2020–2024 Subaru Outback Oil Capacity & Fluid Specs
Quick answer
Every 2020–2024 Subaru Outback takes 0W-20 full synthetic, including the 2.4L turbo XT. The 2.5L boxer takes 4.4 quarts with a filter change; the 2.4L turbo takes 4.8 quarts. CVT fluid, front differential, and rear differential are all separate fills: capacities in the tables below.
Compiled from the 2020 and 2023 Subaru owner's manuals for the sixth-generation (BT) Outback. Subaru does things its own way: a boxer engine with the oil filter sitting on top where you can reach it, standard symmetrical AWD that gives you a real rear differential to service, a front differential that lives in the CVT case but takes its own gear-oil fill, and a Lineartronic CVT whose fluid the manual won't even name; 'consult your SUBARU dealer' is the entire spec. This page gives you what the manuals actually print, plus the documented campaigns (CVT chain slip, windshields, battery drain) every BT owner should know by name.
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✓ In your garage: code pages and Codi now know your vehicle
2.5L flat-4 (FB25, Base/Premium/Onyx/Limited/Touring)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil (with filter) | 4.4 qt (4.2 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 0W-20 synthetic (manual allows 5W-30 conventional only as a top-off; return to 0W-20 at the next change) |
| Oil filter | Subaru genuine spin-on, mounted on TOP of the engine; verify current part number for your year |
| Lineartronic CVT (total system) | 12.4 qt (11.7 L) total; no dipstick and no owner drain-and-refill spec, level is set by dealer procedure · Subaru CVT fluid, the manual says only 'consult your SUBARU dealer' (CVTF-III / High Torque CVTF by unit; verify) |
| Coolant (engine) | 9.5 qt (9.0 L). Subaru Super Coolant (blue); factory fill rated 11 years/137,500 mi to first change, don't mix with other coolants |
| Front differential (in the CVT case, separate fill) | 1.4 qt (1.3 L) per the 2023 manual; the 2020 manual prints 1.3 qt (1.2 L) · 75W-90 GL-5 (some years/trims factory-fill Subaru Extra MT) |
| Rear differential (AWD is standard) | 0.8 qt (0.8 L) · 75W-90 GL-5 |
2.4L turbo flat-4 (FA24, XT trims 2020+ & Wilderness 2022+)
| Specification | Capacity / type |
|---|---|
| Engine oil (with filter) | 4.8 qt (4.5 L) |
| Oil viscosity | 0W-20 synthetic, yes, the turbo too (5W-30 conventional is top-off only; back to 0W-20 at the next change) |
| Oil filter | Subaru genuine spin-on, top-mounted; verify part number; the turbo may differ from the 2.5L's |
| Lineartronic CVT (high-torque, total system) | 12.6 qt (11.9 L) total; same no-dipstick, dealer-procedure reality · Subaru CVT fluid, manual: 'consult your SUBARU dealer' (High Torque CVTF on the turbo; verify) |
| Coolant (engine) | 9.2 qt (8.7 L), Subaru Super Coolant (blue); 11 years/137,500 mi to first change |
| Front differential (in the CVT case, separate fill) | 1.3 qt (1.2 L) · 75W-90 GL-5 (Wilderness factory fill: Subaru Extra MT) |
| Rear differential (AWD is standard) | 0.8 qt (0.8 L) · 75W-90 GL-5 |
Oil drain plug torque: ≈31 lb-ft (42 N·m): common Subaru service figure, not printed in the owner's manual; verify
Capacities compiled from the owner’s manual. Always confirm with your own manual before servicing.
Quick reference
| Battery | LN2 (≈ BCI Group 47 / DIN H5), both engines, per the manual's spec table |
| Lug nut torque | 88.5 lb-ft (120 N·m), recheck after ~600 mi, the manual asks for it |
| Common factory tire sizes | 225/65R17 102H · 225/60R18 100H · Wilderness: 225/65R17 102T all-terrain |
| Tire pressure (typical) | 35 psi front / 33 psi rear on most Outbacks, always confirm on your driver's-door label |
| Spark plugs | NGK DILKAR7Q8 (2.5L) · NGK SILKFR8A6 (2.4L turbo), pre-gapped iridium, gap not printed in the manual; don't re-gap |
| Fuel | 87 octane for BOTH engines · 18.5 gal (70 L) tank · ethanol max 10% (2.5L) / 15% (2.4L) |
A/C refrigerant & compressor oil
| Years / engine | Refrigerant | Charge | Compressor oil |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-2024 all engines (2.5L NA and 2.4L Turbo) | R-1234yf | 15.9 oz (450 g) | PAG 100 (PAG ISO 100 'YF' grade; Subaru/Denso ND-OIL equivalent), 2.7 oz |
⚠ Refrigerant type and charge can change by model year and trim. Always confirm against the under-hood A/C charge label on your specific vehicle before recharging: that decal is the authoritative source. A wrong charge, or the wrong oil (PAG vs. POE), can damage the compressor.
How to read A/C gauges: pressure chart & diagnosis →Maintenance schedule highlights
| Item | Interval |
|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | Every 6,000 mi / 6 months (Subaru's US schedule; verify your Warranty & Maintenance Booklet) |
| Tire rotation | Every 6,000 mi (manual-stated; keep each tire on its original side) |
| CVT fluid | No dipstick, no owner level check: inspection per the booklet, service by dealer procedure |
| Front & rear differential gear oil | Inspect per booklet (no owner level check); look for leaks at every oil change |
| Coolant (Subaru Super Coolant) | First change at 11 years / 137,500 mi (manual-stated), IF never mixed with another coolant |
| Spark plugs | Per booklet: commonly cited at 60,000 mi for these engines (verify) |
Exact products for this vehicle
- 0W-20 full synthetic, 5-qt jug (covers either engine) ↗
- Subaru genuine oil filter (verify part for your engine/year) ↗
- Drain plug crush washers (buy a handful, new one every change) ↗
- 75W-90 GL-5 gear oil (front + rear differential service) ↗
- Funnel + 6-qt drain pan ↗
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DIY oil change: quick steps
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1 Set up
Warm engine, level ground. The Outback's clearance usually spares you ramps. Good news first: on both boxers the spin-on oil filter is mounted on TOP of the engine; you only go underneath to drain.
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2 Drain
Open the access in the under-cover if your trim has one, pull the drain plug (commonly 17mm; verify), and fit a fresh crush washer every time. A warm boxer drains fast; mind your hands.
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3 Filter, from the top
Spin the old filter off from the engine bay, wipe the seat, smear fresh oil on the new gasket, and go hand-tight plus about three-quarters of a turn. No fishing around under the car.
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4 Refill and verify the Subaru way
4.4 qt (2.5L) or 4.8 qt (2.4L turbo), then do what the manual says: wait at least 5 minutes for oil to drain back, pull the dipstick, and read BOTH sides, judge by the lower of the two. After an oil change, warm it up, park level, restart after a minute or more, and confirm the low-oil-level light goes out.
Common problems on this vehicle
CVT chain slip: 10 yr/100k extension on 2019–2020 (WRK-21)
Some early BT-generation cars developed CVT chain slip: an RPM flare or shudder under hard load. Subaru's answer is warranty extension WRK-21: a TCM reprogram, a one-time CVT assembly replacement if chain slip is confirmed, and CVT coverage extended to 10 years/100,000 miles on 2019–2020 models; the 2020 Outback is included; 2021–2024 were not part of the program and carry the standard 5-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty (our Subaru warranty guide has the full terms). If your 2020 flares or shudders on acceleration, have the dealer run your VIN against WRK-21 before paying for anything.
Related code: P0700
Windshield cracking class settlement (2020–2022)
Owners of 2020–2022 Outbacks reported windshields cracking from tiny chips, or with no impact at all, often enough that a class action was settled (subaruwindshieldsettlement.com): coverage extended to 8 years/100,000 miles with a one-time free windshield replacement for cracks caused by residual glass stress. The cash-reimbursement claim window closed January 31, 2025, but the extended-warranty piece applies automatically. If your windshield cracks and the dealer reflexively blames a rock, ask them to evaluate it under the settlement terms. 2023–2024 models are not covered by it.
Battery drains after short trips: two class actions
Subaru settled a class action (In re Subaru Battery Drain Litigation) covering 2015–2020 Outbacks whose batteries die after short trips or a few days parked: electronic modules, notably the DCM telematics unit, failing to go into a proper sleep state, on top of a battery many considered undersized for the load. The settlement brought extended coverage for qualifying battery failures plus reimbursements, and a second suit naming 2021–2022 Outbacks (among other models) followed with the same parasitic-drain claim. If you're on your second or third battery, get a parasitic-draw test done and documented: that paper trail is what coverage decisions ride on.
Oil consumption: what's covered and what isn't
Honesty first: the famous Subaru oil-consumption settlement (Yaeger v. Subaru, settled 2016) covered 2011–2014-era FB engines and does NOT include the 2020–2024 Outback, whose FB25 is the revised direct-injection version. Even so, some owners report adding oil between changes, and Subaru's own manual says that under hard use: towing, short trips, high RPM; you should check the level at least every second fuel fill-up. If yours consumes, skip the forum debates and ask the dealer for a documented oil-consumption test while you're in warranty. The low-oil-level warning light is a backstop, not a monitor; the dipstick is the tool.
Codes this vehicle is known for
Recall results below are shown for 2024 models; check your exact year with the free VIN tool.
Open recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Service bulletins (TSBs)
Manufacturer communications and technical service bulletins for this vehicle are available on NHTSA’s site:
View TSBs on NHTSA.gov ↗Frequently asked questions
- How much oil does a 2020–2024 Outback take, and which oil?
- 4.4 quarts of 0W-20 full synthetic with a filter change for the 2.5L; 4.8 quarts for the 2.4L turbo XT. Both engines spec 0W-20: the manual allows 5W-30 conventional only as an emergency top-off, with a return to 0W-20 at the next change.
- Is the Outback's CVT reliable?
- Mostly yes, the Lineartronic has matured a lot since the 2010–2015 units that forced Subaru's first big extended warranty. This generation's weak spot is chain slip on some 2019–2020 builds, addressed by extension WRK-21 (10 yr/100k plus a one-time replacement). The honest caveats: no dipstick, the manual won't even name the fluid, and a failed CVT gets replaced, not rebuilt, at the dealer. If you tow or run mountain grades, a periodic fluid exchange at a Subaru-literate shop is cheap insurance even though the booklet doesn't require one.
- Do these boxer engines burn oil?
- Some do, modestly, and Subaru's manual openly says to check the level at least every second fill-up under hard use. The old oil-consumption settlement covered 2011–2014-era engines, not these. Make the dipstick a habit (wait 5 minutes after shutoff, read both sides, trust the lower reading), and if consumption is real, get a dealer-documented consumption test on record while you're in warranty.
- Does the XT turbo need premium fuel?
- No, 87 octane for both engines, straight from the manual. One quirk: the 2.5L is rated for up to 10% ethanol, the 2.4L turbo up to 15%.
- What's the lug nut torque?
- 88.5 lb-ft (120 N·m), star pattern, and the manual asks you to recheck the nuts after about 600 miles.
- Anything special about tires on a Subaru AWD?
- Yes. Symmetrical AWD wants four closely matched tires: rotate every 6,000 miles, and if you destroy one tire mid-life, ask about shaving a new replacement to match the others' tread depth. Significant diameter mismatch works the AWD system hard and can damage it.
