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Subaru Outback 12V Automotive Battery Replacement Guide
How to change a dead 12 volt car battery in the engine bay of a fifth generation 2015 to 2019 Subaru Outback.

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2017 Outback 12V Battery
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Loosen Counterclockwise
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Pull Off Negative Terminal
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fifth generation (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 model years) Subaru Outback station wagon in changing a dead 12V automotive battery for the FB25 2.5 liter four cylinder Boxer engine.

Owners of other Subaru vehicles such as the Forester, Impreza, Legacy, XV Crosstrek, WRX, BRZ, SVX, Tribeca, Exiga, Trezia, Levorg and Baja may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The OEM battery is a "Group Size" 25.

Two compatible replacement group size 25 batteries with their part numbers are as follows: Odyssey 25-PC1400T and the EverStart Plus 25-3 (at Walmart).

The tools needed to remove and replace the battery include a 10mm socket with a 1/4" drive ratchet, an extension bar and also a deep well 10mm socket or a 10mm wrench.



 
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Deep Well 10mm Socket
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Loosen Battery Clamp Bolt
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Loosen 2nd Clamp Bolt
The first two steps are to open the hood and then move to the right (driver) side of the engine bay.

Loosen the nut on the negative "-" terminal at the front of the battery by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Pull the negative terminal off the "-" battery post, cover it with a small towel and tuck it away on the side of the battery to help prevent electrical contact.

Next, I recommend removing the battery hold down bar or "clamp".

Loosen the two silver metal bolts located on the left and right side of the black metal hold down clamp.

Turn them in the counterclockwise direction with a deep well 10mm socket and a ratchet or a 10mm wrench.

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Remove Right Side Bolt
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Remove Left Side Bolt
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Two Clamp Bolts Removed
Spin out the two battery hold down bar bolts and set them aside in a safe place.
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Hold Down Clamp Removed
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Pull Off Red Plastic Cover
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Loosen Counterclockwise
Carefully lift the hold down clamp off the top of the old battery while avoiding making contact with the battery posts.

Set the clamp aside in a safe place.

Pull the red plastic cover off the positive "+" terminal.

Loosen the nut on the positive terminal by turning it in the counterclockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

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Pull Off Positive Terminal
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Lift Off Heat Shield Cover
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Remove OEM Battery
Pull the positive terminal off the "+" battery post and tuck it away on the side of the battery.

Lift the foam and plastic battery heat shield box off the old battery.

Set the heat shield away in a safe place. It will be re-installed on to the new battery.

Carefully lift the old battery out of the engine bay while avoiding making contact with the two battery posts.

The OEM battery was a Johnson Controls Battery Group part number 55D23R (B5 82110AL10A) Group Size 25 with 356 cold cranking amps.

If you can wait a few days for delivery, I recommend buying the Odyssey 25-PC1400T 12V battery since it has excellent reviews on Amazon.



 

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Clean Off Battery Tray
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Lower In New Battery
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Replace Heat Shield Box
Clean off any debris on the battery tray in the engine bay so that the new battery will rest evenly on it.

Carefully lower the new 12 volt battery into the engine bay and on to the plastic tray

The negative "-" post should be situated closer to the front of the car and the positive "+" post should be closer to the windshield.

Lower the heat shield cover over the new battery.

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Replace "+" Terminal
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Push On Red Plastic Cover
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Lower Hold Down Bar
If you've had an issue with corrosion (light blue or white powder) building up on the terminals, battery posts and electrical cables, consider installing some felt anti-corrosion washers to the battery posts.

Push the positive terminal on to the "+" battery post.

Tighten the terminal nut by turning it in the clockwise direction with the 10mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet until it is snug.

Avoid over tightening the terminal nut to prevent from cracking the battery post which could lead to an acid leak.

Lower the battery hold down bar over the new battery while avoiding making contact with the battery posts.

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Re-Insert Right Side Bolt
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Replace Left Side Bolt
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Tighten Bolt Clockwise
Re-insert the the two long bolts through the holes in the hold down bar and into their corresponding holes on the battery tray.

Tighten them in the clockwise direction with the deep well 10mm socket and a ratchet.

Check to see if the new battery can be moved, slid or rocked on the tray.

If the new battery can be moved, tighten the two bolts on the hold down clamp an extra turn or two.

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Tighten Right Side Bolt
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Push On Negative Terminal
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Tighten Terminal Clockwise
Then push the negative terminal on to the "-" battery post and tighten the 10mm nut in the clockwise direction.

To test the new 12V battery, start the engine and flash the high beam headlights.

Please remember to adjust the time on the clock and program your favorite radio station presets before driving.

Also don't forget to record the battery change in your vehicle's service records.

For more, please check out all of my 2015-2018 Subaru Outback DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

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