The 2016 Subaru Impreza gives you a roomy sedan that handles well and is the only model in its class to offer all-wheel drive. As your car starts adding on the miles, one way to keep it in top condition is to take care of its engine, but you’ll need to know that its oil capacity is 5.1 quarts (4.8 liters).
Your 2016 Subaru Impreza has seen a few miles by now, but it still has a lot to give, especially if you take maintenance seriously. Keep your car on the move and cut down on costs by changing the oil yourself, once you know which oil to use and how much the engine takes.
Of course, that also means figuring out where the owner’s manual ended up and digging through wherever you swear you remember leaving it. In this car repair
guide, we’ll help you shortcut the process by giving you the details on oil capacity, which type of oil to use, and some tips on changing the oil yourself. Compare insurance quotes from 50+ carriers with Jerry in under 45 seconds
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4.7/5 rating on the App Store | Trusted by 5+ million customers and 7 million cars4.7/5 app rating | Trusted by 5M+ drivers 2016 Subaru Impreza engine oil capacity
We’ll start with something basic—how much engine oil is your 2016 Subaru Impreza going to need?
Your 2016 Impreza has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, which includes a 5.1 quarts oil capacity, or 4.8 liters. If you’re wondering why the engine mentions the 2.0 liters, that tells you the engine displacement, which means how much volume the cylinders take up. Oil capacity lets you know how much oil the engine takes for an oil change, so don’t make the mistake of switching the two numbers around since they refer to different things.
What kind of oil does a 2016 Subaru Impreza need?
So, besides knowing your engine needs 5.1 quarts of oil, you want to get the right kind of oil.
Your 2016 Subaru Impreza owner’s manual states that you should use SAE 0W-20 synthetic oil
for gasoline engines. Avoid just picking a random oil—Subaru knows which type will work best for your engine, so you want to follow their recommendation. In case you’re wondering, the numbers tell you the oil’s viscosity, or how thick it is, while the W tells you which number is the “Winter” viscosity. The 0 tells you the oil thickness at 0 degrees F, while the 20 is the viscosity at 212 degrees F. The SAE refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the group that sets the standards for engine oil.
You’ll also want the synthetic oil since that means the product uses ingredients the manufacturer altered to get better performance and to stabilize the oil. The 0W-20 oil will work great with your engine, especially during cold weather.
Subaru states that you can use 5W-30 synthetic oil if the 0W-20 oil is not available, but that you should switch back to the recommended choice with the next oil change.
How often to change oil on a 2016 Subaru Impreza
OK, so when do you actually need to change your oil
? The timeframe for conventional oil is every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. If your 2016 Impreza isn’t on the road a lot these days, you’ll still want to refresh the oil every six months to keep your engine at its best.
Synthetic oil can be changed every 7,500 to 10,000 miles on average, but Subaru’s Warranty and Maintenance manual states that you should change your oil every 6,000 miles for your 2016 Impreza.
Of course, your specific Impreza has its quirks, while your driving habits make a difference, so you want to check your oil about once a month or every other time you make a trip to the gas pump. Keep an eye out for additional hints that the oil needs changing:
If the engine oil looks dark, blackish, or gritty when you check it
If you start hearing odd noises from the engine
If your Impreza’s performance isn’t as good as usual
If you notice an oily or smoky smell
Any of these signs can mean it’s time to change your oil. And, of course, your dashboard light
might pop on to warn you as well. How to change your oil and oil filter
If it’s time for that oil change, get your materials ready. You want a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench on hand, plus a replacement filter and 0W-20 synthetic engine oil.
Once you have everything you need, warm the engine to the average operating temperature, so let the car run for about five minutes. If you’re using a car jack
or something similar, be sure your Impreza is secure for safety reasons. Next, turn the car off, open the hood, then start the oil change itself: Take off the oil fill cap (just don’t lose it!)
Climb under the car by the engine and take off the oil drain bolt and washer—have the drain pan ready to catch the old oil as it starts draining
You can remove the old oil filter as the oil drains—the oil filter is actually under the hood by the engine, not underneath the vehicle
Add a small amount of clean oil to the ring of the new filter to help it create a better seal, then install the filter
Once the used oil is done draining, put the oil drain bolt back on with a new washer and tighten it
Fill the engine with the new 0W-20 oil, then put the fill cap back on
It’s good to run your car for about 30 seconds to let the fresh oil distribute throughout the engine. Then, check that you have enough oil with the dipstick
if you need to add more. You also want to check the car for any leaks. Once everything is good, the dashboard’s oil pressure light
will turn off. And don’t forget about cleaning up. You can’t dump the used oil on the ground or throw it away since it’s a safety hazard. Instead, add it to a sealed container, then take it to a recycling center or similar locations.
Now your 2016 Subaru Impreza will be set for another 6,000 miles, give or take! Keeping up with regular maintenance
is a great way to extend the life of your car and get the most out of it. You’ll also save money in the long run by minimizing wear and tear. “After signing up with Jerry
, I went from $199/month to $97/month for my car insurance. My 2019 Subaru Forester now has full coverage for a great price!” —Rhonda H.
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