Service Intervals: Months or Miles?

When do I service my Subaru?

Use the service interval length that best suits your driving habits.

Whether you drive your Subaru occasionally, or you’re a road-trip warrior, staying on top of your vehicle’s maintenance is vital to help keep it safely going the distance. When your Subaru was built, engineers determined specific service intervals when various vehicle components – including air filters, brakes, fluids, and even engine oil – should be replaced or inspected. The length of these intervals is based on months passed or miles driven, and service is recommended at whichever interval length your vehicle experiences first to help ensure its safety and performance throughout your travels.

Months intervals:

If you don’t drive your Subaru that often, service is recommended based on months passed since certain vehicle parts and fluids can degrade or lose their protective capabilities through the passing of time.

Miles intervals:

If you drive your Subaru frequently or take long trips often, service is recommended based on miles driven since certain parts and fluids can wear or lose their protective capabilities during vehicle use on the road.

You can find all your vehicle’s recommended intervals (in months and miles) and the services they include by checking your Warranty & Maintenance Booklet or MySubaru account.

Let's Take a Look at Oil Changes as an Example.

Oil changes are one of the most important services needed to help ensure performance, fuel economy, and longevity. Most Subaru vehicles on the road today should have an oil change performed every 6 months or 6,000 miles – whichever comes first. So, depending on how you use your vehicle, Subaru recommends that:

Engine oil should be changed every 6 months, even when you aren’t driving your vehicle that often, since the oil chemically breaks down, affecting its lubrication and cleaning abilities over time.

OR

Engine oil should be changed every 6,000 miles when you drive your Subaru frequently since the oil eventually wears and becomes less effective due to heat and friction caused during engine operation.

As always, refer to your vehicle’s Owner’s Manual for more information about engine oil, or you can contact the expert Factory Trained Teams at your local Subaru retailer for any questions you may have.

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