2012 SUBARU OUTBACK engine overheat

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

If you park your vehicle in an emergency......... 9-2
Temporary spare tire ........................................... 9-2
Maintenance tools ............................................... 9-3
Legacy ................................................................ 9-4
Outback .............................................................. 9-5
Flat tires ............................................................... 9-6
Changing a flat tire .............................................. 9-6
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) ...................................................... 9-9
Jump starting ..................................................... 9-10
How to jump start ............................................... 9-11
Engine overheating ............................................ 9-13
If steam is coming from the engine compartment .................................................... 9-13 If no steam is coming from the engine
compartment ................................................... 9-13
Towing ................................................................ 9-13
Towing and tie-down hooks/holes ...................... 9-14
Using a flat-bed truck. ........................................ 9-16
Towing with all wheels on the ground ................. 9-16
Electronic parking brake –if the electronic
parking brake cannot be released ................. 9-17
Trunk lid (Legacy) –if the trunk lid cannot
be opened ....................................................... 9-19
Rear gate (Outback) –if the rear gate
cannot be unlocked ........................................ 9-20
Moonroof –if moonroof cannot be closed ...... 9-20
In case of emergency
9

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 –

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

14-8Index
Oil pressure warning light ............................................ 3-14
Outside Mirror defogger ...................................................... 3-34
Mirrors .................................................................. 3-50
Overhead console ........................................................ 6-8
Overheating engine .................................................... 9-13
P Parking ..................................................................... 7-30
Brake ................................................................... 7-31
Tips...................................................................... 7-34
Periodic inspections ..................................................... 8-4
Petrol fuel ................................................................... 7-2
Pocket ........................................................................ 6-8
Power Door locking switch .................................................. 2-6
Outside mirrors .............................................. 3-51, 3-51
Seat ....................................................................... 1-4
Steering ................................................................ 7-23
Steering fluid ................................................ 11-24, 12-8
Windows ............................................................... 2-20
Precautions against vehicle modification ............... 1-22, 1-64
Preparing to drive ........................................................ 7-7
Printed antenna ........................................................... 5-3
R Rear Combination lights ................................................. 11-49
Differential gear oil ........................................ 11-24, 12-7
Gate ............................................................. 2-26, 9-20
Turn signal light .................................................... 11-49 Rear seat
................................................................... 1-7
Armrest ................................................................. 1-12
Folding down .......................................................... 1-9
Head restraint adjustment ........................................ 1-10
Reclining ................................................................ 1-8
Rear view camera ...................................................... 6-19
Rear window
Defogger ............................................................... 3-34
Wiper and washer switch ......................................... 3-33
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-41
Recommended Automatic transmission fluid ..................................... 12-8
Brake fluid ............................................................. 12-8
Clutch fluid ............................................................ 12-8
Continuously variable transmission fluid .................... 12-8
Engine oil .............................................................. 12-4
Front differential gear oil .......................................... 12-7
Manual transmission oil ........................................... 12-7
Power steering fluid ................................................ 12-8
Rear differential gear oil .......................................... 12-7
Spark plugs ........................................................... 12-9
Refueling .................................................................... 7-3
Remote engine start system ........................................ 7-10
Remote keyless entry system ....................................... 2-7
Replacement Brake pad and lining ............................................. 11-29
Wiper blades ........................................................ 11-39
Replacing
Air cleaner element ............................................... 11-18
Battery (remote engine start transmitter) .................... 7-14
Battery (remote keyless entry system) ....................... 2-10