Differential Gear Oil: Inspection

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Subaru Outback and 2012 Subaru Legacy. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Remove the filler plug, and then check the gear oil. Replace the gear oil if it is contaminated, deteriorated or cloudy. Refer to , REPLACEMENT , Differential Gear Oil.
Check that the gear oil level is within -5 mm (- 0.2 in) from the bottom of the filler plug hole. If the level is low, make sure that there is no oil leakage and refill up to the bottom of filler plug hole.
NOTE: On VA1-types at factory settings, the oil level may be within -14 mm (-0.6 in) from the bottom of the filler plug. This is at normal level, requiring no oil refill.
- T-type
  
  Fig 1: Identifying Oil Filler Plug And Oil Drain Plug (T-Type)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- VA1-type
  
  Fig 2: Identifying Oil Filler Plug And Oil Drain Plug (VA1-Type)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.
- VA2-TYPE
  
  Fig 3: Identifying Oil Filler Plug And Oil Drain Plug (VA2-Type)
  Courtesy of SUBARU OF AMERICA, INC.