6-14

June 2014
Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter
ARTICLES CONTAINED
IN THIS ISSUE
CODE ARTICLE..................................PAGE
01
© 2014 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
QMR OF THE MONTH
We are pleased to announce this month’s winner of the QMR of
the Month.
(00)	May STIS New Releases.........05
Will Wright
(01)	QMR of the Month.................01
Pence Subaru in Midlothian, VA
(01)	2015MY Legacy and Outback
Transit Fuse Information....... 04
Will submitted a very detailed QMR reviewing his diagnosis of a
2014 Legacy with inoperative keyless remote entry. He confirmed
the failure mode and using good diagnostic techniques, identified
a concern with the keyless entry module. At the same time, he
noticed the windows had aftermarket tinting installed. Questioning
of the customer indicated that the keyless concern occurred just
after the windows were tinted. Further inspection then found the
keyless entry module showed signs of soapy water intrusion and
corrosion, apparently a result of the tint application process. Will
shared this information with us in hopes we would remind others
through Tech Tips to always consider the installation of aftermarket
products and accessories as part of determining the root cause of
any failure. Great Tip Will !
(02)	Too Much Oil In The Engine
Revisited...........................02
(12) W
 hitish Discoloration / Deposits
on Front Door Panels, 2012MY
and Later Impreza and XV
Crosstrek ® Models................03
2014 CALENDAR OF
SUBARU HOLIDAYS
Independence Day
Friday, July 4, 2014
Labor Day
Monday, September 1, 2014
Thanksgiving
Thursday, November 27, 2014
Friday, November 28, 2014
Happy Holidays
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Friday, December 26, 2014
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience
with us, Will is receiving the following from his FSE:
A Subaru Confidence In Motion Jacket
and a $100 Gift Card
Any Subaru Service Technician can participate in QMR of the
Month. See the February 2013 Tech Tips for full details. You
may see your name here in a future Tech Tips.
CAUTION: VEHICLE SERVICING PERFORMED BY UNTRAINED PERSONS
COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY TO THOSE PERSONS OR TO OTHERS.
SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC. IS
ISO 14001 COMPLIANT
The Subaru TechTIPS newsletter is intended for use by professional technicians ONLY. Articles
are written to inform those technicians of conditions that may occur in some vehicles, or to
provide information that could assist in the proper servicing of the vehicle. Properly trained
technicians have the equipment, tools, safety instructions, and know-how to do the job correctly
and safely. If a condition is described, DO NOT assume that your vehicle has or will have that
condition. Impreza, Legacy, Justy, Loyale, Outback, Forester, Subaru SVX, WRX, WRX STI,
L.L. Bean, Baja, Tribeca, BRZ, XV Crosstrek and “Quality Driven” are Registered Trademarks.
ISO 14001 is the international standard for
excellence in Environmental Management
Systems. Please recycle or dispose of
automotive products in a manner that is
friendly to our environment and in accordance
with all local, state and federal laws and
regulations.
June 2014 TechTIPS
Page 1
02
TOO MUCH OIL IN THE ENGINE REVISITED
How much is too much? What can happen if you put too much oil in an engine? If you’ve ever seen
an engine that had way too much oil added, you’d say a lot can happen and all of it is very bad and
expensive. What if it’s just a little over full, say by half a quart? Shouldn’t hurt anything…right?
Excess will just burn off…right? Wrong. What if we told you that an engine just half a quart over full
could result in a drivability concern? It can.
IF YOU ENCOUNTER A CONCERN OF:
•
Sluggish operation
•
Hesitation
•
Continual Surging
You may want to check the engine oil level when the engine is cold. In addition, we have received
reports outlining CVT operational issues listed (but not limited to) the conditions below. These have
also been found to be a result of an over-filled crankcase:
•
CVT not “shifting” properly, delayed up-ratio or wrong ratio selected
for the engine load followed by an engine over-rev condition when CVT
ratios down in response to throttle input
•
“Grabbing” sensation, CVT operating in a jerking fashion
•
Vehicle seems to be lacking power at times or continually
If the engine oil level is over-full, drain the excess oil to the full mark on the dipstick then see if the
conditions are corrected. Conditions like these will generally be most noticeable when accelerating
up a grade. If you are monitoring the ECM using the SSMIII, you may also notice knocking correction
occurring at the same time you experience the surging sensation. We are aware of concerns like
this occurring in the field following both dealer and aftermarket oil changes. If the oil level is found to
be over-filled, always make sure to check the oil level in the front differential to rule out an accidental
draining. Always confirm the engine oil level is correct following any service. What if the car is
new? What if the mileage isn’t near the scheduled service interval? Don’t discount the possibility of
someone adding oil to an engine between services. After all, if it’s down half a quart why not just add
the whole quart. It’s only a little over full. What could it hurt? Now you know. It could hurt drivability.
June 2014 TechTIPS
Page 2
12
WHITISH DISCOLORATION / DEPOSITS ON FRONT DOOR PANELS, 2012MY AND LATER
IMPREZA AND XV CROSSTREK® MODELS
If you receive a customer concern of a whitish discoloration found on the front interior door trim panels,
it is most likely a by-product of the scratch prevention agent used in the front door trim material. If the
vehicle has been in storage for a period of time or unused with all the windows closed, a lack of air
circulation in the cabin can cause deposits to form on the front door trim panel surfaces in the areas
shown in the photo below.
Common Areas For The Whitish
Deposits To Accumulate.
Use a clean detailing cloth wet with plain water to remove the deposits. After the surface dries, confirm
all the deposits have been removed. Should any deposits remain, repeat the process again. Make
sure the cloth is wet as using a dry cloth can damage the surface of the trim panel.
June 2014 TechTIPS
Page 3
01
2015MY LEGACY AND OUTBACK TRANSIT FUSE INFORMATION
In the very near future, your dealership will start to receive the first shipments of the all-new 2015MY
Legacy and Outback models. As part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection procedure, the transit fuse will
need to be relocated to the back-up power fuse location in the Main Fuse Box (M/B), under the hood
as shown in the illustrations below.
Transit / Storage Configuration
Empty back-up
power supply fuse
location
Location of
transit fuse
Retail / Market Configuration
Move 30A fuse from
the transit position to
the back-up power
supply position.
June 2014 TechTIPS
Page 4
00
MAY STIS NEW RELEASES
ITEM CODE
ITEM TYPE
TITLE
CREATED DATE
F551SAL700
Accessory Installation Guide
2015MY Outback Compartment Separator
29-May-14
MSA5P1926C
Technician Reference Booklet
2015 Legacy and Outback New Technology
Training (Module 926)
29-May-14
H001SAL800
Accessory Installation Guide
2015 Legacy and Outback Smart Engine
Start Kit (Push-Start Ignition)
28-May-14
H001SAL000
Accessory Installation Guide
2015 Legacy and Outback Remote Engine
Start System (Turn-Start Ignition)
28-May-14
02-156-14
Technical Service Bulletin
Service Part Number Change to The V-Belt
(Serpentine Drive / Accessory Belt) to Address
A Squeak, Squeal, or Chirp Sound
27-May-14
02-147-13R
Technical Service Bulletin
Surface Treatment Change To Oil Control
Piston Rings
27-May-14
02-145-13R
Technical Service Bulletin
Surface Treatment Change To Oil Control
Piston Rings (2012-2013MY Impreza and
2013MY XV Crosstrek)
27-May-14
02-144-13R
Technical Service Bulletin
Surface Treatment Change To Oil Control
Piston Rings (2012-2014MY Forester)
27-May-14
02-143-13R
Technical Service Bulletin
Surface Treatment Change To Oil Control
Piston Rings (2013MY Legacy and Outback)
27-May-14
11-140-14
Technical Service Bulletin
Reprogramming Files for Spark Knock (Ping)
in High Altitude Areas
23-May-14
MSA5M1514A
Owner Manual
2015MY WRX and WRX STI Owner's Manual
21-May-14
17-17-13R
Technical Service Bulletin
Event Data Recorder (EDR) Function of
Airbag Module
20-May-14
J501SAJ600
Accessory Installation Guide
Rear Seat Back Protector
19-May-14
J101SSG701XX
Accessory Installation Guide
Forester Body Side Molding Kit
19-May-14
11-139-14
Technical Service Bulletin
Reprogramming Files for DTC P0606 and
Extended Engine Cranking
16-May-14
15-173-14
Technical Service Bulletin
Exterior Auto Dim Mirrors with Approach Lighting 16-May-14
E361SAJ500
Accessory Installation Guide
Ski Carrier Lift Kit
14-May-14
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
June 2014 TechTIPS
Page 5
00
MAY STIS NEW RELEASES (CONTINUED)
ITEM CODE
ITEM TYPE
TITLE
CREATED DATE
MSA5T1559A
Service Manual Full
2015MY Impreza WRX/STI Body Repair Manual
14-May-14
MSA5M1503A
Owner Manual
2015MY Forester Owner's Manual (Version B)
13-May-14
F551SAL020
Accessory Installation Guide
2015MY Legacy Trunk Side Net Kit (Both Sides)
8-May-14
16-90-13R
Technical Service Bulletin
Design Change to Lock-Up Type Torque
Converter
7-May-14
13-97-14
Technical Service Bulletin
2015 MY Paint Coding Information
6-May-14
SUTTIPSLOC
Other / Miscellaneous
TechTIPS Article Locator Index
(Updated 05-2014)
6-May-14
TIPS0514
TechTIPS NewsLetter
2014 May TechTIPS Newsletter
5-May-14
WQJ-46
Subaru Product / Campaign
Bulletin
5-Speed Automatic Transmission (5EAT)
Parking Rod
1-May-14
15-156-12R
Technical Service Bulletin
Deletion of Compass Mirror
1-May-14
A091SSG000
Accessory Installation Guide
2015MY Legacy and Outback Engine Block
Heater Kit (4 Cylinder)
1-May-14
A091SFJ001
Accessory Installation Guide
2015MY Legacy and Outback Engine Block
Heater Kit (6 Cylinder)
1-May-14
H631SAL000
Accessory Installation Guide
2015MY Legacy and Outback Tweeter Kit
1-May-14
Be sure to always check the “What’s New” section on STIS for any updated
or recently released information that may not be listed here.
June 2014 TechTIPS
Page 6
*** NOW YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR TECHTIPS INPUT AND SUGGESTIONS TO: [email protected] ***
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that if you e-mail us, you place in the subject line of your e-mail “For TechTIPS Newsletter”.
Thank you!
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YEAR:
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Description of situation encountered:
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America, Inc. publications. Mail items to: PO Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000.
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TECHLINE
Hours of Operation
June 2014 TechTIPS
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Friday 10:30 am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
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