2012 SUBARU OUTBACK coolant temperature

engine braking effect and prevent over-
heating of your vehicle’s brakes. Do not
make sudden downshifts. . When driving uphill in hot weather, the
air conditioner may turn off automatically
to protect the engine from overheating. . When driving uphill in hot weather, pay
attention to the coolant temperature high
warning light (for all models) and AT OIL
TEMP warning light (for AT and CVT
models) because the engine and trans-
mission are relatively prone to overheating
under these conditions. If the coolant
temperature high warning light and/or the
AT OIL TEMP warning light illuminates,
immediately turn off the air conditioner and
stop the vehicle in the nearest safe
location. For further instructions and addi-
tional information, refer to the followingsections.
–“If you park your vehicle in an
emergency ”F 9-2
–“ Engine overheating ”F 9-13
–“ Coolant temperature low indicator
light/Coolant temperature high warn-
ing light ”F 3-13 –“
AT OIL TEMP warning light (AT and
CVT models) ”F 3-14
. For AT and CVT models, avoid using
the accelerator pedal to stay stationary on
an uphill slope instead of using the
parking brake or foot brake. That may
cause the transmission fluid to overheat. ! Parking on a grade
Always block the wheels under both
vehicle and trailer when parking. Apply
the parking brake. 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
under both the vehicle and trailer wheels.
3. When the wheel blocks are in place,
release the regular brakes slowly until the
blocks absorb the load.
4. Apply the regular brakes and then
apply the parking brake; slowly release
the regular brakes.
5. Shift into 1st or reverse gear (MT
models) or “P ” (AT and CVT models) and
shut off the engine. Driving tips
8-27

Engine overheating
WARNING
Never attempt to remove the radia-
tor cap until the engine has been
shut off and has fully cooled down.
When the engine is hot, the coolant
is under pressure. Removing the
cap while the engine is still hot
could release a spray of boiling hot
coolant, which could burn you very
seriously.
If the engine overheats, pull off the road
safely and stop the vehicle in a safe place. & If steam is coming from the
engine compartment
Turn off the engine and get everyone
away from the vehicle until it cools down. & If no steam is coming from
the engine compartment
NOTE
For details about how to check the
coolant level or how to add coolant,
refer to “Engine coolant ”F 11-17.
1. Keep the engine running at idlingspeed. 2. Open the hood to ventilate the engine
compartment. Refer to
“Engine hood ”
F 11-7.
Confirm that the cooling fan is turning. If
the fan is not turning, immediately turn off
the engine and contact your authorized
dealer for repair.
3. After the engine coolant temperature
has dropped, turn off the engine.
If the coolant temperature high warning
light illuminates, turn off the engine. Referto “Coolant temperature low indicator light/
Coolant temperature high warning light ”
F 3-13.
4. After the engine has fully cooled down,
check the coolant level in the reserve tank.
If the coolant level is below the “LOW ”
mark, add coolant up to the “FULL ”mark.
5. If there is no coolant in the reserve
tank, add coolant to the reserve tank.
Then remove the radiator cap and fill the
radiator with coolant.
If you remove the radiator cap from a hot
radiator, first wrap a thick cloth around the
radiator cap, then turn the cap counter-
clockwise slowly without pressing down
until it stops. Release the pressure from
the radiator. After the pressure has been
fully released, remove the cap by pressing
down and turning it. TowingWARNING
Never tow AWD vehicles (including
AT, MT and CVT) with the front
wheels raised off the ground while
the rear wheels are on the ground,
or with the rear wheels raised off the
ground while the front wheels are on
the ground. This will cause the
vehicle to spin away due to the
operation or deterioration of the
center differential.
If towing is necessary, it is best done by
your SUBARU dealer or a commercial
towing service. Observe the following
procedures for safety. In case of emergency
9-13
– CONTINUED –

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

11-38Maintenance and service
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.

12-8Specifications
&Fluids
Fluid Fluid type*
1Fluid capacity*2Remarks*3
Automatic transmission fluid (5AT models) · SUBARU ATF
· IDEMITSU ATF HP
10.4 US qt (9.8 liters, 8.6 Imp qt)“
Automatic transmission fluid ”
F 11-21
Continuously variable transmission
fluid (CVT models) Consult your SUBARU dealer. 13.2 US qt (12.5 liters, 11.0 Imp qt) “
Continuously variable trans-
mission fluid ”F 11-23
Power steering fluid · SUBARU ATF
· IDEMITSU ATF HP ·“Dexron III ”Type Automatic
Transmission Fluid 0.7 US qt (0.7 liters, 0.6 Imp qt)
·
“Power steering ”F 7-23
· “Power steering fluid ”F 11-24
Brake fluid FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid –“
Brake fluid ”F 11-25
Clutch fluid (MT models) FMVSS No. 116, fresh DOT 3 or DOT 4
brake fluid –“
Clutch fluid (MT models) ”F 11 -
26
*1: Use one of the indicated types of fluid.
*2: The indicated fluid quantity is only a guideline. The necessary quantity for replacement may differ slightly depending on the temperature and other factors.
*3: For more details about maintenance and service, refer to the indicated section. & Engine coolant
Vehicle model Coolant capacity Coolant type
2.5 L non-turbo models MT models 6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)
SUBARU Super Coolant
CVT models 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)
The indicated coolant quantity is only a guideline. The necessary quantity for replacement may differ slightly depending on the temperature and other
factors. For more details about maintenance and service, refer to “Cooling system ”F 11-16.

14-4Index
Clutch Fluid ............................................................ 11-26, 12-8
Pedal .................................................................. 11-29
Coat hook ................................................................. 6-13
Compass .................................................. 3-36, 3-43, 3-45
Continuously variable transmission ............................... 7-17
Fluid ............................................................ 11-23, 12-8
Manual mode ........................................................ 7-21
Oil temperature warning light (AT OIL TEMP) ............ 3-14
Select lever ........................................................... 7-18
Shift lock function ................................................... 7-20
Coolant ............................................................ 11-17, 12-8
Temperature high warning light ................................ 3-13
Temperature low indicator light. ................................ 3-13
Cooling system ......................................................... 11-16
Corrosion protection ................................................... 10-4
Crossbars ................................................................. 8-14
Cruise control ............................................................ 7-35
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-23
Set indicator light ................................................... 3-23
Cup holder .................................................................. 6-8
Front passenger ’s .................................................... 6-9
Rear passenger ’s..................................................... 6-9
D
Daytime running light system ....................................... 3-28
Defogger ................................................................... 3-34
Deicer ...................................................................... 3-34
Differential gear oil Front ........................................................... 11-23, 12-7
Rear ............................................................ 11-24, 12-7 Dimensions
................................................................ 12-2
Disarming the alarm system ......................................... 2-17
Disc brake pad wear warning indicators ........................ 7-24
Dome light ......................................................... 6-2, 11-53
Door Locks ..................................................................... 2-4
Open indicator light ................................................. 3-19
Step light ............................................................. 11-55
Double trip meter ......................................................... 3-6
Drive belts ............................................................... 11-21
Driving
All-Wheel Drive warning light ................................... 3-20
AWD vehicles ......................................................... 8-5
Car phone/cell phone .................................................. 7
Drinking. .................................................................... 6
Drugs ........................................................................ 7
Foreign countries ..................................................... 8-4
Off road .................................................................. 8-6
Pets .......................................................................... 8
Snowy and icy roads .............................................. 8-10
Tips ................................................. 7-17, 7-22, 8-2, 8-5
Tired or sleepy ........................................................... 7
Winter .................................................................... 8-8
E
ECO gauge ................................................................ 3-8
Electrical system ........................................................ 12-9
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) system... 3-18, 7-25
Electronic parking brake .............................................. 7-31
Automatic release function by accelerator pedal ......... 7-32
Hill Holder ............................................................. 7-32

14-6Index
Control switch ........................................................ 3-27
Flasher ................................................................. 3-28
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-23
High beam indicator light ............................................ 3-22
High/low beam change (dimmer) .................................. 3-28
Hill Holder ................................................................. 7-32
Indicator light ......................................................... 3-19
Switch .................................................................. 7-32
HomeLink
®........................................................ 3-36, 3-45
Hook Coat ..................................................................... 6-13
Convenient tie-down ............................................... 6-17
Shopping bag ........................................................ 6-13
Towing and tie-down ............................................... 9-14
Horn ......................................................................... 3-52
Hose and connections ............................................... 11-17
I
Ignition switch .............................................................. 3-3
Light ....................................................................... 3-4
Illumination brightness control ...................................... 3-29
Immobilizer. ................................................................. 2-3
Indicator light (security indicator light) ....................... 3-21
Indicator light
Coolant temperature low ......................................... 3-13
Cruise control ........................................................ 3-23
Cruise control set ................................................... 3-23
Door open ............................................................. 3-19
Front fog light ........................................................ 3-23
Headlight .............................................................. 3-23
High beam ............................................................ 3-22 Hill Holder
............................................................. 3-19
Immobilizer ............................................................ 3-21
Security ................................................................. 3-21
Select lever/Gear position ........................................ 3-22
Turn signal ............................................................ 3-22
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF ................................. 3-21
Vehicle Dynamics Control operation .. ........................ 3-21
Inside mirror ..................................... 3-35, 3-36, 3-43, 3-45
Interior lights ............................................................... 6-2
Internal trunk lid release handle .................................... 2-24
iiPod
®operations ........................................................ 5-33
J
Jack-up point .............................................................. 9-6
Jump starting ............................................................. 9-10
K
Key............................................................................ 2-2 Number .................................................................. 2-2
Reminder chime ...................................................... 3-4
Replacement. .......................................................... 2-4
Keyless entry system ................................................... 2-7
L
Leather seat materials ................................................. 10-5
License plate light ..................................................... 11-52
Light
Back-up (Legacy) ................................................. 11-49