Subaru suggested maintenance schedules and recommended service schedules 
2013 Subaru Outback, BRZ, Forester, XV Crosstrek, Impreza, Legacy, Tribeca, WRX, STI ...

Maintain your 2013 Subaru and it should last years and you won't void the warranty.

ON THIS PAGE  New car break-in period and 1st oil change  I 2012 maintenance schedule 

related pages  service maintenance schedule 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009-1990  I  warranty & towing info  I homepage I sitemap

Please read- this unofficial independent Subaru research site is designed to help you learn about Subarus. It is not sponsored, authorized,  supported or approved by Subaru or any dealer and is not connected to or affiliated with, any dealer. Always contact your local dealer with any service or parts questions.  Information subject to change, correction, updating.

Check and confirm all details with your local authorized dealer

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thanks for visiting. you are here http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2013.html v  10.31.13
Information subject to change, correction, updating.
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subaru synthetic oil
Subaru synthetic oil was introduced in July 2010,
0w-20 and 5w-30 gallons and quarts available
 replace the hvac cabin air filter behind the glovebox every year or so. here's a dirty 12 month old filter next to a new one
Replace the hvac cabin air filter behind the glovebox every year or so. 
Here's a  dirty 12 month old filter next to a new clean one
change the oil and filter in your subaru
draining the oil. clean oil is amber
 subaru oil filters
used oil filters
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New Car Break-in period

1000 miles: Drive calmly for the first 1,000 miles and vary your driving with a normal mix of city and highway.

Always note the blue 'cold engine'  light on the dashboard- its a visual reminder that the engine is cold.
Avoid hard starts and stops.
Avoid over-revving the engine, try to keep RPMs under 4000.
Vary your speeds over the full range of city and highway driving
Don't use cruise control much, if at all.
City and freeway driving is fine because that will vary the speeds

1st oil change
4 cylinder Outback, Legacy, Impreza, and WRX, STI by 7.5 months or 7,500 miles.
4 cylinder Forester- updated -  by 7.5 months or 7500 miles. See image below, it was  3 months or 3,000 miles innthe first version of the maintenance schedule
6 cylinder Outback, Legacy, Tribeca by 3 months or 3,000 miles.

Note- many service departments suggest that it makes sense to do the first oil change on all models around 3mos/3,000 miles.


2013
 maintenance schedule and service intervals for Subarus

I = inspect, R = replace, P = perform

Always refer to your owners manual and contact your local dealer for complete and current information on your car. 
-
Information subject to change, correction, updating.  corrections welcomed.-
Item
 Months
3
7.5
15
22.5
30
37.5
45
52.5
60
67.5
75
82.5
90
97.5
105
112.5
120
132
1,000 km
 4.8
12
24
36
48
60
72
84
96
108
120
132
144
156
168
180
192
220
1,000 MILES
3
7.5
15
22.5
30
37.5
45
52.5
60
67.5
75
82.5 
90
97.5
105
112.5
120
137.5
Accessory belt (a/c etc)- Outback, Legacy, Tribeca, WRX, STI, Forester 2.5XT
 -
- 
- 
- 
I
- 
-
 -
I
-
-
-
I
-
R
-
-
-
Accessory belt (a/c etc)- Impreza, BRZ, Crosstrek, Forester 2.5X,
-
 -
 -
 -
 I -
 -
 -
 I -
 -
 -
 I -
 -
 -
 I -
Camshaft Belt (rubber timing belt) 
Forester XT turbo, WRX, and STI only

Note:  All 2013 Outback, Legacy, Forester 2.5 X, Impreza, BRZ, Crosstrek, and Tribeca have a timing chain, which shouldn't need replacement
-
-
-
-
I
-
-
-
I
-
-
-
I
-
R
-
I
-
Engine Oil/filter *1 
2.5L 4 cylinder Outback, Legacy, Forester,
2.0L Impreza, BRZ, Crosstrek
Synthetic 0w-20 oil required
1st oil change by 7500 miles or 7.5 months. 
Subsequent oil changes at least every 7500 miles or 7.5 months
Note: this is the minimum required. If you use regular oil, its suggested to change the oil every 3750 miles or 3.75 mos
-
R
R
R
R
R
R
R 
R
R
R 
R 
R 
R
R
R 
R
R
Engine Oil/filter *1
3.6L Outback, Legacy, Tribeca
5w-30 oil synthetic oil recommended but not required
1st oil change by 3000 miles or 3 months required
2nd oil change by 7500 miles or 7.5 months
Subsequent oil changes at least every 7500 miles or 7.5 months . This is the minimum required. If you use regular oil, its suggested to change the oil every 3750 miles or 3.75 mos
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
Engine Oil/filter *1
All Turbo models  Forester XT, WRX, STI
Synthetic 5w-30 oil required.
1st oil change is required by 7500 miles or 7.5 months and is required at least every 7500 miles or 7.5 months after that. It is strongly recommended to do more often than that.
-
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
R
Engine coolant: Subaru Super Coolant long life coolant. replace coolant at 11 years or 137,500 miles but inspect system, hoses, connections more often *5
-
-
-
- 
I
-
-
- 
I
-
- 
-
I
-
- 
- 
-
P
Fuel system- Inspect fuel system, lines, connections, all models  *2
-
-
-
- 
I
-
-
- 
I
-
- 
- 
I
- 
- 
- 
I
-
Fuel filter-  replace fuel filter (the filter is in the fuel tank)
Forester, WRX STI- 60mos/60,000 miles
Impreza and Crosstrek- 75 mos/75000 miles
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
R
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
R
-
Engine air filter *2
-
-
-
- 
R
-
-
- 
R
-
- 
- 
R
- 
- 
- 
R
-
months or miles reminder (whichever comes first)
3
7.5
15
22.5
30
37.5
45
52.5
60
67.5
75
82.5
90
97.5
105
112.5
120
137.5
Spark Plugs- all  2013 models
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
R
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
R
-
Differential fluid. Front/rear gear oil *3
-
-
I
- 
I
-
-
- 
I
-
I
- 
I
- 
I
- 
I
-
Differential fluid. BRZ only rear gear oil *3 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
 I
Automatic transmission fluid *4, 9
except CVT Outback, Legacy, and Impreza 
-
-
-
- 
I
-
-
- 
-
-
- 
- 
I
- 
- 
- 
- 
-
CVT transmission oil- Outback, Legacy, Impreza. Replace only under severe driving or towing conditions. Use Subaru CVT oil only. There's no dipstick to check the CVT fluid.
-
-
-
-
I
-
-
-
I
-
-
-
I
-
-
-
I
-
Brake fluid *2
in high humidity or hard mountainous driving replace every 15000 miles or 15 months
-
-
-
- 
R 
-
- 
- 
R
-
- 
- 
R 
- 
- 
- 
R 
-
Brake pads, linings, front/rear axle boots, CV joints, axle half shaft, parking brake *2
-
-
I
- 
I
-
I
- 
I
-
I 
- 
I
- 
I 
-
I
-
Clutch
-
-
I
- 
I
-
I
- 
I
-
I 
- 
I
- 
I
-
I
-
Steering and suspension *2
-
-
I
- 
I
-
I
- 
I
-
I 
- 
I
- 
I
- 
I
-
Bearings- front and rear wheel bearing lubricant
-
-
- 
-
-
-
- 
- 
I
-
- 
- 
-
-
-
- 
I
-
Tires Rotate tires
-
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
P
-
Valve clearance
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
I
-
-
-
Cabin Air Filter behind the glovebox. 
replace the paper filter (behind glovebox)  every 15 months, depending on air conditions
Airbags Supplemental restraint system airbags
inspect every 10 years 
miles
3
7.5
15
22.5
30
37.5
45
52.5
60
67.5
75
82.5
90
97.5
105
112.5
120
132

subject to change correction updating. always contact your local service center.
all formatting ©  j spitz, unauthorized reproduction prohibited

 

Severe driving is
> Repeated short trips, stop-and-go, extensive idling (basically any urban driving)
> Rough, muddy, dusty, wet, humid, cold, mountainous, salty conditions  (basically any country or winter driving)
> Towing a trailer.
> Racing

*NOTES
#1: under Severe driving replace ever 3,750 miles.
#2. under severe driving replace 7,500-15,000 miles
#3. under severe driving replace 30,000 miles
#4. under severe driving replace 15,000 miles
#5. Subaru Super Coolant. 1st replacement interval is 11years/137,500 miles (220,000 km). 2nd replacement interval is 6 years/ 75,000 miles (120,000 km) after the 1st. If towing replace more often. Use Subaru coolant only, do not mix with other types or it will reduce protection 
#9: Auto Transmission filter is maintenance free- replace only when damaged or the fluid has leaked (3.6L 5AT only)


This unauthorized page is maintained by Joe Spitz who is responsible for content. Errors, omissions, typos will be corrected as I am made aware of them.
Use common sense- take care of your car and always have a trained mechanic check it out 
Information subject to change correction updating.
Always contact your local service center.

all formatting ©  j spitz, unauthorized reproduction prohibited

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