--- title: "2012-2013 Subaru Forester Specs" description: "Oil, battery group, tire sizes, wipers, filters, brakes, fluids and service intervals shared across every 2012-2013 Subaru Forester, the SH (3rd generation), plus what changed year to year." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 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, the SH (3rd generation), Compact crossover SUV. ## Quick facts | Quick fact | Value | | --- | --- | | 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 [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil). ### Battery BCI group size, cold cranking amps, AGM or flooded [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/battery). ### Tires & wheels Factory sizes by trim, pressures, bolt pattern, lug torque [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/tires). ### Wiper blades Driver, passenger and rear blade lengths [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/wipers). ### Air & cabin filters Cabin and engine air filter part numbers, locations, intervals [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/filters). ### Bulbs Headlight, fog and marker bulb types [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/bulbs). ### Brakes Rotor diameters, pad references, service notes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/brakes). ### Fluids Transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and capacities [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/fluids). ### Service schedule What's actually due at every mileage interval [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/service-schedule). ### Problems & reliability Documented failures, recalls, and which years to avoid [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/common-problems). ### Oil light reset Step-by-step maintenance light reset, no tools [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil-reset). ### Key fob battery Which coin cell the remote takes [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/key-fob-battery). ### Specs Towing, weight, fuel tank, fuel economy [Read more](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/specs). ## Which engines came in the 2012-2013 Subaru Forester? | Engine | Model years | Trims | Oil | Capacity | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | 2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25, port-injected) | 2012-2013 | 2.5X, 2.5X Premium, 2.5X Limited, 2.5X Touring | 0W-20 | 5.5 qt | | 2.5L Turbo 4-cylinder (EJ25, 2.5XT) | 2012-2013 | 2.5XT Premium, 2.5XT Limited | 5W-30 | 4.4 qt | ## Year-by-year changes | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2012 | 2.5X 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 | | 2012-2013 | Facelift 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 | | 2013 | Minor changes only: Sky Blue dropped from the exterior color palette, replaced by Marine Blue and Deep Cherry Pearl | ## Model years in this generation - [2012 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012) - [2013 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2013) For the full nameplate history, see the [Subaru Forester guide](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester). ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SH)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2013 Forester 2.5L FB25BC oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2013/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25bc-2/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2010 Forester 2.5L EJ255 turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2010/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-ej255-e-turbo/) - [Subaru Forester Owners Forum, oil type & filter for 2013 2.5XT (5W-30, 4.4 qt per owner's manual)](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/oil-type-filter-for-2013-2-5xt.133018/) - [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Forester oil type by model year (2011-2013 SH)](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-oil-type/) - [KBB, 2010 Subaru Forester specs (2.5XT: 224 hp / 226 lb-ft)](https://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2010/) - [Edmunds, 2013 Subaru Forester review (2.5XT specs, 4-speed automatic)](https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/forester/2013/review/) - [tirecalculatorhub.com, Subaru Forester OEM tire size guide by year](https://tirecalculatorhub.com/guides/subaru-tire-calculator) - [Conley Subaru, Forester lug nut torque by model year](https://www.conleysubaru.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-lug-nut-torque/) - [Class Law Group, Subaru oil consumption class action settlement summary](https://www.classlawgroup.com/subaru-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit) - [subaruforester.org, 2011-14 Forester oil consumption class action lawsuit thread](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2011-14-forester-oil-consumption-class-action-lawsuit-merged-thread.360817/) - [subaruofdayton.com, Subaru EJ25 head gasket history explainer](https://www.subaruofdayton.com/blog/head-gaskets-horizons-and-hope-the-truth-about-older-subaru-models) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.