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2020 Subaru Forester maintenance schedule

2.5L horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder (182 hp) — naturally aspiratedBasePremiumSportMSRP $25,195

Jump to a mileage milestone:

Full service timeline

MileageService itemsDetails
6k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic (Subaru recommends synthetic for 2020; every 6,000 miles or 6 months)
  • Inspect tire pressure and condition
12k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Inspect brake pads, rotors, and brake lines
  • Inspect all fluid levels
  • Inspect cabin air filter condition
30k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Replace engine air filter
  • Inspect spark plugs (iridium — do not replace yet; inspect at 30k)
  • Inspect drive belts (accessory/serpentine)
  • Inspect cooling system hoses and reservoir
  • Inspect brake pads, rotors, and calipers
  • Inspect fuel system and fuel cap seal
  • Inspect front and rear differential fluid (AWD)
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60k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace cabin air filter
  • Replace engine air filter
  • Replace spark plugs — iridium (Subaru 2.5L FB engine factory interval: 60k)
  • Replace CVT fluid — Subaru DCVT Fluid (Lineartronic CVT; use Subaru-approved fluid only)
  • Inspect coolant condition (Subaru Super Coolant — blue)
  • Inspect front and rear differential fluid
  • Inspect drive belt condition and tension
  • Inspect brake fluid (replace if discolored or over 3 years old)
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90k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace front and rear differential fluid (Subaru GL-5 gear oil — critical for AWD system health)
  • Replace brake fluid — DOT 3
  • Inspect serpentine belt for wear, cracking, glazing
  • Inspect coolant hoses and thermostat
  • Inspect wheel bearings and CV axle boots
  • Inspect all suspension components — lateral links, crossmember bushings (Forester-specific wear point)
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120k mi
  • Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic
  • Tire rotation
  • Replace engine coolant — Subaru Super Coolant (first change at 137k km / ~85k miles, then every 2 years — check owner's manual)
  • Replace CVT fluid again (Subaru DCVT fluid — every 60k under normal service)
  • Replace serpentine drive belt
  • Replace spark plugs if not done at 60k
  • Full brake fluid flush
  • Inspect and replace front and rear differential fluid
  • Inspect wheel bearings front and rear
  • Inspect all suspension bushing condition (FB Forester lateral links commonly develop wear by 120k)
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