🔧 Forester - Engine Oil & Oil Filter Replacement

This repair drains the old engine oil, replaces the oil filter, and refills your Forester with fresh oil. Clean oil protects the 2.5L flat-four engine from wear, heat, and sludge buildup.

Difficulty Level: Beginner | Estimated Time: 45-75 minutes

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level ground so the oil drains correctly and the vehicle stays stable.
• 🧤 Engine oil can be hot enough to burn skin. Let the engine cool until it is warm, not hot.
• 🚗 Never work under your Forester supported only by a jack. Always use jack stands.
• 🔋 Battery disconnect is not required for this oil change.
• 🌍 Used oil is hazardous waste. Collect it in a sealed container and recycle it properly.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 17mm socket
• 3/8-inch ratchet
• 3/8-inch torque wrench
• Oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute
• Oil drain pan 8-quart minimum
• Funnel
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses
• Shop towels

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Engine oil 0W-20 full synthetic - Qty: 5.1 quarts
• Engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine oil drain plug crush washer - Qty: 1

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📋 Before You Begin

• 🅿️ Park your Forester on level ground and set the parking brake firmly.
• 🧱 Place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels before lifting the front.
• 🌡️ Run the engine for 2-3 minutes, then shut it off. Warm oil drains faster.
• 🛠️ A torque wrench tightens bolts to a measured force so you do not over-tighten them.
• 🧰 A crush washer is a soft sealing washer that should be replaced each time the drain plug is removed.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Open the Hood and Remove the Oil Filler Cap

• Use your hand to open the hood and secure it with the hood prop rod.
• Use your hand to remove the oil filler cap on top of the engine.
• Use shop towels to wipe around the oil filler opening if it is dirty.
• This helps oil drain smoothly.

Step 2: Lift and Support the Front of the Vehicle

• Use wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Use a floor jack rated 2-ton minimum at the front center jacking point to raise the front of your Forester.
• Use jack stands rated 2-ton minimum under the front side support points.
• Gently lower the vehicle onto the jack stands using the floor jack.
• Shake the vehicle lightly by hand to confirm it is stable before going underneath.

Step 3: Position the Drain Pan

• Put on nitrile gloves and safety glasses.
• Use an oil drain pan 8-quart minimum and place it under the engine oil drain plug.
• The drain plug is on the bottom of the engine oil pan.

Step 4: Remove the Engine Oil Drain Plug

• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the oil drain plug.
• Finish removing the drain plug by hand while keeping pressure inward until the threads release.
• Let the oil drain fully into the drain pan until it slows to occasional drips.
• Use shop towels to clean the drain plug.
• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug by hand.

Step 5: Reinstall the Drain Plug with a New Washer

• Install the new engine oil drain plug crush washer onto the drain plug by hand.
• Thread the drain plug into the oil pan by hand first to avoid cross-threading.
• Use a 17mm socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the drain plug.
• Torque to 41 Nm (30 ft-lbs)
• Stop when the wrench clicks.

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• Move the oil drain pan under the oil filter area.
• Use an oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the oil filter.
• Unscrew the oil filter by hand once it is loose.
• Keep the open end of the filter facing upward as much as possible to reduce spills.
• Use shop towels to wipe the oil filter mounting surface clean.
• Check that the old rubber gasket came off with the old filter.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Dip a gloved finger into clean engine oil and lightly coat the rubber gasket on the new oil filter.
• Thread the new oil filter on by hand until the gasket touches the mounting surface.
• Use the oil filter wrench 65mm 14-flute and 3/8-inch torque wrench if needed.
• Torque to 14 Nm (10 ft-lbs)
• If you do not have room to torque it, tighten by hand about 3/4 turn after the gasket contacts.
• Do not crush the filter gasket.

Step 8: Refill the Engine Oil

• Use a funnel in the oil filler opening.
• Pour in 4.8 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic engine oil first.
• Wait 1 minute, then use the dipstick to check the oil level.
• Add oil slowly until the level is near the full mark.
• Total capacity with filter is approximately 5.1 quarts.
• Use your hand to reinstall the oil filler cap.

Step 9: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Use your hand to make sure the transmission is in neutral and the parking brake is set.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• Use a flashlight if needed and look under the engine for leaks at the drain plug and oil filter.
• Shut the engine off.
• Wait 5 minutes so the oil can drain back into the oil pan.

Step 10: Final Oil Level Check

• Use shop towels to wipe the dipstick clean.
• Insert the dipstick fully, then remove it again to read the level.
• Add small amounts of 0W-20 oil with the funnel if the level is below full.
• Do not overfill above the full mark.

Step 11: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the floor jack rated 2-ton minimum to raise the front slightly off the jack stands.
• Remove the jack stands by hand.
• Use the floor jack to lower your Forester slowly to the ground.
• Remove the wheel chocks by hand.

Step 12: Reset the Maintenance Reminder

• Use the dashboard controls to turn the ignition to ON without starting the engine.
• Use the trip/reset button to cycle to the maintenance or reminder screen if equipped.
• Use the trip/reset button to reset the oil change reminder if your Forester has one.
• If no oil reminder is shown, record the mileage and date manually.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Drive your Forester for 5-10 minutes, then park on level ground and check for leaks again.
• 🛢️ Recheck the dipstick after the test drive and top off with 0W-20 oil if needed.
• ♻️ Pour used oil into a sealed container and recycle it with the old oil filter at an approved recycling location.
• 📝 Record the oil type, mileage, and date for your maintenance history.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $80-$140 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $35-$65 (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 0.4-0.7 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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