--- title: "Subaru Forester Oil Type: 0W-16, 4.6 qt" description: "How the Subaru Forester oil specification changed from 2012 to 2026, compared generation by generation. The Subaru Forester takes 0W-16 engine oil, 4.6 quarts with a filter change by engine. Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/oil" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # Subaru Forester Oil Type and Capacity The specification is not the same across every year we cover, the table below shows exactly where it changes. ## Has the Subaru Forester oil specification changed by year? | Model years | Viscosity | Capacity | OEM filter | Interval | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [2025-2026](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/oil) | 0W-16 | 4.6 qt | N/A | 6,000 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,000 mi / 3 months (severe service) | | [2019-2024](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/oil) | 0W-20 | 4.4 qt | N/A | 6,000 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,000 mi / 3 months (severe service) | | [2014-2018](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil) | 0W-20, 5W-30 | 5.1 / 5.4 qt | Subaru 15208AA160 (spin-on canister) | 6,000 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,000 mi / 3 months (severe service) | | [2012-2013](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil) | 0W-20, 5W-30 | 5.5 / 4.4 qt | Subaru 15208AA160 (spin-on canister) | 6,000 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,000 mi / 3 months (severe service) | ## Full specifications by generation The oil 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 & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2025-2026/oil) - [2019-2024 Subaru Forester Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2019-2024/oil) - [2014-2018 Subaru Forester Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2014-2018/oil) - [2012-2013 Subaru Forester Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/2012-2013/oil) ## Subaru Forester oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a Subaru Forester take? It depends on the engine. The 2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25D, direct-injected) takes 4.6 quarts; The 2.5L Hybrid (Atkinson-cycle FB25 + electric motor, S:HEV) takes 4.6 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a Subaru Forester take? 0W-16 meeting ILSAC GF-6, full synthetic (required, not merely recommended). Other engines in this vehicle may differ; see the table above. ### Can you use a different viscosity in a Subaru Forester? The factory specification is 0W-16 and no alternate grade is listed for this engine. Modern variable-valve-timing hardware is sized around the specified viscosity, so substituting a thicker oil is not a free choice. ### How often does a Subaru Forester need an oil change? 6,000 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,000 mi / 3 months (severe service). Short trips, towing, extended idling, and dusty or very cold conditions all put the vehicle on the severe-service side of that interval. ## 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: - [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) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/forester/oil-reset) - [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.