2017 SUBARU OUTBACK maintenance

Driving tips/Trailer towing (Legacy)
Trailer towing (Legacy)
Your vehicle is neither designed nor
intended to be used for trailer towing.
Therefore, never tow a trailer with your
vehicle.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for
injuries or vehicle damage that may result
from trailer towing, from any trailer towing
equipment or from any errors or omissions
in the instructions accompanying such
equipment. SUBARU warranties do not
apply to vehicle damage or malfunction
caused by trailer towing.
Trailer towing (Outback)
Your vehicle is designed and intended to
be used primarily as a passenger-carrying
vehicle. Towing a trailer puts additional
loads on your vehicle’s engine, drivetrain,
brakes, tires and suspension and has an
adverse effect on fuel economy and air
conditioning system cooling performance.
If you do decide to tow a trailer, your safety
and satisfaction depend upon proper use
of correct equipment and cautious opera-
tion of your vehicle. Seek the advice of
your SUBARU dealer to assist you in
purchasing a hitch and other necessary
towing equipment appropriate for your
vehicle. Do not use towing equipment
other than genuine SUBARU towing
equipment. In addition, be sure to follow
the instructions on correct installation and
use provided by SUBARU.
SUBARU assumes no responsibility for
injuries or vehicle damage that result from
trailer towing equipment, or from any
errors or omissions in the instructions
accompanying such equipment or for your
failure to follow the proper instructions.
Regularly check that the hitch mounting
bolts and nuts are tightened securely.
& Warranties and maintenance
SUBARU warranties do not apply to
vehicle damage or malfunction caused
by trailer towing. If you use your vehicle to
tow a trailer, more frequent maintenance
will be required due to the additional load.
(Refer to “Maintenance schedule under
severe driving conditions ”in the “Warranty
and Maintenance Booklet ”.)
Under no circumstances should a trailer
be towed with a new vehicle or a vehicle
with any new powertrain component (en-
gine, transmission, differential, wheel
bearings, etc.) for the first 1,000 miles
(1,600 km) of driving.
& Maximum load limits
WARNING
Never exceed the maximum load
limits explained in the following.
Exceeding the maximum load limits
could cause personal injury and/or
vehicle damage.
CAUTION
. Adequate size trailer brakes are
required when the trailer and its
cargo exceed 1,000 lbs (453 kg)
8-22

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 ............................................................... 9-5Changing a flat tire .............................................. 9-5
Storing a flat tire ................................................. 9-8
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) ......................................................... 9-10
Jump starting ..................................................... 9-11How 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................................................................. 9-13Towing hook and tie-down hooks/holes .. ............ 9-14
Using a flat-bed truck ......................................... 9-16 Towing with all wheels on the ground
................. 9-17
Electronic parking brake–if the electronic
parking brake cannot be released ................. 9-17
Access key –if access key does not
operate properly ............................................. 9-18
Locking and unlocking ....................................... 9-18
Switching power status ...................................... 9-18
Starting engine .................................................. 9-19
Trunk lid (Legacy) –if the trunk lid cannot
be opened ....................................................... 9-19
Rear gate (Outback) –if the rear gate
cannot be opened ........................................... 9-20
Power rear gate - if power rear gate does not operate properly ....................................... 9-21
When the power rear gate is deactivated ............ 9-21
When the rear gate cannot be opened ................ 9-22
When the rear gate cannot be closed ................. 9-22
If your vehicle is involved in an accident ........ 9-22
In case of emergency
9

CAUTION
Never use any temporary spare tire
other than the original. Using other
sizes may result in severe mechan-
ical damage to the drive train of your
vehicle.
The temporary spare tire is stored under
the under-floor storage compartment.
The temporary spare tire is smaller and
lighter than a conventional tire and is
designed for emergency use only. Re-
move the temporary spare tire and re-
install the conventional tire as soon as
possible because the spare tire is de-
signed only for temporary use.
Check the inflation pressure of the tem-
porary spare tire periodically to keep the
tire ready for use. The correct pressure is
60 psi (420 kPa, 4.2 kgf/cm
2).
When using the temporary spare tire, note
the following precautions.
. Do not exceed 50 mph (80 km/h).
. Do not put a tire chain on the temporary
spare tire. Because of the smaller tire size,
a tire chain will not fit properly.
. Do not use two or more temporary
spare tires at the same time.
. Do not drive over obstacles. This tire has a smaller diameter, so road clearance
is reduced.
1) Tread wear indicator bar
2) Indicator location mark
.
When the wear indicator appears on
the tread, replace the tire.
. The temporary spare tire must be used
only on a rear wheel. If a front wheel tire
gets punctured, replace the wheel with a
rear wheel and install the temporary spare
tire in place of the removed rear wheel.
Maintenance tools
Your vehicle is equipped with the following
maintenance tools.
. Jack
. Jack handle
. Screwdriver
. Towing hook (eye bolt) (Outback)
. Wheel nut wrench
. Torque wrench (Outback)
CAUTION
The torque wrench is designed to be
used only when changing the posi-
tion of the crossbar. Do not use the
torque wrench in other cases. Other-
wise, the torque wrench may be
deformed.
In case of emergency/Maintenance tools
–CONTINUED –9-3

In case of emergency/Maintenance tools
NOTE
To use the jack handle, insert the jack
handle into the hole of the wheel nut
wrench.
&Legacy
1) Under-floor storage compartment (Refer
to“Under-floor storage compartment ”
F 6-20.)
2) Wheel nut wrench
3) Screwdriver
4) Jack handle 5) Jack
The maintenance tools are stored in the
under-floor storage compartment.
For the method to use the jack, refer to
“Flat tires
”F 9-5.
9-4

&Outback
1) Under-floor storage compartment (Refer
to“Under-floor storage compartment”
F 6-20.)
2) Jack handle
3) Wheel nut wrench
4) Jack 5) Torque wrench
6) Towing hook (eye bolt)
7) Screwdriver
8) Tire fixing band
9) Tire bag
The maintenance tools are stored in the
under-floor storage compartment.
For the method to use the jack, refer to
“
Flat tires ”F 9-5.
Flat tires
If you have a flat tire while driving, never
brake suddenly; keep driving straight
ahead while gradually reducing speed.
Then slowly pull off the road to a safe
place.
& Changing a flat tire
WARNING
. Do not jack up the vehicle on an
incline or a loose road surface.
The jack can come out of the
jacking point or sink into the
ground and this can result in a
serious accident.
. Use only the jack provided with
your vehicle. The jack supplied
with the vehicle is designed only
for changing a tire. Never get
under the vehicle while support-
ing the vehicle with this jack.
In case of emergency/Flat tires
–CONTINUED –9-5

Appearance care/Corrosion protection
washing device.
.Clean the vehicle (including the alumi-
num wheels) with water as soon as
possible when it has been splashed with
sea water, exposed to sea breezes, or
driven on roads treated with salt or other
agents.Corrosion protection
Your SUBARU has been designed and
built to resist corrosion. Special materials
and protective finishes have been used on
most parts of the vehicle to help maintain
fine appearance, strength, and reliable
operation.
& Most common causes of
corrosion
The most common causes of corrosion
are:
. The accumulation of moisture retaining
dirt and debris in body panel sections,
cavities, and other areas.
. Damage to paint and other protective
coatings caused by gravel and stone
chips or minor accidents.
Corrosion is accelerated on the vehicle
when:
. It is exposed to road salt or dust control
chemicals, or used in coastal areas where
there is more salt in the air, or in areas
where there is considerable industrial
pollution.
. It is driven in areas of high humidity,
especially when temperatures range just
above freezing.
. Dampness in certain parts of the vehicle remains for a long time, even
though other parts of the vehicle may be
dry.
.
High temperatures will cause corrosion
to parts of the vehicle which cannot dry
quickly due to lack of proper ventilation.
& To help prevent corrosion
Wash the vehicle regularly to prevent
corrosion of the body and suspension
components. Also, wash the vehicle
promptly after driving on any of the
following surfaces.
. roads that have been salted to prevent
them from freezing in winter
. mud, sand, or gravel
. coastal roads
After the winter has ended, it is recom-
mended that the underbody be given a
very thorough washing.
Before the beginning of winter, check the
condition of underbody components, such
as the exhaust system, fuel and brake
lines, brake cables, suspension, steering
system, floor pan, and fenders. If any of
them are found to be rusted, they should
be given an appropriate rust prevention
treatment or should be replaced. Contact
your SUBARU dealer to perform this kind
of maintenance and treatment if you need
10-4

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 models) ............................. 11-5
When checking or servicing in the engine compartment while the engine is running .......... 11-5
Maintenance tips................................................ 11-5Removing and reinstalling clips .......................... 11-5
Engine hood....................................................... 11-7
Engine compartment overview .......................... 11-9
2.5 L models...................................................... 11-9
3.6 L models .................................................... 11-10
Engine oil.......................................................... 11-11Engine oil consumption .................................... 11-11
Checking the oil level ....................................... 11-11
Changing the oil and oil filter ............................ 11-13
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-13
Synthetic oil ..................................................... 11-13
Cooling system ................................................ 11-14
Cooling fan, hose and connections ................... 11-14
Engine coolant ................................................. 11-15
Air cleaner element .......................................... 11-15Replacing the air cleaner element ..................... 11-16
Spark plugs...................................................... 11-18Recommended spark plugs .............................. 11-18
Drive belts........................................................ 11-18
Manual transmission oil .................................. 11-19
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-19
Continuously variable transmission fluid ...... 11-19
Front differential gear oil (CVT models) and rear differential gear oil ................................ 11-19
Recommended grade and viscosity .................. 11-19
Brake fluid........................................................ 11-20Checking the fluid level .................................... 11-20
Recommended brake fluid ............................... 11-21
Clutch fluid (MT models)................................. 11-21Checking the fluid level.................................... 11-21
Recommended clutch fluid ............................... 11-22
Brake booster.................................................. 11-22
Brake pedal ...................................................... 11-23
Checking the brake pedal free play .................. 11-23
Checking the brake pedal reserve distance ....... 11-23
Clutch pedal (MT models) ............................... 11-23Checking the clutch function ............................ 11-23
Checking the clutch pedal free play .................. 11-24
Replacement of brake pad.............................. 11-24Breaking-in of new brake pads . ........................ 11-24
Tires and wheels.............................................. 11-25Types of tires................................................... 11-25
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) (if equipped) ...................................................... 11-25
Tire inspection ................................................. 11-27
Tire pressures and wear .................................. 11-27
Wheel balance ................................................. 11-29
Wear indicators ............................................... 11-29
Tire rotation direction mark .............................. 11-29
Tire rotation ..................................................... 11-30
Tire replacement .............................................. 11-30
Maintenance and service
11

Maintenance and service
Wheel replacement........................................... 11-31
Aluminum wheels............................................. 11-32
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 .......................................... 11-41 Front turn signal light
...................................... 11-42
Front side marker light ..................................... 11-42
Front fog light (if equipped) .............................. 11-42
Rear combination lights ................................... 11-44
Backup light .................................................... 11-46
License plate light ........................................... 11-47
Dome light ....................................................... 11-48
Map light ......................................................... 11-48
Door step light ................................................. 11-49
Cargo area light (Outback) ............................... 11-49
Trunk light (Legacy) ......................................... 11-49
Other bulbs ..................................................... 11-49
Replacing battery ............................................. 11-50Replacing battery of access key ....................... 11-50
Replacing battery of transmitter ....................... 11-51