--- title: "How to Reset Oil Life on a Subaru Forester" description: "How the Subaru Forester oil life reset specification changed from 2012 to 2026, compared generation by generation. Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the Subaru Forester in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/oil-reset" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator on a Subaru Forester The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Subaru Forester oil life reset specification changed by year? | Model years | Reset procedure | | --- | --- | | [2025-2026](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/oil-reset) | 5 steps | | [2019-2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/oil-reset) | 5 steps | | [2014-2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil-reset) | 6 steps | | [2012-2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil-reset) | 6 steps | ## Full specifications by generation The oil life reset on a Subaru Forester is set by its generation, not its model year, so each generation has one page carrying the complete figures, part numbers and fitment notes for every year it covers. - [2025-2026 Subaru Forester Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/oil-reset) - [2019-2024 Subaru Forester Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/oil-reset) - [2014-2018 Subaru Forester Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil-reset) - [2012-2013 Subaru Forester Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil-reset) ## Subaru Forester oil life reset: common questions ### How do you reset the oil life on a Subaru Forester? 5 steps, using only the controls in the car, the full sequence is above. ### Do you need a scan tool to reset the oil light on a Subaru Forester? No. The procedure above uses the vehicle's own controls. A scan tool is only necessary if the reset does not take, which usually points at a different fault. ### Why won't the oil light reset on a Subaru Forester? Almost always a timing problem in the sequence, a step held too briefly, or the ignition in the wrong position. Repeat it exactly, with the engine off and the key in accessory rather than run, unless the steps say otherwise. Carried forward from the SK generation's menu-driven reset; Sport/Touring's larger 11.6-in touchscreen may also expose a maintenance menu, but the steering-wheel cluster method is confirmed to still work. ## 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/) ## Find your exact Forester - [2026](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2026) - [2025](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025) - [2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2024) - [2023](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2023) - [2022](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2022) - [2021](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2021) - [2020](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2020) - [2019](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019) - [2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2018) - [2017](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2017) - [2016](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2016) - [2015](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2015) - [2014](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014) - [2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2013) - [2012](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012) More Subaru Forester guides: - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/common-problems) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.