July 2014
Subaru Service and Technical Support Line Newsletter

ARTICLES CONTAINED
IN THIS ISSUE
CODE ARTICLE..................................PAGE

01

QMR OF THE MONTH

We are pleased to announce this month’s winner of the QMR of
the Month.

(00) June STIS New Releases........05

Kyle Sorensen

(01) QMR of the Month.................01
(01) 2015 Legacy and Outback Launch
Team Activity- Your Help is
Needed..............................02
(01) New Subaru Oil Change
Reference Cards..................03
(01) 2 015 Legacy and Outback Fujitsu
10 Audio and Audio/ Navigation
Systems........................... 04

2014 CALENDAR OF
SUBARU HOLIDAYS
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

© 2014 Subaru of America, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lancaster County Subaru in East Petersburg, PA
Kyle submitted a very detailed QMR reviewing his diagnosis of
a 2014 XV Crosstrek with a failed ELCM pressure sensor. His
step by step report confirmed how he determined the source of
the concern and verified it by testing the ELCM pressure sensor
off the car. He then took the additional step of confirming his
results by testing a known good part for comparison. This belt
and suspenders approach to diagnosis ensured a fixed right the
first time result for Kyle’s customer and his report provided us with
some detailed insights into this unusual failure.
In appreciation for going the extra mile and sharing his experience
with us, Kyle will be 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.

July 2014 TechTIPS

Page 1

01

2015 LEGACY AND OUTBACK LAUNCH TEAM ACTIVITY- YOUR HELP IS NEEDED

A Special FHI Quality Monitoring Team is currently in the USA monitoring the launch of these much
anticipated new models. The Team is very interested in EVERYTHING related to these new vehicles.
They are looking for specific and detailed information on EVERY condition identified. Naturally, this
includes any and all repairs performed. It also includes cases when a customer comments on a
condition that is deemed to be a normal or operational characteristic, or any improvement opportunity
where some feature or function could be made even better.
We are asking you to be our eyes and ears with this new model.
E-QMRs are the best and preferred reporting method for reporting any new model feedback.
For high priority, unusual, or serious issues, we ask that you call SOA’s Technical Helpline right
away with all details. When you report something, include pictures and where practical videos of the
condition prior to repair. Providing as much detail as possible on the customer complaint, the actual
condition, and your findings are strongly requested and greatly appreciated.
Be sure to save all DTCs and Freeze Frame Data electronically (printouts are incomplete) before
performing any clear memory functions. Be sure to check all control units individually for codes. All
System Check will only show current codes therefore, it does not represent the full scope of the failure
mode. Checking the individual systems is the best choice.
While there is no guarantee a change will occur based upon any individual report, we can guarantee
that nothing will happen if we don’t know about it. Our request is that you report everything, even if it
seems to be a small or straightforward to repair.
E-QMRs, Techline or CDS Cases, and Warranty Claims are being reviewed daily. Team Members
may contact you for additional details, photos, parts collections, or to arrange for an on-site inspection.
We ask your cooperation in quickly responding to these requests for additional information. Please
save any and all removed parts no matter how small including gaskets, clips, fasteners, any filtered
sediments, or other small bits and pieces. The rule of thumb is, if you claim it, save it.
The more specific information you can provide on each condition or repair the better. Otherwise, you
may be contacted multiple times with follow-up questions. Please note: questions may come to you
regardless if you report the condition in a QMR or not, so please keep detailed notes on all repairs.
For example: If you perform a wiring repair, the team will be asking for the wire color, connector
number, pin location, and the details of the condition. This would include your comments on if the
wire was cut, pinched, corroded, or nicked. If there was a loose pin, bent pin, pin pushed out, wire
pulled out of the pin, or simply a soft set connection (connectors not locked together fully). Was the
harness strained or stretched? How? Was the circuit open or shorted? Was the operation of the
circuit intermittent, or totally inoperative? What related systems were affected? Was the condition
temperature or moisture related? They will also want to know the exact details of your repair. How
exactly did you fix it? If possible, try to get a photo of the condition prior to the repair and after as
they will most likely be requested. This is the kind of detail the team is looking for and is most helpful
to them in making product or production improvements quickly. It also helps speed up the release of
related service information.
CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
July 2014 TechTIPS

Page 2

01

2015 LEGACY AND OUTBACK LAUNCH TEAM ACTIVITY- YOUR HELP IS NEEDED (CONTINUED)

As a reminder, E-QMRs must never be used to request escalation of a repair, request information, or
for any other purpose than to notify SOA of a new or trending condition.
Authorization or Repair Escalation Requests must always go through normal channels for the fastest,
most efficient handling. Paint, Glass or Long block Authorization requests must go through the
Techline Authorization System on Subarunet. All other authorizations must be reviewed in advance
with your DPSM.
We thank you all in advance for your continued support and assistance in making this launch
successful.

01

NEW SUBARU OIL CHANGE REFERENCE CARDS

During the second and third weeks of June, each Subaru Retailer was shipped new and improved
oil change reference cards. They now have a card that you pull out from the bottom front and line it
up with the vehicle you want to check on. The new card will show you Model, Model Year, number
of Cylinders, Oil Viscosity, Oil Type and Oil Change Intervals. Also included are part numbers and
quantities, CVT Fluid part numbers and quantities and Gear Oil part numbers and quantities. The back
side of the card contains Transmission information including: transmission type, fluid required, gear oil
required as well as the part numbers that you need.
Please distribute these new reference cards among your retailer staff to assist customers that may
ask questions about service intervals and various fluids used in their Subaru.

July 2014 TechTIPS

Page 3

01

2015 LEGACY AND OUTBACK FUJITSU 10 AUDIO AND AUDIO/ NAVIGATION SYSTEMS

The 2015 Legacy and Outback are equipped with an all-new Fujitsu 10 audio system and an all-new
Fujitsu 10 audio/ navigation system. There are three areas all retailer personnel involved in servicing
these systems should be aware of. Two are permanent changes to the exchange program procedures
while the third is a short term change resulting from the Special Launch Team Activity for quality
monitoring.

1. As those who have been to NTT have seen, the all-new Fujitsu 10 Audio/
Navigation system utilizes a new micro SD Card which contains map data
only. All boot and operating software is now housed inside the head unit
itself. As a result of this, supplied exchange units will not come with a micro
SD Card installed. Technicians will need to transfer the existing micro SD
Card from the customer’s head unit to the supplied exchange. Note: the
navigation system will not function without this card installed. Also, these
cards must NEVER be removed from the unit while it is powered on. While
there is not a scripted removal process like the existing unit, ALWAYS power
the unit down completely before removing the micro SD Card or damage to
the head unit may result.

2. While not a change from the prior unit, we would like to take this
opportunity to reinforce the need to deactivate the customer’s Sirius/ XM
Satellite service from the unit in the vehicle before it is removed and then
re-activate the service on the exchange unit when it is installed. This is a
critical activity for both customer satisfaction and to avoid serious delays
in the remanufacturing of the returned core. This second piece has lead to
significant delays in exchange unit availability which must be avoided going
forward if we are to provide the level of service our customers expect.

3. As part of the Special Launch Team Activity, retailer personnel (Parts and
Service) may notice a short-term change in the core return process. Some
retailers may receive a special return UPS label along with the exchange unit
shipment. If you receive one of these labels, please use it when returning the
removed/ core unit. If you do not receive one of these special labels, please
return the core unit following the already established procedures. This
program is expected to be in place from now through October 2014. Again,
not all units received will include this special UPS shipping label but if you
receive one please use it when shipping the core return.

July 2014 TechTIPS

Page 4

00

JUNE STIS NEW RELEASES

ITEM CODE

ITEM TYPE

TITLE

CREATED DATE

MSA5M1518A

Owner Manual

2015MY Legacy and Outback EyeSight Owner's
Manual (Ver. B)

27-Jun-14

11-143-14

Technical Service Bulletin

Reprogramming Files for DTC P0606

25-Jun-14

J101SAL100

Accessory Installation Guide

2015MY Legacy Splash Guard Kit

25-Jun-14

E201SAL000

Accessory Installation Guide

2015MY Outback Wheel Arch Molding

25-Jun-14

E771SAL300

Accessory Installation Guide

2015MY Legacy Rear Bumper Applique

23-Jun-14

E551SAL200

Accessory Installation Guide

2015MY Outback Rear Bumper Under Guard

19-Jun-14

L101SAL010

Accessory Installation Guide

2015MY Outback Trailer Hitch

18-Jun-14

12-147-13R

Technical Service Bulletin

Pop Sound from Right Rear Wheel Apron Area

18-Jun-14

MSA5T1512A

Service Manual Full

2015MY Legacy and Outback Body Repair
Manual

18-Jun-14

G2510BE

Service Manual Full

2015MY Legacy and Outback Service Manual

17-Jun-14

02-132-12R

Technical Service Bulletin

Diagnosis and Repair for AVCS-Related DTCs
P000A, P000B, P000C, P000D, P0011, P0014,
P0021 and P0024

16-Jun-14

MSA5M1510A

Owner Manual

2015MY Legacy and Outback Navigation Owner
Manual

16-Jun-14

MSA5M1504A

Owner Manual

2015MY Legacy and Outback Owner's Manual

16-Jun-14

HTML Diagnostics

2015MY Legacy and Outback Service Manual

16-Jun-14

02-152-14R

Technical Service Bulletin

Revised Valve Train Parts to Reduce a Warm
Engine Tapping Sound from the Left Cylinder
Head (Forester Turbo)

12-Jun-14

02-151-14R

Technical Service Bulletin

Revised Valve Train Parts to Reduce a Warm
Engine Tapping Sound from the Left Cylinder
Head

12-Jun-14

09-57-14

Technical Service Bulletin

Fuel (Gasoline) Filler Door (Flap) Does Not Open 11-Jun-14

CONTINUED ON THE NEXT PAGE
July 2014 TechTIPS

Page 5

00

JUNE STIS NEW RELEASES (CONTINUED)

ITEM CODE

ITEM TYPE

TITLE

CREATED DATE

J101SAL000

Accessory Installation Guide

2015 Outback (splash guard)

10-Jun-14

J201SAL100

Accessory Installation Guide

2015 Outback and Legacy (exterior auto dimming
mirror with approach light and blind spot
10-Jun-14
detection module)

J201SAL000

Accessory Installation Guide

2015 Outback and Legacy (exterior auto dimming
10-Jun-14
mirror with approach light)

H501SAL100

Accessory Installation Guide

2015 Outback and Legacy (interior auto dimming
10-Jun-14
mirror with compass and HomeLink)

H501SAL000

Accessory Installation Guide

2015 Outback and Legacy (interior auto dimming
10-Jun-14
mirror with compass)

15-168-13R

Technical Service Bulletin

2014 Exchange Component Identification and
Procedures

07-82-14R

Technical Service Bulletin

Reprogramming File Availability for DTCs P0CDD
9-Jun-14
and P0A3F

07-85-14

Technical Service Bulletin

Measurement of Dark Current (Parasitic Battery
Draw)

9-Jun-14

TIPS0614

TechTIPS NewsLetter

2014 June TechTIPS Newsletter

6-Jun-14

10-Jun-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.

July 2014 TechTIPS

Page 6

*** NOW YOU CAN E-MAIL YOUR TECHTIPS INPUT AND SUGGESTIONS TO: [email protected] ***

This is your chance to offer suggestions for use in future issues of TechTIPS! Make sure
that if you e-mail us, you place in the subject line of your e-mail “For TechTIPS Newsletter”.
Thank you!
MODEL:
YEAR:
VIN:
Description of situation encountered:

Your suggestion for repair procedure, product improvements, etc.:

Please attach separate sheets, if necessary. You may also want to include Service Manual
diagrams or references, or your own drawings to assist in describing your suggestion. All
information submitted becomes the property of Subaru of America, Inc. Permission is granted to
Subaru of America, Inc. to print your name and suggestions in TechTIPS and other Subaru of
America, Inc. publications. Mail items to: PO Box 6000, Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000.
Your Name:
Signature:
Dealer’s Name:
City:
Date:
Dealer Code:

SUBARU
TECHLINE
Hours of Operation
July 2014 TechTIPS

Monday – Thursday 8:30 am to 7:30 pm
Friday 10:30 am to 5 pm and Saturday 9 am to 3 pm
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