Subaru Forester, SJ (USA / CAN)

Differential fluid capacity & service interval

Subaru Forester, SJ (USA / CAN) differential fluid capacity ranges from 0,8 to 1,4 liters. Service intervals include checks at 30000 miles or 30 months, and changes at 15000 miles, 15000 miles or 15 months, and 30000 miles or 30 months. The data covers 24 configurations.

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

TypeSpecifications
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2015-2018)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2015-2018)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2015-2018)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2015-2018)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2015-2018)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,35 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2015-2018)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,35 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2015-2018)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2015-2018)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2014-2015)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2014-2015)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2014-2015)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2014-2015)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2014-2015)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,35 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2014-2015)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,35 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2014-2015)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2014-2015)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2013-2014)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2013-2014)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,4 liter
  • Change 15000 miles
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2013-2014)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.0 XT (2013-2014)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles
  • Forester 2.5i (2013-2014)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,35 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2013-2014)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,35 liter
  • Change 15000 miles
  • Forester 2.5i (2013-2014)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2013-2014)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles

Additional Notes

  • The Subaru Forester SJ carries two separate differential fluid capacities depending on location. The front differential, which is integrated with the CVT unit, holds either 1.4 liters on the 2.0 XT or 1.35 liters on the 2.5i. The rear differential across both engine variants holds 0.8 liters. These are service fill figures, representing the fluid volume required during a routine drain-and-fill procedure rather than a full overhaul.
  • The 0.05-liter difference between the 2.0 XT and 2.5i front differential capacities reflects the distinct CVT assemblies used in each variant. The 2.0 XT turbocharged engine pairs with a CVT sized to handle higher torque output, which accounts for the marginally larger fluid volume in the associated front differential housing.
  • Under normal use conditions, both the front and rear differentials across all 2013-2018 configurations are subject to a check interval of 30,000 miles or 30 months, whichever comes first. A check interval does not necessarily require a fluid change; instead, fluid condition and level are inspected to determine whether a change is warranted.
  • Under severe use conditions, the front and rear differentials require a fluid change at 15,000 miles. For the 2013-2014 model year configurations, no month-based interval accompanies the mileage figure, whereas the 2014-2015 and 2015-2018 configurations specify 15,000 miles or 15 months. This addition of a time-based threshold alongside the mileage figure represents a refinement in the service schedule across production periods.
  • The rear differential on the 2015-2018 Forester 2.0 XT specifies a fluid change at 30,000 miles or 30 months under normal use conditions, whereas the equivalent 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 configurations list only a check at the same interval. This shift from a check to a mandatory change under normal conditions is specific to the 2.0 XT rear differential in the later production range and does not apply to the 2.5i rear differential, which retains the check designation across all years.
  • Severe use conditions, as applied to these differential service intervals, typically encompass operating environments such as frequent towing, repeated short-trip driving, extreme temperature exposure, or off-road use. Under such conditions, fluid degradation accelerates, which is why the change interval is set at half the mileage of the normal-use check interval.
  • The front differential fluid capacity remains consistent within each engine variant across all three production period groupings. The 2.0 XT holds 1.4 liters and the 2.5i holds 1.35 liters regardless of whether the vehicle falls in the 2013-2014, 2014-2015, or 2015-2018 specification range, indicating no mechanical revision to the CVT-integrated differential housing that would alter fluid volume requirements.

Other Systems