🔧 Crosstrek - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Change

You’ll drain the old engine oil, replace the oil filter, then refill with the correct fresh oil. This keeps your engine lubricated, reduces wear, and helps prevent sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 1.0-1.5 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground and use jack stands—never rely on a jack alone.
• ⚠️ Engine oil can be hot; let the engine cool 10–20 minutes to avoid burns.
• ⚠️ Keep oil off belts/exhaust; wipe spills immediately to prevent smoke/fire risk.
• ⚠️ Dispose of used oil and filter at a recycling center/auto parts store.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 8-quart)
• Funnel
• Shop rags
• 3/8" drive ratchet
• 3/8" drive extension (3"-6")
• 14mm socket
• 12mm socket
• Torque wrench (3/8" drive)
• Trim clip removal tool
• 65mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty)

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

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

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Crosstrek on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Warm the engine for 2–3 minutes, then shut it off and wait 10–20 minutes. Warm oil drains faster.
• Open the hood and remove the oil filler cap and dipstick to help the oil drain faster.
• If you need more room, lift the front with a floor jack and support it with jack stands at the proper front support points.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and secure the front (if needed)

• Place wheel chocks at the rear wheels.
• Lift the front using a floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum).
• Set the vehicle onto jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum) and gently shake the vehicle to confirm it’s stable.

Step 2: Remove the lower engine under cover

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

Step 3: Drain the old engine oil

• Place the drain pan (at least 8-quart) under the oil pan drain plug.
• Use a 14mm socket with a 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).

Step 4: Reinstall the drain plug with a new crush washer

• Wipe the drain plug area with shop rags.
• Replace the drain plug crush washer with a new one (this helps prevent leaks).
• Thread the drain plug in by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Tighten using a torque wrench (3/8" drive) and 14mm socket: Torque to 42 Nm (31 ft-lbs).

Step 5: Remove the oil filter

• Move the drain pan under the oil filter area (some oil will spill).
• Use the 65mm 14-flute oil filter cap wrench (specialty) with a 3/8" drive ratchet to loosen the oil filter, then spin it off by hand.
• Make sure the old rubber gasket comes off with the old filter (don’t leave it stuck to the engine).

Step 6: Install the new oil filter

• Apply a thin film of fresh oil to the new filter’s rubber gasket (use a little oil on your gloved finger).
• Spin the filter on by hand until the gasket touches the engine.
• Tighten the filter by hand an additional 2/3 turn. Overtightening can cause leaks.

Step 7: Reinstall the under cover

• Reposition the cover.
• Reinstall bolts using a 12mm socket and 3/8" drive ratchet.
• Reinstall push-clips using your hands and the trim clip removal tool as needed.

Step 8: Refill with fresh oil

• Place a funnel into the oil filler opening.
• Add 0W-20 full synthetic oil: start with about 4.8 liters (5.1 quarts).
• Reinstall the oil filler cap, then wait 1 minute and check the level with the dipstick.
• Top off as needed to bring the oil level to the upper mark (do not overfill).

Step 9: Start, leak-check, and recheck level

• Start the engine and let it idle for 30–60 seconds.
• Shut it off and look underneath for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter (use safety glasses).
• Wait 5 minutes, then check the dipstick again and top off if needed (use the funnel).

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✅ After Repair

• Confirm there are no leaks after a short 5–10 minute drive, then recheck the dipstick on level ground.
• If equipped with a maintenance reminder, reset it on the display: Settings > Maintenance > Engine Oil > Reset.
• Bag the old oil filter and pour used oil into sealed containers for recycling.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $120-$180 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$60 (parts only)

You Save: $60-$140 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.8-1.2 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.