--- title: "How to Reset Oil Life on a 2020-2025 Subaru Outback" description: "Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2020-2025 Subaru Outback in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed." url: "https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/oil-reset" updated: "2026-08-21" --- # How to Reset the Oil Life Indicator on a 2020-2025 Subaru Outback Reset the oil life or maintenance reminder on the 2020-2025 Subaru Outback in 5 steps, using only the controls already in the car. No scan tool needed. ## Reset procedure, 2020-2025 Subaru Outback (Check your manual) 1. With the ignition ON (or engine running), use the steering-wheel arrow/scroll buttons to navigate the driver information display in the gauge cluster 2. Scroll to the vehicle settings menu (wrench/gear icon) 3. Select "Maintenance" or "Reset Oil Maintenance Reminder" 4. Confirm the reset with the SET/OK button on the steering wheel 5. The maintenance/oil-change reminder clears from the display Note: The BT generation replaced the old trip-meter-hold trick with a menu-driven reset in the digital driver display, navigated entirely from the steering wheel. ## Which Subaru Outback model years does this cover? These oil life reset specifications apply to every Subaru Outback built from 2020 through 2025, the BT (6th generation), mid-size wagon/crossover (subaru global platform). Nothing in this specification changes between those model years. - [2020 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020) - [2021 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2021) - [2022 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2022) - [2023 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2023) - [2024 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2024) - [2025 Outback](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2025) ## What changed during the 2020-2025 Subaru Outback | Years | What changed | | --- | --- | | 2020 | Generation launch on the Subaru Global Platform; direct-injected FB25D replaces the port-injected FB25; 3.6R/EZ36 discontinued; EyeSight standard | | 2022 | Wilderness trim introduced. First Outback to use the turbocharged 2.4L FA24F, plus raised suspension, all-terrain tires, and a full-size spare option | | 2023 | XT trims (Touring XT, Onyx Edition XT, Limited XT) broaden 2.4T availability beyond Wilderness; minor styling refresh | | 2025 | Final model year of this generation before the next redesign; largely a carryover year | ## 2020-2025 Subaru Outback oil life reset: common questions ### How do you reset the oil life on a 2020-2025 Subaru Outback? 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 2020-2025 Subaru Outback? 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 2020-2025 Subaru Outback? 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. The BT generation replaced the old trip-meter-hold trick with a menu-driven reset in the digital driver display, navigated entirely from the steering wheel. ## Sources - [Wikipedia, Subaru FB engine (FB25D direct-injection, 2020 Outback/Legacy)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subaru_FB_engine) - [AMSOIL lookup, 2022 Outback 2.4L FA24 turbo oil spec/capacity](https://www.amsoil.com/lookup/auto-and-light-truck/2022/subaru/outback/2-4l-4-cyl-engine-code-a-fa24-a-turbo/) - [NHTSA, 19V-664 brake pedal mounting bracket recall (WUL-97)](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2019/RCLRPT-19V664-6082.PDF) - [NHTSA, 24V-227 front passenger airbag sensor recall](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2024/RCLRPT-24V227-7296.PDF) - [Out Motorsports, 2022 Outback Wilderness review (260 hp FA24F introduction)](https://www.outmotorsports.com/2021/09/2022-subaru-outback-wilderness-review-off-road/) - [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) - [AutoZone, 2023 Outback wiper blade fitment (26/18/16)](https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/wiper-blade-windshield/subaru/outback/2023) - [Edmunds, 2023 Subaru Outback review (XT/Wilderness turbo trim lineup)](https://www.edmunds.com/subaru/outback/2023/) ## Other Subaru Outback generations - [2015-2019 Subaru Outback oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2015-2019/oil-reset) - [2010-2014 Subaru Outback oil life reset](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2010-2014/oil-reset) Or [compare all generations](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/oil-reset). ## More for the 2020-2025 Subaru Outback - [Oil & filter](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/oil) - [Battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/battery) - [Tires & wheels](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/tires) - [Wiper blades](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/wipers) - [Air & cabin filters](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/filters) - [Bulbs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/bulbs) - [Brakes](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/brakes) - [Fluids](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/fluids) - [Service schedule](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/service-schedule) - [Problems & reliability](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/common-problems) - [Key fob battery](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/key-fob-battery) - [Specs](https://whichcarparts.com/cars/subaru/outback/2020-2025/specs) Specifications vary with engine option, production date, and market.