The 2020 Subaru Forester gives a good overall performance, great fuel economy, a lot of space, and is an overall no-nonsense SUV. You’ll want to stay on top of your oil changes to keep your Forester on the road for years to come, so you need to know the engine oil capacity, 4.4 quarts.

The engine oil is one of the most important maintenance priorities since it keeps your motor running and in good condition. You need to know a few things about your engine oil, like the oil capacity, which oil to use, and more. You want to know what Subaru recommends for your 2020 Forester, so the owner’s manual is one place to start.

But if the owner’s manual is nowhere to be found or you want extra info, we can help you out—let’s go over the details you need to help with engine oil maintenance.

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2020 Subaru Forester engine oil capacity

Let’s look at how much engine oil a 2020 Subaru Forester uses first!

The standard engine for a 2020 Forster is a 2.5-liter flat-four-cylinder engine with a 4.4-quart (or 4.2 liters) oil capacity. If you’re wondering why the engine mentions 2.5 liters, this number refers to the engine’s displacement, which means how much volume those four cylinders take up.

On the other hand, the 4.4-quart oil capacity tells you how much oil you need whenever you change the oil. Displacement and capacity are two different things, and you should never mix them up.

What kind of oil does a 2020 Subaru Forester need?

Besides knowing you need 4.4 quarts of oil, make sure you use the right type. You can’t just grab something random off-the-shelf—engine oils are designed for different needs, so you must use what is recommended for your vehicle. In the case of a 2020 Subaru Forester, the owner’s manual recommends

0W-20 synthetic oil for gasoline engines

The jumble of letters and numbers just tells you the ideal temperature operating range for that oil based on its viscosity, or how thick it is. The 0 and 20 lets you know it’s good for -40°F to 68°F, while the “W” lets you know the 0 is the winter viscosity—this kind of engine oil is excellent for cold weather. Make sure there is an SAE seal on the bottle since this refers to the Society of Automotive Engineers, the organization that helps make sure you know what you are getting when it comes to oil viscosity.

Synthetic oil contains chemical compounds created in a lab to make the oil even better, beyond refined oil. Synthetic oil allows the manufacturer to control the oil’s properties to work best with your specific engine type. Synthetic oil also leads to less buildup and harm over the motor’s life, allowing it to run better and last longer.

You have additional options for your engine oil:

Genuine Subaru Certified 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil

Havoline Pro DS Synthetic Motor Oil 5W-30

Mobil 1 - Extended Performance 5W-30 Full Synthetic Motor Oil

Depending on the outdoor temperature and how many miles you have on your vehicle, you’ll want to consider different oils based on your current needs, such as whether you have a high-mileage SUV.

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How often to change oil on a 2020 Subaru Forester

You also want to know how often to

change the oil

, so here are some basic guidelines. Depending on your oil type and driving habits, you’ll follow different rules:

Conventional oil: every 3,000 to 5,000 miles for non-synthetic oil

Minimal driving: every 6 months if you don’t regularly use your Forester

Synthetic oil: every 6,000 miles (owner’s manual schedule); up to 7,500 to 10,000 miles if you use synthetic oil

You should also check your oil regularly, at least once a month or every other time you fill up your Forester. You’ll need an oil change if you notice any of the following:

Dark brown or blackish motor oil

Grainy or coarse-looking oil

The engine makes weird noises or produces bad smells, like burning

Your SUV isn’t performing as well

Engine oil warning lights up on the dashboard

Be sure to move up your next oil change

if any of these happen—remember, engine oil makes a big difference in how well your motor runs, so don’t ignore warning signs.

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How to change your oil and oil filter

If it’s time to change your oil, have your supplies ready to go:

Socket wrench (14 mm)

Drain pan

Flat head screwdriver

Filter wrench to remove the old oil filter

Replacement filter

Five quarts of

0W-20 synthetic oil for gasoline engines

Disposable gloves, paper towels

Let your engine warm up to normal operating temperature by running it for about five minutes, then shut off the engine. Pop the hood and start the main event:

Take off the oil fill cap (just don’t lose it!)

Get under the SUV below the engine, then use the flathead screwdriver to pop out the four plastic screws on the panel covering the oil drain bolt; move the panel out of your way

Use the socket wrench to remove the oil drain bolt and let the oil drain into the drain pan

Go back up top – unlike other vehicles, the oil filter is under the hood; use the filter wrench to take out the old filter

Rub a couple of drops of oil on the new filter’s seal, then install the new filter

Once the used oil finishes draining, replace the drain bolt, along with a new washer, and tighten the bolt to 29 lb-ft

Add your 4.4 quarts of new oil to the engine

Run your engine for about 30 seconds to let the oil distribute, then double-check the oil level again using the dipstick. Add additional oil if needed—the

oil pressure light

should turn off.

Now for cleanup. Don’t toss the used oil in the trash or on the ground. Oil is a safety hazard, so you need to put it in a sealed container, then stop by a

recycling center

to get rid of it.

And that’s it! You can save yourself some time and avoid a trip to your mechanic by changing the oil yourself. Keeping up with

regular maintenance

is a huge part of keeping your 2020 Forester on the road for years and miles to come, plus it protects your engine from damage at the same time!

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