2016 Subaru Forester Oil Type & Capacity
The 2016 Subaru Forester oil type depends on the engine: the 2.0XT Premium takes 5W-30 (5.4 quarts with filter); the 2.0XT Touring takes 5W-30 (5.4 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BA takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BC takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BA takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BC takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts with filter), per the factory service manual.
Factory-spec answer
It depends on the engine:
- 2.0XT Premium: 5W-30, 5.4 quarts with filter
- 2.0XT Touring: 5W-30, 5.4 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BA: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BC: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BA: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BC: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
- 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans: 0W-20, 5.1 quarts with filter
Oil capacity by engine
| Engine | Oil Type (viscosity) | Capacity w/ Filter | Capacity w/o Filter | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0XT Premium — 2.0L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 5W-30 Synthetic Oil | 5.40 QTS. | 5.20 QTS. | — |
| 2.0XT Touring — 2.0L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 5W-30 Synthetic Oil | 5.40 QTS. | 5.20 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BA — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BC — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BA — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BC — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
| 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans — 2.5L Eng | ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, API - SN or SM, 0W-20 Synthetic Oil | 5.10 QTS. | 4.90 QTS. | — |
Buy the right oil
Buy 5W-30 motor oil on AmazonBuy 0W-20 motor oil on Amazon2016 Subaru Forester oil filter on AmazonAs an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More specs & repair guides for your Forester
2016 Subaru Forester factory service manualAll fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner site AllOEMManuals.com.
Coolant capacity
9.4 quarts (8.89 L) — SUBARU Super Coolant
Frequently asked questions
What type of oil does a 2016 Subaru Forester take?
It depends on the engine: 2.0XT Premium uses 5W-30; 2.0XT Touring uses 5W-30; 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BA uses 0W-20; 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BC uses 0W-20; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans uses 0W-20; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans uses 0W-20; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans uses 0W-20; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans uses 0W-20; 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BA uses 0W-20; 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BC uses 0W-20; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans uses 0W-20; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans uses 0W-20; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans uses 0W-20; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans uses 0W-20.
How much oil does a 2016 Subaru Forester take?
Capacity depends on the engine: 2.0XT Premium holds 5.4 quarts with filter; 2.0XT Touring holds 5.4 quarts with filter; 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BA holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BC holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BA holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BC holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter; 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans holds 5.1 quarts with filter.
Can I use synthetic oil in my 2016 Subaru Forester?
Yes. 5W-30 is widely available as a full synthetic, and synthetic is safe (often recommended) for the 2016 Subaru Forester. What matters most is matching the factory viscosity and specification, then changing the oil and filter on schedule.