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.

1000 miles: Drive calmly for the first 1,000 miles.
Always note the blue 'cold engine'  light on the dashboard- it means the engine is cold and drive accordingly.
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 reuired on 4 cylinder models at 7,500 miles, and on turbo and 6 cylinder models at 3 months or 3,000 miles.
Note It is recommended to do the first oil change on all models at 3mos/3,000 miles.

SYNTHETIC OIL new Subaru Synthetic Oil is available starting August 2010.  5w-30 Subaru Synthetic Oil is recommended but not required for 2010 and prior turbo engines. It is also recommended for all non-turbo vehicles.  note- it is required in all 2011 model year turbos and the new 2.5L DOHC in the 2011 Forester The maintenance schedule is the same regardless of oil used. (statement effective July 2010)

2010 maintenance schedule and service intervals for Subarus Check and perform at number of months or miles/km, whichever comes first I = inspect, R = replace, P = perform always refer to your manual and contact you servicing dealer for complete information.
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
	1,000km	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
Drive Belts		-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	R	-
Camshaft Belt (timing belt) 2.5L 4 cylinder (6 cyls have timing chain, shouldn't need replacing)		-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	R	-	-	-
Engine oil/filter *1,  Notes: turbo oil change at least very 3,750 miles.  July 2010 statement: Synthetic 5W-30 Oil is required on 2011 and newer turbos. It is recommended on all engines.  The 2011 Forester requires 0W-20 Synthetic		R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	R	-
Engine coolant, Replace engine coolant, inspect system, hoses, connections * 5		-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	-	P
Inspect fuel system, lines, connections *2		-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-
Replace fuel filter (the filter is in the fuel tank)		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	R	-
Air cleaner *2		-	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	R	-
Spark Plugs- Impreza, Forester all except turbos (see below)		-	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	R	-
Spark Plugs- all Outback/Legacy; all turbos; all 3.6L 6 cylinder engines		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	R	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	R	-
Tranmission/differential lub. Front/rear gear oil *3		-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	I	-
Automatic tranmission fluid *4, 9		-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	-	-
CVT transmission- use Subaru CVT C-30 oil only. Replace under severe driving or towing conditions. There's no dipstick..		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-
Brake fluid *2		-	-	-	-	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	-
Front/rear wheel bearing lubricant		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	I	-
Rotate tires		-	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	P	-
Valve clearance		-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	I	-	-	-
Passenger Compartment Air Filtration		replace the paper filter (behind glovebox)  every 1-2 years depending on air conditions
Supplimental 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
Severe driving is: Repeated short trips, stop-and-go, extensive idling (basically any urban driving) Rough, muddy, dusty, wet, cold salty conditions  (basically any country or winter driving) Towing a trailer. *notes 1: under Severe driving replace ever 3,750 miles.  Turbos  must have the oil service done (at least) every 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. 9: Auto Trans filter is maintenance free- replace only when damaged or the fluid has leaked (5AT only) all formatting © . j spitz, unauthorized reproduction prohibited. subject to change correction updating

Subaru Turbo care and maintenance requirements. Turbos require careful maintenance.

Synthetic Oil - not required on any 2010 model. On 2011s it is required on turbos and the new 2011 Forester 2.5L (statement July 2010)

'Proper lubrication of the turbocharger requires high-quality engine oil. 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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