2021 Subaru Impreza maintenance schedule

Written in plain English and reviewed by the eli5cars editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

2.0L FB20 4-cylinder boxer (152 hp) — Subaru Lineartronic CVT or 5-speed manual (Base/Premium); Symmetrical AWD standard on all trims, sedan and 5-door hatchbackBasePremiumSportMSRP $18,700

Jump to a mileage milestone:

30k miles 60k miles 90k miles 120k miles

Full service timeline

Mileage	Service items	Details
6k mi	Engine oil and filter change — 0W-20 full synthetic (Subaru factory spec for the FB20) — Subaru's normal schedule is 6,000 mi/6 months, whichever comes first Tire rotation Inspect brake pads, rotors, lines and hoses Inspect CVT fluid level (Subaru CVTF-II) — inspect only under normal driving; manual-transmission cars: inspect gear oil level Inspect coolant, brake fluid, and washer fluid levels Inspect exhaust system and CV boots Check tire pressure to door-placard spec
15k mi	Engine oil and filter change (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Inspect brake system front and rear Replace cabin air filter if dusty or restricted Inspect engine air filter — replace if needed Inspect CVT fluid condition and level (or manual transmission gear oil) Inspect AWD driveline: rear differential and transfer clutch operation
30k mi	Engine oil and filter change (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Replace engine air filter Replace cabin air filter Inspect spark plugs — NGK iridium; Subaru factory interval is approximately 60,000 mi, do not replace at 30k CVT fluid change recommended under severe-duty conditions; inspect-only under normal use (manual-transmission cars: inspect/replace gear oil per severe-duty schedule) Replace rear differential gear oil — typically 75W-90 Inspect brake fluid — replace if moisture-contaminated Inspect coolant condition — Subaru Super Coolant (long-life) Inspect timing chain tensioner (FB-series engines use a timing chain, not a belt)	View →
60k mi	Engine oil and filter change (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — NGK iridium (Subaru factory long-life interval for FB-series engines) Replace cabin air filter Replace engine air filter CVT fluid change — Subaru CVTF-II (commonly recommended preventive service even under normal use; manual cars: replace gear oil) Replace rear differential gear oil Replace brake fluid Inspect coolant — top off or replace if contaminated Inspect wheel bearings, ball joints, and suspension bushings	View →
90k mi	Engine oil and filter change (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Inspect spark plugs — condition and gap Inspect CVT fluid level and condition Replace brake fluid Inspect timing chain, tensioner, and guides — lifetime component under normal use Inspect accessory drive belt; replace if cracked or glazed Full brake inspection front and rear	View →
120k mi	Engine oil and filter change (0W-20 full synthetic) Tire rotation Replace spark plugs — NGK iridium (second full replacement interval) Replace CVT fluid (or manual transmission gear oil) Replace rear differential gear oil Replace coolant — Subaru Super Coolant flush and refill Replace brake fluid Replace accessory drive belt Full suspension and steering inspection Inspect wheel bearings front and rear	View →

Common symptoms for this vehicle

Check engine light on? Get a free code scan

If your check engine light is on, most auto-parts stores (AutoZone, O'Reilly, Advance) will read the code for FREE — no purchase required, just walk in. Bring the code back here and look it up at eli5cars.com/obd2 for the plain-English explanation.

Note: a scan only helps when there's an active fault code. For purely mechanical symptoms (noises, vibrations, leaks), a scan may show nothing — the suspects listed above are your starting point.