--- title: "2014-2018 Subaru Forester Transmission Fluid & Coolant" description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: High Torque CVT (TR580 on 2.5i, turbo-rated CVT on 2.0XT) with Subaru CVTF-HT. Total system ~10-12 qt; a drain-and-fill typically returns ~5-6 qt.. Coolant: Subaru Long Life Coolant (green, pre-mixed). First change at 11 years / 137,500 mi, then every 6 years / 75,000 mi.." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/fluids" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2014-2018 Subaru Forester Fluid Types and Capacities Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: High Torque CVT (TR580 on 2.5i, turbo-rated CVT on 2.0XT) with Subaru CVTF-HT. Total system ~10-12 qt; a drain-and-fill typically returns ~5-6 qt.. Coolant: Subaru Long Life Coolant (green, pre-mixed). First change at 11 years / 137,500 mi, then every 6 years / 75,000 mi.. ## 2014-2018 Subaru Forester fluid guide (Check your manual) | System | Fluid type & capacity | | --- | --- | | Coolant | Subaru Long Life Coolant (green, pre-mixed). First change at 11 years / 137,500 mi, then every 6 years / 75,000 mi. | | Transmission | High Torque CVT (TR580 on 2.5i, turbo-rated CVT on 2.0XT) with Subaru CVTF-HT. Total system ~10-12 qt; a drain-and-fill typically returns ~5-6 qt. | | Brake fluid | DOT 3 brake fluid | | Power steering | Electric power steering (no fluid) | Note: Plain washer fluid; no special spec ## Which Subaru Forester model years does this cover? These fluids specifications apply to every Subaru Forester built from 2014 through 2018, the SJ (4th generation), compact crossover suv. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2014 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014) - [2015 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2015) - [2016 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2016) - [2017 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2017) - [2018 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2018) ## What changed during the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2014 | Full redesign: all-new SGP-adjacent platform, FA20DIT turbo replaces the EJ25 turbo and moves to the CVT, first EyeSight availability on Forester | | 2015 | Standard rearview camera added across all trims; 18-in wheels become available on the 2.5i | | 2016 | New touchscreen-based infotainment interface across the lineup, with a standard 6.2-in touchscreen on the base 2.5i trim | | 2017 | Facelift: revised front/rear styling, updated infotainment, LED headlight option on Touring | | 2018 | Final year of this generation | ## 2014-2018 Subaru Forester fluids: common questions ### What transmission fluid does a 2014-2018 Subaru Forester take? High Torque CVT (TR580 on 2.5i, turbo-rated CVT on 2.0XT) with Subaru CVTF-HT. Total system ~10-12 qt; a drain-and-fill typically returns ~5-6 qt.. Transmission fluid specifications are not interchangeable. Friction modifiers differ between them, and the wrong fluid causes shudder long before it causes failure. ### What coolant does a 2014-2018 Subaru Forester use? Subaru Long Life Coolant (green, pre-mixed). First change at 11 years / 137,500 mi, then every 6 years / 75,000 mi.. ### What brake fluid does a 2014-2018 Subaru Forester take? DOT 3 brake fluid. ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SJ)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester) - [subaruforester.org, 2017 Forester engine oil capacity thread (5.1 qt, FB25)](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2017-engine-oil-capacity.832865/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2016 Forester 2.0L FA20F Turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2016/subaru/forester/2-0l-4-cyl-engine-code-fa20f-3-turbo/) - [MotorWeek, 2014 Subaru Forester review (2.0XT: 250 hp / 258 lb-ft, ~23/28 mpg)](https://motorweek.org/road_tests/2014_subaru_forester/) - [subaruforester.org, 2014 Forester 2.0XT HP and torque discussion](https://www.subaruforester.org/threads/2014-forester-2-0xt-hp-and-torque.134114/) - [turbochargersdirect.com, Subaru banjo bolt oil feed line/cylinder head connection explainer](https://turbochargersdirect.com/subaru-tsb-banjo-bolt-at-oil-feed-line-and-cylinder-head-connection/) - [NHTSA, Recall 19V701000 product campaign bulletin (WUM-98, passenger ODS sensor)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCRIT-19V701-9656.pdf) - [Consumer Reports, Subaru Forester SUVs recalled for airbag deactivation risk](https://www.consumerreports.org/car-recalls-defects/subaru-forester-suvs-recalled-for-airbag-deactivation-risk/) - [classaction.org, Subaru windshield settlement given preliminary approval](https://www.classaction.org/news/subaru-windshield-settlement-given-preliminary-approval-reimbursements-extended-warranty-available) - [tirecalculatorhub.com, Subaru Forester OEM tire size guide by year](https://tirecalculatorhub.com/guides/subaru-tire-calculator) - [wiperhaus.com, Subaru Forester wiper blade size guide](https://wiperhaus.com/blogs/subaru-forester-information/2024-subaru-forester-windshield-wiper-blade-size) ## Other Subaru Forester generations - [2025-2026 Subaru Forester fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/fluids) - [2019-2024 Subaru Forester fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/fluids) - [2012-2013 Subaru Forester fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/fluids) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/fluids). ## More for the 2014-2018 Subaru Forester - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/brakes) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.