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SH (3rd generation) · Compact crossover SUV

2012–2013 Subaru Forester Specifications

Every maintenance specification shared across the 2012–2013 Subaru Forester: which oil and how much, battery group, factory tire sizes, wiper lengths, service intervals, and the failures recorded against this generation.

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Photo: Navigator84 / CC BY-SA 4.0. Illustrative, not necessarily your model year or trim.

Quick facts

Engine oil
0W-20, 5.5 qt (base engine)
Battery
Group 35
Tire size
215/65R16 (base trim)
Wiper blades
26" / 19" / 14" rear
Key fob battery
CR1620 (exposed-blade flip key with integrated remote)

2012–2013 Subaru Forester maintenance guides

Oil & filter

Viscosity, capacity, filter part numbers, change interval

Battery

BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded

Tires & wheels

Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque

Wiper blades

Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths

Air & cabin filters

Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals

Bulbs

Headlight, fog and marker bulb types

Brakes

Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes

Fluids

Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities

Service schedule

What's actually due at every mileage interval

Problems & reliability

Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid

Oil light reset

Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools

Key fob battery

Which coin cell the remote takes

Specs

Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy

Which engines came in the 2012–2013 Subaru Forester?

EngineModel yearsTrimsOilCapacity
2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25, port-injected)2012–20132.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Limited, 2.5X Touring0W-205.5 qt
2.5L Turbo 4-cylinder (EJ25, 2.5XT)2012–20132.5XT Premium, 2.5XT Limited5W-304.4 qt

Year-by-year changes

  • 20122.5X Touring trim added above 2.5X Limited with HID headlights, a rearview camera, dual-zone automatic climate control, and silver roof rails; 2.5XT models gain a larger rear spoiler
  • 2012–2013Facelift years of the SH generation; non-turbo trims run the newer FB25 while the 2.5XT retains the EJ25 turbo through the end of production in 2013
  • 2013Minor changes only: Sky Blue dropped from the exterior color palette, replaced by Marine Blue and Deep Cherry Pearl

Model years in this generation

2012 Forester2013 Forester

Year pages cover what changed that year, the engines offered, and the problems documented against it. For the full nameplate history, see the Subaru Forester guide.

Sources