Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2005 Subaru Outback F6-3.0LFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Power Steering Fluid: Service and Repair
Power Steering Fluid
SPECIFICATION
INSPECTION
1. Check the power steering fluid for deterioration and contamination. If the fluid is highly deteriorated or contaminated, drain it and refill with new fluid.
2. Check the joints and units for oil leakage. If any oil leaks are found, repair or replace the applicable part.
3. Inspect the fluid level on flat and level surface with engine OFF by indicator of reservoir tank. If the level is at MIN. point or below, add fluid to keep the level in the specified range of the indicator. If at MAX. point or above, drain fluid by using a syringe or the like.
1. Check at power steering fluid temperature 20°C (68°F); read the fluid level on the COLD side.
2. Check at power steering fluid temperature 80°C (176°F); read the fluid level on the HOT side.
REPLACEMENT
1. Lift-up the vehicle.
2. Remove the crossmember support.
3. Remove the pipe joint in the center of gearbox, and connect the vinyl hose to the pipe and joint. Wipe fluid off while turning the steering wheel.
4. Add the specified fluid to reservoir tank at MAX level.
5. Continue to turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock until the bubbles stop appearing on oil surface while keeping the fluid at the level in the Step 4).
6. If turning the steering wheel in low fluid level condition, air will be sucked in pipe. In this case, leave it about half an hour and then do the step 5) again.
7. Start the engine and let it idle.
8. Continue to turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock again until the bubbles stop appearing on oil surface while keeping the fluid at the level in Step 4).
Normally bubbles stop appearing after three times turning of steering wheel from lock to lock.
9. In case bubbles do not stop appearing in the tank, leave it about half an hour and then do the step 4) all over again.
10. Lower the vehicle, and then idle the engine.
11. Continue to turn the steering wheel from lock to lock until the bubbles stop appearing and change of the fluid level is within 3 mm (0.12 inch).
12. In case the following happens, leave it about half an hour and then do step 8) to 11 ) again.
1. The fluid level changes over 3 mm (0.12 inch).
2. Bubbles remain on the upper surface of the fluid.
3. Grinding noise is generated from oil pump.
13. Check the fluid leakage after turning steering wheel from lock to lock with engine running.
SPECIFICATION
INSPECTION
1. Check the power steering fluid for deterioration and contamination. If the fluid is highly deteriorated or contaminated, drain it and refill with new fluid.
2. Check the joints and units for oil leakage. If any oil leaks are found, repair or replace the applicable part.
3. Inspect the fluid level on flat and level surface with engine OFF by indicator of reservoir tank. If the level is at MIN. point or below, add fluid to keep the level in the specified range of the indicator. If at MAX. point or above, drain fluid by using a syringe or the like.
1. Check at power steering fluid temperature 20°C (68°F); read the fluid level on the COLD side.
2. Check at power steering fluid temperature 80°C (176°F); read the fluid level on the HOT side.
REPLACEMENT
1. Lift-up the vehicle.
2. Remove the crossmember support.
3. Remove the pipe joint in the center of gearbox, and connect the vinyl hose to the pipe and joint. Wipe fluid off while turning the steering wheel.
4. Add the specified fluid to reservoir tank at MAX level.
5. Continue to turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock until the bubbles stop appearing on oil surface while keeping the fluid at the level in the Step 4).
6. If turning the steering wheel in low fluid level condition, air will be sucked in pipe. In this case, leave it about half an hour and then do the step 5) again.
7. Start the engine and let it idle.
8. Continue to turn the steering wheel slowly from lock to lock again until the bubbles stop appearing on oil surface while keeping the fluid at the level in Step 4).
Normally bubbles stop appearing after three times turning of steering wheel from lock to lock.
9. In case bubbles do not stop appearing in the tank, leave it about half an hour and then do the step 4) all over again.
10. Lower the vehicle, and then idle the engine.
11. Continue to turn the steering wheel from lock to lock until the bubbles stop appearing and change of the fluid level is within 3 mm (0.12 inch).
12. In case the following happens, leave it about half an hour and then do step 8) to 11 ) again.
1. The fluid level changes over 3 mm (0.12 inch).
2. Bubbles remain on the upper surface of the fluid.
3. Grinding noise is generated from oil pump.
13. Check the fluid leakage after turning steering wheel from lock to lock with engine running.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.