If you own a Subaru, chances are you enjoy taking your vehicle for a drive or going on an outdoor adventure. Subarus are known for their versatility when it comes to road trips, camping, and family outings, and the best way to ensure that your vehicle remains reliable throughout the years is with proper maintenance and service.
Every vehicle manufacturer has a recommended service plan that is in place to guide you on what services your vehicle needs at certain intervals. When you follow your vehicle’s factory recommendations, you’ll have a well-maintained vehicle and you’ll spare yourself from having to deal with major repairs over time.
While your individual vehicle’s maintenance schedule may be different in comparison to other Subaru models, the basics for maintenance intervals are similar. The best source to truly understand what your vehicle needs is to refer to your car’s owner’s manual or look online for the proper maintenance schedule. We’ve put together a general maintenance schedule below that is commonly used for Subarus.
See below for a general maintenance schedule for Subaru vehicles.
Every 3,000 Miles
- Engine oil and filter change
- Inspect and adjust all fluid levels
- Check and adjust tire pressures
Every 7,500 Miles
- Replace oil drain plug gasket
- Inspect air filter
- Check horn operation
- Check interior lights and exterior lights
- Check all safety belts for proper operation
- Check clutch operation, adjust if applicable
- Inspect axle and cv boots
- Set tire pressure
- Check wiper/washer operation
- Inspect all fluid levels, top off if needed
- Inspect cooling system hoses
- Inspect fuel and evap lines
- Rotate tires, balance front, inspect tire wear
- Re-register TPMs sensors if applicable
- Measure tire tread depth
- Test Battery and Alternator charging output
- Inspect brake pads/shoes
- Inspect Belts
- Conduct road test
15,000, 45,000, 75,000, 100,000 Mile Service
- Change engine oil and filter and drain plug washer
- Replace air filter
- Inspect and adjust all drive belts to factory specifications
- Inspect and ensure cooling fan is operating correctly
- Check to ensure air conditioning and heating systems are operating correctly
- Rotate tires, inspect tread wear and check and adjust tire pressure if needed
- Balance tires
- Perform brake system inspection: pads and/or drums, lines, hoses and fluids
- Inspect suspension system and steering components
- Service battery, clean terminals
- Inspect wiper blades and linkage operation
- Inspect exhaust system and heat shields
- Inspect radiator and cooling system>
- Inspect and adjust fluid levels as needed
- Check turn signal, stop and headlight bulbs operation
30,000 Mile Service
- Change Oil Filter and engine oil
- Replace oil drain plug gasket
- Inspect air filter
- Check horn operation
- Check interior and exterior light function
- Check clutch operation
- Inspect axle and cv boots
- Set tire pressure to vehicles specifications
- Check wiper/washer operation
- Inspect all fluid levels, top off if needed
- Inspect cooling system hoses
- Check parking brake operation
- Inspect fuel & evap lines
- Rotate tires, balance front, inspect tire wear
- Re-register TPMs sensors if applicable
- Measure tire tread depth
- Inspect brake pads/shoes
- Inspect belts and hoses
- Inspect exhaust system for damage or leaks
- Inspect power steering operation
- Inspect spare tire
- Inspect clutch hydraulic system
- Inspect and report fluid leaks
- Check window operation
- Test charging system/ alternator output
- Check A/C operation
- Inspect rear differential oil
- Replace in-cabin pollen filter
- 4 wheel alignment inspection
- Replace fuel filter
- Replace thermostat & gasket
- Pressure test radiator cap
- Replace front differential oil
- Replace transmission oil
- Flush brake fluid
- Drain & refill engine cooling system.
- Pressure test cooling system
- Replace clutch hydraulic fluid
- Replace spark plugs
- Inspect ignition wires or coil packs
- Service battery
- Check engine control unit for fault codes
- Inspect ABS system for codes
60,000 and 120,000 Mile Service
- Change engine oil, filter and drain plug washer
- Inspect and adjust all drive belts
- Inspect and ensure cooling fan is operating
- Replace transmission fluid
- Check to ensure air conditioning and heating systems are operating
- Rotate tires, inspect tread wear and check and adjust tire pressure as needed
- Perform brake system inspection; pads and/or drums, lines, hoses and fluid
- Inspect suspension system and steering components
- Service battery and clean terminals
- Inspect wiper blades and linkage operation
- Inspect exhaust system and heat shields
- Replace front and rear differential fluid
- Inspect radiator and cooling system
- Replace engine coolant
- Adjust emergency brake
- Replace air filter element
- Inspect steering operation, tie rod ends and steering rack guides
- Inspect all engine and transmission mounts
- Inspect and adjust all fluid levels as needed
- Check all interior and exterior lighting
- Replace brake fluid
- Replace spark plugs
If you suspect that your vehicle has hit one of these milestones and is due for service, we invite you into our Subaru repair shop here at Oceanworks Berkeley in Berkeley, CA. Our mechanics are ASE certified experts who specialize in just about every model of Subaru. We can ensure that your vehicle is on track with recommended services and help remind you of when any maintenance items are due. The better you maintain your vehicle, the less you’ll have to deal with major issues, the more money you’ll save, and the higher resale value your vehicle will have if you ever decide to sell.
When you need Subaru maintenance in Berkeley CA, give us a call here at Oceanworks Berkeley or stop by our shop today for friendly assistance!