🔧 Forester - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

This service drains the old engine oil and replaces the oil filter so your engine stays lubricated and clean. On your Forester’s turbo engine, clean oil is especially important because the turbocharger runs hot and depends on good oil flow.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-90 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on a level surface and support the vehicle with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Engine oil gets very hot; let the engine cool 15–30 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off the exhaust and belts; wipe spills immediately to prevent smoke/odor.
• ⚠️ No battery disconnect is 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)
• Wheel chocks
• 14mm socket
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range)
• Oil drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity)
• Funnel
• Oil filter cap wrench 65mm 14-flute
• Shop rags
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil (5W-30 full synthetic) - Qty: 6 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, shift to Park, and set the parking brake.
• Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine 2–3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil fill cap to help the crankcase vent while draining.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Safely raise and support the front

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front at the center front jacking point.
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum) at the proper support points.
• Give the vehicle a gentle push to confirm it’s stable before crawling underneath.

Step 2: Drain the engine oil

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Position the oil drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen and remove the drain plug.
• Let the oil drain until it slows to a drip (usually 5–10 minutes).

Step 3: Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer

• Wipe the drain plug area with shop rags.
• Remove the old washer from the drain plug and install the oil drain plug crush washer.
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first (this prevents cross-threading).
• Use a 3/8" drive torque wrench (10–100 ft-lbs range) and 14mm socket to tighten the drain plug: Torque to 42 Nm (31 ft-lbs).

Step 4: Remove the oil filter

• Move the oil drain pan (at least 8-quart capacity) under the oil filter area (a little oil will spill).
• Use the oil filter cap wrench 65mm 14-flute to loosen the oil filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the filter (it should not stay stuck to the engine).

Step 5: Install the new oil filter

• Put a small dab of fresh oil on the new filter’s rubber gasket (this helps it seal).
• Spin the new filter on by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Tighten by hand an additional 2/3 to 3/4 turn. Hand-tight is usually correct.

Step 6: Refill with fresh oil

• Lower the vehicle off the jack stands using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Insert a funnel into the oil fill opening.
• Pour in about 5.0 quarts first, then pause.
• Install the oil fill cap.

Step 7: Start, check leaks, and set final oil level

• Start the engine and let it idle 30–60 seconds.
• Shut the engine off and look under the vehicle for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Wait 5 minutes for oil to settle, then check the dipstick and top off as needed.
• Assumption: Fill to the dipstick “FULL” mark; total capacity is typically about 5.4 quarts (with filter).

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✅ After Repair

• Recheck the dipstick after a short 5–10 minute drive and top off if needed.
• Dispose of used oil and the old filter at an oil recycling center or auto parts store—never dump it.
• If your Forester has a maintenance reminder, reset the “Engine Oil” interval in the display menus. Assumption: Settings > Maintenance > Engine Oil > Reset.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$200 (parts + labor)

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

You Save: $75-$115 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.7-1.2 hours.

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🎯 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.