---
title: "2025-2026 Subaru Forester Transmission Fluid & Coolant"
description: "Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2025-2026 Subaru Forester takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Lineartronic CVT (non-hybrid) or e-CVT (Hybrid) with Subaru CVTF-HT.. 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/2025-2026/fluids"
updated: "2026-08-21"
---

# 2025-2026 Subaru Forester Fluid Types and Capacities

Which transmission fluid, coolant, and brake fluid the 2025-2026 Subaru Forester takes, with capacities and the specifications each one has to meet. Transmission: Lineartronic CVT (non-hybrid) or e-CVT (Hybrid) with Subaru CVTF-HT.. Coolant: Subaru Long Life Coolant (green, pre-mixed). First change at 11 years / 137,500 mi, then every 6 years / 75,000 mi..

## 2025-2026 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 | Lineartronic CVT (non-hybrid) or e-CVT (Hybrid) with Subaru CVTF-HT. |
| 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 2025 through 2026, the SL (6th generation), compact crossover suv (subaru global platform, redesigned). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years.

- [2025 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025)
- [2026 Forester](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2026)

## What changed during the 2025-2026 Subaru Forester

| Years | What changed |
| --- | --- |
| 2025 | All-new SL-generation redesign, unveiled October 2024 for the 2025 model year; adds a factory Forester Hybrid (S:HEV) for the first time in the US; base horsepower rises slightly to 180 |
| 2026 | Carryover year; no major mechanical changes identified |

## 2025-2026 Subaru Forester fluids: common questions

### What transmission fluid does a 2025-2026 Subaru Forester take?

Lineartronic CVT (non-hybrid) or e-CVT (Hybrid) with Subaru CVTF-HT.. 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 2025-2026 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 2025-2026 Subaru Forester take?

DOT 3 brake fluid.

## Sources

- [Wikipedia, Subaru Forester generations (SL)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_Forester)
- [Subaru Media, Subaru debuts all-new 2025 Forester SUV (press release)](https://media.subaru.com/pressrelease/2123/1/subaru-debuts-all-new-2025-forester-suv-new)
- [Car and Driver, Tested: 2025 Subaru Forester Hybrid (specs, mpg, curb weight, tire size)](https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a64352235/2025-subaru-forester-hybrid-drive/)
- [AMSOIL lookup, 2025 Forester 2.5L FB25D oil spec/capacity (0W-16, 4.6 qt)](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2025/subaru/forester/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25d-1/)
- [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Forester oil type by model year (2025, incl. S:HEV hybrid)](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-oil-type/)
- [KBB, 2025 Subaru Forester specs (180 hp across trims)](https://www.kbb.com/subaru/forester/2025/specs/)
- [Subaru.com, 2025 Forester Hybrid Edition (194 combined hp, e-CVT)](https://www.subaru.com/vehicles/forester/hybrid/2025.html)
- [classaction.org, Subaru lawsuit: 2019-2025 vehicles, parasitic battery drain (Taylor v. Subaru)](https://www.classaction.org/news/subaru-lawsuit-says-2019-2025-vehicles-plagued-by-electrical-system-defect-causing-parasitic-battery-drain)
- [Conley Subaru, Forester lug nut torque by model year](https://www.conleysubaru.com/subaru-research/subaru-forester-lug-nut-torque/)

## Other Subaru Forester generations

- [2019-2024 Subaru Forester fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/fluids)
- [2014-2018 Subaru Forester fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/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 2025-2026 Subaru Forester

- [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/oil)
- [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/battery)
- [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/tires)
- [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/wipers)
- [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/filters)
- [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/bulbs)
- [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/brakes)
- [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/service-schedule)
- [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/common-problems)
- [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/oil-reset)
- [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/key-fob-battery)
- [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/specs)

Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.