What Brand of Engine Oil Should You Use in a Subaru?

By Staff WriterLast Updated December 04, 2023

Any brand of motor oil is suitable for a Subaru as long as the viscosity is correct. Some Subaru models require synthetic oil. The type of oil also may depend on the year of the car and the engine.

One example of a Subaru model that requires a different type of oil depending on the year and engine type is the Subaru Forester. If the Forester is 2011 or newer and has a 2.5i engine, 0W-20 synthetic oil is necessary. However, if the Forester has a 2.5 XT or 2.0 XT, the car requires 5W-30 synthetic oil. 5W-30 or 5W-40 conventional oil may also work, though performance may suffer.