Subaru Forester, SJ (USA / CAN)

Brake fluid capacity & service interval

Subaru Forester, SJ (USA / CAN) requires brake fluid with a capacity range between min and max. Service intervals include 30000 miles/ 30 months and 15000 miles/ 15 months. The data covers 12 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
Forester 2.0 XT (2015-2018)
  • Use: Normal
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 30000 miles/ 30 months
Forester 2.0 XT (2015-2018)
  • Use: Severe
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
Forester 2.5i (2015-2018)
  • Use: Normal
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 30000 miles/ 30 months
Forester 2.5i (2015-2018)
  • Use: Severe
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
Forester 2.0 XT (2014-2015)
  • Use: Normal
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 30000 miles/ 30 months
Forester 2.0 XT (2014-2015)
  • Use: Severe
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
Forester 2.5i (2014-2015)
  • Use: Normal
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 30000 miles/ 30 months
Forester 2.5i (2014-2015)
  • Use: Severe
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
Forester 2.0 XT (2013-2014)
  • Use: Normal
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 30000 miles/ 30 months
Forester 2.0 XT (2013-2014)
  • Use: Severe
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
Forester 2.5i (2013-2014)
  • Use: Normal
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 30000 miles/ 30 months
Forester 2.5i (2013-2014)
  • Use: Severe
  • Between min and max.
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months

Additional Notes

  • Across all listed configurations of the Subaru Forester SJ, brake fluid capacity for the hydraulic brake system is expressed as a level range rather than a fixed volume, meaning the reservoir must be filled to a point between the minimum and maximum marks rather than to a precise measured quantity.
  • The normal use change interval for the hydraulic brake system is 30,000 miles or 30 months across both the 2.0 XT and 2.5i engine variants, covering model years 2013-2018.
  • Under severe use conditions, the brake fluid change interval is halved to 15,000 miles or 15 months, applying equally to the 2.0 XT and 2.5i across all listed year groupings. Severe use classifications typically account for operating conditions that accelerate fluid degradation, such as frequent heavy braking or high-temperature environments.
  • Brake fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the atmosphere over time. Time-based intervals, such as the 30-month and 15-month figures listed here, exist because moisture absorption occurs regardless of mileage accumulation, lowering the fluid's boiling point and reducing braking effectiveness.
  • The 2.0 XT and 2.5i variants share identical brake fluid service intervals and reservoir fill specifications across all listed year groupings, indicating no differentiation in hydraulic brake system servicing between the turbocharged and naturally aspirated engine configurations for this generation.
  • The year groupings for both the 2.0 XT and 2.5i overlap at 2014 and 2015, with separate row entries covering 2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2018. Despite the overlapping ranges, the service specifications remain consistent across all three groupings for each engine variant.

Other Systems