2012 SUBARU OUTBACK check engine

Clutch pedal (MT models)
Check the clutch pedal free play and
reserve distance according to the main-
tenance schedule in the“Warranty and
Maintenance Booklet ”.
& Checking the clutch function
Check the clutch engagement and disen-gagement.
1. With the engine idling, check that there
are no abnormal noises when the clutch
pedal is depressed, and that shifting into
1st or reverse feels smooth.
2. Start the vehicle by releasing the pedal
slowly to check that the engine and
transmission smoothly couple without
any sign of slippage. &
Checking the clutch pedal
free play
1) 0.19 –0.44 in (5 –11 mm)
Lightly press the clutch pedal down with
your finger until you feel resistance, and
check the free play.
If the free play is not within proper
specification, contact your SUBARU deal-
er. Replacement of brake pad
and lining
CAUTION
If you continue to drive despite the
scraping noise from the audible
brake pad wear indicator, it will
result in the need for costly brake
rotor repair or replacement.
The disc brakes have audible wear
indicators on the brake pads. If the brake
pads wear close to their service limit, the
wear indicator makes a very audible
scraping noise when the brake pedal isapplied.
If you hear this scraping noise each time Maintenance and service
11-29
– CONTINUED –

.Use only radial tires. Do not use
radial tires together with belted
bias tires and/or bias-ply tires.
Doing so can dangerously re-
duce controllability, resulting in
an accident.
& Wheel replacement
When replacing wheels due, for example,
to damage, make sure the replacement
wheels match the specifications of the
wheels that are fitted as standard equip-
ment. Replacement wheels are available
from SUBARU dealers.
WARNING
Use only those wheels that are
specified for your vehicle. Wheels
not meeting specifications could
interfere with brake caliper opera-
tion and may cause the tires to rub
against the wheel well housing dur-
ing turns. The resulting loss of
vehicle control could lead to anaccident. 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. Maintenance and service
11-37
– CONTINUED –

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.

12-4Specifications
& Engine oil
For the checking, adding and replacing procedure or other details, refer to “Engine oil ”F 11-12.
NOTE
The procedure for changing the engine oil and oil filter should be performed by a properly-trained expert. It is recommended
that you have this service performed by your SUBARU dealer. ! Approved engine oil
Always use the SUBARU approved engine oil. For further details, please contact your SUBARU dealer.
If the approved engine oil is unavailable, use the alternative engine oil described on the next page. ! Alternative engine oil
If the SUBARU approved oil is unavailable, the following alternative oil can be used. NOTE . Each quantity indicated is only a guideline. The necessary quantity for replacement may differ slightly depending on the
temperature and other factors. . In choosing an oil, you want the proper quality and viscosity, as well as one that will enhance fuel economy. Oils of lower
viscosity provide better fuel economy. However, in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the
engine. The following table lists the recommended viscosities and applicable temperatures.. When adding oil, different brands may be used together as long as they are the same API classification and SAE viscosity
as those recommended by SUBARU.

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

Brake (Outback).................................................... 11-50
Brake (Station wagon) ........................................... 11-50
Brake/Tail (Sedan) ................................................. 11-49
Brake/Tail and rear side marker (Legacy) ................. 11-49
Cargo area .................................................... 6-3, 11-55
Control switch ........................................................ 3-27
Dome ........................................................... 6-2, 11-53
Door step ............................................................. 11-55
Front fog ...................................................... 3-30, 11-48
Front position ....................................................... 11-48
Ignition switch .......................................................... 3-4
License plate ........................................................ 11-52
Map ............................................................. 6-2, 11-54
Rear combination .................................................. 11-49
Rear turn signal (Sedan) ........................................ 11-49
Rear turn signal (Station wagon) ............................. 11-50
Tail and rear side marker (Outback) ......................... 11-50
Tail light (Station wagon) ........................................ 11-50
Tail/Back-up (Outback) ........................................... 11-51
Trunk ................................................................... 11-55
Turn signal ......................................... 3-29, 11-48, 11-49
Vanity mirror .................................................. 6-5, 11-54
Loading your vehicle .................................................. 8-12
Low fuel warning light ................................................. 3-19
Low tire pressure warning light .................................... 3-15
Lower and tether anchorage ........................................ 1-30
MMaintenance Precautions ........................................................... 11-3
Schedule .............................................................. 11-3 Seatbelt.
................................................................ 1-20
Tips ...................................................................... 11-5
Tools ...................................................................... 9-3
Malfunction indicator light (check engine warning light) .... 3-12Manual Climate control system ............................................. 4-6
Mode .................................................................... 7-21
Seat ....................................................................... 1-3
Transmission ......................................................... 7-15
Transmission oil ........................................... 11-21, 12-7
Map light ........................................................... 6-2, 11-54
Maximum load limits ................................................... 8-20
Meters and gauges ...................................................... 3-5
Mirror defogger .......................................................... 3-34
Mirrors ...................................................................... 3-35
Moonroof ........................................................... 2-27, 9-20
Multi function display ................................................... 3-24
N
New vehicle break-in driving ......................................... 8-2
OOdometer ................................................................... 3-6
Off road driving ........................................................... 8-6
Oil filter ................................................................... 11-14
Oil level
Engine ................................................................ 11-12
Front differential gear ............................................ 11-23
Manual transmission ............................................. 11-21
Rear differential gear ............................................ 11-24
Warning light .......................................................... 3-14 Index
14-7

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

GAS STATION REFERENCE
& Fuel:
! Non-turbo models
Use only unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI (90
RON) or higher .
! Turbo models
Use premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 93
AKI (98 RON) or higher .
If 93 AKI (98 RON) fuel is not readily available in your area,
refer to “Fuel requirements ”F 7-2.
& Fuel octane rating
This octane rating is the average of the Research Octane and
Motor Octane numbers and is commonly referred to as the Anti
Knock Index (AKI). Refer to “Fuel ”F 7-2.
& Fuel capacity:
18.5 US gal (70 liters, 15.4 Imp gal) &
Engine oil:
Use only the following oils.. API classification SM or SN with the words “ENERGY
CONSERVING ”or “RESOURCE CONSERVING ”
. or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, which can be identified with the
ILSAC certification mark (Starburst mark)
For the complete viscosity requirements, refer to “Engine oil ”
F 12-4.
& Engine oil capacity:
2.5 L non-turbo models: 4.4 US qt (4.2 liters, 3.7 Imp qt)
2.5 L turbo models: 4.5 US qt (4.3 liters, 3.8 Imp qt)
3.6 L models: 6.9 US qt (6.5 liters, 5.7 Imp qt)
The indicated oil quantity is only a guideline and is estimated
based on a case when the engine oil is changed with an oil
filter. After refilling the engine with oil, the oil level should be
checked using an oil level gauge. For more details about
maintenance and service, refer to “Engine oil ”F 11-12.
& Cold tire pressure:
Refer to “Tires ”F 12-9.