How to Choose the Oil and Fluids for a Subaru Outback

The Subaru Outback, introduced in 1995, comes in both sedan and station wagon trims. While almost every Outback has a hood "scoop," a turbo to make use of the hood scoop wasn't introduced until 2005. These steps apply to all model years of the Subaru Outback without turbo.

Instructions

1

Keep your Subaru Outback's automatic transmission in proper operating form by using only Genuine Subaru High Performance Automatic Transmission Fluid. DEXRON-III transmission fluid may be substituted on a temporary basis, but continued use of DEXRON-III causes poor performance in your transmission.

2

Use Genuine Subaru Factory Fill Power Steering Fluid or DEXRON power steering fluid in your Subaru's power steering fluid reservoir. Be sure not to mix different types of power steering fluid together; if you're going to change fluids, you must completely drain the previous fluid before adding the new variety.

3

Mix Genuine Subaru coolant or an ethylene glycol substitute with an equal part distilled water to fill your coolant system. Subaru of America requires that Subaru Cooling System Conditioner be added to your vehicle during every coolant change. According to a previous technical support bulletin, this extends the warranty on your engine head gasket, which in many Outbacks has been reported to develop leaks in the absence of the recommended additive.