Don’t Take Consumer Reports’ Advice For Your Subaru’s Oil

What is the best oil for your newer Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, or other model? Don't take Consumer Reports' advice if you want your engine to last the longest.

Consumer Reports released its "How to Get More From Your Car's Oil" report. If you follow their advice, you will get less, not more, from your Subaru engine's life. Read this if you want to extend the life of your Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, or other model's Boxer engine.

For most auto advice, I think Consumer Reports is a good source. But this latest report on oil is wrong.

CR's "experts" explain what the right oil to choose for your new car is. They give good advice, like checking your engine oil monthly and adding oil if needed. They also say to change it at the correct intervals.

2024 Subaru Outback with customer on the beach

photo credit: Michael’s Subaru

CR says to use the type of oil the car manufacturer recommends.

What oil does Subaru recommend for the newer Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, or other model?

For newer Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, and other new Subaru models, Subaru says, "Synthetic oil, specifically 0W-20, is highly recommended for optimal engine performance and protection."

John Ibbotson, the chief mechanic at Consumer Reports Auto Test Center, says, "Normally, you should use the oil your owner's manual recommends. "There's no need to upgrade to synthetic unless your car falls under the 'severe usage' category."

2024 Subaru Crosstrek on the trail

What is "severe usage?"

Severe usage includes taking short car trips that don't allow the engine to warm up thoroughly (typically drives that last less than 15 minutes), not putting many miles on your car annually, using your vehicle for towing, or living in a place with extreme temperatures. In these cases, Ibbotson thinks synthetic oil is better and can even help prevent premature engine wear. "It holds up better in extreme heat and cold."

In my experience of working with every car manufacturer and different types of oil testing, I found that 90 percent of drivers are operating their vehicles under severe usage. Very few people drive under ideal conditions all the time.

If you want your Subaru vehicle to last the longest, you should use 0W-20 Synthetic oil.

How often should you change your oil?

Subaru says, "Synthetic engine oil should be changed every 6,000 miles when you drive your Subaru frequently since the oil eventually wears and becomes less effective due to heat and friction caused during engine operation."

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— Denis Flierl (@DenisFlierl) December 6, 2023

Change your oil more often with severe use.

For severe use, you should change your oil more often than the 6,000 miles recommended by Subaru. I suggest 4,000-5,000 miles with Synthetic engine oil. This will keep your Subaru running at peak efficiency and prolong the life of your Subaru Outback, Forester, Crosstrek, or other model's Boxer engine.

Thanks for reading, everyone. I hope you enjoyed this Subaru engine oil story. See you tomorrow for my latest Subaru Report.

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I am Denis Flierl, a 12-year Torque News senior writer with 20+ years of Subaru and automotive journalism experience. I enjoy bringing you, the Subaru fans and customers, the most up-to-date Subaru news, reviews, and new model information. You'll find the latest Subaru stories on the Subaru page. Follow me on my The Dirty Subaru website, Dirty Subaru blog, SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.