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 qt with filter); the 2.0XT Touring takes 5W-30 (5.4 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BA takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Limited, Eng CD FB25BC takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Premium, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BA takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i Touring, Eng CD FB25BC takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BA, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Automatic CVT Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt with filter); the 2.5i, Eng CD FB25BC, Standard Trans takes 0W-20 (5.1 quarts qt 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. | — |
Complete Oil Change Bundle for 2016 Subaru Forester
Everything you need delivered in one order. Pre-matched to your factory spec (5W-30, 5.4 quarts).
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices shown are real-time retail estimates.
Buy the right oil & filter for your Forester
🛒 Buy 5W-30 Full Synthetic Oil (5.4 quarts needed) on Amazon🛒 Buy 0W-20 Full Synthetic Oil (5.4 quarts needed) on Amazon💡 Capacity Note: Your 2016 Subaru Forester holds 5.4 quarts with filter. Since standard jugs are 5 quarts, be sure to pick up extra 1-quart bottles or a 2-pack to reach the full mark on the dipstick.
Popular Full Synthetic Brands (5W-30):
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases made through these links.
More factory specs & repair guides for your Forester
🛞 2016 Subaru Forester Tire Size & Pressure →🌧️ 2016 Subaru Forester Wiper Blade Sizes →💡 2016 Subaru Forester Light Bulb Sizes →📖 2016 Subaru Forester Factory Service Manual →All fluid capacities (transmission, coolant, brakes)Powered by factory manual data from our partner network 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.
What is the oil capacity of a 2016 Subaru Forester?
Oil 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.
How often should I change the oil in my 2016 Subaru Forester?
Most 2016 Subaru Forester owners follow a 5,000–7,500 mile interval with conventional oil, or up to 10,000 miles with full synthetic. Always check the oil life monitor if equipped, and consult your owner's manual — Subaru recommends intervals based on driving conditions, not just mileage.
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.