Subaru Outback (BR): Automatic Transmission Fluid level, Differential Gear Oil

A: INSPECTION

NOTE: The level of ATF varies with fluid temperature. Pay attention to the ATF temperature when checking ATF level.

1) Raise the ATF temperature by driving a distance of 5 to 10 km (3 to 6 miles). Otherwise, idle the engine to raise ATF temperature to 70 - 80ºC (158 - 176ºF) on Subaru Select Monitor. <Ref. to 5AT(diag)-18, Read Current Data.>

2) Park the vehicle on a level surface.

3) After selecting all positions (P, R, N, D), set the select lever in "P" range. Idle the engine for 1 to 2 minutes.

4) Remove the oil level gauge and wipe it clean.

5) Reinsert the level gauge all the way. Make sure the level gauge is inserted correctly and in the proper orientation.

6) Remove the oil level gauge again and make sure that the ATF level is between upper and lower marks of the HOT side.

1. ATF level gauge
2. Upper level
3. Lower level

7) If the ATF level is below the lower mark, add recommended ATF until the fluid level is between upper and lower marks.

CAUTION:

• Be careful not to exceed the upper level.
• When the transmission is cold, be careful not to add ATF to the upper level on HOT side.

  Overfilling of ATF may cause oil splashing.

8) Check the ATF for leaks.

Visually check for leaks in the transmission. If there are leaks, replace the gasket, oil seal, plug or other parts.

B: REPLACEMENT

1) Lift up the vehicle.

2) Remove the ATF drain plug to drain ATF.

CAUTION:

• Directly after the vehicle has been running or the engine has been long idle running, the ATF is hot. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Be careful not to spill the ATF on the exhaust pipe to prevent it from emitting smoke or causing fire. If ATF is spilled on the exhaust pipe, wipe it off completely.

3) Check the ATF condition. <Ref. to 5AT-30, CONDITION CHECK, Automatic Transmission Fluid.>

4) Tighten the ATF drain plug.

NOTE: Use a new gasket.

Tightening torque: 20 N*m (2.0 kgf-m, 14.8 ft-lb)

1. Oil pan
2. ATF drain plug

5) Lower the vehicle.

6) Pour ATF from the oil charge pipe.

Recommended fluid: <Ref. to 5AT-3, HYDRAULIC CONTROL AND LUBRICATION, SPECIFICATION, General Description.>

CAUTION: Be sure to use the recommended or equivalent ATF. Using material except recommended one or substitute would cause trouble.

Capacity: Fill with the same amount of ATF as drained.

Capacity when transmission is overhauled: 9.6 - 10.0 2 (10.1 - 10.6 US qt, 8.4 - 8.8 Imp qt)

7) Check the level and leaks of ATF. <Ref. to 5AT- 29, INSPECTION, Automatic Transmission Fluid.>

C: CONDITION CHECK

NOTE: When replacing ATF, check the inside condition of transmission body by inspecting the drained ATF.

Differential Gear Oil

A: INSPECTION

1) Park the vehicle on a level surface.

2) Remove the collector cover.

NOTE: Follow the steps below when removing the collector cover.

1.  Pull up the two points at the rear (A).
2.  Pull up the two points at the front (B) while moving them forward.

3) Remove the oil level gauge and wipe it clean.

4) Reinsert the level gauge all the way. Make sure the level gauge is inserted correctly and in the proper orientation.

5) Remove the oil level gauge again, and check the level of differential gear oil. If the oil level is below "L" line, add oil to bring the level up to "F" line.

NOTE: To prevent overfilling the differential gear oil, do not add oil above the "F" line.

1. Upper level
2. Lower level

B: REPLACEMENT

1) Lift up the vehicle.

2) Drain the differential gear oil by removing drain plug using TORX bit T70.

CAUTION:

• Immediately after the vehicle has been running or after idling for a long time, the differential gear oil will be hot. Be careful not to burn yourself.
• Be careful not to spill differential gear oil on the exhaust pipe to prevent it from emitting smoke or causing a fire. If differential gear oil is spilled on the exhaust pipe, wipe it off completely.

3) Tighten the drain plug using TORX bit T70.

NOTE: Use a new gasket.

Tightening torque: 70 N*m (7.1 kgf-m, 51.6 ft-lb)

1. Oil pan
2. Drain plug

4) Lower the vehicle.

5) Pour gear oil into the level gauge hole.

Recommended gear oil: <Ref. to 5AT-4, RECOMMENDED GEAR OIL, SPECIFICATION, General Description.>

Gear oil capacity: 1.3 - 1.5 2 (1.4 - 1.6 US qt, 1.1 - 1.3 Imp qt)

6) Check the level of differential gear oil. <Ref. to 5AT-31, INSPECTION, Differential Gear Oil.>

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