Engine oil is pivotal to the longevity of any vehicle you drive. It ensures that all of the moving pieces are lubricated so that they don’t overheat or get damaged from the rapid movements. It’s important to stay on top of the oil in your vehicle, and if you’re driving the 2019 Subaru Forester, the oil capacity of your engine is 4.4 U.S. quarts or 4.2 liters.

Subaru’s are known for their reliability and longevity. However, if you don’t stay on top of

car repair

and maintenance, your Forester won’t be able to keep going for long. As one of the most frequent aspects of car maintenance, it might be beneficial to learn how to change that oil on your own.

Keep reading to find out how much oil your 2019 Forester needs, what types of oil you can (and should) use on your Forester, and how to change the oil and oil filter yourself.

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2019 Subaru Forester engine oil capacity

The 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine in the 2019 Forester needs 4.2 liters of oil (which is equivalent to 4.4. U.S. quarts) every time you get an oil change.

Now if you’re confused as to how a 2.5-liter engine needs almost two liters more than that in oil, you’re not the only one. The number or liter size used to describe the engine is a reference to the engine’s displacement and not its oil capacity. Don’t assume those numbers will be the same because they almost never are.

If you want to double-check the oil capacity of your 2019 Subaru Forester, just grab your owner’s manual. It’ll let you know how much oil your SUV needs. The number might change slightly due to factors like temperature and air pressure, but it won’t be anything of great significance.

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What kind of oil does a 2019 Subaru Forester need?

You know how much oil your vehicle needs, but now you need to know what type of oil it needs to keep that Forester running smoothly. Subaru recommends the use of 0W-20 synthetic oil with one of the following two oil grades: American Petroleum Institute (API) designation of SN with the words Resource Conserving or International Lubricant Specification Advisory Committee (ILSAC) GF-5.

If synthetic oil is not available, it is okay to replenish the oil with non-synthetic 5W-30 oil according to the owner’s manual. However, the next time the oil is changed, it should be switched back to an approved synthetic.

There are a lot of numbers floating around here, so if you’re unsure, it’s always okay to ask for assistance at the auto parts store. And even if you are sure, it can give you some peace of mind to double-check the first few times that you’re buying for yourself.

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How often to change the oil on a 2019 Subaru Forester

You now have the right quantity of the correct type of oil, so how often should you change the oil in your 2019 Subaru Forester? Every 6,000 miles or 6 months. Most people are used to hearing every 3,000 miles or 3 months, but because the Forester uses synthetic oil, you get a little more time out of it, which is part of the reason for the higher cost.

However, that’s just a minimum requirement. If you check your oil regularly, you may find that it’s better to change it more frequently. There are sensors built into the Forester that will let you know if the engine oil is getting low, but you can also check manually.

To check the oil, make sure that your vehicle is parked on a level surface and has been off for at least a few minutes. Under the hood, you’ll find the oil level gauge. You’ll need to remove it and wipe it off. Then you’ll reinsert it fully, remove it again, and check the reading.

If the oil is on or near the low-level indicator, you may want to top it off with 1.0 liter (1.1 U.S. quarts) of oil. However, if the oil is dark brown or black or feels coarse or gritty, those are signs that the oil should be totally replaced and not just topped off. Other signs that you might need an oil change include strange engine sounds and smells or changes to your SUV’s overall performance.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

You might be asking yourself:

are Subarus expensive to maintain?

One way to bring down maintenance costs on any vehicle is to learn how to do some of the work yourself.

Subaru recommends getting all maintenance done at an authorized dealership because their mechanics are specialized in these types of vehicles. However, you can opt to change the oil and oil filter on your own.

You’ll need new oil, a new oil filter, a socket wrench, a drain pan, and a filter wrench (made specifically to help change out these filters).

First, you’ll want the car at normal running temperature. Make sure the vehicle is in Park and that the emergency brake is engaged. If you need more room, you may need to jack the car up, but be sure to never get under a car only supported by a jack; you should utilize jack stands and wheel chocks.

Remove the cap of the oil tank located under the hood of the car. Then place your drain pan under the oil drain plug and remove it with the socket wrench. Be sure that the drain pan has the capacity for all of the oil that will be draining. The oil will start draining quickly but may take some time to fully drain.

Using the oil filter wrench, take off the cap and let any oil drain from the filter. Then remove the filter and replace it. Once all the oil has drained from the engine’s oil pan, wipe down the drain plug and the drain plug hole before reinserting and tightening it.

Fill your car with new oil, and measure to make sure it has the proper amount—4.2 quarts in this case. Next, you’ll want to run the vehicle for a few minutes to ensure that there are no leaks. Be sure to dispose of the oil properly, which usually requires a trip to a recycling center. The oil cannot be put down drains or onto the ground.

Now that you’ve changed your oil, enjoy the next 6,000 miles in your 2019 Subaru Forester!

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