
1) Left turn
2) Right turn
.Backing up with a trailer is difficult and
takes practice. When backing up with a
trailer, never accelerate or steer rapidly.
When turning back, grip the bottom of the
steering wheel with one hand and turn it to
the left for a left turn, and turn it to the right
for a right turn.
. If the ABS warning light illuminates
while the vehicle is in motion, stop towing
the trailer and have repairs performed
immediately by your nearest SUBARU
dealer.
! Driving on grades
. Before going down a steep hill, slow
down and shift into lower gear (if neces-
sary, use 1st gear) in order to utilize the 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,
because the engine and transmission are
relatively prone to overheating, pay atten-
tion to the following items.
–Temperature gauge
– AT OIL TEMP warning light (CVT
models)
. If any of the following conditions occur,
immediately turn off the air conditioner and
stop the vehicle in the nearest safe
location. Refer to “If you park your vehicle
in an emergency ”F9-2 and “Engine
overheating ”F 9-13.
– Temperature gauge needle ap-
proaches the OVERHEAT zone. Refer
to “Temperature gauge ”F 3-12.
– AT OIL TEMP warning light illumi-
nates (CVT models). Refer to “AT OIL
TEMP warning light (CVT models) ”
F 3-17.
. For CVT models, do not use 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. 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”(CVT models) and shut
off the engine.
Driving tips/Trailer towing (Outback)8-29

using a flat-head screwdriver or a similar
tool. Then the rear gate will open.Power rear gate - if power
rear gate does not operate
properly
&When the power rear gate is
deactivated
CAUTION
When operating the power rear gate
manually, do not use excessive
force. Doing so may cause a mal-
function.
NOTE
While the power rear gate is tempora-
rily deactivated, if it is struck by body
parts or objects and sustains a strong
impact, the temporary deactivation
may be canceled. The purpose of this
is to absorb the impact of the collision
and it is not a malfunction. In this case,
the rear gate will not open or close
automatically.
If the power rear gate senses a malfunc-
tion, an electronic chirp will sound and the
rear gate will stop opening or closing.
In order for the rear gate to open and close
automatically, carry out the following
operation. If the rear gate does not open and close automatically after carrying out
this operation, we recommend that you
have the vehicle checked at a SUBARU
dealer.
!
When the rear gate is closed
1. Press and hold the rear gate opener
button. If the rear gate does not open,
perform the procedure described in “Rear
gate (Outback) –if the rear gate cannot be
opened ”F 9-20.
2. Gently close the rear gate by hand
until it reaches the half-shut position.
3. Operate the power rear gate to confirm
it is recovered.
In case of emergency/Power rear gate –if power rear gate does not operate properly
–CONTINUED –9-21

Maintenance and service/Brake fluid
Brake fluid
&Checking the fluid level
WARNING
. Never let brake fluid contact your
eyes because brake fluid can be
harmful to your eyes. If brake
fluid gets in your eyes, immedi-
ately flush them thoroughly with
clean water. For safety, when
performing this work, wearing
eye protection is advisable.
. Brake fluid absorbs moisture
from the air. Any absorbed moist-
ure can cause a dangerous loss
of braking performance.
. If the vehicle requires frequent
refilling, there may be a leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
CAUTION
. When adding brake fluid, be care-
ful not to allow any dirt into the
reservoir.
. Never splash the brake fluid over
painted surfaces or rubber parts. Alcohol contained in the brake
fluid may damage them.
. Be careful not to spill brake fluid
when adding it. If brake fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or
a fire. If brake fluid gets on the
exhaust pipe, be sure to wipe it
off.
The reservoir has two chambers, one for
clutch fluid and the other for brake fluid.
Each fluid level must therefore be checked
in the appropriate chamber. Check the
fluid level on the outside of the reservoir
monthly.
3.6 L models
1) “MAX ”level line
2) “MIN ”level line
A) The brake fluid level must be checked in this area.
For 3.6 L models, be sure to check the
brake fluid level on the outboard side of
the reservoir (shaded area in the illustra-
tion). It cannot be checked on the inboard
side of the reservoir. If the fluid level is
below “MIN”, add the recommended brake
fluid to “MAX”. Use only brake fluid from a
sealed container.
11-20

2.5 L models
1)“MAX ”level line
2) “MIN ”level line
A) The brake fluid level must be checked in this area.
For 2.5 L models, be sure to check the
brake fluid level at the front part of the
reservoir (shaded area in the illustration).
If the fluid level is below “MIN”, add the
recommended brake fluid to “MAX”. Use
only brake fluid from a sealed container.
& Recommended brake fluid
Refer to “Fluids”F 12-8.
CAUTION
Never use different brands of brake
fluid together. Also, avoid mixing
DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids even if
they are the same brand.
Clutch fluid (MT models)
& Checking the fluid level
WARNING
Never let clutch fluid contact your
eyes because clutch fluid can be
harmful to your eyes. If clutch fluid
gets in your eyes, immediately flush
them thoroughly with clean water.
For safety, when performing this
work, wearing eye protection is
advisable.
CAUTION
. Clutch fluid absorbs moisture
from the air. Any absorbed moist-
ure can cause improper clutch
operation.
. If the vehicle requires frequent
refilling, there may be a leak. If
you suspect a problem, have the
vehicle checked at your SUBARU
dealer.
. When clutch fluid is added, be
careful not to allow any dirt into
the tank.
. Never splash the clutch fluid over
painted surfaces or rubber parts.
Maintenance and service/Clutch fluid (MT models)
–CONTINUED –11-21

Fuse
panel Fuse
rating Circuit
20 20A
*1
25A*2O2 HTR
21 15A E/G2
22 15A ETC
23 15A E/G1
24 15A AVCS
25 15A INJ
26 7.5A CVT SSR
27 20A TCU
28 Empty
29 30A BACKUP
30 7.5A ACTGS
31 25A SUB FAN
32 25A MAIN FAN
33 30A ABS SOL
34 20A AUDIO
35 25A R.DEF
36 15A BLOWER
37 15A BLOWER
38 10A F.FOG RH
39 10A F.FOG LH
40 Empty
41 15A STRG/H Fuse
panel Fuse
rating Circuit
42 15A R.WIPER
43 15A F.WASH
44 30A F.WIPER
45 Empty
*1: 2.5 L models
*2: 3.6 L models Specifications/Fuses and circuits
12-13

14-2Index
A
Abbreviation................................................................... 3
ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) ..................................... 7-33
Warning light ......................................................... 3-19
Access key ............................................................... 2-10
Warning indicator ................................................... 3-25
Accessories .............................................................. 11-40
Accessory power outlet ............................................... 6-10
Air cleaner element ................................................... 11-15
Air conditioner Automatic climate control system ............................... 4-5
Manual climate control system ................................... 4-6
Air filtration system ..................................................... 4-10
Airflow selection ........................................................... 4-6
Alarm system ............................................................ 2-28
All-Wheel Drive warning light ....................................... 3-23
Aluminum wheel ....................................................... 11-32
Cleaning ............................................................... 10-3
Antenna ...................................................................... 5-2
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) ..................................... 7-33
Arming the system ..................................................... 2-30
Armrest ..................................................................... 1-15
Ashtray ..................................................................... 6-12
AT OIL TEMP warning light ......................................... 3-17
Audio aha
TMby HARMAN ................................................ 5-44
AM/FM radio ......................................................... 5-28
AUX ..................................................................... 5-61
Base display audio set. ............................................. 5-4
Basic operation ...................................................... 5-18
Bluetooth audio ...................................................... 5-58 CD ....................................................................... 5-53
iPod
...................................................................... 5-56
Pandora
®.............................................................. 5-50
SiriusXM Satellite Radio .......................................... 5-37
Steering switches for audio ...................................... 5-63
SUBARU STARLINK ............................................... 5-26
SUBARU STARLINK
TMMultimedia Plus audio set ... .... 5-6
Unit setting ............................................................ 5-19
USB memory ......................................................... 5-55
Auto on/off headlights ................................................. 3-47
Sensor .................................................................. 3-49
Vehicle setting ........................................................ 3-46
Auto-dimming mirror .................................................... 3-69
Automatic climate control system ................................... 4-5
Automatic headlight beam leveler Warning light .......................................................... 3-32
Automatic Locking Retractor/Emergency Locking Retractor (ALR/ELR) ................................................ 1-17
B
Battery Drainage prevention function ..................................... 2-8
Jump starting ......................................................... 9-11
Replacement (access key) ..................................... 11-50
Replacement (remote engine start transmitter) ........... 7-21
Replacement (transmitter) ...................................... 11-51
Vehicle battery ..................................................... 11-37
Bluetooth
®
Audio .................................................................... 5-58
Hands-free phone system ........................................ 5-71
Settings ................................................................. 5-66

Types.................................................................. 11-25
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). .... 7-41, 9-10, 11-25
Warning light ......................................................... 3-17
Tires and wheels. ...................................................... 11-25
Tools ........................................................................\
.. 9-3
Top tether anchorages ........................................ 1-36, 1-39
Towing ...................................................................... 9-13
All wheels on the ground ........................................ 9-17
Flat-bed truck ........................................................ 9-16
Hooks ................................................................... 9-14
Weight.................................................................. 8-22
Trailer Connecting ............................................................ 8-20
Hitch (Outback) .............................................. 8-19, 8-26
Towing .................................................................. 8-22
Towing tips ............................................................ 8-27
Trip meter ................................................................. 3-10
Trunk lid ........................................................... 2-38, 9-19
Release handle ..................................................... 2-39
Trunk light ................................................................ 11-49
Turn signal Indicator lights ....................................................... 3-31
Lever .................................................................... 3-54
U
Under-floor storage compartment ................................. 6-20
V
Valet mode ................................................................ 2-33
Vanity mirror ................................................................ 6-5 Vehicle
Capacity weight ...................................................... 8-14
Identification ........................................................ 12-18
Symbols .................................................................... 4
Vehicle Dynamics Control OFF indicator light .................................................. 3-25
OFF switch ............................................................ 7-37
Operation indicator light ........................................... 3-24
System .................................................................. 7-35
Warning light .......................................................... 3-24
Ventilator .................................................................... 4-2
Voice command operation ........................................... 5-81
W
Warning and indicator lights ......................................... 3-13
Warning chimes Keyless access with push-button start system .... ........ 3-25
Seatbelt. ................................................................ 3-13
Warning light ABS...................................................................... 3-19
Access key ............................................................ 3-25
All-Wheel Drive ...................................................... 3-23
AT OIL TEMP ......................................................... 3-17
Automatic headlight beam leveler ............................. 3-32
Brake system ......................................................... 3-19
BSD/RCTA ............................................................ 3-32
Charge .................................................................. 3-16
CHECK ENGINE .................................................... 3-16
Engine low oil level ................................................. 3-17
High beam assist .................................................... 3-31
Keyless
access with push-button start system .... ........ 3-25
Index14-11