--- title: "2015-2019 Subaru Outback Oil Type: 0W-20, 5.1 qt" description: "The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback takes 0W-20 engine oil, 5.1 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Subaru 15208AA160 (spin-on canister). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/oil" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # 2015-2019 Subaru Outback Oil Type and Capacity The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback takes 0W-20 engine oil, 5.1 quarts with a filter change by engine. OEM filter Subaru 15208AA160 (spin-on canister). Verified against factory documentation, with change intervals and aftermarket filter equivalents. **Quick answer**: The 2015-2019 Subaru Outback (2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25, revised, port-injected)) takes 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil, 5.1 quarts with a filter change (OEM filter Subaru 15208AA160 (spin-on canister)). Other engines differ; see the tables below. ## 2015-2019 Subaru Outback 2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25, revised, port-injected) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 0W-20 | | Oil standard | API SN / ILSAC GF-5 | | Capacity (with filter) | 5.1 qt / 4.8 L | | Synthetic required | Yes | | OEM filter | Subaru 15208AA160 (spin-on canister) | | Aftermarket filters | Fram XG7317 (Ultra), Wix 51516XP, Purolator L14610 | | Change interval | 6,000 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,000 mi / 3 months (severe service) | Note: 2015 brought a ground-up FB25 revision (more power, better economy) but the oil grade, capacity, and filter carried over from the BR generation. ## 2015-2019 Subaru Outback 3.6L H6 (EZ36, now paired to High Torque CVT) oil (High confidence) | Spec | Value | | --- | --- | | Viscosity | 5W-30 | | Oil standard | API SN | | Capacity (with filter) | 6.9 qt / 6.5 L | | Synthetic required | No (synthetic recommended) | | Change interval | 6,000 mi / 6 months (normal); 3,000 mi / 3 months (severe service) | Note: This generation moved the 3.6R from the old 5-speed automatic onto the same High Torque CVT (TR690) used elsewhere in the lineup. ## Which Subaru Outback model years does this cover? These oil specifications apply to every Subaru Outback built from 2015 through 2019, the BS (5th generation), mid-size wagon/crossover. Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2015 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015) - [2016 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2016) - [2017 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2017) - [2018 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2018) - [2019 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2019) ## What changed during the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2015 | Full redesign: all-new FB25, 3.6R moves to CVT, EyeSight driver-assist available for the first time on Outback | | 2018 | Facelift: revised front/rear styling, updated Starlink infotainment, standard EyeSight on most trims | | 2019 | Final year of this generation; last model year covered by the FB-engine oil-consumption settlement window | ## 2015-2019 Subaru Outback oil: common questions ### How many quarts of oil does a 2015-2019 Subaru Outback take? It depends on the engine. The 2.5L 4-cylinder (FB25, revised, port-injected) takes 5.1 quarts; The 3.6L H6 (EZ36, now paired to High Torque CVT) takes 6.9 quarts, all figures include a new filter. ### What kind of oil does a 2015-2019 Subaru Outback take? 0W-20 meeting API SN / ILSAC GF-5, 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 2015-2019 Subaru Outback? The factory specification is 0W-20 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 2015-2019 Subaru Outback 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. ### What oil filter does a 2015-2019 Subaru Outback take? The OEM filter is Subaru 15208AA160 (spin-on canister). Common equivalents: Fram XG7317 (Ultra), Wix 51516XP, Purolator L14610. ## Sources - [sportsubarusouth.com, Subaru Outback oil type by model year](https://www.sportsubarusouth.com/subaru-research/subaru-outback-oil-type/) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2019 Outback 2.5L FB25 oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2019/subaru/outback/2-5l-4-cyl-engine-code-fb25-4/1000/) - [awdadventure.com, Subaru Outback tire fitment by year (2015-2019)](https://awdadventure.com/pages/lifted-subaru-tire-size-charts) - [Rohnert Park Transmission, Subaru Outback CVT problems guide by model year](https://rohnertparktransmission.com/blog/subaru-outback-cvt-problems-guide) - [Subaru Battery Settlement, official settlement site (2015-2020 Outback coverage)](https://www.subarubatterysettlement.com/) - [Consumer Reports, 2015 Subaru Outback reliability (CVT complaint)](https://www.consumerreports.org/cars/subaru/outback/2015/reliability/) - [classaction.org, Subaru windshield settlement given preliminary approval (Khona/Powell case background)](https://www.classaction.org/news/subaru-windshield-settlement-given-preliminary-approval-reimbursements-extended-warranty-available) - [Reddit r/subaru, 2019-2020 CVT warranty extension to 10 yr/100k thread](https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comments/1ltsv9m/20192020_us_cvt_warranty_extension_to_10/) ## Other Subaru Outback generations - [2020-2025 Subaru Outback oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/oil) - [2010-2014 Subaru Outback oil](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2010-2014/oil) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/oil). ## More for the 2015-2019 Subaru Outback - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/common-problems) - [Oil light reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/oil-reset) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.