I can't seem to find any photos of the 3.6's engine bay with the cover taken off, but underneath would be my supposition as well. Not sure how the top-mounted location is going to work (seems like an easy way for dirt and caked on road salt/sand to get into the crankcase and/or clog the filter), but at least it ought to be a little less messy to deal with than a bottom-mounted filter.

 

Confirmation: http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/89-oil-fuel-discussion/221674-all-filters-top-now.html

 

The 3.6R oil filter is indeed under the vehicle closer to the passenger side. There is a plastic access door that needs to be removed to access it. The first time is somewhat of a pain until you figure out the process but it's otherwise pretty simple. Still would be a lot better if it could've been on top like the 2.5. :wink2:

 

Thanks, but it's strange no mention of location in the manual. As I said , they only show the 2.5 filter location. Anyway got my answer.

 

Hey all, related question - my local dealer (I'm in Canada) says that owners are required to bring the outback in every 10k km's for them to do a $100 oil change...
Is there anything wrong with doing it yourself, as long as you keep receipts for the oil and filter purchases, and use full synthetic?
Thx!

 

Only way I can see even needing to keep receipts for that is if you want to sell it to someone who wants documentation of the maintenance you've done.

And the only scenario in which I could see you being "required" to come in for a $100 oil change is maybe if you're leasing.

 

I assumed the idea was that your warranty is only valid if you keep up with the recommended maintenance. I guess I'd need to confirm with them.
Cheers

 

Same in Canada. All previous vehicles I always did my own maintenance , but kept all receipts for labor or parts, never did any oil change at any dealer, and never had any issues. You just need to keep all receipts as proof.

 

Cool thanks

 

Dealers always try to scare you and make you perform the service at their location, but as long as you follow the maintenance schedule and keep all receipts, you can do it any place you want, and that would never void the warranty.

 

In the US anyway...

Consumers are protected by the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act and the general principles of the Federal Trade Commission, which prohibit a manufacturer from voiding the vehicle warranty because service was done by a non-dealer.

If you're into legalese you can look up that act.

 

I don't think the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act works in Canada ( not 100 % sure) but you have your local consumer protection depends on the province for that matter, and I don't know if they provide same protection or not ? I can say that 15 years ago, and in the province of Quebec, I remember asking once consumer protection if I used Amsoil syn oil with extended drain, and did the oil change myself if the dealer can deny warranty, and they replied only if dealer can prove that this product caused a potential damage , and i needed to keep receipts as proof, or else he can't deny it. So I guess each province has a similar protection law, some maybe better than others, but better check with local consumer protection to be safe.

 

I would say 17mm, but that's a total guess.

 

Thanks. The oil change went without a hitch. Incidentally, the drain plug turned out to be 17mm.

 

I like it when bolts are the size I expect them to be. :grin2:

 

What's the Subaru pt # for the oil filter for the 3.6r? Anyone purchasing online? Where? What oil y'all going with?

 

3.6R DIY 1st oil change on STEEL ramps - very alarming

I have the 3.6R with everything including collision avoidance - this is important to remember.

I used a set of old school STEEL ramps that are 12 inches high.
I would NOT recommend using plastic crap when you life is on the line. To many horror stories for me.
With the 3.6R - there is 220 lbs. additional weight over the front axle area.

I set the ramps directly touching the front of the tires. I then tried to move the car up the ramp in 1st.
To my surprise, the Obstacle Avoid Alarm went off. The car would NOT move up the ramp even with giving it the gas.
Tried several times no luck.

I then backed the OB up about a 1.5 feet from the ramps. I put the OB in 1st and steadily move forward up the ramp. It worked. The alarm did not go off. Crazy - right.

Set the emergency brake and placed a couple of wheel chocks just for good measure.

Once the OB is up on the ramps all is easy to see.

The oil drain is in the center between the wheels. The bolt is 17mm cocked at an angle.

I set my oil waste pan on a box to get it closer to the drain. You don't want 6.9 quarts cascading down to far when the bolt comes off. Drained the oil. FYI, my drain bolt did not have a washer on it.

The oil filter is on passenger side forward of the oil drain. Remove the two plastic pins and the panel cover.
The filter is up fairly high into the engine area. I used a rubber belt friction wrench to loosen it. Most tools won't fit up there.
Remove the filter by hand.

Replaced with a new filter and 6.9 quarts of Valvoline 5W-30 Full Synthetic. Replace plastic cover with pins.

Check for leaks.

:smile2:

 

FYI, my drain bolt did not have a washer on it.

I just quoted the part that was important, FYI.

If this is the first oil change performed on your Outback, there most certainly is a drain plug crush washer, it just looks like it's part of the drain plug due to the oil pain being painted as one unit with the plug(and washer) installed. The first crush washer is the hardest to remove(and spot). Take a flat head screwdriver and tap between the drain plug and the washer. It'll fall out.

If this is not the first oil change, someone messed up by not installing one, and I'm surprised the drain plug didn't leak.

Drain plug crush washer, flat side towards the drain plug, raised side towards the pan. Torque to 33ft lbs.

 

Thank you for the info.

This info will come in most handy for a DIYer.

 

I had a similar issue with collision detection when trying to get up on ramps in my garage. Disabled from the driver-side buttons and was good to go.

I use stacked 2x10" planks for my ramps. Cost me about $15 at the hardware store and maybe 20 minutes screwing them together. Cheap & sturdy!

 

I've got the same type of ramps, only longer and taller, that I built back in my STi owning days. I'll pass them onto my son in twenty years of so. So much better than anything "store bought."

 

BadTrainDriver;

Looking back at it now, the crush washer was painted to the bolt.

Thanks.

 

commiecat;

Thanks for the tip on disabling the collision detection. I'll remember that for next time.

 

Here's my thread.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/89-oil-fuel-discussion/353089-first-oil-change.html

Here's a teez

 

Here's my thread.

http://www.subaruoutback.org/forums/89-oil-fuel-discussion/353089-first-oil-change.html

Here's a teez

I have a stack of crisp dollar bills so take your time but not too much time.

 

I too have used the plastic ramps for years. They are extremely sturdy, have used them for any vehicle from a Chevy Sonic to a Dodge Ram 1500. And they won't rust like the steel ramps. Impervious to oil, water and termites unlike the wooden ramps.

Not sure why Subaru didn't put the 3.6 oil filter on top like the 2.5. Both of my vehicles have top mounted oil filters... can't image going back to crawling under the vehicle for filter replacement.

 

From the pictures of the filter in 3.6R in this thread, I have to ask: Is replacing the oil filter messy? One would have to reach *up* from underneath, wouldn't oil imply flow down along one's arm while unscrewing the filter?

 

I wouldn't say it's messy per se. Instead, if you use a wad of papertowels or a shop rag it can be a drip free endevour.

If you do spill any some will run down your arm and some will run into the top side of the underbelly cover and you'll have to reach up there to wipe it out. At most, I'd estimate the potential oil spill quantity to be no more than a couple of tablespoons.

With a Fumoto and papertowels for the filter, you probably can accomplish a mess free change.

 

Afterwards you are practicing the super secret 3.6 wave and our non verbal praise.?