As a practical and reliable vehicle, the 2010 Subaru Tribeca is a great pick. But if you want to keep your Subaru running as it gets older, you’ll need to know its oil capacity.

Being a car owner is costly, and just thinking about the bills for

car insurance

, maintenance, and emergency repairs can give you a headache. Luckily, you can lower your maintenance costs by taking on simple DIY tasks yourself—like an oil change. But you’ll need to look at your owner’s manual first.

We’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know about changing your 2010 Subaru Tribeca’s oil. As a

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2010 Subaru Tribeca engine oil capacity

Before you can change your Subaru’s oil, you need to figure out how much oil your 2010 Subaru Tribeca is going to need.

Your 2010 Subaru Tribeca has an oil capacity of 6.7 quarts. Since its engine displacement is 3.6L, all these numbers can get confusing.

Engine displacement tells you how much space your Subaru's cylinders take up. In contrast, oil capacity refers to how much oil your engine needs to operate and how much you need to purchase for an oil change. These values cannot be used interchangeably, so don’t confuse them—it can result in irreparable damage to your car.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

What kind of oil does a 2010 Subaru Tribeca need?

While it might seem easier to just pick up the first bottle of motor oil you see on the shelves, you need to make sure you’re choosing the right type. Subaru recommends its drivers use 5W-30 motor oil for oil changes.

There’s a reason it’s important to stick with Subaru’s recommendation, and understanding what the numbers and letters mean will help you choose the right power steering fluid for your Subaru.

The numbers indicate the type of viscosity the motor oil has at different temperatures—the 5 states that the oil has lower viscosity at 0°F, and the 30 tells us it is thinner at 212°F. Essentially, this type of motor oil is optimal for your Subaru because it works well in colder temperatures and will cause less damage to your engine in the future.

You might notice that there are options for conventional and synthetic motor oil when shopping around—and while both can work for your Subaru, synthetic is typically better for your engine. For one, it's easier on your engine and will last longer, meaning you won’t need to change your Subaru’s oil as often.

Subaru offers its own

Genuine Subaru Certified 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil

that is your best option if you want to stick to the recommendation in the owner's manual. However, any brand of SAE 5W-30 motor oil is also safe to use as long as it meets the same quality standards.

MORE:

Ultimate FRAM oil filter guide

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How often to change oil on a 2010 Subaru Tribeca

Subaru recommends drivers change their oil every 5,000 to 7,000 miles. This range may vary depending on a variety of factors—such as the type of oil you’re using and how often you drive. To be safe, consider regularly checking your oil and looking for the following:

Debris in your motor oil: If you notice

black and gritty engine oil

, you need to change it as soon as possible to avoid damage to your engine

Sudden noises: If you’re noticing loud sounds when you accelerate, it might indicate that its time to change your Subaru's oil

Different smells: Any changes in smell in your vehicle can indicate that your oil needs to be changed—especially if you notice a burning smell

Decrease in performance

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you’re ready for your Subaru’s oil change, make sure you have these

essential car tools and supplies

by your side:

A socket wrench

Something to catch the dirty oil, like a drain pan

A filter wrench that can help you take out the old oil filter

A new filter

Seven quarts of 5W-30 motor oil

Here are the steps for an oil change:

Run your engine. This should only take five minutes during normal temperatures and will get your engine ready for an oil change.

Once your engine is ready, turn the vehicle off, pop the hood, and take off the oil fill cap.

Look under the engine for the oil drain bolt and washer to remove them.

Place the drain pan under the engine to catch the old oil.

Take out the existing filter and insert your new one.

Tighten the oil drain bolt and new washer.

Pour in new oil until your dipstick has indicated that you’ve added enough oil.

Replace the oil fill cap, and turn on your car to check for leaks.

Clean everything up—gather the oil in a sealed container and bring it to a recycling depot.

After changing your oil, it’s a good idea to turn on your car and let your engine run for about 30 seconds before you check the oil level. This will give you a more accurate measurement, and you’ll be able to top it off if necessary.

your car's oil pressure light

has turned off, you’ve completed a successful oil change!

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

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