 11-54
Light .................................................................... 11-54
Vehicle Capacity weight ..................................................... 8-13
Identification ........................................................ 12-17
Symbols .................................................................... 3
Vehicle Dynamics Control
OFF indicator light .................................................. 3-21
OFF switch ........................................................... 7-28
Operation indicator light .......................................... 3-20
System ................................................................. 7-26
Warning light ......................................................... 3-20
W
Warning and indicator lights .......................................... 3-9
Warning chimes Seatbelt .................................................................. 3-9
Warning light ABS ..................................................................... 3-16
All-Wheel Drive ...................................................... 3-20
AT OIL TEMP ........................................................ 3-14
Brake system ........................................................ 3-17
Charge ................................................................. 3-14
CHECK ENGINE ................................................... 3-12
Coolant temperature high ........................................ 3-13
Engine low oil level ................................................ 3-14
Low fuel ................................................................ 3-19
Low tire pressure ................................................... 3-15
Oil pressure .......................................................... 3-14 Seatbelt.
................................................................. 3-9
SRS airbag system ................................................. 3-11
Vehicle Dynamics Control ........................................ 3-20
Windshield washer fluid ........................................... 3-19
Warranties ..................................................................... 1
Warranties and maintenance ........................................ 8-19
Washing .................................................................... 10-2
Waxing and polishing .................................................. 10-3
Wear indicators ........................................................ 11-35
Wheel Aluminum ............................................................ 11-37
Balance ............................................................... 11-34
Nut tightening torque ........................................ 9-6, 12-9
Replacement. ....................................................... 11-37
Windows ................................................................... 2-20
Windshield
Washer fluid. ........................................................ 11-37
Wiper and washer switches ..................................... 3-32
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-39
Wiper deicer .......................................................... 3-34
Winter Driving ................................................................... 8-8
Tires ........................................................... 8-11, 11-30
Wiper and washer ...................................................... 3-30
Wiper deicer .............................................................. 3-34 Index
14-11