Subaru Car Maintenance Guide

Dustin Hawley | May 07, 2023

It’s no secret that after buying a Subaru, you must take good care of it. It improves reliability, and safety and drastically increases the automobile’s service life. However, if you have never owned a car before, especially a Subaru, you may need some help with maintenance and what it entails. And this article can help you out with that. 

Subaru Car Maintenance Guide

General Maintenance Recommendations - Find the best Subaru deals!

Engine Flushing

Your new Subaru engine requires oil to keep it lubricated. However, simply changing the oil and oil filter is insufficient. There will still be some oil left in your engine, which will most likely contain contaminants that should not be there. Having your engine flushed ensures that all sludge, metal shards, and other debris aren’t inside the engine. A cleaner engine equals a more reliable and long-lasting vehicle.

Keep An Eye On Fluids

Take a moment to check car fluids each time you tinker with the car. Examine your coolant, oil, and windshield wiper fluid. It will indicate whether you need to top them off or if there is a severe issue, such as a leak. If you notice these issues immediately, you won't have to leave your car on the side of the road and can have it fixed. 

Examine The Tires

Give them a look over to ensure there aren't any objects inside, like nails. They could occasionally get stuck in your tire and result in a slow air leak. Additionally, you need to check the tire pressure, as air loss occurs naturally. Then, the tread needs to be examined. Do a penny test: put a penny between the treads with the head facing down. You'll need new tires if you can see the forehead.

Check The Brakes

It's time to have your brakes inspected. Every 35,000 miles, you should visually inspect the brakes because you really don’t want them to give way. If you notice a significant buildup of brake dust on your rims, hear grinding noises when attempting to stop, or feel your car pulling to one side or the other, you should resolve the issue ASAP.

Check The Battery

You presume that your battery is in good condition if your car starts. However, this may not be the case. You could be in for a surprise if your cables become loose or if there is debris around the area where they connect to your battery. A Subaru maintenance technician can check your battery to make sure everything is operating as it should.

Schedule for Subaru Maintenance - Find the best Subaru deals!

6 Months or 6,000 Miles

Your first maintenance visit occurs after you have driven 6,000 miles in your Subaru or have had it for six months. A professional technician will:

  • Replace the motor oil and oil filter for optimal engine protection and lubrication.
  • Inspect and rotate the tires by swapping the positions of each tire. This service ensures even tread wear, allowing you to get the most out of your tire set.

12 Months or 12,000 Miles

Your Subaru car should have a thorough inspection of its major systems after a year of driving to ensure everything is in excellent condition. So, at this point, the technician will:

  • Replace the air conditioner filter.
  • Inspect the steering and suspension systems. 
  • Examine the steering and suspension systems and the clutch operation in manual models.
  • Examine the entire braking system, including the disc brakes, axle boots, brake lines, and parking brake.

18 Months or 18,000 Miles: Perform 6,000-mile / 6-month maintenance.

24 Months or 24,000 Miles: Perform routine 12,000-mile/year services.

36 Months or 30,000 Miles: Your Subaru now has 30,000 miles clocked. Therefore you should do some crucial inspections and replacements at the three-year mark, including:

  • The entire list of services in the 6,000- and 12,000-mile interval sets.
  • Examine drive belts.
  • Examine the fuel systems, connections, and lines.
  • Check the hoses and connections in the engine cooling system.
  • Replace clutch fluid and check transmission fluid (for CVT and manual models).
  • Replace the air filter.

42 Months or 42,000 Miles: Perform regular 6,000-mile/six-month maintenance.

48 Months or 48,000 Miles: Perform standard 12-month/12,000-mile maintenance.

54,000 Miles or 54 Months: Perform 6,000-mile/6-month maintenance.

60,000 Miles or 60 Months

You've driven your Subaru for 60,000 miles, or five years, and now it's time to perform the following maintenance:

  • All tasks performed during the 30,000-mile service.
  • Examine the wheel bearings.
  • Replace the spark plugs.

Summary - Find the best Subaru deals!

Regular auto maintenance will increase your Subaru's resale value, maximize fuel efficiency, and boost the service life of your car. You should know the maintenance requirements and intervals to keep your Subaru trouble-free and enjoyable driving for many years. So, go back to this article if you forget something and need a reminder.

What’s Next?


Cars for Sale
Want to Take Action?
Shop Cars for Sale

Car Trade-in Values
Curious About Your Car’s Trade-in Value?
Find out With Our Car Trade-in Values Tool

Best Cars and Trucks
Want to Maximize Your Purchasing Power?
Explore Our Listings of the Best Cars and Trucks

EV Charging Stations Near Me
Need to Find EV Charging Stations Near You?
Check Out Our EV Charging Stations Map

Explore New Car Previews

2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Overland Preview

2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk and Overland Preview

Following a refresh for the 2026 model year, the 2027 Jeep Grand Cherokee lineup brings back two familiar variants, the go-anywhere Trailhawk and the premium-yet-capable Overland, offering buyers ...See More

Read the Full Article
2027 Chrysler Pacifica Preview

2027 Chrysler Pacifica Preview

Chrysler, the company that launched the modern minivan segment in 1984, is giving its popular 2027 Chrysler Pacifica a nose job and introducing a special edition commemorating America’s 250th ...See More

Read the Full Article
2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Preview

2027 GMC Sierra 1500 Preview

An all-new GMC Sierra 1500 debuts for the 2027 model year, featuring next-generation V8 engines, a premium interior with wide digital displays, and class-exclusive luxury and technology features on ...See More

Read the Full Article
2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee Preview

2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee Preview

With the 2027 Ram 1500 Rumble Bee, Ram aims to revive the domestic muscle truck segment by offering a trio of Hemi V8 engines, including the 777-horsepower Rumble Bee SRT.

Read the Full Article