An oil change is one of the most important and routine car maintenance activities. Keeping your car full of fresh engine oil is the best way to ensure its moving parts stay lubricated; this allows you to go wherever you need to go in the Salt Lake City area for years to come. And while you can always bring your Subaru to our service center for an oil change, you can also do it pretty easily yourself with a little know-how.

Here at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown, we want to help you save money on routine maintenance—that’s why we’ve put together this quick Subaru Outback oil change guide to help you change your car’s oil at home. Review these steps and get your vehicle in great condition in no time! Of course, if you’d rather schedule service, you can give us a call any time.

What Is an Oil Change?

The oil inside your engine gets broken down over time due to the friction and heat of the engine. It also gets contaminated with dirt and other debris as you drive. After a while, these effects make for oil that doesn’t lubricate moving parts as well, which can lead to more friction and heat within your engine. If left untreated, your engine can completely fail.

When you get an oil change (or do your own), all the old oil gets drained from your engine. The oil filter is also replaced to ensure that your engine continues to run smoothly. Finally, new oil is added, the specific type of which depends on your manufacturer’s specifications.

These steps are pretty simple, and most Park City drivers can do them at home with a little know-how.

When Should I Change My Oil?

All cars need an oil change at regular intervals. Those intervals vary depending on your vehicle’s make, model, and year of manufacture. Check your Subaru Outback’s owner’s manual to determine the recommended intervals.

However, a good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 10,000 miles—or if you drive your Outback hard or take it off-roading often, every 3,000 miles or so. If you’re not sure, changing the oil in your Subaru Outback should be done at least twice a year.

Tools You’ll Need for Changing the Oil in a Subaru

To change your Subaru’s oil at home, you’ll need a few easy-to-find tools. You should be able to find these at your local hardware or auto-parts store:

• Oil that matches the specs for your Subaru Outback
• A funnel to help you pour the oil
• Rubber gloves
• A replacement oil filter for your Outback
• An oil filter wrench
• A wrench for your car’s drain plug
• A drain pan or bucket to catch the old oil
• A hoist, jack stand, or ramps to lift your car
• Screwdrivers or wrenches

Changing the Oil in Your Subaru Outback

It wouldn’t be a Subaru Outback oil change guide without the steps to changing your Subaru’s oil! Follow the steps below:

• Lift the car. Since you’ll be underneath the car to service it, ensuring that it stays up securely is absolutely vital. You can lift your car with a set of jacks, or drive it onto some ramps to raise the front end—but whatever you do, make sure it’s secure with wedges behind the back wheels.
• Remove the undertray. The undertray covers vital engine components, protecting them from stray road debris, grit, and grime. You can remove it with a standard screwdriver or wrench—after you do so, place it in a safe area where you can find it, and keep an eye out for oil leaks. If your oil is leaking, bring it to our Tooele service center.
• Drain the old oil. The next step is to drain the old oil from your Subaru. Place a five-gallon bucket or drain tray directly underneath the vehicle’s drain plug, then loosen the drain plug with a wrench and unscrew it slowly. Let the oil drain until it stops or slows to a small trickle, which can take five minutes or longer.
• Remove and replace the filter. Find the oil filter—it’s probably next to the crankcase, but check your owner’s manual to be sure—and use an oil filter wrench to loosen it slightly. Oil will start to flow out of the top, so wear gloves to keep your hands clean. Leave the filter loosened until the oil stops flowing, then unscrew it completely and clean oily surfaces. Remove the oil filter gasket. Take the new filter and apply a little oil around the new gasket, then screw in the new filter. Keep it snug but not too tight.
• Replace the undertray and lower the car. Once you’ve replaced the filter, replace and tighten the drain cap. Then, replace the undertray, come out from under the car, and lower it back down.
• Refill the engine. Now you need to fill your engine back up with oil. Lift the hood and unscrew the oil cap, then place a funnel to prevent spills. Double-check the amount of oil your car takes, then pour that amount into the engine. Let it rest for a few minutes before verifying the oil is at the proper level with your dipstick. Finally, turn your car on and let it idle for a few minutes to let the new oil circulate.

Get Your Subaru Outback Oil Changed at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown

Now that you’ve read our Subaru Outback oil change guide, you can see how easy it is to change your oil at home. However, other fixes require expertise. At Mark Miller Subaru Midtown, you can trust our highly qualified staff of service professionals to help you with whatever service your Subaru needs. Schedule maintenance easily online, or contact us with any questions you have.