From its stellar safety rating to its roomy interior, the 2017 Subaru Outback is everything you could want in an SUV. If you want your Outback to last as long as possible, you’ll need to learn about its engine oil capacity.

Even with excellent ratings across the board, unforeseen problems can arise at any time, leaving you stuck with a costly repair bill. Nobody said owning a car would be cheap, but if you are interested in performing a recurring maintenance task on your own to save a few bucks, we’ve got you covered!

Jerry

the

car insurance

expert is here to guide you through all there is to know about changing your 2017 Subaru Outback oil. We’ll discuss its oil capacity, the best oil types, and even how to save money on your

Subaru Outback insurance costs

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2017 Subaru Outback engine oil capacity

Before you dive under your truck, let’s discuss exactly how much oil your Outback needs.

This 2017 SUV comes equipped with a 3.6-liter, six-cylinder engine with an oil capacity of 5.1 quarts. It’s important not to mix up these numbers, as the 3.6-liter refers to the

engine displacement

, which is very different from its oil capacity. Let’s go over the distinction to avoid any mishaps down the road.

Displacement is the volume of fuel and air that gets swept into each of the cylinders during one engine cycle, while the oil capacity is the amount of oil an engine needs to keep its parts operating smoothly. Recognizing this difference will prevent you from under-filling your engine with an improper oil dosage.

What kind of oil does a 2017 Subaru Outback need?

Now that you better understand your Outback’s oil capacity, it’s time to talk about which oil types are the most compatible with its engine.

Whether shopping in-store or online, you will be bombarded with tons of different oils. Don’t worry, we have the best oil to look for: Genuine Subaru Certified 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. This is the oil recommended by Subaru and the original material used when the 2017 Outback was manufactured. Make sure yo use synthetic rather than conventional oil, per these recommendations.

If you’re not the most car savvy, we can break down this specific oil type for you. The “W” stands for winter and the 5 tells us that this oil remains thin while the engine is under cold conditions. The 30 following the “W” indicates that the oil has a moderate viscosity (thickness) while the engine is at its normal operating temperature.

In simplest terms, the best oil is thin enough to flow well during those winter morning start-ups, as well as one that remains thick enough to cool the engine down when it is running.

If you’re interested in some alternative options, we suggest you check out these:

The genuine article: If you wish to only follow Subaru’s recommendation,

Genuine Subaru Certified 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil

is for you.

For increased intervals: If you prefer to change your oil every 20,000 miles,

Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5W-30

is your best bet.

For warmer climates: If you don’t live in a wintery area,

Genuine Subaru 0W-20 Synthetic Motor Oil

is an even thinner blend that will flow very quickly.

MORE:

Subaru tune up cost

How often to change oil on a 2017 Subaru Outback

Subaru advises its owners to change the oil on their Outback every six months or 6,000 miles—whichever comes first. Periodically monitoring your oil level and noting your last oil change as part of your

basic car maintenance schedule

can prevent you from allowing too much time to pass without adding fresh oil.

Additionally, you should also be aware of these signs that your Outback is ready for an oil change:

You hear strange sounds coming from your engine

You smell smoke or burning odors coming from under the hood

Your oil has turned dark brown or black

The oil feels coarse or rough

You notice changes in your car’s performance

MORE:

How to change your oil and oil filter

And now the main event—let’s

change the oil and filter

in your 2017 Subaru Outback! First, make sure you have all the necessary materials: a socket wrench, catch pan, filter wrench, replacement filter, and rag. Last but not least, don’t forget your bottle of 5W-30 motor oil

Start by letting your engine idle to warm up the engine Then, after a couple of minutes, turn off the engine,

open the hood of your car

, and follow the steps below:

Position yourself under the engine, setting the catch pan underneath the oil drain plug.

Use your socket wrench to remove the oil plug, letting all the oil drain out and into the pan.

Find the oil filter and remove it with your filter wrench, allowing any excess oil to drain out into the pan.

Wipe the filter mount surface and screw in your replacement filter.

Replace the oil drain plug.

Go to the front of the SUV and refill the required amount of oil into the engine.

And that’s all there is to it! Once the oil has had a chance to settle, check its level with the dipstick, and then confirm your oil pressure dashboard light isn’t on. As the last measure of assurance, start the engine and look for any leaks—if you don’t see any, you’re good to go!

Now for the cleanup. Never dump the old contaminated oil onto the ground or into a garbage bin. A best practice is to pour it into a container, seal it, and bring it to a recycling center for disposal.

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Performing your own oil changes can help you

save money on your car expenses

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