🔧 Outback - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains your old engine oil and replaces the oil filter so the engine stays lubricated and clean. Fresh oil helps prevent wear, keeps oil pressure stable, and protects the timing components.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.75-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• 🛑 Work on a level surface and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• 🔥 Engine oil can be very hot; let the engine cool 10-20 minutes before draining.
• 🧤 Wear gloves and safety glasses; used oil is a skin irritant.
• 🧯 Keep oil away from the exhaust to avoid smoke/fire risk.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair)
• Wheel chocks
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• Torque wrench (10-80 ft-lbs range)
• Oil drain pan (8-quart minimum)
• Oil filter wrench (cup or strap style)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (SAE 5W-30 full synthetic) - Qty: 7 quarts
• Oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• 🔑 Start the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 📄 Have a plan for used oil disposal (auto parts store/recycling center).

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and support the front of the Outback

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) at the front center jacking point, then set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum, pair).
• Give the vehicle a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before crawling under.

Step 2: Remove the oil filler cap and dipstick

• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap by hand.
• Pull the engine oil dipstick out slightly.
• This helps the crankcase vent while draining.

Step 3: Drain the engine oil

• Place the oil drain pan (8-quart minimum) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (typically 5-10 minutes).
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug and install the new oil drain plug crush washer.

Step 4: Reinstall and torque the drain plug

• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a torque wrench with a 17mm socket and Torque to 42 Nm (31 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use an oil filter wrench (cup or strap style) to loosen the filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Important: Make sure the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (it can stick to the engine).
• A “double gasket” can cause a big leak.

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a light film of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket using a gloved finger.
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten an additional 3/4 turn by hand.
• If you must use a wrench, use the oil filter wrench only gently—do not overtighten.
• Hand-tight is the goal.

Step 7: Refill with new engine oil

• Lower the vehicle from the jack stands using the floor jack so it sits level.
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill hole.
• Pour in about 6.5 quarts of SAE 5W-30 full synthetic first (don’t dump all 7 quarts in immediately).
• Reinstall the oil filler cap by hand.

Step 8: Start, check for leaks, then set the final oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and wait 5 minutes for oil to drain back to the pan.
• Check underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter using safety glasses.
• Check the dipstick level, then add oil as needed to reach the full mark (usually ends up around 6.9 quarts total with filter).
• Wipe spills with shop towels.

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✅ After Repair

• 🧪 Recheck the dipstick one more time after a short 5-10 minute drive.
• 🛠️ If your Outback has a maintenance reminder screen, reset it in the multi-function display settings (wording varies by cluster).
• ♻️ Pour used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old filter.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $90-$160 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $45-$85 (parts only)

You Save: $45-$75 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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