2018 Subaru Outback Engine Oil Capacity
The 2018 Subaru Outback has an oil capacity of 5.1 quarts to 6.9 quarts, depending on the engine.
Written by Christelle Agustin
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
The 2018 Subaru Outback with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder has an engine oil capacity of 5.1 quarts, and the 3.6-liter Outback has a capacity of 6.9 quarts.
Engine oil capacity shouldn’t be a spec only known by your trusty mechanic! When you take on a few maintenance tasks yourself, you’ll start saving more on your car expenses—and by keeping your vehicle well-maintained, you could avoid expensive
car repairs
altogether. Learn all about the 2018 Subaru Outback’s engine oil capacity and how to change your oil in this helpful guide. We’ll take you through the Outback’s oil capacity numbers, the type of oil you need, the oil change schedule, and—the best part—how to do an oil change. Let’s begin!
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How much oil the 2018 Subaru Outback carries depends on the engine. The smaller 2.5-liter Outback has an engine oil capacity of 5.1 quarts. The larger 3.6-liter engine needs 6.9 quarts—nearly two more quarts than the base model!
Make sure to avoid overfilling your engine or you risk causing a leak in the exhaust system. On the flip side, don’t skimp on the oil, thinking it’ll save you in the long run—quite the opposite, actually! Too little oil and your vehicle will require more work to accelerate normally, which, in turn, will lower your fuel economy.
A quick note: the size of an engine is typically marked by its
engine displacement
or the space taken up by the engine’s cylinders. This measurement is not interchangeable with oil capacity.What kind of oil does a 2018 Subaru Outback need?
Engine oil has different grades and viscosities, so you can’t choose just any oil!
Subaru recommends Subaru-approved engine oil. However, if it is unavailable you may use alternatives that follow API or ILSAC standards, with the following viscosity ratings:
Viscosity labels may look confusing, but they are simply a way to grade oil thickness. Let’s take a look at how they’re written:
- SAE: The acronym for Society of Automotive Engineers—the organization that standardizes engine oil viscosity and grades.
- xW: This number-letter pair refers to how thick or thin the oil is in cold temperatures (“W” stands for winter). 0W is the thinnest, while 25W is the thickest. Having thinner oil helps engines to start faster in the winter!
- xx: The final two-digit number is the oil’s viscosity in hot temperatures. 20 is the thinnest viscosity rating and 60 is the thickest.
How often to change oil on a 2018 Subaru Outback
The 2018 Subaru Outback should get an oil change every 3000 to 5,000 miles. You can stretch that period out longer if you’re using synthetic motor oil, increasing it to every 7,000 to 10,000 miles.
To make sure your Subaru is in good shape, it’s best practice to check your oil levels at every second fuel stop. Open up your hood and the engine filler cap, then look out for these signs:
- Dark oil that looks like cola (clean oil is translucent like tea)
- Gritty oil filled with grains and debris
- Sludgy or thick consistency
- Smell of smoky and burning coming from engine
Of course, not all signs can be seen in the oil itself! A car that’s in need of an oil change can be felt in the way it drives. From a ticking sound in the engine, a vibrating or slow-to-accelerate vehicle, or your dashboard lights turning on—these are all hints that it may be time for an oil change!
How to change your oil and oil filter
Now that you know the behind-the-scenes of oil changes, it’s time for the big show!
Have these tools on hand to perform a successful oil change:
- Jack
- Jack stands
- Oil drain pan
- Socket wrench
- Funnel
- New oil filter
- 5.1 or 6.9 quarts of oil
First, warm up your vehicle for 5 minutes, then jack up your vehicle with jack stands to provide easy access under the car. Now, follow these instructions:
- Get under the vehicle and locate the drain plug inside an opening. Position your oil drain pan under the drain plug.
- Loosen and remove the drain plug and wait for the oil to drain. Be careful as the oil may be hot!
- Reinstall the drain plug.
- Open the hood and carefully remove the old oil filter.
- Take your new oil filter and apply some oil to the gasket. Install the new oil filter and tighten it closed.
- Now for the oil change! Untwist the oil filler cap, pour 5.1 or 6.9 quarts of oil, and tighten the cap closed.
And you’re done!
Remember to dispose of the used oil at your local recycling center or auto shop. Do not throw oil out into your regular garbage bins!
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