The below details how to change the motor oil in a Subaru 2.5L EJ255 Forester XT engine. This very well may crossover to other Subaru engines both turbo and N/A.
NOTICE: SubaruForester.org, nor I, are liable or responsible for any outcome the below instructions may produce. These are merely for perspective and secondary reference to your owner's manual.
According to the Subaru owner's manual the 2.5L engine's oil specifications are as follows:
Capacity: 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters) without filter replacement and 4.8 US qt(4.5 liters) with filter replacement
Classification: Use only API classification SL with the words "ENERGY CONSERVING" and the New API certification mark (starburst mark) displayed on the container (ILSAC GF-3)
Type: 5w-30
--For the below write-up I've used Mobile 1 full synthetic ILSAC GF-4 5w-30--
Tools you will use:
-Socket wrench
-17mm socket on a long extension
-3/4 socket on a long extension to apply more physics (trick i learned at a junk yard)
-minimum 6 qt oil catch pan - I use a 9 qt pan
-I like to have a few rags on hand to keep things clean and tidy
Other handy tools and info:
- nice filter wrench: link
- oil pan torque specs: link
HOW TO CHANGE THE OIL:
Step 1) Park your vehicle on level ground making sure to pull your parking brake to secure the vehicle. Go ahead and pop your hood from inside the car on the bottom left under the dash/steering wheel.
Step 1b) - Optional Step - you can lift your vehicle up on jack stands or ramps to make it easier to work beneath the engine. If you do this, please use great care as to avoid any kind of situation to where the vehicle could fall on you or something else!
Step 2) Now open your hood via the latch above the Subaru emblem and under the hood.
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Step 3) Locate your oil cap. You'll notice the cap will reference what type of oil you should put in the vehicle and to refer to the owner's manual. Smart oil cap....
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Step 4) Go ahead and remove your oil cap and set it in a clean and level place.
Step 5) Now go to the front of the vehicle and get down under to locate the oil drain bolt and oil filter. They will look like this:
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Step 5b) - Optional Step - you can remove the plastic skid-plate but I see no reason to do this as Subaru has provided ample room to work. I did not document this portion.
Step 6) Now that you have located the in and out of the motor oil system, let's collect our tools! I use the following for this job:
-Socket wrench
-17mm socket on a long extension
-3/4 socket on a long extension to apply more physics (trick i learned at a junk yard)
-minimum 6 qt oil catch pan - I use a 9 qt pan
-I like to have a few rags on hand to keep things clean and tidy
![]()
Step 7) Now you have your tools so lets change some oil! Grab your socket wrench with 17mm socket and extension and gently break the oil drain bolt loose. CAUTION - oil could be hot!
![]()
Step 7b) - Optional Step - If you need more leverage, use the 3/4 socket with extension on the bottom of your socket wrench to act like a small breaker bar. Gotta love physics!
![]()
Step 8) Go ahead and remove the drain bolt completely being careful to not drop it in your catch pan or burn yourself in the process. Just be gentle. Now let the oil drain completely.
Step 9) Once the oil finishes draining you can remove the oil filter. If the oil filter was installed properly you should be able to do this by hand (with some muscle of course). If the filter is on too tight then you'll most likely need a filter wrench and you may need to take the plastic skid-plate off the vehicle. CAUTION - oil could be hot!
![]()
NOTICE: SubaruForester.org, nor I, are liable or responsible for any outcome the below instructions may produce. These are merely for perspective and secondary reference to your owner's manual.
According to the Subaru owner's manual the 2.5L engine's oil specifications are as follows:
Capacity: 4.2 US qt (4.0 liters) without filter replacement and 4.8 US qt(4.5 liters) with filter replacement
Classification: Use only API classification SL with the words "ENERGY CONSERVING" and the New API certification mark (starburst mark) displayed on the container (ILSAC GF-3)
Type: 5w-30
--For the below write-up I've used Mobile 1 full synthetic ILSAC GF-4 5w-30--
Tools you will use:
-Socket wrench
-17mm socket on a long extension
-3/4 socket on a long extension to apply more physics (trick i learned at a junk yard)
-minimum 6 qt oil catch pan - I use a 9 qt pan
-I like to have a few rags on hand to keep things clean and tidy
Other handy tools and info:
- nice filter wrench: link
- oil pan torque specs: link
HOW TO CHANGE THE OIL:
Step 1) Park your vehicle on level ground making sure to pull your parking brake to secure the vehicle. Go ahead and pop your hood from inside the car on the bottom left under the dash/steering wheel.
Step 1b) - Optional Step - you can lift your vehicle up on jack stands or ramps to make it easier to work beneath the engine. If you do this, please use great care as to avoid any kind of situation to where the vehicle could fall on you or something else!
Step 2) Now open your hood via the latch above the Subaru emblem and under the hood.
Step 3) Locate your oil cap. You'll notice the cap will reference what type of oil you should put in the vehicle and to refer to the owner's manual. Smart oil cap....
Step 4) Go ahead and remove your oil cap and set it in a clean and level place.
Step 5) Now go to the front of the vehicle and get down under to locate the oil drain bolt and oil filter. They will look like this:
Step 5b) - Optional Step - you can remove the plastic skid-plate but I see no reason to do this as Subaru has provided ample room to work. I did not document this portion.
Step 6) Now that you have located the in and out of the motor oil system, let's collect our tools! I use the following for this job:
-Socket wrench
-17mm socket on a long extension
-3/4 socket on a long extension to apply more physics (trick i learned at a junk yard)
-minimum 6 qt oil catch pan - I use a 9 qt pan
-I like to have a few rags on hand to keep things clean and tidy
Step 7) Now you have your tools so lets change some oil! Grab your socket wrench with 17mm socket and extension and gently break the oil drain bolt loose. CAUTION - oil could be hot!
Step 7b) - Optional Step - If you need more leverage, use the 3/4 socket with extension on the bottom of your socket wrench to act like a small breaker bar. Gotta love physics!
Step 8) Go ahead and remove the drain bolt completely being careful to not drop it in your catch pan or burn yourself in the process. Just be gentle. Now let the oil drain completely.
Step 9) Once the oil finishes draining you can remove the oil filter. If the oil filter was installed properly you should be able to do this by hand (with some muscle of course). If the filter is on too tight then you'll most likely need a filter wrench and you may need to take the plastic skid-plate off the vehicle. CAUTION - oil could be hot!
