Subaru Outback oil type and capacity
A 2013–2025 Subaru Outback with the 2.5L engine takes 0W-20 synthetic oil: 5.1 quarts with the filter through 2019 and 4.4 quarts on 2021–2024 models. The 3.6R six-cylinder takes 5W-30 (6.9 quarts), the 2.4L turbo takes 0W-20 (4.8 quarts), and the 2026 Outback 2.5L moves to 0W-16. Since 2015, Subaru’s schedule calls for an oil change every 6,000 miles or 6 months.
On this page (7 sections)
Outback oil type and capacity by year
Find your year, then your engine. The trim name tells you the engine: XT trims and the Wilderness have the 2.4L turbo, and 3.6R trims have the six-cylinder. Capacities are with a new filter, as Subaru’s owner’s manuals list them.
| Year | Engine | Oil | Oil spec | Capacity | Oil change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-1621 | ILSAC GF-6B, ILSAC GF-6A, or API SP “RESOURCE CONSERVING” | 4.7 qt (4.4 L) with filter | Check your owner’s manual |
| 2026 | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | 0W-2021 | ILSAC GF-6A or API SP “RESOURCE CONSERVING” | 4.8 qt (4.5 L) with filter | Check your owner’s manual |
| 2025 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2025 | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2024 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2024 | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.8 qt (4.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2023 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2023 | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.8 qt (4.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2022 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2022 | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.8 qt (4.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2021 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2021 | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | 0W-2017 | API SN or SN PLUS “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2024 manual also lists API SP and ILSAC GF-6A) | 4.8 qt (4.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2020 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2020 | 2.4L turbo 4-cylinder | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first20 |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 5.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2019 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-3012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 5.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2018 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-3012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 5.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2017 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-3012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 5.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2016 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-3012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-2012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 5.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2015 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-3012 | API SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING” or ILSAC GF-5 (the 2015 manual also allows API SM and ILSAC GF-4) | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first13 |
| 2014 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-207 | API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” or SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 | 5.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2014 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-307 | API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” or SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2013 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 0W-207 | API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” or SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 | 5.1 qt (4.8 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2013 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-307 | API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” or SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2012 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | Check your owner’s manual | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2012 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-307 | API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” or SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 5W-305 | API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” or SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 | 4.4 qt (4.2 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2011 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-307 | API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” or SN “RESOURCE CONSERVING”, or ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5 | 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2010 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 5W-304 | ILSAC GF-4 or API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” | 4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2010 | 3.6L 6-cylinder | 5W-304 | ILSAC GF-4 or API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” | 6.7 qt (6.3 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.6L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months10 |
| 2009 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 5W-302 | ILSAC GF-4 or API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” | 4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.0L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months3 |
| 2009 | 3.0L 6-cylinder | 5W-302 | ILSAC GF-4 or API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” | 5.8 qt (5.5 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.0L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months3 |
| 2008 | 2.5L 4-cylinder | 5W-302 | ILSAC GF-4 or API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” | 4.2 qt (4.0 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.0L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months3 |
| 2008 | 3.0L 6-cylinder | 5W-302 | ILSAC GF-4 or API SM “ENERGY CONSERVING” | 5.8 qt (5.5 L) with filter | every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months; 3.0L: first change at 3,000 miles or 3 months3 |
A blank cell means we did not find that year’s manual. Check the oil section of your owner’s manual.
Why the grade changed
The Outback has used four oil grades since 2008, and the right one depends on the year and engine:
- 5W-30 for every 2008–2012 engine, and for the 3.6L six through 2019.
- 0W-20 synthetic for the 2.5L from 2013 to 2025, and for the 2.4L turbo from 2020 to 2026. A 2015 or 2017 Outback 2.5i takes 0W-20.
- 0W-16 synthetic for the 2026 2.5L. The 2026 manual calls 0W-16 the required oil and allows 0W-20 only to top up until the next change.
The quart count changed too. The 2.5L held 4.2 to 4.4 quarts until 2011, 5.1 quarts from 2013 to 2019, 4.4 quarts in the 6th generation, and 4.7 quarts in the 2026. After a change, check the dipstick and top up to the upper mark if needed.
Synthetic or conventional?
For a 2013 or newer 2.5L, use synthetic: the manuals list 0W-20 or 0W-16 synthetic oil. Look for the API “Resource Conserving” or ILSAC symbol on the bottle; newer manuals list API SP and ILSAC GF-6A, and the 2026 manual adds GF-6B for 0W-16. For older 5W-30 engines, the manuals list the API or ILSAC grade to look for on the bottle.
How often to change Outback oil
Every 6,000 miles or 6 months, whichever comes first, on 2015 and newer Outbacks. For 2008–2014 models, Subaru’s booklets said every 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, with the first change on a six-cylinder at 3,000 miles. Frequent short trips, dusty roads, and very cold weather count as severe use, and Subaru moves the oil change sooner. More on timing: how often to change oil, and if you are past due, when your next oil change is due.
Check the level between changes
Subaru’s booklets ask you to check the fluid levels each time you add fuel, and the 2026 manual says to check the oil at least every second fill-up during break-in or hard use. Park on level ground, wait a few minutes after shutting the engine off, and read the dipstick. Add oil if the level is near the lower mark. A new engine can use some oil during its first 1,000 miles.
FAQ
What oil does a Subaru Outback take?
0W-20 synthetic for the 2013–2025 2.5L and the 2020–2026 2.4L turbo, 5W-30 for the 3.6R and 2008–2012 engines, and 0W-16 synthetic for the 2026 2.5L.
How much oil does an Outback hold?
With the filter: 5.1 quarts for the 2013–2019 2.5L, 4.4 quarts for the 2021–2024 2.5L, 4.8 quarts for the 2.4L turbo, 6.9 quarts for the 3.6R, and 4.7 quarts for the 2026 2.5L.
Can I use 0W-20 in a 2026 Outback?
Only in the 2.4L turbo, which takes 0W-20. The 2026 2.5L requires 0W-16; Subaru allows 0W-20 there only to top up until the next oil change.
Does the Outback need synthetic oil?
Yes for 2013 and newer 2.5L engines, the 2.4L turbo, and the 2026 models. Older 5W-30 engines can use oil with the API or ILSAC symbol.
Sources
- 2008 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M0804A) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2009 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M0904A), Specifications and Driving tips (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2008 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, Schedule of Inspection and Maintenance Services (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2010 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M1004A), Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2011 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M1104B), Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2013 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M1304B) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2014 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M1404A), Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2014 Subaru Outback specifications (subaru.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2010 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2014 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, Legacy/Outback maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2015 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M1504A) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2019 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M1903B), Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2015 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2019 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2020 Subaru Outback specifications (subaru.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2021 Subaru Legacy/Outback Owner’s Manual (MSA5M2104B), Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2024 Subaru Legacy/Outback/Outback Wilderness Owner’s Manual (MSA5M2404A), Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2025 Subaru Outback specifications (subaru.com) (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2020 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2024 Subaru Warranty and Maintenance Booklet, maintenance schedule (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2026 Subaru Outback Owner’s Manual, Specifications (checked November 12, 2026)
- 2026 Subaru Outback specifications (subaru.com) (checked November 12, 2026)