2008 Subaru Outback Oil Type & Capacity
The 2008 Subaru Outback oil type depends on the engine: the Base, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.4 quarts with filter); the Base, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.4 quarts with filter); the i, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.4 quarts with filter); the i, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.4 quarts with filter); the L.L. Bean Edition takes 5W-30 (4.4 quarts with filter); the Limited, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.4 quarts with filter); the Limited, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.4 quarts with filter); the R L.L. Bean Edition takes 5W-30 (6.0 quarts with filter); the XT Limited, Automatic takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter); the XT Limited, Standard takes 5W-30 (4.5 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- Base, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.4 quarts with filter
- Base, Standard: 5W-30, 4.4 quarts with filter
- i, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.4 quarts with filter
- i, Standard: 5W-30, 4.4 quarts with filter
- L.L. Bean Edition: 5W-30, 4.4 quarts with filter
- Limited, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.4 quarts with filter
- Limited, Standard: 5W-30, 4.4 quarts with filter
- R L.L. Bean Edition: 5W-30, 6.0 quarts with filter
- XT Limited, Automatic: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
- XT Limited, Standard: 5W-30, 4.5 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Base, Automatic — 2.5L Eng,Normally Aspirated | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.40 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| Base, 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. |
| Base, Standard — 2.5L Eng,Normally Aspirated | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.40 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| Base, 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. |
| i, Automatic — 2.5L Eng,Normally Aspirated | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.40 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| 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,Normally Aspirated | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.40 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. |
| L.L. Bean Edition — 2.5L Eng,Normally Aspirated | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.40 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| L.L. Bean Edition — 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, Automatic — 2.5L Eng,Normally Aspirated | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.40 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| 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. |
| Limited, Standard — 2.5L Eng,Normally Aspirated | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.40 QTS. | — | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| 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. |
| R L.L. Bean Edition — 3.0L Eng | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 6.00 QTS. | 5.80 QTS. | In hot weather oil of higher viscosity is required to properly lubricate the engine. |
| XT Limited, Automatic — 2.5L Eng,Turbocharger | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 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,Turbocharger | API - SM or SL, SAE 5W-30 | 4.50 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. |
Buy the right oil
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More specs & repair guides for your Outback
2008 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 2008 Subaru Outback take?
It depends on the engine: Base, Automatic uses 5W-30; Base, Standard uses 5W-30; i, Automatic uses 5W-30; i, Standard uses 5W-30; L.L. Bean Edition uses 5W-30; Limited, Automatic uses 5W-30; Limited, Standard uses 5W-30; R L.L. Bean Edition uses 5W-30; XT Limited, Automatic uses 5W-30; XT Limited, Standard uses 5W-30.
How much oil does a 2008 Subaru Outback take?
Capacity depends on the engine: Base, Automatic holds 4.4 quarts with filter; Base, Standard holds 4.4 quarts with filter; i, Automatic holds 4.4 quarts with filter; i, Standard holds 4.4 quarts with filter; L.L. Bean Edition holds 4.4 quarts with filter; Limited, Automatic holds 4.4 quarts with filter; Limited, Standard holds 4.4 quarts with filter; R L.L. Bean Edition holds 6.0 quarts with filter; XT Limited, Automatic holds 4.5 quarts with filter; XT Limited, Standard holds 4.5 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2008 Subaru Outback?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2008 Subaru Outback. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.