The 2013 Subaru Impreza is a great little car that handles well in almost any condition. With a standard all-wheel drive and spacious interior, the 2013 Impreza is an excellent vehicle for everyday use. But if you want your Subaru to remain in its prime condition, you’ll need to know its engine oil capacity.

Owning a vehicle is expensive. Between insurance premiums, fuel costs, and regular maintenance, there’s always a looming expense. A great way to save some money is changing your own oil—just don’t forget to check your owner’s manual for the car’s oil capacity first.

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2013 Subaru Impreza engine oil capacity

Your 2013 Subaru Impreza has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that holds 5.1 quarts (about 4.8 liters) of oil.

Before going any further, we need to talk about the difference between your engine’s displacement—the 2.0-liter volume occupied by the pistons in your engine’s cylinders—and its oil capacity, which is how much oil it holds and stores to use as a lubricant.

Engine oil capacity and displacement are two very different numbers and are never interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2013 Subaru Impreza need?

Before changing your Impreza’s oil, you’ll need to know what type of oil it takes. Not all motor oils are the same. Most engines take a specific kind of oil, and it’s vital that you use the right blend to keep your car in good condition.

When you go to the auto parts store, look for SAE 0W-20. That’s what Subaru recommends using in your 2013 Impreza, and you can’t go wrong choosing the manufacturer’s recommendation.

What does that cryptic-looking code mean? The “SAE” stands for Society of Automotive Engineers. They’re the organization responsible for writing these engine oil codes.

The numbers represent the oil’s viscosity or its thickness. The “0” signifies how thick the oil is at cool temperatures—that’s why it’s in front of the “W,” which stands for winter—and the “20” represents how thick the oil is at warmer temperatures.

Thinner oils move through your engine more efficiently, and you can identify them by their smaller numbers.

What about synthetic oils? The 0W-20 that Subaru recommends is actually a partially synthetic oil already, but there are fully synthetic varieties, and you can choose to use them in your Impreza.

Finally, Subaru also specifies that you can use 5W-30 motor oil in your 2013 Impreza. This is slightly thicker but still very solid, all-around motor oil.

If you’re still unsure about which oil to buy, consider these three options:

Subaru Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil

. Genuine Subaru motor oil is what your owner’s manual recommends using in your 2013 Impreza.

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

. Mobil 1 is a high-quality cheaper alternative.

Mobil 1 High Mileage 0W-20 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

. This is the oil you want if your Subaru has more than 75,000 miles.

MORE:

Subaru lug pattern guide

How often to change the oil on a 2013 Subaru Impreza

Subaru

recommends changing the oil in your 2013 Impreza every 7,500-10,000 miles. Alternatively, you can remember to change your oil every six months.

That’s a pretty extensive time range, so it’s a good idea to check your oil periodically to ensure that it remains in good condition. We recommend checking your oil every other time you fill the gas tank, or at least once a month.

When you check your oil, these are the signs that it’s dirty and needs to be changed:

Thick dark brown, black, or muddy oil (clean oil looks like amber-colored honey)

Oil with a gritty, grimy, or sandy texture

Strange noises coming from the engine

Poor engine performance

Unpleasant odors from the engine, like burning, smoke, or oil

MORE:

How much does a Subaru tune-up cost?

How to change your oil and oil filter

Now that you have the correct type of oil and a new oil filter, you’re ready to begin. The tools you’ll need are:

A ratchet wrench with a 17-millimeter socket

A drain pan to catch the old oil

A jack and jack stands or ramps to raise the car

An oil filter wrench

A funnel for the new oil

A torque wrench

A clean rag or towel

When you’re ready to change your oil, start your car and let it run for five minutes. This allows the oil to warm up enough to drain more easily. Once the engine is warm, turn off the car, open the hood, and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Pull up the dipstick and remove the oil fill cap.

Step 2: Go underneath the car and remove the oil drain plug. Use your drain pan to catch the dirty oil.

Step 3: As the oil drains, unscrew and remove the old oil filter.

Step 4: Using your finger, apply a light layer of oil to the new oil filter’s gasket and screw it into place. Be sure only to tighten the new filter until it is snug.

Step 5: Reinstall the oil drain plug and tighten it to 30.8 lb-ft.

Step 6: Fill the engine with clean oil and replace the oil fill cap.

When these steps are complete, turn on the car for 30 seconds and then use the dipstick to check the oil level. Top off the oil if necessary, and then ensure that the fill cap and dipstick are secure.

As one final step, you can recycle your old oil by pouring it into the new oil container and returning it to the auto parts store.

MORE:

How long does an oil change take?

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Changing your oil is one of the best ways to protect your car. But another equally important form of protection for your vehicle and yourself is a quality

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