🔧 Impreza - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

Changing the oil and oil filter keeps your engine properly lubricated and removes dirt/contaminants that build up over time. On your Impreza, the drain plug is on the bottom of the oil pan, and the oil filter is a spin-on filter in the engine bay (top-mounted), so it’s a beginner-friendly job.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 0.8-1.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a cool-to-warm engine, not hot (burn risk).
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands or use drive-on ramps; never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills right away.
• ⚠️ Wear nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is required for this service.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Drive-on ramps (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• 17mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range)
• Flat trim clip tool
• 12mm socket
• Oil filter cap wrench 65mm 14-flute
• Oil drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter (spin-on) - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to P, and set the parking brake.
• Chock the rear wheels using wheel chocks.
• Warm the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap (this helps the oil drain).
• Assumption: Your Impreza uses 0W-20 and oil capacity is about 5.1 qt with filter (final level is set by the dipstick).

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front of the car

• Drive onto drive-on ramps (rated 2-ton minimum), or lift the front with a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Give the car a gentle shake to confirm it’s stable before going underneath.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine cover (if equipped)

• Use a flat trim clip tool to pop out plastic clips (a trim clip tool is a flat pry tool made to remove push-clips without breaking them).
• Remove any small bolts using a 12mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Set the cover and clips aside so you don’t lose them.

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Place the oil drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the drain plug, then finish removing it by hand.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to an occasional drip (usually 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 (prevents cross-threading).
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range) to tighten the plug.
• Torque to 42 Nm (31 ft-lbs).
• Wipe the area clean with shop towels.

Step 5: Remove the oil filter (engine bay, top-mounted)

• Move the oil drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the filter area (a little oil will spill).
• Use the oil filter cap wrench 65mm 14-flute with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the filter.
• Spin the filter off by hand and keep it upright as you remove it to reduce spills.
• Check that the old rubber gasket didn’t stick to the engine (remove it if it did).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Put a small dab of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (helps it seal).
• Thread the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches, then tighten by hand an additional 2/3 turn.
• If you choose to torque it: use the oil filter cap wrench 65mm 14-flute and 3/8" drive torque wrench (10-100 ft-lbs range) and tighten to 17 Nm (13 ft-lbs).

Step 7: Reinstall the lower engine cover

• Reinstall the cover using the 12mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet for bolts.
• Reinstall push-clips by pressing them in by hand (use the flat trim clip tool only if needed).

Step 8: Add new oil and set the oil level

• Lower the car back to level ground (oil level readings are most accurate on level ground).
• Insert a funnel and add engine oil (0W-20 full synthetic), starting with about 4.8 quarts.
• Reinstall the oil fill cap.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds, then shut it off.
• Wait 3-5 minutes, then check the dipstick and add oil in small amounts until it’s at the full mark. Don’t overfill.

---

✅ After Repair

• With the engine idling, look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Recheck the dipstick one more time after a short 5-minute drive.
• If your Impreza has an oil maintenance reminder, reset it using the dash display settings (common path): Settings > Maintenance > Engine Oil > Reset.
• Pour the used oil into the empty oil bottles and take it (and the old filter) to an oil recycling drop-off center.

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $35-$70 (parts only)

You Save: $55-$90 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.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.