2022 Subaru Outback Fuel User Manual

2022 Subaru Outback Fuel

Fuel

CAUTION

• Use of a fuel which is low in quality or use of an inappropriate fuel additive may cause damage to the engine and/or fuel system.
• Some gas stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular octane gasoline with an octane rating below 87 AKI (90 RON). Use of those fuels are not recommended.

Fuel Requirements

The engine is designed to operate using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 AKI (90 RON) or higher.

NOTE
When using the 2.4 L turbo engine model to tow a trailer, SUBARU recommends using unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 AKI (95 RON) or higher to reduce the risk of engine overheating.

Fuel octane rating 

Using gasoline with a lower octane rating can cause persistent and heavy knocking, which can damage the engine. Do not be concerned if your vehicle sometimes knocks lightly when you drive up a hill or when you accelerate. See your dealer or a qualified service technician if you use a fuel with the specified octane rating and your vehicle knocks heavily or persistently.

 RON 

This octane rating is the Research Octane Number.

 AKI 

This octane rating is the average of the Research Octane and Motor Octane numbers and is commonly referred to as the Anti Knock Index (AKI).

Unleaded gasoline 

The neck of the fuel filler pipe is designed to accept only an unleaded gasoline filler nozzle. Under no circumstances should leaded gasoline be used because it will damage the emission control system and may impair driveability and fuel economy.

Reformulated gasoline

SUBARU supports the use of reformulated gasoline when available. Reformulated gasoline has been blended to burn more cleanly and reduce vehicle emissions.

MMT

Some gasoline contains an octane-enhancing additive called MMT (Methylcyclopentadienyl Manganese Tricarbonyl). If you use such fuels, your emission control system performance may deteriorate and the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indicator light may turn on. If this happens, return to your authorized SUBARU Dealer for service. If it is determined that the condition is caused by the type of fuel used, repairs may not be covered by your warranty.

Gasoline for cleaner air (2.4 L models)

Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system.
This helps keep your engine in tune and your emission control system working properly and is a way of doing your part for cleaner air. If you continuously use high-quality fuel with the proper detergent and other additives, you should never need to add any fuel system cleaning agents to your fuel tank.
Many types of gasoline are now blended with materials called oxygenates. The use of these fuels can also help keep the air cleaner. Oxygenated blend fuels, such as ethanol (ethyl or grain alcohol) may be used in your vehicle but should contain no more than 15% ethanol for the proper operation of your SUBARU.
Do not use any gasoline that contains more than 15% ethanol, including from any pump labeled E30, E50 or E85 (which are only some examples of fuel containing more than 15% ethanol).
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated gasoline, which are designed to reduce vehicle emissions. SUBARU approves the use of reformulated gasoline. If you are not sure what the fuel contains, you should ask your service station operators if their gasoline contains detergents and oxygenates and if they have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions. As additional guidance, only use fuels suited for your vehicle as explained in the following description.

• Fuel should be unleaded and have an octane rating no lower than that specified in this manual.
• Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is sometimes mixed with unleaded gasoline. Methanol can be used in your vehicle
  ONLY if it does not exceed 5% of the fuel mixture AND if it is accompanied by sufficient quantities of the proper cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors required to prevent damage to the fuel system. Do not use fuel containing methanol EXCEPT under these conditions.
• If undesirable driveability problems are experienced and you suspect they may be fuel-related, try a different brand of gasoline before seeking service at your SUBARU dealer.
• Fuel system damage or driveability problems that result from the use of improper fuel are not covered under the SUBARU Limited Warranty.

Gasoline for cleaner air (2.5 L models)

Your use of gasoline with detergent additives will help prevent deposits from forming in your engine and fuel system.
This helps keep your engine in tune and your emission control system working properly and is a way of doing your part for cleaner air. If you continuously use high-quality fuel with the proper detergent and other additives, you should never need to add any fuel system cleaning agents to your fuel tank. Many types of gasoline are now blended with materials called oxygenates. Use of these fuels can also help keep the air cleaner.
Oxygenated blend fuels, such as ethanol (ethyl or grain alcohol) may be used in your vehicle but should contain no more than 10% ethanol for the proper operation of your SUBARU.
Do not use any gasoline that contains more than 10% ethanol, including from any pump labeled E15, E30, E50 or E85 (which are only some examples of fuel containing more than 10% ethanol).
In addition, some gasoline suppliers are now producing reformulated gasoline, which are designed to reduce vehicle emissions. SUBARU approves the use of reformulated gasoline.
If you are not sure what the fuel contains, you should ask your service station operators if their gasoline contains detergents and oxygenate and if they have been reformulated to reduce vehicle emissions.

As additional guidance, only use fuels suited for your vehicle as explained in the following.

• Fuel should be unleaded and have an octane rating no lower than that specified in this manual.
• Methanol (methyl or wood alcohol) is sometimes mixed with unleaded gasoline. Methanol can be used in your vehicle ONLY if it does not exceed 5% of the fuel mixture AND if it is accompanied by sufficient quantities of the proper cosolvents and corrosion inhibitors required to prevent damage to the fuel system. Do not use fuel containing methanol EXCEPT under these conditions.
• If undesirable driveability problems are experienced and you suspect they may be fuel-related, try a different brand of gasoline before seeking service at your SUBARU dealer.
• Fuel system damage or driveability problems that result from the use of improper fuel are not covered under the SUBARU Limited Warranty.

Fuel Filler Lid and Cap

Locations of the fuel filler lid

Refueling

Only one person should be involved in refueling. Do not allow others to approach the area of the vehicle near the fuel filler pipe while refueling is in progress. Be sure to observe any other precautions that are posted at the service station.

1. Stop the vehicle, turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/ “OFF” position and turn off all the other electrical components.
2. To unlock the fuel filler lid, perform one of the operations below.
   • Press the button on the key fob.
   • Press the unlock side of the power door locking switch.
3. Push the rear side of the fuel filler lid.
4. The fuel filler lid opens automatically. Open it further by hand.
   WARNING
   Before opening the fuel filler cap, first touch the vehicle body or a metal portion of the fuel pump or similar object to discharge any static electricity that may be present on your body. If your body is carrying an electrostatic charge, there is a possibility that an electric spark could ignite the fuel, which could burn you. To avoid acquiring a new static electric charge, do not get back into the vehicle while refueling is in progress.
   1. Open
   2. Close
5. Remove the fuel filler cap by turning it slowly counterclockwise.
   WARNING
   • Gasoline vapor is highly flammable. Before refueling, always turn the ignition switch to the “LOCK”/“OFF” position first and then close all vehicle doors and windows. Make sure that there are no lighted cigarettes, open flames or electrical sparks in the adjacent area. Only handle fuel outdoors. Quickly wipe up any spilled fuel.
   • When opening the cap, grasp it firmly and turn it slowly to the left. Do not remove the cap quickly. Fuel may be under pressure and spray out of the fuel filler neck, especially in hot weather. If you hear a hissing sound while you are removing the cap, wait for the sound to stop and then slowly open the cap to prevent fuel from spraying out and creating a fire hazard.
6. Set the fuel filler cap on the cap holder inside the fuel filler lid.
   WARNING
   • When refueling, insert the fuel nozzle securely into the fuel filler pipe. If the nozzle is lifted or not fully inserted, its automatic stopping mechanism may not function, causing fuel to overflow the tank and creating a fire hazard.
   • Stop refueling when the automatic stop mechanism on the fuel nozzle activates. If you continue to add fuel, temperature changes or other conditions may cause fuel to overflow from the tank and create a fire hazard.
7. Stop filling the tank after the fuel filler pump automatically stops. Do not add any more fuel.
8. Put the cap back on and turn it clockwise until you hear a clicking noise. Be certain not to catch the tether under the cap while tightening.
   CAUTION
   Make sure that the cap is tightened until it clicks to prevent fuel spillage in the event of an accident.
9. Close the fuel filler lid completely.
   CAUTION
   Do not let fuel spill on the exterior surfaces of the vehicle. Because fuel may damage the paint, be sure to wipe off any spilled fuel quickly. Paint damage caused by spilled fuel is not covered under the SUBARU Limited Warranty.

NOTE

• You will see the sign in the fuel gauge. This indicates that the fuel filler lid is located on the right side of the vehicle.
• If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks or if the tether is caught under the cap, the CHECK ENGINE warning light/malfunction indicator light may illuminate. Refer to “CHECK ENGINE Warning Light/Malfunction Indicator Light” P184.
• To lock the fuel filler lid, perform one of the operations below. However if these operations are performed when the fuel filler lid is open, the fuel filler lid will not lock when it is subsequently closed.
  • Press the button on the key fob.
  • Press the lock side of the power door locking switch.
• When the doors are locked or unlocked using the automatic door lock system, the fuel filler lid will be locked or unlocked at the same time.

CAUTION

• Never add any cleaning agents to the fuel tank. The addition of a cleaning agent may cause damage to the fuel system.
• After refueling, turn the cap to the right until it clicks to ensure that it is fully tightened. If the cap is not securely tightened, fuel may leak out while the vehicle is being driven or fuel spillage could occur in the event of an accident, creating a fire hazard.
• Do not let fuel spill on the exterior surfaces of the vehicle. Because fuel may damage the paint, be sure to wipe off any spilled fuel quickly. Paint damage caused by spilled fuel is not covered under the SUBARU Limited Warranty.
• Always use a genuine SUBARU fuel filler cap. If you use the wrong cap, it may not fit or have proper venting and your fuel tank and emission control system may be damaged. It could also lead to fuel spillage and a fire.
• Immediately put fuel in the tank whenever the low fuel warning light illuminates. Engine misfires as a result of an empty tank could cause damage to the engine. Continuing to operate your vehicle at an extremely low fuel level may result in a reduction of engine performance.

If the fuel filler lid cannot be opened (Legacy) 

If the fuel filler lid cannot be opened due to a malfunction or a dead battery, it can be opened from the trunk.

1. Remove the access cover at the rightside of the trunk trim.
   1. Clip
2. Remove the yellow clip from the trim.
3. Pull the yellow clip to unlock the fuel filler lid.

If the fuel filler lid cannot be opened (Outback/Subaru Outback Wilderness)

If the fuel filler lid cannot be opened due to a malfunction or a dead battery, it can be opened from the cargo area.

1. Remove the access cover at the rightside of the cargo area trim using a flathead screwdriver.
   1. Clip
2. Remove the yellow clip from the trim.
3. Pull the yellow clip to unlock the fuel filler lid.