Subaru Forester, SK (USA / CAN)

Differential fluid capacity & service interval

Subaru Forester, SK (USA / CAN) differential fluid capacity ranges from 0,8 to 1,3 liters. Service intervals include checks every 30000 miles or 30 months and changes every 15000 miles or 15 months. The data covers 20 configurations.

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

TypeSpecifications
  • Forester 2.5i (2024- )
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2024- )
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2024- )
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2024- )
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2023-2024)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2023-2024)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2023-2024)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2023-2024)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i Wilderness (2021-2024)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i Wilderness (2021-2024)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i Wilderness (2021-2024)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i Wilderness (2021-2024)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2019-2023)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2019-2023)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2019-2023)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2019-2023)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2018-2019)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2018-2019)
  • From CVT
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 1,3 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2018-2019)
  • Rear
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Check 30000 miles/ 30 months
  • Forester 2.5i (2018-2019)
  • Rear
  • Use: Severe
  • Capacity 0,8 liter
  • Change 15000 miles/ 15 months

Additional Notes

  • The Subaru Forester SK (USA/CAN) 2.5i carries two separate differential fluid capacities: 1.3 liters for the front differential sourced from the CVT, and 0.8 liters for the rear differential. The difference in volume reflects the distinct housing sizes of each unit.
  • Across all 2.5i configurations from 2018 onward, the front differential (from CVT) and rear differential share the same base inspection interval of 30,000 miles or 30 months under normal use conditions, with no fluid change specified at that interval.
  • Under severe use conditions, both the front and rear differentials on the 2.5i require a fluid change at 15,000 miles or 15 months. The front differential also retains the 30,000-mile or 30-month check interval alongside the more frequent change requirement, while the rear differential specification under severe use lists only the change interval without a separate check interval.
  • The 1.3-liter capacity of the front differential (from CVT) applies uniformly across the 2018-2019, 2019-2023, 2023-2024, and 2024 Forester 2.5i configurations, as well as the 2021-2024 Forester 2.5i Wilderness, indicating no capacity revision across those model year spans.
  • The 0.8-liter rear differential capacity likewise remains constant across all listed 2.5i and 2.5i Wilderness configurations, spanning from 2018 through the 2024 entries.
  • The Forester 2.5i Wilderness (2021-2024) shares identical differential fluid capacities and service intervals with the standard 2.5i trim, with 1.3 liters for the front differential and 0.8 liters for the rear under both normal and severe use conditions.
  • The severe-use change interval of 15,000 miles or 15 months represents half the distance and time of the normal-use check interval, reflecting the accelerated fluid degradation associated with more demanding operating conditions.

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