Tools, Site Preparation and Instructions
Tools and supplies
A pair of nitrile gloves |
Oil drain pan that holds 5+ quarts |
Some rags exchanged |
Wrench for removing the oil filter cover |
½” ratchet wrench |
½” extension 3” ratchet. |
21/32” 12 point ½” socket.1), |
Oil filter wrench 65mm x 14 flutes3), |
Empty 2 gallon size milk bottles |
OEM Oil Filter 15208AA15A |
Oil Drain Plug Gasket 8039160104), |
½” Articulated Plug Adapter.5), |
Ratchet Wrench Handle Extension |
Five liters of synthetic oil 0-20 W. Buy the jar. |
Exacto® knife |
funnel |
Black Sharpie® |
, |
Surface preparation: consists of a clean, hard, level surface that is not affected by used engine oil and is well cleaned and preferably polished. Will clean up easily with paint thinner. Wear nitrile gloves
Oil filter flange gap: is a ¼” gap around the oil filter. Clean this well before removing the old filter. Then clean again if you see even small contaminants.
Access to the discharge outlet: can be complicated. If you cannot get under the car, then either the vehicle must be jacked up or the job must be cancelled. The exhaust plug is recessed and the seat guard panel has a 2”x3” opening to access the bolt. Make sure you have the right bolt. If the vehicle is dirty underneath, use eye protection, a good practice regardless. Approach the exhaust plug from the front of the vehicle with your body perpendicular to the vehicle, feet on the passenger side if you are right-handed.
Ratchet/spoke setup: for breaking the seal that the OEM oil pan manufacturer creates when installing the drain plug, you need a suitable socket and a lot of leverage on the ratchet. Using the tools in the table above, socket->articulating adapter->wrench->wrench extension.
Confirm how much new oil to add: 4.8 liter is used for this vehicle. Check the owner’s manual.
Steps
Warm up the car engine just a little to keep the oil flowing well in the drain pan if the engine is cold. Do not fully warm up the engine. Hot oil on your gloved hands is bad and worse than bare hands.
Hood lift.
Unscrew the oil filler cap but don’t remove it until you need to add oil, otherwise it becomes an opening you don’t want anything to get into. This allows air to enter and helps the oil drain faster.
Pull the oil dipstick and check the level with a clean cloth. Replace the indicator strip, but not completely. This allows air to enter and helps the oil drain faster.
Loosen the oil filter 3) using the 65mm 14 flute filter grief slot and it’s enough to know it will come off, but not much more than that now. If you can’t get it loose, then the job is canceled unless just an oil change is in order.
Loosen the drain plug 2) it’s enough to know that it will be removed without a key, but not more than that now.
if you cannot be released ITthen the job is canceled and there is no point in simply changing the filter.
if you can be released ITposition the oil drain pan so that when the plug is fully removed, the large arc of flowing warm oil will strike your target without spillage.
Unscrew the drain plug keeping some pressure on the threads until it unscrews all the way, but still closes the hole. In one quick motion, pull the plug and to the side while still holding it and the download display is active. Let it drain for at least 10 minutes.
Remove the old exhaust plug gasket from the exhaust plug, thoroughly clean the plug and threads.
Install a new one gasket in plug. It would be nice to note which way the old gasket came off and you will notice that there is a rise and a fall. It may not matter, but why invite leaks.
Reinstall the drain plug with gasket and torque up to ~30-foot lbs.
Remove the oil filter turning it by hand. There should be very little spillage, if any.
Install the new oil filter but first put a light coating of oil on the filter pad. When rolling in the new filter, the rubber will begin to settle into the filter flange. Turn it an additional ¾ turn, but still tighten the hand. Do not use tools to tighten the new filter including the filter wrench plug used for removal only. Use a Sharpie® to mark the top of the new filter with the mileage and date the oil change was completed.
Add new oil: using a funnel, carefully pour oil into the filler hole. Take your time and don’t be fooled. If you expect one throat triangle and a vent triangle in the foil seal, it is easy to control the flow without spillage. See the picture. Check a few times when filling the bar. Use a clean cloth. Actual oil specifications are in the owner’s manual.
Oil filler cap fully secured when complete.
Start the vehicle and check for leaks. Taking the vehicle out of the garage; carbon oxide and all.
Footnotes
Footnote 1) A 21/32″ 12-point ½” socket makes a slightly tighter grip on our “bolt-head-socket-oil-drain-oil-pan” than the 17mm size.
Footnote 2) The OEM (original equipment manufacturer) oil filter and oil pan drain plug are quite difficult to remove. The factory actually clamps them in place and spray paint them together. You won’t need to, nor should you tighten that much. If you don’t use an oil filter wrench, you can distort the OEM filter to the point where you can’t remove it.
Footnote 3) Sourced from CTA Manufacturing Automotive Specialty Tools (CTA) via https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074MT69YZ?ref=ppx_pop_dt_b_product_details&th=1; Part # A270; UPC 053001270002; made in Taiwan; labeled A270 CTA; powder coated black; made for OEM Subaru blue filter #15208AA15A, not ex OEM black filter. Distance between flutes measured with digital and analog micrometers is 65mm or ~2 9/16”. Advanced Auto Parts www.advanceautoparts.com sells part # w54117, Performance Tools Oil Filter Wrench, Cap Style, 65mm, 14 Flute, 3/8” Drive; Steel construction; $7.99. It didn’t fit.
Footnote 4) The drain plug gasket floats a little around the drain plug. It’s not as comfortable as you might think.
Footnote 5) The ½” articulated plug adapter may be useful for loosening but not removing the drain plug. Once loosened and for final tightening, use the straight extension.
Complete the registration of maintenance services performed by writing to Subaru warranty and maintenance brochure delivered with your vehicle.
Update the Center Information Display (“CID”) from inside the vehicle with these steps and tips:
-Turn on the ignition. Starting the vehicle is not necessary.
-Follow the screens shown below.
-Go to the CID main menu and press Car information icon ;
-Press the button on Car information screen.
– Press Gear settings the button on Maintenance screen for one of the four options presented such as Car oilOR Oil filter.
– Press Date of notification OR Notice distance buttons to display the input data screens
– Notification distance it means how many miles you want to cover before the memory appears on the CID. This is a countdown value.
-A basic assumption is that someone knows how to use these input screens.
Pictures that may help