Coolant Change schedule - Subaru Outback

Snowbound · 01-23-2013, 06:13 PM

The mysubaru site says to change the coolant at 30K miles but the 2009 My Federal Specifications Vehicles schedule says to change at 137.5K. Whoa, that is over a 100K of difference! Thoughts?

tdelker · 01-23-2013, 06:23 PM

If you have green coolant, it's 30k and don't forget the 'special sauce.'

**AWDFTW** · 01-23-2013, 07:05 PM

Go by your owner's manual.

Green coolant is short interval.

Blue is the longer one.

If it has been topped up or mixed, go by the short interval.

Snowbound · 01-24-2013, 10:37 PM

Thanks for the input. I've got the blue so the owners manual was correct.

Michael Aos · 01-25-2013, 12:53 AM

Is blue an option for the 2005 Outback XT?

What's the harm in not changing the green at 30K intervals?

tdelker · 01-25-2013, 08:42 AM

The parts counter at my dealer said I could switch to it, but it's tough to get all the green out. I just leave the green, and change it myself since I trust my owners manual, and don't know how much 'backward' compatibility' testing they really do.

Not changing at the specific intervals is water pump damage because of loss of lubrication additives and internal corrosion due to coolant becoming acidic. This can seriously impact the radiators ability to remove heat, as well as the engine to transfer heat to the coolant. I might even create headgasket or issues with other seals.

Michael Aos · 01-26-2013, 01:28 AM

Is there any way to tell / test whether it's overdue?

I'm at ~105K. From memory, I think the maintenance schedule says the next one isn't due until 120K.

That could be a couple years away at the rate I've been driving.

01-23-2013, 06:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Snowbound Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 46 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Coolant Change schedule The mysubaru site says to change the coolant at 30K miles but the 2009 My Federal Specifications Vehicles schedule says to change at 137.5K. Whoa, that is over a 100K of difference! Thoughts?

01-23-2013, 07:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
AWDFTW Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Displaced to Chicago. Car: 2003 2.5 4EAT with AWP. Posts: 6,026 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Go by your owner's manual. Green coolant is short interval. Blue is the longer one. If it has been topped up or mixed, go by the short interval. __________________ 2003 Outback: "Kaylee". 124,000 and counting. Mods: GE Nighthawk low beams, HIR1 9011 high beam upgrade, Nokya 25k yellow fog lights, Fumoto valve, 04 Forester XT shift knob. Basics: G-Oil Bio-based Advanced Full Synthetic 5w30, Purolater oil filter, STP air filter, Valvoline Maxlife Dex/Merc ATF, Valvoline Durablend 80w90, Michelin Primacy MXV4. Also: More rust and parking lot scars than I care to think about.

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01-23-2013, 06:23 PM	#2 (permalink)
tdelker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lyons, CO Car: 2005 XT Limited Posts: 622 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If you have green coolant, it's 30k and don't forget the 'special sauce.'

01-24-2013, 10:37 PM	#4 (permalink)
Snowbound Registered User Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 46 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Thanks for the input. I've got the blue so the owners manual was correct.

01-25-2013, 12:53 AM	#5 (permalink)
Michael Aos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Colorado Springs Car: 2005 Outback XT 5spd Posts: 281 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is blue an option for the 2005 Outback XT? What's the harm in not changing the green at 30K intervals?

01-25-2013, 08:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
tdelker Registered User Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Lyons, CO Car: 2005 XT Limited Posts: 622 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The parts counter at my dealer said I could switch to it, but it's tough to get all the green out. I just leave the green, and change it myself since I trust my owners manual, and don't know how much 'backward' compatibility' testing they really do. Not changing at the specific intervals is water pump damage because of loss of lubrication additives and internal corrosion due to coolant becoming acidic. This can seriously impact the radiators ability to remove heat, as well as the engine to transfer heat to the coolant. I might even create headgasket or issues with other seals.

01-26-2013, 01:28 AM	#7 (permalink)
Michael Aos Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Colorado Springs Car: 2005 Outback XT 5spd Posts: 281 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Is there any way to tell / test whether it's overdue? I'm at ~105K. From memory, I think the maintenance schedule says the next one isn't due until 120K. That could be a couple years away at the rate I've been driving.

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