Get Maintenance and service -> Engine oil Guide for Subaru Outback SUV Fourth Generation (2010-2014)

Engine oil

Engine low oil level warning light (type A)

Engine low oil level warning light (type B)

NOTE

. When the engine low oil level warn-

ing light illuminates, have your vehicle

inspected by your SUBARU dealer as

soon as possible.

. The engine oil consumption rate is

not stabilized, and therefore cannot be

determined until the vehicle has tra-

veled at least several thousand miles

(kilometers). Even after break-in, when

the vehicle is used under severe driv-

ing conditions such as those men-

tioned in the Warranty and Mainte-

nance Booklet, engine oil is consumed

or deteriorated more quickly than un-

der normal driving conditions. If you

drive your vehicle under these severe

conditions, you should check the oil

level at least at every second fuel fill-up

tim e, and change the oil more fre-

quently. Please refer to the Warranty

and Maintenance Booklet for more de-

tails.

. If the oil consumption rate seems

abnormally h igh after the break-in

period, for example more than 1 quart

per 1,200 miles or 1 liter per 2,000

kilometers, we recommend that you

contact your SUBARU dealer.

& Checking the oil level

Check the engine oil level at each fuel

stop.

1. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

stop the engine. If you check the oil level

just after stopping the engine, wait a few

minutes for the oil to drain back into the oil

pan before checking the level.

2.5 L models

1) Oil level gauge

2) Oil filler cap

3) Oil filter

Maintenance and service 11-11

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11-12 Maintenance and service

3.6 L models

1) Oil level gauge

2) Oil filler cap

2. Pull out the level gauge, wipe it clean,

and insert it again.

3. Be sure the level gauge is correctly

inserted until it stops.

2.5 L models

1) Full level

2) Low level

3) Approximately 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter, 0.9

Imp qt) from low level to full level

3.6 L models

1) Full level

2) Low level

3) Approximately 1.1 US qt (1.0 liter, 0.9

Imp qt) from low level to full level

4. Pull out the oil level gauge again.

5. 2.5 L models:

Check the oil levels on both sides of the

level gauge. The engine oil level must be

judged by the lowest of the two levels. If

the oil level is below the low level mark,

add oil so that the full level is reached.

3.6 L models:

Check the oil level on the gauge. If the oil

level is below the low level mark, add oil

so that the full level is reached.

CAUTION

. For 2.5 L models, be careful not

to touch the engine oil filter when

removing the oil filler cap. Doing

so may result in a burn, a

pinc hed fing er, or may cause

some other injury.

. Use only engine oil with the

r ecommen ded grade and vis -

cosity.

. Be careful not to spill engine oil

when adding it. If oil touches the

exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad

smell, smoke, and/or a fire. If

engine oil gets on the exhaust

pipe, be sure to wipe it off.

. If the level gauge cannot be

pulled out easily, twist the level

gauge right and left, then gently

pull it out. Otherwise, you may be

injured by accidentally straining

yourself.

To add engine oil, remove the engine oil

filler cap and slowly pour engine oil

through the filler neck. After pouring oil

into the engine, you must use the level

gauge to confirm that the oil level is

correct.

NOTE

To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do

not add any additional oil above the full

level when the engine is cold.

& Changing the oil and oil filter

CAUTION

. If you change your own oil, be

sure to drain all the oil from the

filter before disposal.

. Do not dispose of used engine oil

by placing it in the trash, or by

pouring it onto the ground, into

sewers, or into any body of water.

Check with your local govern-

ment office for the proper dis-

posal options available to you.

Change the oil and oil filter according to

the maintenance schedule in the “War-

ranty and Maintenance Booklet”.

The engine oil and oil filter must b e

changed more frequently than listed in

the maintenance schedule when driving

on dusty roads, when short trips are

fr equently made, o r when driving in

extremely cold weather.

1. Warm up the engine by letting the

engine idle for approximately 10 minutes

to ease draining the engine oil.

2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and

stop the engine.

3. Remove the oil filler cap.

2.5 L models

3.6 L models

4. Drain out the engine oil by removing

Maintenance and service 11-13

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11-14 Maintenance and service

the drain plug while the engine is still

warm. The used oil should be drained into

an appropriate container and disposed of

properly.

WARNING

Be careful not to burn yourself with

hot engine oil.

5. Wipe the seating surface and around

the drain plug with a clean cloth and

tighten it securely with a new sealing

washer after the oil has completely

drained out.

2.5 L models

3.6 L models

6. Remove the oil filter with an oil filter

wrench.

7. Before installing a new oil filter, apply a

thin coat of engine oil to the seal.

8. Clean the rubber seal seating area of

the bottom of engine and install the oil

filter by hand turning. Be careful not to

twist or damage the seal.

9. Tighten the oil filter by the amount

indicated in the following table after the

seal makes contact with the bottom of

engine.

Model

Oil filter

color

Part

number

Amount of

rotation

2.5 L

models

Blue 15208AA15A

7/8

rotation

3.6 L

models

Black 15208AA031

3/4

rotation

CAUTION

. Never over tighten the oil filter

because that can result in an oil

leak.

. Thoroughly wipe off any engine

oil that has spilled over the

exhaust pipe and/or under-cover.

If left unremoved, the oil could

catch fire.

10. Reinstall the cover under the oil filter

(3.6 L models).

11. Pour engine oil through the filler neck.

For the oil capacity (guideline), refer to

“Engine oil” F12-4. The necessary quan-

tity of oil depends on the quantity of oil that

has been drained. The quantity of drained

oil differs slightly depending on the tem-

perature of the oil and the time the oil is

left flowing out. After refilling the engine

with oil, therefore, you must use the level

gauge to confirm that the level is correct.

12. Start the engine and make sure that no

oil leaks appear around the filter’s rubber

seal and drain plug.

13. Keep the engine idling until the engine

reaches the normal operating temperature

range, as indicated by the temperature

gauge on the combination meter. After

that, check the engine oil level again. For

further details about the check procedure,

refer to “Checking the oil level” F 11-11.

CAUTION

Be careful not to spill engine oil

when adding it. If oil touches the

exhaust pipe, it may cause a bad

smell, smoke, and/or a fire.

& Recommended grade and

viscosity

CAUTION

Use only engine oil with the recom-

mended grade and viscosity.

Refer to “Engine oil” F12-4.

NOTE

Engine oil viscosity (thickness) affects

fuel economy. Oils of lower viscosity

provide better fuel economy. However,

in hot weather, oil of higher viscosity is

required to properly lubricate the en-

gine.

& Synthetic oil

You should use synthetic engine oil that

meets the same requirements given for

conventional engine oil. When using

synthetic oil, you must use oil of the same

classification, viscosity and grade shown

in this Owner’s Manual. Refer to “Engine

oil” F12-4. Also, you must follow the oil

and filter changing intervals shown in the

Warranty and Maintenance booklet.

NOTE

Synthetic oil of the grade and viscosity

noted in chapter 12 is the recom-

mended engine oil for optimum engine

performance. Conventional oil may be

used if synthetic oil is unavailable.

Cooling system

WARNING

Never attempt to remove the radia-

tor cap until the engine has been

shut off and has co oled dow n

completely. Since the coolant is

under pre ssure, you may suffer

serious burns from a spray of boil-

ing hot coolant when the cap is

removed.

CAUTION

. Vehicles are filled at the factory

with SUBARU Super Coolant that

does not require the first change

for 11 years/137,500 miles (11

years/220,000 km). This coolant

should not be mixed with any

other brand or type of coolant

during this period. Mixing with a

different coolant will reduce the

life of the coolant. Should it be

necessary to top off the coolant

for a ny r e a s o n , use o n l y

SUBARU Super Coolant.

If the SUBARU Super Coolant is

diluted wi th a nother brand or

type, the maintenance interval is

Maintenance and service 11-15

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Maintenance and service -> Engine oil for Your Subaru Outback SUV Fourth Generation (2010-2014)

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