Subaru oil and fluids
What oil does a Subaru take?
The oil each Subaru engine is approved for and how much an oil and filter change takes, for 6 engines — from Subaru's own handbooks where they are published, each with its source. Look your car up by registration for the exact engine, or find it in the list below.
Free · no signup · make, engine and year from the official DVLA record
By engine
1.6 FB16 boxer petrol (FB16B naturally aspirated; FB16 DIT turbo) — cam CHAIN · 2012–2019
- Engine oil
- SUBARU approved engine oil (alternative below) · A3 or A5 · SN / SN PLUS / SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A · 0W-20(2018–2023 · Impreza (GT) and XV (GT) 1.6i FB16 non-turbo — NOT the Levorg 1.6 DIT turbo)
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbook: 'Always use the SUBARU approved engine oil' (ask a Subaru dealer); if unavailable, the alternative oil is API SN/SN PLUS/SP with 'RESOURCE CONSERVING', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A (Starburst), or ACEA A3 or A5. SAE 0W-20 is equivalent to the factory fill; 5W-30 and 5W-40 are listed by ambient temperature. Read from the MY2022 handbooks; earlier GT-generation years assumed but not separately verified.
- Oil and filter change
- 4.4 litres(Impreza / XV (non-hybrid))
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- 'Changing the oil and oil filter: 4.4 liters' (single figure for FB16 and FB20 in these handbooks).
- Coolant
- SUBARU SUPER COOLANT
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Or an equivalent non-amine-type coolant (handbook wording). Use soft/clean water if dilution is required; do not mix with a different coolant or hard water. Capacity varies by model (e.g. Impreza 1.6/2.0: 7.8 L).
- Brake fluid
- DOT 3 or DOT 4 · FMVSS No. 116
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbooks also warn not to mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids.
Fitted to: Impreza 1.6i, XV 1.6i, Levorg 1.6 GT / GT-S (FB16 DIT)
2.0 FB20 boxer petrol (H4DO), non-hybrid — cam CHAIN · 2011–2020
- Engine oil
- SUBARU approved engine oil (alternative below) · A3 or A5 · SN / SN PLUS / SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A · 0W-20(2018–2023 · Impreza (GT) and XV (GT) 2.0i non-hybrid)
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbook: 'Always use the SUBARU approved engine oil' (ask a Subaru dealer); if unavailable, the alternative oil is API SN/SN PLUS/SP with 'RESOURCE CONSERVING', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A (Starburst), or ACEA A3 or A5. 0W-20 equivalent to factory fill; 5W-30/5W-40 by ambient temperature. MY2022 handbooks.
- Oil and filter change
- 4.4 litres(Impreza / XV (non-hybrid))
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Changing the oil and oil filter: 4.4 L. NOTE the e-BOXER version of FB20 takes 4.2 L — do not cross-apply.
- Coolant
- SUBARU SUPER COOLANT
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Or an equivalent non-amine-type coolant (handbook wording). Use soft/clean water if dilution is required; do not mix with a different coolant or hard water. Capacity varies by model (e.g. Impreza 1.6/2.0: 7.8 L).
- Brake fluid
- DOT 3 or DOT 4 · FMVSS No. 116
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbooks also warn not to mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids.
Fitted to: Impreza 2.0i, XV 2.0i, Forester 2.0i, Levorg 2.0 (non-UK)
2.0 FB20 e-BOXER mild hybrid (MHEV) — cam CHAIN · 2019–2026
- Engine oil
- SUBARU approved engine oil (alternative below) · A3 or A5 · SN / SN PLUS / SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A · 0W-20(2019–2024 · XV e-BOXER (MY2022 handbook), Forester SK e-BOXER (MY2022 handbook))
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbook: 'Always use the SUBARU approved engine oil' (ask a Subaru dealer); if unavailable, the alternative oil is API SN/SN PLUS/SP with 'RESOURCE CONSERVING', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A (Starburst), or ACEA A3 or A5. 0W-20 recommended / equivalent to factory fill. XV e-BOXER lists 5W-30 and 5W-40 by temperature; Forester SK says 5W-30 or 5W-40 may be used if replenishment is needed.
- Engine oil
- SUBARU approved engine oil (alternative below) · A3 or A5 · SN / SN PLUS / SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A · 0W-20(2024 on · Crosstrek e-BOXER (MY2024), Forester SL e-BOXER (MY2025))
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbook: 'Always use the SUBARU approved engine oil' (ask a Subaru dealer); if unavailable, the alternative oil is API SN/SN PLUS/SP with 'RESOURCE CONSERVING', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A (Starburst), or ACEA A3 or A5. 0W-20 equivalent to factory fill; 0W-30, 5W-20 and 5W-30 also listed by ambient temperature (5W-40 no longer listed).
- Oil and filter change
- 4.2 litres
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Changing the oil and oil filter: 4.2 L in all four e-BOXER handbooks (XV, Forester SK, Crosstrek, Forester SL).
- Coolant
- SUBARU SUPER COOLANT
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Or an equivalent non-amine-type coolant (handbook wording). Use soft/clean water if dilution is required; do not mix with a different coolant or hard water. Capacity varies by model (e.g. Impreza 1.6/2.0: 7.8 L).
- Brake fluid
- DOT 3 or DOT 4 · FMVSS No. 116
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbooks also warn not to mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids.
Fitted to: XV e-Boxer, Forester e-Boxer, Crosstrek e-Boxer
2.4 FA24 boxer petrol, naturally aspirated (BRZ second generation) — cam CHAIN · 2021–2026
- Engine oil
- SUBARU approved engine oil (alternative below) · A3 or A5 · SN 'Resource Conserving' or SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A · 0W-20(2022 on · BRZ second generation (MY2023 EU handbook))
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbook: 'Always use the SUBARU approved engine oil' (ask a Subaru dealer); if unavailable, the alternative oil is API SN/SN PLUS/SP with 'RESOURCE CONSERVING', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A (Starburst), or ACEA A3 or A5. 0W-20 recommended; 0W-30, 5W-20 or 5W-30 may be used if replenishment is needed.
- Oil and filter change
- 5 litres
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Changing the oil: 4.8 L; changing the oil and oil filter: 5.0 L.
- Coolant
- SUBARU SUPER COOLANT
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Or an equivalent non-amine-type coolant (handbook wording). Use soft/clean water if dilution is required; do not mix with a different coolant or hard water. Capacity varies by model (e.g. Impreza 1.6/2.0: 7.8 L).
- Brake fluid
- DOT 3 or DOT 4 · FMVSS No. 116
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbooks also warn not to mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids.
Fitted to: BRZ (second generation)
2.5 FB25 boxer petrol — cam CHAIN · 2011–2026
- Engine oil
- SUBARU approved engine oil (alternative below) · A3 or A5 · SN / SN PLUS / SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A · 0W-20(2021 on · Outback BT (MY2022 EU handbook))
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbook: 'Always use the SUBARU approved engine oil' (ask a Subaru dealer); if unavailable, the alternative oil is API SN/SN PLUS/SP with 'RESOURCE CONSERVING', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A (Starburst), or ACEA A3 or A5. 0W-20 recommended for optimum performance and protection; 5W-30 or 5W-40 may be used if replenishment is needed.
- Oil and filter change
- 4.2 litres(Outback BT)
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Changing the oil and oil filter: 4.2 L (Outback MY2022 EU handbook).
- Coolant
- SUBARU SUPER COOLANT
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Or an equivalent non-amine-type coolant (handbook wording). Use soft/clean water if dilution is required; do not mix with a different coolant or hard water. Capacity varies by model (e.g. Impreza 1.6/2.0: 7.8 L).
- Brake fluid
- DOT 3 or DOT 4 · FMVSS No. 116
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Handbooks also warn not to mix DOT 3 and DOT 4 brake fluids.
Fitted to: Forester 2.5i, Outback 2.5i, Legacy 2.5i
Solterra battery-electric (no combustion engine) · 2022–2026
Electric — no engine oil to change.
- Coolant
- Genuine Traction Battery Coolant (power/battery cooling system); SUBARU Super Coolant (heater system)
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
- Battery cooling: 'Genuine Traction Battery Coolant' or a similar ethylene-glycol-based, LOW ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY, non-amine, non-borate coolant with azole additives, capacity 7.4 L (reference). Heater system: SUBARU Super Coolant or similar long-life hybrid OAT coolant, 4.0 L. Do not use plain water.
- Brake fluid
- DOT 3 or DOT 4 · SAE J1703 / FMVSS No.116 DOT 3 or SAE J1704 / FMVSS No.116 DOT 4
- Manufacturer-publishedSource
Fitted to: Solterra
Manufacturer-published figures link to the maker's document. "Reported" figures come from a franchised dealer or a parts catalogue and have not been confirmed by the maker. Nothing here has been checked against your car — confirm with the handbook or a franchised dealer quoting the VIN.
Common questions
What oil does a Subaru take?
It depends on the engine. Across the 6 Subaru engines we hold, the approvals named are SUBARU approved engine oil (alternative below), A3 or A5, SN / SN PLUS / SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A, SN 'Resource Conserving' or SP 'Resource Conserving', or ILSAC GF-5/GF-6A, mostly in 0W-20. Find your engine above, or enter your registration for the exact match.
How much oil does a Subaru take?
Between 4.2 and 5 litres for an oil and filter change, depending on the engine — each engine's figure is listed above with its source. Fill to the dipstick's maximum mark rather than emptying a whole can in.
Where is the oil specification in a Subaru handbook?
Usually in the "Technical data", "Capacities and specifications" or "Engine oil" section near the back, which names the approval code and viscosity, and the oil-change capacity with filter. The figures above link to the handbooks we found them in.
Oil specification and capacity by make
- Alfa Romeo oil type and capacity
- Audi oil type and capacity
- Bentley oil type and capacity
- Citroën oil type and capacity
- Cupra oil type and capacity
- DS oil type and capacity
- Fiat oil type and capacity
- Ford oil type and capacity
- Honda oil type and capacity
- Hyundai oil type and capacity
- Jaguar oil type and capacity
- Jeep oil type and capacity
- Kia oil type and capacity
- Land Rover oil type and capacity
- Lexus oil type and capacity
- Mazda oil type and capacity
- Mercedes-Benz oil type and capacity
- MG oil type and capacity
- Nissan oil type and capacity
- Peugeot oil type and capacity
- Porsche oil type and capacity
- SEAT oil type and capacity
- Skoda oil type and capacity
- Suzuki oil type and capacity
- Toyota oil type and capacity
- Vauxhall oil type and capacity
- Volkswagen oil type and capacity
- Volvo oil type and capacity
- All makes — what oil does my car need?
- Service schedule by reg
- What should my tyre pressure be?