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SJ (4th generation) · Compact crossover SUV

2014–2018 Subaru Forester Specifications

Every maintenance specification shared across the 2014–2018 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, 5.1 qt (base engine)
Battery
Group 35
Tire size
225/60R17 (base trim)
Wiper blades
26" / 17" / 14" rear
Key fob battery
CR1620 (flip-key remotes on base/Premium); CR2032 on push-button-start Limited/Touring/XT smart keys. Check which key your trim uses

2014–2018 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 2014–2018 Subaru Forester?

EngineModel yearsTrimsOilCapacity
2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25, port-injected)2014–20182.5i, Premium, Limited, Touring0W-205.1 qt
2.0L Turbo 4-cylinder (FA20DIT, direct-injected)2014–20182.0XT Premium, 2.0XT Touring5W-305.4 qt

Year-by-year changes

  • 2014Full redesign: all-new SGP-adjacent platform, FA20DIT turbo replaces the EJ25 turbo and moves to the CVT, first EyeSight availability on Forester
  • 2015Standard rearview camera added across all trims; 18-in wheels become available on the 2.5i
  • 2016New touchscreen-based infotainment interface across the lineup, with a standard 6.2-in touchscreen on the base 2.5i trim
  • 2017Facelift: revised front/rear styling, updated infotainment, LED headlight option on Touring
  • 2018Final year of this generation

Model years in this generation

2014 Forester2015 Forester2016 Forester2017 Forester2018 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