Maintenance and service
Wheel replacement........................................... 11-31
Aluminum wheels............................................. 11-31
Windshield washer fluid.................................. 11-32
Replacement of wiper blades.......................... 11-33
Windshield wiper blade assembly..................... 11-34
Windshield wiper blade rubber......................... 11-34
Rear window wiper blade assembly
(Outback)....................................................... 11-35
Rear window wiper blade rubber (Outback) ....... 11-36
Battery............................................................... 11-37
Fuses................................................................ 11-38
Installation of accessories............................... 11-40
Replacing bulbs............................................... 11-40
HID headlights (if equipped)............................. 11-40
Halogen headlights.......................................... 11-40Front turn signal light...................................... 11-42
Front side marker light..................................... 11-42
Front fog light (if equipped).............................. 11-42
Rear combination lights................................... 11-43
Backup light.................................................... 11-45
License plate light........................................... 11-47
Dome light....................................................... 11-48
Map light......................................................... 11-48
Door step light................................................. 11-48
Cargo area light (Outback)............................... 11-49
Trunk light (Legacy)......................................... 11-49
Other bulbs..................................................... 11-49
Replacing battery............................................. 11-49Replacing battery of access key....................... 11-50
Replacing battery of transmitter....................... 11-51
Maintenance schedule
U.S. models
The scheduled maintenance items re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the“Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet”. For details, read the
separate“Warranty and Maintenance
Booklet”.
Canada models
The scheduled maintenance items re-
quired to be serviced at regular intervals
are shown in the“Warranty and Service
Booklet”. For details, read the separate
“Warranty and Service Booklet”.
Except for U.S. and Canada models
Some items of your vehicle are required to
be serviced at scheduled intervals. For
details about your maintenance schedule,
read the separate“Warranty and Main-
tenance Booklet”.
Maintenance precautions
When maintenance and service are re-
quired, it is recommended that all work be
done by an authorized SUBARU dealer.
If you perform maintenance and service
by yourself, you should familiarize yourself
with the information provided in this
section on general maintenance and
service for your SUBARU.
Incorrect or incomplete service could
cause improper or unsafe vehicle opera-
tion. Any problems caused by improper
maintenance and service performed by
you are not eligible for warranty coverage.
WARNING
.Testing of an All-Wheel Drive
vehicle must NEVER be per-
formed on a single two-wheel
dynamometer or similar appara-
tus. Attempting to do so will
result in transmission damage
and in uncontrolled vehicle
movement and may cause an
accident or injuries to persons
nearby.
.Always select a safe area when
performing maintenance on your
vehicle..Always be very careful to avoid
injury when working on the vehi-
cle. Remember that some of the
materials in the vehicle may be
hazardous if improperly used or
handled, for example, battery
acid.
.Your vehicle should only be ser-
viced by persons fully competent
to do so. Serious personal injury
may result to persons not experi-
enced in servicing vehicles.
.Always use the proper tools and
make certain that they are well
maintained.
.Never get under the vehicle sup-
ported only by a jack. Always use
safety stands to support the
vehicle.
.Never keep the engine running in
a poorly ventilated area, such as
a garage or other closed areas.
.Do not smoke or allow open
flames around the fuel or battery.
This will cause a fire.
.Because the fuel system is under
pressure, replacement of the fuel
filter should be performed only
by your SUBARU dealer.
.Wear adequate eye protection to
Maintenance and service/Maintenance schedule
–CONTINUED–11-3
Engine compartment overview
&2.5 L models
1) Brake fluid reservoir/Clutch fluid reservoir
(MT) (page 11-19)
2) Fuse box (page 11-38)
3) Windshield washer tank (page 11-32)
4) Battery (page 11-37)
5) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-11)
6) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
7) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
8) Engine oil filter (page 11-13)
9) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-11)
10) Air cleaner case (page 11-15) Maintenance and service/Engine compartment overview
–CONTINUED–
11-9
Maintenance and service/Engine compartment overview
&3.6 L models1) Brake fluid reservoir (page 11-19)
2) Fuse box (page 11-38)
3) Windshield washer tank (page 11-32)
4) Battery (page 11-37)
5) Engine oil filler cap (page 11-11)
6) Engine coolant reservoir (page 11-14)
7) Radiator cap (page 11-14)
8) Engine oil level gauge (page 11-11)
9) Air cleaner case (page 11-15)
11-10
Maintenance and service/Replacement of brake pad
Replacement of brake pad
CAUTION
.If you continue to drive despite
the scraping noise from the audi-
ble brake pad wear indicator, it
will result in the need for costly
brake rotor repair or replace-
ment.
.It is recommended that you dis-
connect the vehicle battery be-
fore replacing the brake pad.
However, it is dangerous to dis-
connect the vehicle battery. We
recommend that you have your
SUBARU dealer replace the
brake pad.
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 is
applied.
If you hear this scraping noise each time
you apply the brake pedal, have the brake
pads serviced by your SUBARU dealer as
soon as possible.
&Breaking-in of new brake
pads
When replacing the brake pad, use only
genuine SUBARU parts. After replace-
ment, the new parts must be broken in as
follows:
!Brake pad
While maintaining a speed of 30 to 40
mph (50 to 65 km/h), step on the brake
pedal lightly. Repeat this five or more
times. Also, apply and release the electro-
nic parking brake five or more times.
Tires and wheels
&Types of tires
You should be familiar with type of tires
present on your vehicle.
!All season tires
The factory-installed tires on your new
vehicle are all season tires.
All season tires are designed to provide
an adequate measure of traction, handling
and braking performance in year-round
driving including snowy and icy road
conditions. However all season tires do
not offer as much traction performance as
winter (snow) tires in heavy or loose snow
or on icy roads.
All season tires are identified by“ALL
SEASON”and/or“M+S”(Mud & Snow) on
the tire sidewall.
!Summer tires
Summer tires are high-speed capability
tires best suited for highway driving under
dry conditions.
Summer tires are inadequate for driving
on slippery roads such as on snow-
covered or icy roads.
If you drive your vehicle on snow-covered
or icy roads, we strongly recommend the
use of winter (snow) tires.
When installing winter tires, be sure to
11-24
ends. If the rubber is not retained properly,
the wiper may scratch the rear window
glass.
5. Install the wiper blade assembly to the
wiper arm. Make sure that it locks in place.
6. Hold the wiper arm by hand and slowly
lower it in position.Battery
WARNING
.Before beginning work on or near
any battery, be sure to extinguish
all cigarettes, matches, and light-
ers. Never expose a battery to an
open flame or electric sparks.
Batteries give off a gas which is
highly flammable and explosive.
.For safety, in case an explosion
does occur, wear eye protection
or shield your eyes when work-
ing near any battery. Never lean
over a battery.
.Do not let battery fluid contact
eyes, skin, fabrics, or paint be-
cause battery fluid is a corrosive
acid. If battery fluid gets on your
skin or in your eyes, immediately
flush the area with water thor-
oughly. Seek medical help imme-
diately if acid has entered the
eyes.
If battery fluid is accidentally
swallowed, immediately drink a
large amount of milk or water,
and seek medical attention im-
mediately.
.To lessen the risk of sparks,remove rings, metal watchbands,
and other metal jewelry. Never
allow metal tools to contact the
positive battery terminal and any-
thing connected to it WHILE you
are at the same time in contact
with any other metallic portion of
the vehicle because a short cir-
cuit will result.
.Keep everyone including children
away from the battery.
.Charge the battery in a well-
ventilated area.
.Battery posts, terminals, and re-
lated accessories contain lead
and lead compounds, chemicals
known to the State of California
to cause cancer and reproductive
harm. Batteries also contain
other chemicals known to the
State of California to cause can-
cer. Wash hands after handling.
CAUTION
Never use more than 10 amperes
when charging the battery because
it will shorten battery life.
It is unnecessary to periodically check the
battery fluid level or periodically refill with
Maintenance and service/Battery
–CONTINUED–11-37
&Cargo area light (Outback)
1. Remove the lens by prying the edge of
the lens with a flat-head screwdriver.
2. Pull the bulb out of the socket.
3. Install a new bulb.4. Reinstall the lens.
&Trunk light (Legacy)
CAUTION
Replacing the bulb could cause
burns since the bulb may be very
hot. Have the bulb replaced by your
SUBARU dealer.
&Other bulbs
It may be difficult to replace the bulbs.
We recommend that you have the bulbs
replaced by your SUBARU dealer if
necessary.
Replacing battery
The access key / transmitter battery may
be discharged under the following condi-
tions.
.The operation of the keyless access
function is unstable
.The operating distance of the remote
keyless entry system is unstable
.The transmitter does not operate prop-
erly when used within the standard dis-
tance
Replace the battery with a new one.
CAUTION
.Do not let dust, oil or water get on
or in the access key/transmitter
when replacing battery.
.Be careful not to damage the
printed circuit board in the ac-
cess key/transmitter when repla-
cing the battery.
.Be careful not to allow children to
touch the battery and any re-
moved parts; children could
swallow them.
.There is a danger of an explosion
if the battery is incorrectly re-
placed. Replace only with the
Maintenance and service/Replacing battery
–CONTINUED–11-49
Maintenance and service/Replacing battery
same or equivalent type of the
battery.
.Batteries shall not be exposed to
excessive heat such as bright
sunlight, fire or the like.
NOTE
.Replace only with the same or
equivalent type of battery recom-
mended by the manufacturer.
.Dispose of used batteries according
to the local laws.
.Mount the battery in the correct
orientation to prevent fluid leakage.
Be careful not to bend the terminals. It
may result in a malfunction.
.It is recommended that the battery
should be replaced by a SUBARU
dealer.
.Use a new battery.
.After replacing the battery, confirm
that the access key/transmitter func-
tions properly.
&Replacing battery of access
key
CAUTION
When removing or fitting the access
key cover, make sure that the plastic
part does not come off or become
misaligned.
Battery: Button battery CR2032
1) Release button
2) Mechanical key
1. Take out the mechanical key.
2. Wrap a flat-head screwdriver with vinyl
tape or a cloth, and insert it in the gap to
remove the cover.
3. Take out the battery using a flat-head
screwdriver with vinyl tape or a cloth.
11-50