Subaru Forester oil type and capacity

A 2019–2024 Subaru Forester takes 0W-20 synthetic oil, 4.4 quarts with the filter. The 2025–2026 Forester and Forester Hybrid take 0W-16 synthetic, 4.7 quarts. A 2014–2018 Forester 2.5i takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts), and the turbo 2.0XT takes 5W-30 synthetic (5.4 quarts). Subaru’s schedule calls for a change every 6,000 miles or 6 months on 2015 and newer models.

Published November 13, 2026 · Sources · Share

On this page (7 sections)

Forester oil type and capacity by year

Pick your model year, then your engine: “XT” in the trim name means a turbo. Quarts are with a new filter, as listed in Subaru’s owner’s manuals.

Subaru Forester oil type and capacity by year
YearEngineOilOil specCapacityOil change
20262.5L 4-cylinder0W-1621ILSAC GF-6B, ILSAC GF-6A, or API SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”4.7 qt (4.4 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)23
20262.5L 4-cylinder hybrid0W-1622ILSAC GF-6B, ILSAC GF-6A, or API SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”4.7 qt (4.4 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)23
20252.5L 4-cylinder0W-1621ILSAC GF-6B, ILSAC GF-6A, or API SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”4.7 qt (4.4 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)23
20252.5L 4-cylinder hybrid0W-1622ILSAC GF-6B, ILSAC GF-6A, or API SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”4.7 qt (4.4 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)23
20252.5L 4-cylinder (2025 Wilderness)0W-2018API SN, SN PLUS, or SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)17
20242.5L 4-cylinder0W-2016API SN, SN PLUS, or SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)17
20232.5L 4-cylinder0W-2016API SN, SN PLUS, or SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)17
20222.5L 4-cylinder0W-2016API SN, SN PLUS, or SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)17
20212.5L 4-cylinder0W-2016API SN, SN PLUS, or SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)17
20202.5L 4-cylinder0W-2016API SN, SN PLUS, or SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)17
20192.5L 4-cylinder0W-2016API SN, SN PLUS, or SP with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 or GF-6A4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)17
20182.5L 4-cylinder0W-2011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20182.0L turbo 4-cylinder (2.0XT)5W-3011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.4 qt (5.1 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20172.5L 4-cylinder0W-2011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20172.0L turbo 4-cylinder (2.0XT)5W-3011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.4 qt (5.1 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20162.5L 4-cylinder0W-2011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20162.0L turbo 4-cylinder (2.0XT)5W-3011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.4 qt (5.1 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20152.5L 4-cylinder0W-2011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20152.0L turbo 4-cylinder (2.0XT)5W-3011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.4 qt (5.1 L) with filter2015–2018: every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first (every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use)12
20142.5L 4-cylinder0W-2011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.1 qt (4.8 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)11
20142.0L turbo 4-cylinder (2.0XT)5W-3011API SN with the words “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-55.4 qt (5.1 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)11
20132.5L 4-cylinder (FB25)0W-205API SM or SN with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING” or “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-55.5 qt (5.2 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20132.5L turbo 4-cylinder (2.5XT, EJ255)5W-305API SM or SN with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING” or “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20122.5L 4-cylinder (FB25)0W-205API SM or SN with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING” or “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-55.5 qt (5.2 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20122.5L turbo 4-cylinder (2.5XT, EJ255)5W-305API SM or SN with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING” or “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20112.5L 4-cylinder (FB25)0W-205API SM or SN with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING” or “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-55.5 qt (5.2 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20112.5L turbo 4-cylinder (2.5XT, EJ255)5W-305API SM or SN with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING” or “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-54.4 qt (4.2 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20102.5L 4-cylinder (EJ253)5W-303ILSAC GF-4, or API SM with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING”4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20102.5L turbo 4-cylinder (2.5XT, EJ255)5W-303ILSAC GF-4, or API SM with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING”4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filterevery 3,750 miles or 3.75 months (Subaru treats turbo models as severe use)3
20092.5L 4-cylinder (EJ253)5W-303ILSAC GF-4, or API SM with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING”4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filterevery 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first (every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months in severe use)6
20092.5L turbo 4-cylinder (2.5XT, EJ255)5W-303ILSAC GF-4, or API SM with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING”4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filterevery 3,750 miles or 3.75 months (Subaru treats turbo models as severe use)3
20082.5L 4-cylinder (EJ253)5W-301ILSAC GF-4, or API SM with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING”4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filterevery 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)2
20082.5L turbo 4-cylinder (2.5XT, EJ255)5W-301ILSAC GF-4, or API SM with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING”4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filterevery 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)2

For example, a 2015 or 2016 Forester 2.5i takes 0W-20 and 5.1 quarts, and a 2014 Forester takes the same oil but was on Subaru’s older 7,500-mile interval.

2011: the switch to 0W-20

The non-turbo Forester changed engines for 2011. The 2008–2010 2.5L takes 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with the filter. The 2011–2013 engine takes 0W-20 synthetic and holds 5.5 quarts, the most of any Forester. Its manual says 0W-20 synthetic is required, and allows 5W-30 or 5W-40 only to top up until the next change. If you own a 2010 and a 2011, they do not share an oil.

The grade changed again for 2025. The 6th-generation Forester takes 0W-16 synthetic, and the manual allows 0W-20 only to top up. Look for ILSAC GF-6B on a 0W-16 bottle; GF-6A or API SP “Resource Conserving” are also listed.

Turbo Foresters

  • 2008–2013 2.5XT: 5W-30 (4.2 quarts through 2010, 4.4 quarts for 2011–2013, synthetic required on 2011–2013). Subaru treated the 2008–2010 turbo as severe use, with oil changes every 3,750 miles or 3.75 months.
  • 2014–2018 2.0XT: 5W-30 synthetic, 5.4 quarts with the filter.

On a turbo Forester, use the exact grade the manual lists and keep to the interval: the turbocharger is lubricated by the engine oil.

How often to change Forester oil

Every 6,000 miles or 6 months for 2015 and newer Foresters, or every 3,000 miles or 3 months in severe use. 2008–2014 models were on 7,500 miles or 7.5 months (3,750 severe). Subaru also asked for the first change on a 2011 non-turbo at 3,000 miles. General advice on timing: how often to change oil. Already past the mark? See when your next oil change is due.

Check the level between changes

The 2019 and newer Forester manuals have a section on engine oil consumption: an engine can use some oil, especially in its first 1,000 miles. Check the dipstick with the car on level ground and the engine off for a few minutes, and add oil of the same grade if the level is near the low mark. Note in your log how much you added and when.

FAQ

What oil does a Subaru Forester take?

0W-20 synthetic for 2011–2024 non-turbo models, 0W-16 synthetic for 2025–2026 models and the Hybrid, 5W-30 for 2008–2010 non-turbo models, and 5W-30 for all turbo models.

How much oil does a Forester hold?

With the filter: 4.4 quarts (2019–2024), 4.7 quarts (2025–2026), 5.1 quarts (2014–2018 2.5i), 5.4 quarts (2.0XT), 5.5 quarts (2011–2013 non-turbo), and 4.2 quarts (2008–2010).

What oil does a 2015 Forester take?

0W-20 synthetic, 5.1 quarts with the filter, for the 2.5i. The 2015 2.0XT turbo takes 5W-30 synthetic, 5.4 quarts.

Can I use 0W-20 in a 2025 or 2026 Forester?

Only to top up until the next oil change. Subaru requires 0W-16 synthetic for these engines.

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)