2012 SUBARU OUTBACK coolant level

&Warning and indicator lights
Mark Name Page
Seatbelt warning light 3-9
Front passenger ’s
seatbelt warning light 3-9
SRS airbag system
warning light3-11
CHECK ENGINE warn-
ing light/Malfunction in-
dicator light3-12
Coolant temperature
low indicator light/Cool-
ant temperature high
warning light3-13
Charge warning light 3-14
Oil pressure warning light
3-14
Engine oil level warning light3-14
AT OIL TEMP warning
light (AT and CVT mod- els)3-14
/ABS warning light 3-16 Mark Name Page
/Brake system warning light
3-17
Hill Holder indicator light3-19
Door open indicator light
3-19
Low fuel warning light 3-19
All-Wheel Drive warn-
ing light (AT and CVT models)3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol warning light/Vehi-
cle Dynamics Control
operation indicator light3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Con-
trol OFF indicator light
3-21
Security indicator light 3-21
Turn signal indicator lights
3-22
High beam indicator light3-22
Front fog light indicator
light (if equipped)3-23Mark Name Page
Cruise control indicator light
3-23
Cruise control set indi-
cator light3-23
Headlight indicator light 3-23
Low tire pressure
warning light
(U.S. spec. models)3-15
/Front passenger
’s fron-
tal airbag ON indicator light 3-11
/Front passenger
’s fron-
tal airbag OFF indicator light 3-11
Shift-up indicator 3-22
Windshield washer fluid
warning light
3-1919

Ignition switch..................................................... 3-3
LOCK .................................................................. 3-3
Acc..................................................................... 3-4
ON...................................................................... 3-4
START ................................................................ 3-4
Key reminder chime ............................................ 3-4
Ignition switch light ............................................. 3-4
Hazard warning flasher ....................................... 3-5
Meters and gauges. ............................................. 3-5
Combination meter illumination ........................... 3-5
Canceling the function for meter/gauge needle movement upon turning on the ignition switch ............................................................... 3-5
Speedometer ....................................................... 3-6
Odometer ............................................................ 3-6
Double trip meter ................................................ 3-6
Tachometer ......................................................... 3-7
Fuel gauge .......................................................... 3-7
ECO gauge ......................................................... 3-8
Warning and indicator lights .............................. 3-9
Seatbelt warning light and chime ......................... 3-9
SRS airbag system warning light ........................ 3-11
Front passenger ’s frontal airbag ON and OFF
indicators ......................................................... 3-11
CHECK ENGINE warning light/Malfunction indicator light ................................................... 3-12
Coolant temperature low indicator light/Coolant temperature high warning light ......................... 3-13
Charge warning light .......................................... 3-14
Oil pressure warning light .................................. 3-14
Engine low oil level warning light ....................... 3-14AT OIL TEMP warning light (AT and CVT
models) ........................................................... 3-14
Low tire pressure warning light (U.S. spec. models) ........................................................... 3-15
ABS warning light .............................................. 3-16
Brake system warning light ................................ 3-17
Hill Holder indicator light ................................... 3-19
Low fuel warning light ....................................... 3-19
Door open indicator light ................................... 3-19
Windshield washer fluid warning light ................ 3-19
All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT and CVT models) ........................................................... 3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control operation indicator light .. ..... 3-20
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light ..... 3-21
Security indicator light ....................................... 3-21
Select lever/gear position indicator ..................... 3-22
Turn signal indicator lights ................................. 3-22
High beam indicator light ................................... 3-22
Cruise control indicator light .............................. 3-23
Cruise control set indicator light ........................ 3-23
Headlight indicator light ..................................... 3-23
Front fog light indicator light (if equipped) ..... ..... 3-23
Clock .................................................................. 3-23
Multi function display ........................................ 3-24
Outside temperature indicator .. .......................... 3-24
Average fuel consumption ................................. 3-25
Current fuel consumption .................................. 3-26
Driving range on remaining fuel ......................... 3-26
Light control switch ........................................... 3-27
Headlights ......................................................... 3-27
Instruments and controls
3

Warning and indicator lights
Several of the warning and indicator lights
illuminate momentarily and then go out
when the ignition switch is initially turned
to the“ON ”position. This permits check-
ing the operation of the bulbs.
Apply the parking brake and turn the
ignition switch to the “ON ”position. For
the system check, the following lights
illuminate and turn off after several sec-
onds or after the engine has started:
: Seatbelt warning light (The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the driver fastens the seatbelt.)
: Front passenger ’s seatbelt warning
light
(The seatbelt warning light turns off
only when the front seat passenger
fastens the seatbelt.)
: SRS airbag system warning light
ON /
: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
ON indicator light
/: Front passenger ’s frontal airbag
OFF indicator light
: CHECK ENGINE warning light/Mal- function indicator light
: Coolant temperature high warning light
: Charge warning light
: Oil pressure warning light
: Engine low oil level warning light
: Windshield washer fluid warning light
: AT OIL TEMP warning light(AT and CVT models)
/: ABS warning light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control warning light/Vehicle Dynamics Control opera-
tion indicator light
: Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indica-
tor light
/: Brake system warning light
: Hill Holder indicator light
: All-Wheel Drive warning light (AT andCVT models)
: Low tire pressure warning light (U.S. spec. models)
: Low fuel warning light
: Door open indicator light
: Cruise control indicator light
: Cruise control set indicator light
: Select lever/gear position indicator
If any lights fail to illuminate, it indicates a
burned-out bulb or a malfunction of the
corresponding system.
Consult your authorized SUBARU dealer
for repair. & Seatbelt warning light
and chime
Your vehicle is equipped with a seatbelt
warning device at the driver ’s and front
passenger ’s seat, as required by current
safety standards.
With the ignition switch turned to the “ON ”
position, this device reminds the driver
and front passenger to fasten their seat-
belts by the warning lights in the locations
indicated in the following illustration and achime. Instruments and controls
3-9
– CONTINUED –

7-8Starting and operating
NOTE
Engine oil, engine coolant, brake fluid,
washer fluid and other fluid levels
should be checked daily, weekly or at
fuel stops. Starting the engine
CAUTION
Do not operate the starter motor
continuously for more than 10 sec-
onds. If the engine fails to start after
operating the starter for 5 to 10
seconds, wait for 10 seconds or
more before trying again.
& MT models
1. Apply the parking brake.
2. Turn off unnecessary lights and ac- cessories.
3. Depress the clutch pedal to the floor
and shift the shift lever into neutral. Hold
the clutch pedal to the floor while starting
the engine. The starter motor will only
operate when the clutch pedal is de-
pressed fully to the floor.
4. Turn the ignition switch to the “ON ”
position and check the operation of the
warning and indicator lights. Refer to“ Warning and indicator lights ”F 3-9.
5. Turn the ignition switch to the “START ”
position without depressing the accelera-
tor pedal. Release the key immediately
after the engine has started.
If the engine does not start, perform the following procedure.
(1) Turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK ”position and wait for at least
10 seconds. After checking that the
parking brake is applied, turn the
ignition switch to the “START ”position
while depressing the accelerator pedal
slightly (approximately a quarter of the
full stroke). Release the accelerator
pedal as soon as the engine starts.
(2) If this fails to start the engine, turn
the ignition switch back to the “LOCK ”
position and wait for at least 10
seconds. Then fully depress the accel-
erator pedal and turn the ignition
switch to the “START ”position. If the
engine starts, quickly release the
accelerator pedal.
(3) If this does not start the engine,
turn the ignition switch again to the“ LOCK ”position. After waiting for 10
seconds or longer, turn the ignition
switch to the “START ”position without
depressing the accelerator pedal.
(4) If the engine still refuses to start,
contact your nearest SUBARU dealer
for assistance.

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 –

Maintenance schedule....................................... 11-3
Maintenance precautions ................................... 11-3
Before checking or servicing in the engine compartment .................................................... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment (2.5 L non-turbo models) .. ........... 11-4
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Maintenance tips ................................................ 11-5
Removing and reinstalling clips .......................... 11-5
Removing air intake duct .................................... 11-7
Pulling off the fender lining ................................ 11-7
Engine hood ....................................................... 11-7
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-9
2.5 L non-turbo models ...................................... 11-9
2.5 L turbo models ........................................... 11-10
3.6 L models .................................................... 11-11
Engine oil .......................................................... 11-12
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-12
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-14
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-16
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-16
Cooling system ................................................ 11-16
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-17
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-17
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-18
Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-18
Spark plugs ...................................................... 11-20
Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-20
Drive belts ........................................................ 11-21 Manual transmission oil
.................................. 11-21
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-21
Automatic transmission fluid .......................... 11-21
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-21
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-22
Continuously variable transmission fluid ...... 11-23
Front differential gear oil (AT and CVT models) .......................................................... 11-23
Checking the oil level ...................................... 11-23
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-24
Rear differential gear oil .................................. 11-24
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-24
Power steering fluid ........................................ 11-24
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-24
Recommended fluid ......................................... 11-25
Brake fluid ........................................................ 11-25
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-25
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-26
Clutch fluid (MT models) ................................. 11-26
Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-26
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-27
Brake booster .................................................. 11-27
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-28
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-28
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance....... 11-28
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-29
Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-29
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-29
Replacement of brake pad and lining ............ 11-29
Breaking-in of new brake pads and linings ....... 11-30 Maintenance and service
11

Engine compartment overview &2.5 L non-turbo models1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-24)
2) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
3) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
4) Fuse box (page 11-44)
5) Battery (page 11-43)
6) Windshield washer tank (page 11-37)
7) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-12)
8) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-17)
9) Radiator cap (page 11-17)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-12)
11) Air cleaner case (page 11-18) Maintenance and service
11-9
– CONTINUED –

11-10Maintenance and service
& 2.5 L turbo models
1) Power steering fluid reservoir
(page 11-24)
2) Clutch fluid reservoir (page 11-26)
3) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-25)
4) Fuse box (page 11-44)
5) Battery (page 11-43)
6) Windshield washer tank (page 11-37)
7) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-12)
8) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-17)
9) Radiator cap (page 11-17)
10) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-12)
11) Air cleaner case (page 11-18)