The 2014 Subaru Forester offers an appealing blend of off-road utility and in-town performance. With its practical hatchback, comfortable all-wheel-drive, and spacious interior, the 2014 Forester will serve you well. However, if you want to keep your Forester in prime conditions, you'll need to know its engine oil capacity.

Owning a car involves a lot of expenses, like routine maintenance, fuel costs, and insurance premiums. You can save some money if you choose to change your own oil—but first, you need to check your vehicle owner's manual for the engine oil capacity.

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2014 Subaru Forester engine oil capacity

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that powers your 2014 Subaru Forester holds 5.1 quarts or about 4.8 liters of oil.

Before we go any further, we need to discuss the difference between your engine's displacement—the 2.5-liter volume of pistons inside your engine's cylinders—and its oil capacity, which is the amount of oil it can store to use as a lubricant.

Engine displacement and oil capacity are two strictly different numbers, and these terms are never interchangeable.

What kind of oil does a 2014 Subaru Forester need?

Another thing you'll need to know is the type of oil your car requires. That's right, not all motor oils are the same, and you can't just walk into the auto parts store and purchase the first jug of oil you see.

Look instead for SAE 5W-30 motor oil. That's what Subaru recommends for your 2014 Forester, and going with the manufacturer's recommendation is always a wise choice.

What do those combined letters and numbers mean? The "SAE" stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, the organization responsible for writing these motor oil codes.

The numbers represent the oil's viscosity or thickness. The "5" stands for the oil's thickness at cold temperatures; that's why it's in front of the "W," which stands for winter. The number "30" signifies how thick the oil is at warmer temperatures.

The smaller the number, the thinner the oil, and thinner oils move through your car's engine more efficiently.

You can also use synthetic motor oil in your Subaru. These oils have the benefit of allowing you to wait longer in between oil changes.

Are you still unsure which oil to select? Consider these three options:

Subaru Synthetic 5W-30 Motor Oil

. This is the official Subaru motor oil and what your owner's manual recommends using.

Havoline with Deposit Shield 5W-30 Fully Synthetic Motor Oil

. Havoline is a quality option at a cheaper price tag.

Havoline 5W-30 High Mileage

. This is an excellent option if your Forester has more than 75,000 miles.

MORE:

Subaru lug pattern guide

How often to change the oil on a 2014 Subaru Forester

Subaru recommends changing the oil in your 2014 Forester every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If you don't drive your car that much, remember to change the oil every three to six months.

Since those are pretty big time ranges, it's important to check your oil periodically in between changes. A good habit to develop is checking your oil every other time you fill the gas tank, or at least once a month. Checking your oil should also be included in your regular

maintance schedule

When you check your engine oil, remember to look for these signs that it needs to be changed:

Dark brown, black, or muddy oil (clean oil is similar to the color of dark honey)

Oil with a grimy, gritty, or sandy texture

Loud noises from your engine

Suddenly decreased engine performance

Any new foul odor 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

Once you've purchased the proper oil and oil filter, you're ready to begin. These are the tools you'll need:

A ratchet wrench and a 17-millimeter socket

A drain pan for the old oil

A jack and jack stands or ramps to lift the vehicle

An oil filter wrench

A funnel

A torque wrench

A clean rag or towel

Although running the vehicle before changing the oil isn't necessary, warming the engine up for five minutes will help the oil drain more quickly. Once the engine is warm, turn off the car, pop the hood, and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap and pull up the dipstick.

Step 2: Crawl underneath the car and remove the oil drain plug. Use the drain pan to catch the old oil.

Step 3: While you wait for the oil to drain, unscrew and remove the old oil filter.

Step 4: Use your finger to apply a light layer of oil to the new filter's gasket, then screw it into place. Only tighten the new filter until it is snug.

Step 5: Replace the oil drain plug and tighten it to 32 lb-ft.

Step 6: Use your funnel to fill the engine with clean oil and then replace the fill cap.

After completing these steps, turn your car on for 30 seconds. Then, recheck the oil level using the dipstick and top it off if necessary. Finish up by ensuring that your oil fill cap and dipstick are secure.

As your final step, you can recycle the used oil. Pour it into the new oil's empty container and return it to the auto parts store.

MORE:

How long does an oil change take?

Don't forget regular insurance policy maintenance

By changing your car's oil, you took an important step toward protecting and prolonging your vehicle's life. Another and equally essential step toward protecting your vehicle and yourself is purchasing a quality

car insurance

plan.

You can avoid the hassle of shopping for insurance by downloading the

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