Subaru maintenance schedule
The Subaru maintenance schedule is built on one interval: every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. Subaru says most of its 2015 and newer gas models should get an oil change at that interval, and it recommends a tire rotation every 6,000 miles too. The full list for your car is in its Warranty & Maintenance Booklet.
On this page (11 sections)
The short answer
| Item | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil and filter | Every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first (2015 and newer models, except the Solterra) |
| Tire rotation | Every 6,000 miles |
| Service visits, electric models | Every 5,000 miles, or every 6 months |
| Engine coolant (2026 Outback) | First change at 11 years or 137,500 miles |
| Everything else | In your Warranty & Maintenance Booklet or MySubaru account |
From subaru.com car care pages and the 2026 Outback owner’s manual. Check the booklet for your model and year.
Months or miles: whichever comes first
Subaru sets each service by months and by miles, and you go at whichever you reach first. Subaru explains why:
- Months matter if you drive little. Fluids and some parts age and lose their protection over time, even when the car sits.
- Miles matter if you drive a lot or take long trips. Parts and fluids wear with use.
A driver who covers 6,000 miles in 3 months goes in at 3 months. A driver who covers 4,000 miles a year still goes in every 6 months.
Oil changes
Subaru says most of its vehicles on the road today, 2015 and newer, should get an oil change every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first. The Solterra is electric and has no engine oil.
The 2026 Outback owner’s manual names synthetic oil of the listed grade and viscosity as the recommended oil, and says conventional oil may be used if synthetic is not available. The oil and filter intervals come from the booklet. The same manual says to change the oil and filter more often than listed if you drive on dusty roads, make frequent short trips, or drive in extremely cold weather. See normal vs severe maintenance.
Tire rotation
Subaru recommends rotating the tires every 6,000 miles, so it usually lines up with the oil change. Rotation evens out tread wear. On an all-wheel-drive car, that matters more than usual, because the owner’s manual asks you to keep all four tires the same size, type, and brand, and evenly worn. The 2026 Outback manual also says to replace any damaged or unevenly worn tire at the time of rotation and to reset the tire pressures afterward. More: tire rotation.
Longer intervals: coolant and more
Some items have long intervals that are easy to lose track of. In the 2026 Outback, Subaru fills the engine with Subaru Super Coolant at the factory, and the manual says it does not need its first change for 11 years or 137,500 miles. It also says not to mix it with any other coolant during that time. Other models and older years can differ. More on coolant: coolant flush.
Spark plugs, brake fluid, air filters, and the CVT and differential fluids also have their own intervals in the booklet. Bigger visits are often called the 30,000-mile and 60,000-mile services; the booklet lists what each one includes for your model, and the Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek schedules list the main items by generation.
Set the maintenance reminder
Recent Subarus let you set your own reminders on the center touchscreen. In the 2026 Outback manual, you open Settings, then Maintenance, and set an interval distance or a next service date for the oil change and the tire rotation. Use the 6,000-mile interval, or the one from your booklet, and reset each reminder when the work is done.
Where to find your Subaru’s schedule (PDF)
Subaru points owners to two places: the Warranty & Maintenance Booklet that comes with the car, and your MySubaru account on subaru.com, where you can see the intervals for your vehicle. The booklet has the full chart for normal and severe use.
Keep a record
Write down the date, odometer, and work done at each visit, and keep the receipts. A record makes it easy to see when the next 6,000 miles or 6 months will come up, and it helps with any warranty claim. A car maintenance log keeps it all in one place.
Oil type and capacity, tire pressure, and the schedule by year: Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek. More makes: car maintenance by make.
Subaru models
- Subaru Crosstrek MPG, gas tank size, towing capacity, and tire pressureSubaru Crosstrek mpg by year from the EPA (29 mpg combined for most CVT models, 36 for the 2026 Hybrid),…
- Subaru Forester MPG, towing capacity, gas tank size, and tire pressureSubaru Forester mpg by year from the EPA (29 mpg combined for 2019–2024, 35 for the Hybrid), 16.6-gallon…
- Subaru Outback MPG, towing capacity, gas tank size, and tire pressureSubaru Outback mpg by year from the EPA (27–29 mpg combined for the 2.5L since 2015), 18.5-gallon tank, tire…
FAQ
How often does a Subaru need an oil change?
Every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first, for most 2015 and newer Subarus. Check your Warranty & Maintenance Booklet for your model and for severe use.
Why does Subaru rotate tires every 6,000 miles?
To keep tread wear even across all four tires. Subaru recommends rotation every 6,000 miles, which usually lines up with the oil change.
Where is the Subaru maintenance schedule PDF?
In your Warranty & Maintenance Booklet, and in your MySubaru account on subaru.com.
Can I use conventional oil in my Subaru?
The 2026 Outback manual recommends synthetic oil of the listed grade and says conventional oil may be used if synthetic is not available. Check your own manual for the grade.
Milealot is an independent site, not affiliated with or endorsed by Subaru of America. Subaru and MySubaru are trademarks of their owner and are used here only to name the vehicles and services.
Sources
- Subaru, Service intervals: months or miles? (6 months or 6,000 miles; 2015 and newer; electric models every 5,000 miles) (checked November 12, 2026): subaru.com
- Subaru, Tire rotation car care tip (every 6,000 miles) (checked November 12, 2026): subaru.com
- Subaru, 2026 Outback owner’s manual (oil, coolant, tire rotation, maintenance reminder settings) (checked November 12, 2026): Subaru owner’s manual PDF