Subaru Outback Forums banner

2013 2.5cvt first oil change

12K views 44 replies 16 participants last post by  Shadow 1100 
I went with 7500 miles for the first service. This is what Subaru recommends. Anything under that is just about money hungry dealers. 3000 miles is an old american standard for non synthtic oils. The 2013 Outback takes full synthetic oil which aligns with the 7500 mile interval. Dont buy into the BS from the dealer
 
Hiker very very first change is 3500 miles. After that all other changes are 7500 miles or less pending conditions.
Subiesailor
The maint schedule on the attached site is a mirror image of what is in my warranty/maintenance booklet. I consulted my dealer rep on their claim that 3000 miles should be the first one and his response was "we like to see them then just to go over things". If they want to make a revision to what Subaru requires for their warranty, then the dealer should pay for the first out of recommendation 3000 mi service. Those on here who received "free" maintenance for the first 2 years can do that as it doesn't cost anything, but paying upwards of $100 for a service not required is silly. Even doing the service yourself it would cost at least $40 for full synthetic. I would rather use $40 to go to our neighborhood pizzeria with the family on a friday night! The 2011's were different , but the 2013 clearly shows in the brochures provided by Subaru that the intervals are 7500 mi including the first one.
2013 Subaru maintenance schedule and new car break-in period

For the 2011 you are correct as it required (Subaru) to do the first one at 3,000
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance2.html
 
Oddly mine says 7500 miles on the 2013 2.5i here in Indiana and there is no distinction in terms of state. It just says 2013 Outback and has both the 3.6R as well as 2.5 i models. I wonder if only California delivered vehicles have the 3000 mile change? There are other differences in California vehicles in terms of emissions packages, etc
 
Its 7500 miles for the first one. Call Subaru and ask them directly. Also unless you purchased the car with a free first oil change it will not be free. Minimum price will be $95-100 for full synthetic oil change. Minimum price on supplies only is around $40 + labor. The 3.6R engine has a 3750 mi first oil change, but 3000 miles is likley some dealer ploy. There are many forum postings about this and all lead back to 7500 miles for the first one on the 2013
 
I just logged into "mysubaruvehicle" and it confirmed the 7500 miles being the first one on the 2.5i as well. That's 2 actual subaru mediums confirming the 7500 as the first one. Both my Warranty & Maintenancce Booklet as well as the schedule on My subaru vehicle website say 7500. Is there any more debate? Can the madness end?
 
My owners manual (2013 2.5 cvt) states 7500 for first oil change, but mysubaru has been modified to include a 3000 mile service. No details on that service. So I emailed soa to get clarification. My email:

In my owners manual there is no service required until 7500 miles. I now notice on this site that there is a 3000 mile service - but no detail of what it is. Is the 3000 mile service necessary to keep in warranty? or will it void the warranty if I do not perform it? If it voids the warranty, where can I see what is to be serviced?

thank you,

The response:
Thank you for contacting Subaru of America. If you are using conventional oil the interval should be 3,750 miles. If you are using synthethic oil the interval is 7500 because the life of the synthethic oil is greater. Please let me know if you have any further questions.

Sincerely,

K.Malik
CDS
Subaru of America

Not sure how to interpret that answer...
I know quite a few car companies have received a lot of critical comments from people about mandating synthetic oil. Maybe this is what is going on ....They are simply saying its ok to use conventional oil now? I will continue to use synthetic oil. I know MINI tried doing the same thing back in 2003 when the new mini cooper came out and they were blasted by quite a few people. Sounds very silly the inconsistent message Subaru is sending regarding the intervals. Synthetic oil changes are not cheap and for most of us that do not have money to burn I would rather wait until its required which according to everything with a Subaru logo on it in my glovvebox says 7500 miles is the first change
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top