Automatic Transmission Fluid; Checking The Fluid Level - Subaru Outback 2011 Owner's Manual

Automatic transmission fluid

& Checking the fluid level
The automatic transmission fluid expands
largely as its temperature rises; the fluid
level differs according to fluid temperature.
Therefore, there are two different scales
for checking the level of hot fluid and cold
fluid on the level gauge.
Though the fluid level can be checked
without warming up the fluid on the
"COLD" range, it is recommended to
check the fluid level when the fluid is at
the operating temperature.
! Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is hot
Check the fluid level monthly.
1. Drive the vehicle several kilometers
(miles) to raise the temperature of the
transmission fluid up to normal operating
temperature; 70 to 808C (158 to 1768F) is
normal.
2. Park the vehicle on a level surface and
apply the parking brake.
3. First shift the select lever in each
position. Then shift it in the "P" position,
and run the engine at idling speed.
1) Yellow handle
1) HOT range
2) COLD range
3) Upper level
4) Lower level
4. Pull out the level gauge and check the
Maintenance and service
fluid level on the gauge. If it is below the
lower level on the "HOT" range, add the
recommended automatic transmission
fluid up to the upper level.
! Checking the fluid level when the
fluid is cold
When the fluid level has to be checked
without time to warm up the automatic
transmission, check to see that the fluid
level is between the lower level and upper
level on the "COLD" range. If it is below
that range, add fluid up to the upper level.
Be careful not to overfill.
CAUTION
Be careful not to spill automatic
transmission fluid when adding it.
If automatic transmission fluid
touches the exhaust pipe, it may
cause a bad smell, smoke, and/or a
fire. If automatic transmission fluid
gets on the exhaust pipe, be sure to
wipe it off.
– CONTINUED –
11-33