🔧 Ascent - Engine Oil and Oil Filter Replacement

This is a very approachable first DIY job. Your Ascent uses a conveniently located, top-mounted oil filter, while the engine oil drains from underneath.

Use 0W-20 full-synthetic engine oil. Subaru lists an oil-change capacity of approximately 4.8 US quarts (4.5 liters), including the filter. carmanualsonline.info)

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

Easy service, provided the drain plug stays out of gorilla territory.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Work on level, solid ground. Never crawl beneath a vehicle supported only by a jack.
• ⚠️ Let the exhaust cool enough that nearby metal won’t burn you.
• ⚠️ Wear safety glasses and nitrile gloves. Used engine oil can irritate skin.
• ⚠️ Confirm that you’re removing the engine-oil drain plug, not the nearby CVT drain plug.
• ⚠️ Don’t start the engine until the drain plug, new filter, and oil filler cap are installed.
• ⚠️ The battery does not need to be disconnected.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• 14mm six-point socket
• 3/8-inch drive ratchet
• 3/8-inch drive torque wrench rated 10-80 ft-lbs
• 65mm 14-flute oil-filter socket (specialty)
• 3/8-inch drive extension, 3-inch
• Oil drain pan rated 8-quart minimum
• Automotive funnel with narrow spout
• Floor jack rated 2-ton minimum
• Jack stands rated 2-ton minimum
• Wheel chocks
• Trim-clip removal tool
• Plastic scraper
• Shop towels
• Nitrile gloves
• Safety glasses

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• SAE 0W-20 full-synthetic engine oil - Qty: 5 US quarts
• Vehicle-matched spin-on engine oil filter - Qty: 1
• Engine-oil drain-plug crush washer - Qty: 1

The oil-filter aisle is open in the parts sidebar. Match the replacement against the vehicle-specific listing before ordering because several generic filters in the broader catalog use similar threads but aren’t correct for your Ascent.

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📋 Before You Begin

• 📋 Park on level pavement, shift into Park, apply the parking brake, and chock both rear wheels.
• 📋 Run the engine for two to three minutes if it’s completely cold, then shut it off. Warm oil drains better, but it shouldn’t be hot enough to burn you.
• 📋 Open the hood and locate the yellow oil-filler cap, dipstick, and upright oil filter.
• 📋 Remove the oil-filler cap before draining. This lets air enter the engine as the old oil leaves.
• 📋 No infotainment service mode, scan tool, coding, or battery registration is required.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise and Support the Front

• Place the wheel chocks firmly against both sides of the rear tires.
• Use the 2-ton floor jack at the approved front-center lifting point.
• Position the 2-ton jack stands beneath the front side support points, then slowly lower the vehicle onto them.
• Push the vehicle lightly before going underneath. It must remain completely stable.

Step 2: Open the Oil-Drain Access

• Put on the safety glasses and nitrile gloves.
• If the lower cover blocks access, use the trim-clip removal tool to release the access panel clips.
• Identify the engine-oil pan and its drain plug. Don’t loosen a plug positioned on the CVT case.

Step 3: Drain the Old Engine Oil

• Slide the 8-quart drain pan beneath the engine-oil drain plug.
• Use the 14mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch ratchet to loosen the plug counterclockwise.
• Finish removing the plug by hand while pressing it lightly toward the pan. Pull it away quickly when the threads release.
• Allow the oil to drain until it slows to an occasional drip, usually 10-15 minutes.
• Inspect the removed oil for metallic flakes, coolant-like foam, or a strong fuel smell.

Step 4: Replace the Drain-Plug Washer

• Remove the old crush washer from the drain plug. A crush washer is a soft sealing ring that deforms once to prevent leaks.
• Use the plastic scraper only if the old washer is stuck. Don’t gouge the plug or sealing surface.
• Wipe the drain plug and oil-pan sealing surface clean with shop towels.
• Install one new drain-plug crush washer.

Step 5: Install and Torque the Drain Plug

• Start the drain plug by hand for several complete turns. If it doesn’t turn easily, stop and realign it.
• Use the 14mm six-point socket and 3/8-inch torque wrench to tighten the plug.
• Torque to 41.7 Nm (30.8 ft-lbs). Subaru specifies this value for 2019-2022 Ascent engine-oil drain plugs. static.nhtsa.gov
• Don’t apply thread sealant or impact-wrench force.

Step 6: Remove the Old Oil Filter

• From above the engine, place shop towels around the upright oil-filter base.
• Turn the old filter counterclockwise by hand.
• If it’s too tight, use the 65mm 14-flute oil-filter socket, 3-inch extension, and 3/8-inch ratchet.
• Lift the filter straight up and turn it open-side upward to reduce spills.
• Confirm the old rubber gasket came off with the filter. Two stacked gaskets will cause a serious leak.

Step 7: Install the New Oil Filter

• Use a clean, gloved finger to spread a thin film of fresh 0W-20 oil over the new filter’s rubber gasket.
• Wipe the engine’s filter sealing surface clean with a shop towel.
• Thread the new filter clockwise by hand until its gasket contacts the sealing surface.
• Tighten it by hand according to the filter manufacturer’s printed turn specification, commonly about three-quarters of a turn after gasket contact.
• Don’t use the filter socket for final tightening unless the filter manufacturer supplies a torque value.

Step 8: Refit the Lower Access Cover

• Clean spilled oil with shop towels.
• Use the trim-clip removal tool by hand to reinstall the access cover and its clips.
• Make sure the cover isn’t trapping a loose tool or oily towel.

Step 9: Lower the Vehicle

• Use the 2-ton floor jack to lift the front slightly off the stands.
• Remove both 2-ton jack stands.
• Lower the vehicle slowly until all four tires are on level ground.
• Leave the parking brake applied and wheel chocks in place.

Step 10: Add Fresh Engine Oil

• Insert the automotive funnel into the oil-filler opening.
• Pour in approximately 4.5 US quarts of 0W-20 full-synthetic oil.
• Wait two minutes, then use the dipstick to check the level.
• Add oil gradually until the dipstick reads near the full mark. The final amount should be approximately 4.8 US quarts (4.5 liters). carmanualsonline.info)
• Remove the automotive funnel and reinstall the oil-filler cap securely by hand.
• Don’t pour in the entire container without checking the dipstick. Published capacity is a guide, not a substitute for the final level check.

Step 11: Start the Engine and Check for Leaks

• Make sure no tools remain in the engine compartment.
• Start the engine and let it idle for 30-60 seconds.
• The oil-pressure warning light should turn off within a couple of seconds. Shut the engine off immediately if it remains illuminated.
• Use a flashlight and shop towels to inspect around the oil filter and beneath the drain plug for fresh oil.
• Shut off the engine and wait at least five minutes.

Step 12: Perform the Final Level Check

• Pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean shop towel.
• Reinsert it fully, remove it again, and read both sides.
• Add small amounts through the automotive funnel if the level is below full.
• Don’t fill above the full mark. Overfilling can aerate the oil and increase crankcase pressure.

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✅ After Repair

• ✅ Recheck beneath the Ascent after the first drive and again the following morning.
• ✅ Record the date, mileage, oil grade, and filter brand used.
• ✅ Subaru’s normal-service oil replacement interval is 6,000 miles. Short trips, heavy dust, prolonged idling, or repeated severe use may justify earlier service. carmanualsonline.info)
• ✅ Pour the used oil into a sealed container and take it to an authorized recycling or collection facility. Never dump it onto the ground or into a drain.
• ✅ If the drain plug seeps after proper torque, shut the engine off and inspect the washer. Don’t keep tightening the aluminum oil pan.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: ₹5,000-₹10,000, approximately $60-$120 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: ₹3,000-₹6,500, approximately $35-$80 (parts only)

You Save: ₹2,000-₹5,000, approximately $25-$60 by doing it yourself!

Local labor and imported-oil prices vary. This repair takes a shop approximately 0.4-0.7 hour.

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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.