2006 Subaru Outback Oil Type & Capacity
The 2006 Subaru Outback oil type depends on the engine: the i, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the i, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the Limited, 4D Sedan, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the Limited, 4D Sedan, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the Limited, 4D Wagon, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the Limited, 4D Wagon, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the R takes 5W-30 (5.8 quarts with filter); the R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Sedan takes 5W-30 (5.8 quarts with filter); the R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Wagon takes 5W-30 (5.8 quarts with filter); the R VDC Limited takes 5W-30 (5.8 quarts with filter); the XT Limited, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the XT Limited, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the XT, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter); the XT, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.2 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- i, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- i, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Limited, 4D Sedan, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Limited, 4D Sedan, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Limited, 4D Wagon, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- Limited, 4D Wagon, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- R: 5W-30, 5.8 quarts with filter
- R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Sedan: 5W-30, 5.8 quarts with filter
- R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Wagon: 5W-30, 5.8 quarts with filter
- R VDC Limited: 5W-30, 5.8 quarts with filter
- XT Limited, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- XT Limited, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- XT, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
- XT, Standard: 5W-30, 4.2 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| i, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| i, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| Limited, 4D Sedan, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| Limited, 4D Sedan, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| Limited, 4D Wagon, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| Limited, 4D Wagon, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| R — 3.0L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 5.80 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Sedan — 3.0L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 5.80 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Wagon — 3.0L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 5.80 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| R VDC Limited — 3.0L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 5.80 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| XT Limited, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| XT Limited, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| XT, Automatic — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| XT, Standard — 2.5L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.20 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Outback
2006 Subaru Outback factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
6.7 quarts (6.34 L) — SUBARU Coolant or equivalent: a 50/50 mixture of Ethylene-Glycol Coolant and soft water
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2006 Subaru Outback take?
It depends on the engine: i, Automatic uses 5W-30; i, Standard uses 5W-30; Limited, 4D Sedan, Automatic uses 5W-30; Limited, 4D Sedan, Standard uses 5W-30; Limited, 4D Wagon, Automatic uses 5W-30; Limited, 4D Wagon, Standard uses 5W-30; R uses 5W-30; R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Sedan uses 5W-30; R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Wagon uses 5W-30; R VDC Limited uses 5W-30; XT Limited, Automatic uses 5W-30; XT Limited, Standard uses 5W-30; XT, Automatic uses 5W-30; XT, Standard uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 2006 Subaru Outback take?
Capacity depends on the engine: i, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; i, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Limited, 4D Sedan, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Limited, 4D Sedan, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Limited, 4D Wagon, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; Limited, 4D Wagon, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; R holds 5.8 quarts with filter; R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Sedan holds 5.8 quarts with filter; R L.L. Bean Edition, 4D Wagon holds 5.8 quarts with filter; R VDC Limited holds 5.8 quarts with filter; XT Limited, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; XT Limited, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter; XT, Automatic holds 4.2 quarts with filter; XT, Standard holds 4.2 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2006 Subaru Outback?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2006 Subaru Outback. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.