From its roomy interior to high ground clearance that doesn’t sacrifice ride quality, the Crosstrek is one solid adventure mobile. You’ll need to know your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek engine oil capacity if you want it to last for many years of fun—it’s 4.6 quarts or about 4.3 liters.

Between fuel costs, routine maintenance, and insurance premiums, you’re basically always paying for something when you own a car. Changing your own oil is a simple way to save some money on maintenance—just make sure you check your owner’s manual for your car’s oil capacity first.

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2018 Subaru Crosstrek engine oil capacity

Your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with an engine capacity of4.6 quarts (4.3 liters) of oil.

Before going any further, make sure you know the difference between your engine’s displacement—the 2.0-liter volume occupied by the pistons in your motor’s cylinders—and its oil capacity, which is the amount of oil the engine stores to use as a lubricant.

It’s important to remember that engine displacement and oil capacity are never interchangeable.

MORE: How much should an oil change cost?

What kind of oil does a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek need?

Not all motor oils are the same. If you change the oil on your Subaru Crosstrek, you need to ensure that you purchase the correct type of oil.

Your 2018 Subaru Crosstrek needs SAE 0W-20 partially synthetic oil. That’s what Subaru recommends using in your Crosstrek, and you can never go wrong choosing the manufacturer’s recommendation.

But what exactly is SAE 0W-20? SAE stands for Society of Automotive Engineers, the organization responsible for these oil codes.

The rest of the code is slightly more complicated. The “0W” shows that the oil is very thin at cold start (“winter”) temperature, and the “20” means that the oil is slightly thicker at normal (warm) operating temperature.

Smaller numbers mean thinner oil, which moves through your engine more efficiently.

The 0W-20 that Subaru recommends using in your Crosstrek is actually a partially synthetic oil. However, there are full synthetic versions that you can use in your car. The nice thing about synthetic oils is that you can go longer in between oil changes if you use them.

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

Subaru Synthetic 0W-20 Motor Oil

. This is what your owner’s manual recommends and what Subaru added to your engine in the production plant.

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

. For a cheaper oil that’s still just as good, consider Mobil 1.

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

. This is a great high-mileage option if your Crosstrek has more than 75,000 miles.

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How often to change the oil on a 2018 Subaru Crosstrek

Subaru recommends changing the oil in your Crosstrek every 3,000 to 5,000 miles. Alternatively, you can change your oil every three to six months.

However, those are pretty big ranges. It’s crucial that you check your oil periodically to ensure that it’s still in good condition and at a healthy level. A good habit to develop is checking your oil every other time you fill up with gas (about once a month).

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

Thick black or dark brown colored oil (clean oil should look like dark honey with a slightly amber tint)

Grimy, sandy, or gritty textured oil

Unusual noises from the engine

Decreased engine performance

Foul smells coming from the engine, like oil, burning, or smoke

MORE:

How to properly maintain your car

How to change your oil and oil filter

When you’re confident that you have the right type of oil and oil filter, you’re ready to get started changing your oil. You’ll also need the following

tools and supplies

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 for the clean oil

A torque wrench

Some clean rags or towels

Oil moves more easily when it’s warm. So, before you start, run your car for five minutes to help ensure that the oil drains faster.

After warming the engine, turn off the vehicle, open the hood, and follow the steps below.

Step 1: Remove the oil fill cap and dipstick.

Step 2: Go beneath the car and remove the oil drain plug. Position the drain pan to catch the old oil.

Step 3: While the oil drains, remove the old oil filter.

Step 4: Apply a thin layer of oil to the gasket on the new filter, then install it on the car. Screw it on until it’s snug, but don’t go too tight.

Step 5: Replace the oil drain plug and tighten it to 31 lb-ft.

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

Following these steps, turn the car back on and let it run for 30 seconds. Then, use the dipstick to check the oil level. Top off the oil as needed, and then finish by ensuring that the fill cap and dipstick are secure.

Don’t throw away your old oil. You can store it in the empty container from your clean oil and return it to the auto parts store to be recycled.

MORE:

How much does a Subaru tune-up cost?

Don’t forget regular insurance policy maintenance

Congratulations on a successful oil change! But remember, there’s more to owning a car than routine maintenance. And it’s just as important to ensure that you have a quality insurance plan to protect yourself and your vehicle.

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