On the 2017 Outback, where is the rear windshield washer reservoir?

360

Asked by jeffrt Dec 20, 2016 at 12:42 PM about the 2017 Subaru Outback 3.6R Limited AWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

26 Answers

189,455

https://carmanuals2.com/subaru/outback-2017-owner-s-manual- 96964

9 people found this helpful.
189,455

http://www.subaru.com/owners/vehicle-resources.html

5 people found this helpful.
360

Thank you. Looked at it in detail. It seems to be just an online version of my 600 page owner's manual. I've already looked thru it; there is no mention of the location of the reservoir or if it uses the main front windshield washer reservoir. I guess I'll just have to go to the dealer and ask one of the service reps.

4 people found this helpful.
86,825

I think you're going to discover that front windshield reservoir is the only one and serves the front and rear wipers.

7 people found this helpful.
360

Well, the front reservoir is filled and temp has risen into the 40s; so if the line were frozen, it should now be thawed. The rear washer is still not working. As I said, I think I need to see the local dealer about this problem. Thanks.

7 people found this helpful.
86,825

jeffrt- it's a 2017 model?? It's under warranty. They should fix this for no charge.

2 people found this helpful.
86,825

Otherwise, you like the car? Did you consider the 2.5 Four ? Or, maybe you think that the extra performance from the H6 is really necessary? They both have the CVT transmission.,. My car only featured the CVT transmission with the FOUR cylinder in 2010.

3 people found this helpful.
360

Otherwise I love the car. Never considered the 2.5 for a second; I regard a 0-60 mph time of over 10 seconds as unsafe, given the driving environment in New Jersey. I only accepted the CVT due to Consumers' Reports car review of the Outback, saying they, Subaru, addressed all of their concerns regarding the driving ability of this version of the CVT. If I had not seen that, I would not have bought the Outback or any Subaru.

2 people found this helpful.
48,700

Reservoir is in front, and uses TWO discrete pumps for front and rear, on one combined fuse. So if rear is inoperative, check: rear pump's connector, line for ice, ball-check valve for disconnect (will flood rear cargo area if operated longterm), as well connection to nozzle under hatch inner panel. This is what warranties are for...at least above 32F.

26 people found this helpful.
Best Answer Mark helpful
48,700

BTW, IMHO biggest reason to get 3.6H is that reasonable 18" wheels/tires are standard; but i consider the price jump too juicy unless you believe fuel will stay at half real prices for more than another year or two. I don't. The additional mass of the 3.6 makes the OB even more unbalanced, however, so thicker antisway bars are mandatory to prevent excess yaw and roll when cornering. In that regard the Legacy Limited 3.6 Sedan FAR superior. But everyone wants that 5th door, eh?

2 people found this helpful.
360

Your reservoir scenario makes sense; I can check a few of those things (I had figured it was either frozen, as we had several 20 degree days, or it was blocked for some reason), before I take it to the dealer. Having driven it for the past 6 months or so, I can't say it is unbalanced. It handles very well given the comfort of the ride - overall I give it high marks for balancing two contradictory aspects. I bought a sedan last time here in the land of the SUV. 90% of the time I have give way and wait until no more SUVs pull up along side of me at every STOP sign. I wanted both a 4 wheel drive for the snow and some height to be able to see past SUVs (people here in N drive monster SUVs about 60% of the time. The convenience of the being able to put large items in the hatch area is no small feature. Most sedans have such small openings, you're lucky to fit a bag as large as a shopping bag, although most sedan trunks can hold many such bags.

2 people found this helpful.
70

If my 2015 outback had been empty for a while I have to keep turning the knob for a looong time before the fluid comes out. Guess the lines are long... But I'm a bartender and zero about cars. Learned this after looking for a second reservoir for a long time

7 people found this helpful.
360

I have learned that there is one reservoir and 2 pumps, one for the front and one for the back. For the back, you keep the washer fluid knob turned until the desired amount of fluid comes out onto the window, then you release it and then the wiper comes on. The service people had to explain that to me; I had thought the system was faulty or broken. Thanks for all the replies.

15 people found this helpful.
50

Thanks for the posts, I thought mine wasn't working in the 2016 outback, but just kept it on for awhile and it finally worked, long line to back window I guess, but at least I didn't need to take it to the dealer, which is a pain in Colorado Springs, CO.

5 people found this helpful.
48,700

Quite possibly the 2015-2019 OBs don't have a ball check valve that could get clogged, so the rear pump has to prime the whole line before squirting? Catch 22.

So, what's the bottom line on 7-10 second delay getting fluid out the back nozzle. Design or check valve issue?

3,300

The older Subies had a simple ball check-valve in the rear tubing, but they often got blocked...or separated...over the years, so they eliminated any check-valve. Consequently the entire tubing has to be primed before it'll squirt out the rear nozzle. Patience in support of durability....

1 people found this helpful.
360

The rear sprayer seems designed to almost dribble down the rear window, not spray across it like the front one. That is the design as described to me.

Sorry, I meant more whether there's a check valve that keeps it primed or whether you always have to hold it 8-10 seconds before anything comes out (while the dry wiper moves the mud around).

10

Omg thank you! I was afraid to keep holding it but I did it today and got washer fluid to the back after 2 years of hand washing!

1 people found this helpful.

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