Subaru Forester maintenance schedule

The Subaru Forester maintenance schedule calls for an oil change every 6,000 miles or 6 months on 2015 and newer models, a cabin air filter every 12,000 miles, and an engine air filter, brake fluid, and CVT and differential checks every 30,000 miles. Spark plugs are due at 60,000 miles, and on 2009 and newer models the factory coolant lasts until 137,500 miles or 11 years.

Published November 13, 2026 · Sources · Share

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How Subaru schedules Forester service

Each job in Subaru’s Warranty and Maintenance Booklet has two limits, miles and months, and the first one you reach sets the date. The 2026 Forester lets you set reminders on the center screen; set them to the booklet intervals and reset them after each visit. Subaru’s general approach, with the same 6-month rule across its lineup: Subaru maintenance schedule.

Forester maintenance by generation

Intervals below are for normal use, from Subaru’s booklets for each generation.

6th generation (SL) (2025–2026)

Reminder system: Subaru maintenance schedule (Warranty and Maintenance Booklet).23 Oil changes: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use).

Subaru Forester 6th generation (SL): service intervals
ServiceWhen
Engine air filterreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months23
Cabin air filterreplace every 12,000 miles or 12 months23
Spark plugsreplace every 60,000 miles or 60 months23
Brake fluidreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months23
Engine coolantreplace at 11 years or 137,500 miles, then every 6 years or 75,000 miles23
Inverter coolant (Hybrid)replace at 11 years or 137,500 miles, then every 6 years or 75,000 miles24
CVT fluidinspect at 36,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles (66,000, 96,000, 126,000)23
Front and rear differential oilinspect every 30,000 miles or 30 months23

5th generation (SK) (2019–2025)

Reminder system: Subaru maintenance schedule (Warranty and Maintenance Booklet).17 Oil changes: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use).

Subaru Forester 5th generation (SK): service intervals
ServiceWhen
Engine air filterreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months17
Cabin air filterreplace every 12,000 miles or 12 months17
Spark plugsreplace every 60,000 miles or 60 months17
Brake fluidreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months17
Engine coolantreplace at 11 years or 137,500 miles, then every 6 years or 75,000 miles17
CVT fluidinspect at 36,000 miles, then every 30,000 miles (2024 booklet; the 2019 booklet says every 30,000 miles)17
Front and rear differential oilinspect every 30,000 miles or 30 months17

4th generation (SJ) (2014–2018)

Reminder system: Subaru maintenance schedule (Warranty and Maintenance Booklet).12 Oil changes: 2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use).

Subaru Forester 4th generation (SJ): service intervals
ServiceWhen
Engine oil and filter (2014 models)every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)9
Engine air filterreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months12
Cabin air filterreplace every 12,000 miles or 12 months (2014 booklet: every 7,500 miles or 12 months)12
Spark plugsreplace every 60,000 miles or 60 months12
Brake fluidreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months12
Engine coolantreplace at 11 years or 137,500 miles, then every 6 years or 75,000 miles12
CVT fluidinspect every 30,000 miles or 30 months12
Front and rear differential oilinspect every 30,000 miles or 30 months12

3rd generation (SH) (2009–2013)

Reminder system: Subaru maintenance schedule (Warranty and Maintenance Booklet).6 Oil changes: every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use).

Subaru Forester 3rd generation (SH): service intervals
ServiceWhen
Engine oil and filter (2009–2010 turbo)every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months (the booklet treats all turbo models as severe use)4
First oil change (2011 non-turbo)at 3,000 miles or 3 months7
Engine air filterreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months6
Cabin air filterreplace every 7,500 miles or 12 months6
Spark plugs2011–2013: replace every 60,000 miles or 60 months; 2009–2010 non-turbo: every 30,000 miles or 30 months6
Timing belt (turbo; 2009–2010 non-turbo)replace at 105,000 miles or 105 months (2011–2013 non-turbo has a timing chain)4
Brake fluidreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months6
Engine coolantreplace at 11 years or 137,500 miles, then every 6 years or 75,000 miles6

2nd generation (SG) (2008)

Reminder system: Subaru maintenance schedule (Warranty and Maintenance Booklet).2 Oil changes: every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use; the booklet treats all turbo models as severe use).

Subaru Forester 2nd generation (SG): service intervals
ServiceWhen
Engine air filterreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months2
Cabin air filterreplace every 7,500 miles or 12 months2
Spark plugsnon-turbo: replace every 30,000 miles or 30 months; turbo: every 60,000 miles or 60 months2
Timing beltreplace at 105,000 miles or 105 months2
Brake fluidreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months2
Engine coolantreplace every 30,000 miles or 30 months2

The jump from 7,500 to 6,000 miles came with the 2015 booklet, in the middle of the 4th generation. A 2014 Forester stays on 7,500 miles or 7.5 months.

Normal or severe use?

For severe use, a 2015 or newer Forester gets its oil changed every 3,000 miles or 3 months instead of 6,000. Subaru’s list of severe conditions includes repeated short trips, dusty roads, and extreme cold, and the booklet moves some other items sooner too. Subaru treated the 2008–2010 turbo models as severe use by default. Not sure which applies? Read normal vs severe maintenance.

Turbo and hybrid extras

  • Spark plugs. Every 60,000 miles on most Foresters. The 2008–2010 non-turbo engine was on 30,000 miles. More: spark plug replacement.
  • Timing belt. The 2008–2010 non-turbo engine and the 2.5XT turbo use a belt, due at 105,000 miles or 105 months. The 2011–2013 non-turbo engine has a timing chain.
  • Forester Hybrid. Besides the engine coolant, the hybrid system has its own inverter coolant, on the same 11-year or 137,500-mile first change. See coolant flush.
  • Differentials. Every Forester has front and rear differentials to inspect every 30,000 miles. More: differential fluid.

Receipts with the date and mileage keep your warranty claims simple. More: maintenance and warranty.

FAQ

How often does a Subaru Forester need service?

Every 6,000 miles or 6 months for an oil change on 2015 and newer models, and every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months on 2008–2014 models. Bigger visits come every 30,000 miles.

When does a Forester need spark plugs?

Every 60,000 miles or 60 months on 2011 and newer models. The 2008–2010 non-turbo engine was on 30,000 miles.

Does the Forester Hybrid need different maintenance?

Mostly no: the same 6,000-mile oil changes and the same filters. It adds an inverter coolant change at 11 years or 137,500 miles, then every 6 years or 75,000 miles.

Do I have to service my Forester at a Subaru dealer?

No. Any shop can do the scheduled work. Keep receipts with the date, mileage, and parts in case of a warranty claim.

Sources

  1. 2008 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  2. 2008 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  3. 2010 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  4. 2010 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  5. 2013 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  6. 2013 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, Forester maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  7. 2011 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  8. 2014 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  9. 2014 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, Forester maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  10. 2015 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  11. 2018 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  12. 2018 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  13. 2019 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  14. 2022 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual (includes Wilderness), Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  15. 2023 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  16. 2024 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications and Trailer Hitch (checked November 12, 2026)
  17. 2024 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  18. 2025 Subaru Forester Wilderness Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  19. 2025 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  20. 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  21. 2026 Subaru Forester Owner’s Manual (includes Wilderness), Specifications and Trailer Hitch (checked November 12, 2026)
  22. 2026 Subaru Forester Hybrid Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
  23. 2026 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
  24. 2026 Subaru Hybrid Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)