Paul's Travel Pictures

Subaru Outback Dome Light Bulb Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out dome light bulb in a 5th generation 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 Subaru Outback.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-001
2017 Outback Dome Light
Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-002
Insert Flathead Screwdriver
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fifth generation (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019) Subaru Outback wagon in changing a burnt out dome light bulb located in an overhead housing attached to the headliner above the second row of rear passenger seats.

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 compatible replacement miniature "festoon" style light bulb is part number DE3175.

You can also use a brighter DE3175 LED bulb.

The only tool needed to access and change the dome light bulb is a small flathead screwdriver or a plastic pry bar tool.



 
Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-003
Pry Off Lens Cover
Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-004
Pull Out Old Light Bulb
To prevent from scratching the plastic surfaces, you may choose to either cover the tip of your screwdriver with a thin micro fiber cloth or instead use a plastic pry bar tool.

Insert the blade of your screwdriver in between the side of the translucent plastic lens cover and the light housing.

Gently pry out the lens cover.

Try to avoid using excessive force. The lens cover should pop out relatively easily.

Set the lens cover aside in a safe place.

Be careful when you remove the old light bulb. If it was recently turned on, it might still be hot enough to burn your fingers.

Pull the old light bulb straight out of the socket.

Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-005
Old Light Bulb Removed
Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-006
Push In New Light Bulb
The OEM light bulb was marked as part number Toshiba 12V8WAL:71.

Push a new number DE3175 festoon style light bulb straight into the socket.

If you would like to have a brighter dome light, install a compatible LED bulb.

(Tip - If you installed an LED bulb and it doesn't work at first, try pulling it out of the socket and rotating it 180 degrees before pushing it back into place. Some LED bulbs are polarized and only work when installed in the correct orientation.)



 

Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-007
Slide Switch - Test Bulb
Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-008
Line Up Lens Cover
To test the new light bulb, move the "On / Door / Off" rocker switch to the "On" position.

Line up the lens cover with the light housing.

Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-009
Snap In Lens Cover
Subaru-Outback-Dome-Light-Bulb-Replacement-Guide-010
Dome Light Bulb Changed
Gently pop the lens cover back into place to secure the retaining clips.

I recommend moving the rocker switch to the "Door" position so that the dome light will turn on when ever a car door is opened.

Be sure to record the bulb change in your vehicle's service records.

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

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info