Subaru redesigned the drain plugs. Some will be 14 mm while others will be 17 mm. I"m not sure when the change was made or what your car might be equipped with.

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https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2022/MC-10207172-0001.pdf​

It's probably good to have a selection of wrenches and sockets in common sizes. Personally, I would use a long box wrench.

A Fumoto valve wouldn't be a bad idea.

 

Not really, it's just going to depend on what came with it from the factory (14mm hex is my guess since they revised the drain plugs in 2022) and if it was ever replaced with an updated one. Keep in mind, if it IS the old style 14mm hex, then they have a tendancy to round off and be quite difficult to remove. This leads to uninformed comments by some about impacts being used on engine oil drain plugs. This is not the case, it is just the poor design of the 14mm hex drain plug and why the part was updated. We experience essentially ZERO problems with the updated part.

I would suggest verifying what size the drain plug is well before the oil change is due. If it is indeed a 14mm, have a 17mm replacement on hand with the crush washer. Alternatively something like a Fumoto valve could be a different option. If the 14mm drain plugs attempts to be difficult (it is quite easy to round off), perhaps having a shop do the oil change and replace the drain plug with the 17mm or install a Fumoto valve and leave the DIY attempt for the next oil change.

 

@j3rf
Good info! Sounds like you've got some experience with the oil drain plug on those engines. Yeah, verifying the size ahead of time is a great idea, especially with the potential for the 14mm to round off. Having a 17mm replacement on hand or considering a Fumoto valve are solid plans B's. Appreciate the warning about the potential difficulties with the 14mm plug!

 

Sounds like you've got some experience with the oil drain plug on those engines.

@Todd Edward Yep, all day every day.

 

Thanks for the replies everyone. I guess I’ll get both sizes of socket and send along a new 17mm drain plug and have her replace the 14 mm one if thats what she has.

 

@Captain Spalding - I'd suggest a small set of quality metric tools, sockets and open end/box wrenches, screw drivers, etc. There's a lot of stuff on these Subarus that's 10, 12, 14, 17mm that are things that your kid can learn DIY skills on. Bulb replacement, air/cabin filter changes, battery replacement, etc.

 

Send her a set of sockets, not just one or two. I'm currently dealing with things like some people trying to change bits in the drill press, with the wrong chuck key (too small) and they can't figure it out.

 

I hear you guys who are urging me to by a more comprehensive set of tools. I’m getting her just what she needs to change her oil. If she shows any enthusiasm for working on her car beyond that then we’ll see about other tools.

 

Nice graphic.

 

I hope my post doesn't complicate things for you, but my '21 Forester is a Premium model (not Limited), and I did change the oil drain plug 3 years ago after I saw Subaru's Service Bulletin (# 02-189-22) about replacing the factory oil drain plug with a newer design (part number 32195AA021). However in spite of what Subaru said in that bulletin, the factory installed drain plug on my car was NOT 14 mm. I kept that old plug after replacing it in case I ever needed it if something went wrong with the new one. I hope you can see from the pics below that it does indeed fit a 17mm socket perfectly. Not sure how much of what I experienced on a Premium Forester applies to the Limited model that your daughter has, but I think you are wise to send her both socket sizes for her 1st job. And yes I am glad I bought the new plug. The dealer did my first 2 oil changes for free, but I was not happy with the wear that started on the plug's edges as you can see in the photo below. I suspect (but do not know for sure) that the wear was due to their mechanics using power wrenches to loosen & re-tighten the drain bolt. I simply remove with a socket wrench, and then tighten with a socket by hand, and then torque to 30 ft lbs for final tightening pressure. My 3 year old new drain bolt still looks as good today at the day I bought it. Good luck

 

I suspect (but do not know for sure) that the wear was due to their mechanics using power wrenches to loosen & re-tighten the drain bolt.

Nope, no one does this. That's just the paint. The 14mm drain plug in the TSB shows actual wear.

 

Use a single-hex socket and not double-hex. I loosen the plug with a slight tap of a rubber mallet.

 

Excellent step-by-step instructions.
Personally I would not reinstall the oil pan drain cover. All that does is conceal the drain plug. Although your daughter may know where the oil drain plug is hidden, an oil change shop may not. If she ever has someone else do an engine oil change, they may drain the CVT fluid by mistake if the oil drain plug is hidden above the removable cover. That costly mistake happens more often than you may think.

 

Excellent point. I drive a Toyota, and among Toyota owners the dealer is the service option of last resort. What is the opinion of Subaru dealer service among Subaru owners?

 

Here’s my opinion…It’s usually dependent on the dealership. Some are exemplary, while others leave much to be desired…

 

FWIW, oil changes on a Forester can be an entirely tool-free, jack-free, ramp-free endeavor. They are for me, anyway, and I have ALL the tools. Just get an oil drain-plug valve -- whichever model you prefer. I got a Valvomax, which I highly recommend, but any reputable option is better than the standard drain plug. I'm a fairly large human, and I can get my head and arm under the Foz easily enough to rotate the hinged plastic oil-drain cover out of the way, unscrew the Valvomax cap, and then screw on the Valvomax drain tube, all WITHOUT needing to lift the vehicle (granted I'm usually working on a clean garage floor). It honestly couldn't be easier, and zero tools are required.

I've been working on cars for 30+ years and IMO the Valvomax (or equivalent) is the single best DIY mod you can make.

 

oil changes on a Forester can be an entirely tool-free, jack-free, ramp-free endeavor

When I tried to do a jack/ramp free oil change on my Forester, I could get only one arm onto the ratchet for the drain bolt. It was winter and I wanted to get out of there, so I did end up completing the oil change, but having only one hand on the ratchet usually leads to the socket not being on the drain bolt properly/fully, leading to wear/damage to the bolt. It's better to lift the vehicle so that you have the room to use the tools properly. One hand pushing the ratchet onto the bolt and making sure it's seated properly, and the other to turn the tool.

I don't use the drain valves for various reasons.

 

@Captain Spalding - Very nice write up for your daughter. The only thing you may want to add is to note which of the two marks the oil makes on the dipstick to use for the reading. Use the lower of the two. Also, I find it helps a bit to leave the dipstick out during the five minutes wait for the oil to settle.

Regarding dealer service. I think it depends somewhat on the mechanic one is assigned. My experience has been poor. Collateral damage each and every visit. Broken panel connectors that weren’t replaced and an over tightened negative battery terminal.

 

Don't like using 12 point box end wrenches on a sometimes already problematic drain plug.

6 point shallow 14/17MM socket, 3/8 drive ratchet with some length (my dedicated oil drain plug ratchet is 13" overall). I find a non-flex head ratchet more reliable than one with a flex.

 

With a drain valve the tool discussion is a moot point.
You don't need any tools to drain the oil after it's installed.

 

Clearly a long handled box wrench is superior.

With the right box wrench, I can have that oil change turned around and the next billable customer on the rack before my competition... eh.... er.... coworkers have their sockets clipped in.

I'm not interested in the geometry of the drain plug when I'm done. That's for the engineers. As long as the card reader says "approved" then I'm good. Neeext!

And a man comes on and tells me​

How white my shirts can be​

Well, he can't be a man 'cause he doesn't use​

The same drain plug wrench as me​

I can't get no. No no no.​

Hey hey hey. That's what I say.​

The days of using manuals are gone. I look up how to do oil changes on AI.

 

Don't forget your loctite no one removes drain plugs anyways!

 

For future reference: The current Subaru oil filter is 15208AA21A. The 20A left the building early this year.....