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. Inspect any vehicle prior to purchasing. Information subject to change, correction, updating.

5/27/11- Subaru has conflicting statements about Recommending vs Requiring synthetic oil.

> Synthetic is required on all 2011 turbo and 2.5L Foresters
> 2011 Outback, Legacy, Tribeca, Impreza, (exc turbos)-  Some owners manuals will recommend using synthetic but not require it. Owners manuals printed around March 2011 presumably indicate all Subarus require synthetic oil.
All 2011 models use 5w-30 except the Forester X which uses 0w-20
2011 maintenance schedule

2011 Forester 2.5Ls,and all turbos ( WRX, STI, Forester XT, Legacy GT) have required it since the start of the model run.

Spark plug replacement interval   on all 2011 Outback, Legacy, Forester, Impreza 4 cylinder non-turbo, turbo, and 6cylinder, the spark plug replacement interval is 60,000 miles.
Note- early maintenance books printed Sept, 2010 incorrectly have 52,500 miles, 52.5 months, or 84000k have for the spark plug change but its really 60mo/60,000 miles..

Subaru Synthetic Oil Subaru now has their own brand synthetic oil
With ever changing technology and new government rules for cleaner burning engines and increased fuel economy, old fashioned, conventional oil doesn't provide the lubrication and protection needed. Car companies are looking at all ways to meet these new standards and synthetic oil is one way. Idemitsu Lubricants America Corp. supplies Subarus sythetic oil.
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Synthetic oil is available 5w-30 and 0w-20
Quart and Gallon containers
New, available starting August 2010.

Required in (statement effective July 2010)
5w-30 synthetic is required for all 2011 turbo engines
0w-20 synthetic is required for the 2011 Forester 2.5L non turbo,  this is the only non-turbo that requires synthetic

2011 Intervals and oil change schedule
updated October, 2010

Note: this is the minimum oil change interval required. It is generally suggested by many people in the automotive industry to change the oil every 3750 miles or 3.75 mos, and under race or other severe driving, even more frequently.

>  2.5L Outback, Legacy, Impreza non-turbos: replace at least every 7500 miles/7.5 months, or every 3750 miles or 3 3/4 months under severe driving.
>  2.5L Forester, non-turbo- 1st oil change 3,000 miles, 2nd oil change 7,500 miles, subsequent oil changes at least every 7500 or 7.5 months.
> 3.6L Outback, Legacy, Tribeca- 1st oil change 3,000 miles, 2nd oil change 7,500 miles, subsequent oil changes at least every 7500 or 7.5 months
> Turbos: Subaru owner's manual maintenance schedule Turbo maintenance
> Early warranty books: the Subaru maintenance schedule note #1  reads "When the vehicle is used under severe driving conditions, the engine oil and filter should be changed every 3,750 miles or 3 3/4 months. All turbo-charges vehicles are considered to be operated under severe driving conditions"
> Later warranty books: the statement no longer includes  All turbo-charges vehicles are considered to be operated under severe driving conditions.
Suggested: do the first oil change by 3mos or 3000 miles and then at least a minimum of every 7500 miles or 7.5 months afterwards. That is as long as you should go and it is strongly recommended to replace it much more frequently.

new July 2010- Subaru synthetic oil		gallon and quarts sizes available

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  at 7,500 miles or 7.5 months (exept turbo)
6 cylinder models at 3 months or 3,000 miles.

4 cylinder Forester at 3 months or 3,000 miles using synthetic oil
4 cylinder turbos at 3,750 miles or 3 3/4 months using synthetic oil

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

Subaru Turbo
special care and maintenance requirements.

new for 2011 Synthetic Oil  required on all 2011 turbos and recommended for all 2010 and prior turbos (statement July 2010)

Subaru owner's manual maintenance schedule
> Early warranty books: the Subaru maintenance schedule note #1  reads "When the vehicle is used under severe driving conditions, the engine oil and filter should be changed every 3,750 miles or 3 3/4 months. All turbo-charges vehicles are considered to be operated under severe driving conditions"
> Later warranty books: the statement no longer includes  All turbo-charges vehicles are considered to be operated under severe driving conditions.
Suggested: do the first oil change by 3mos or 3000 miles and then at least a minimum of every 7500 miles or 7.5 months afterwards. That is as long as you should go and it is strongly recommended to replace it much more frequently.

"Proper lubrication of the turbocharger requires high-quality engine oil (new for 2011 synthetic is required).
Some do not provide enough lubrication performance or durability when used in turbocharged engines. Using poor-quality oil or oil not designed for turbo engines may cause damage to the turbocharger and other engine components. Consequently, it is critical to follow Subaru vehicle owner’s and service manuals for recommended oil grade and viscosity.
A second key component of the lubrication system is the oil filter. The Subaru Genuine Oil Filter, available at your Subaru dealer, is the only filter that Subaru has tested to meet requirements for filtration and flow. Aftermarket oil filters may have different filtration performance and relief-valve opening pressure, which could affect filter and engine performance. Subaru Genuine Oil Filters help ensure optimum engine and turbocharger performance.
Due to heat generated by the turbocharger and carbon deposits contained in exhaust gas, the oil in a turbocharged engine will deteriorate faster than the oil in a naturally aspirated engine. Therefore, special care should be taken to use proper grade oil and to monitor oil deterioration.
Under normal driving conditions, the recommended oil and oil filter change interval for turbo vehicles is every 3,750 miles or four months, whichever comes first.
However, for vehicles driven in conditions beyond normal, such as racing conditions, the oil and oil filter may require more frequent changing.
Racing-Type Driving
Racing-type engine stress doesn’t only occur on the track. Racing-type driving occurs when the drivetrain, suspension, and other vehicle components are used at near peak capacity. Any driving where the engine speed is kept high – either by using lower gears at higher speeds or using engine braking – is considered racing-type driving.
Important: A “track day” or autocross event requires an oil and oil filter change immediately before and immediately after the event. Make sure to check other engine fluid levels as well.
Engine Oil Level
Check the oil dipstick periodically to make sure the oil level is within proper range in order to keep the turbocharger properly lubricated and cooled. More frequent level checks are necessary especially when utilizing engine braking, because this increases the engine’s demand for lubrication.
Important: Allowing the engine oil level to drop by more than one quart may cause oil starvation, oil pump cavitation, and bearing damage. Over time, this cumulative damage will cause turbocharger and engine failure.
Oil Changes
Carbon deposits produced by a turbocharged engine can accumulate at the bottom of the oil pan. When changing the oil, always drain the oil through the oil drain plug hole on the oil pan.
A vacuum draining device could leave carbon deposits at the bottom of the oil pan and potentially contaminate the new oil.
Fuel Requirements
Turbocharged Subaru engines are designed to operate on premium unleaded (91-octane AKI or higher) gasoline. This is essential for maximizing performance and is required to prevent possible engine damage.
Driving Tips
1. Do not rev the engine or accelerate past half throttle immediately after start-up. Oil requires time to heat up for full flow, and high-rpm driving with a cold engine can damage the turbocharger.
2. After highway driving or high-load driving, Subaru recommends allowing the engine to cool by idling for at least 30 seconds before shutting off.
Modifications
Engine modifications such as, but not limited to, adding a boost pressure controller, using a non-genuine aftermarket air intake or exhaust system, changing the air bypass valve, “chipping,” etc., may negatively affect the warranty. Your Subaru dealer offers a line of Subaru Performance Tuning parts, which are designed and tested to Subaru standards and do not void the warranty.'

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 and take care of your car and always have a trained mechanic check it out
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