Whether you’re a proud new owner, a potential buyer, or need a quick refresher, this is how you can look after your XV’s engine. Owners of the XV will quickly attest that the car itself almost takes care of itself, but knowing the basics can go a long way with these compact SUVs.
How to Check your Engine Oil
Checking your engine oil is an essential part of looking after your Subaru. Very low or very high oil level can damage your Subaru Boxer Engine. It’s imperative that the oil level is maintained correctly. This is done by checking the engine oil dipstick when the engine is up to operating temperature and has been switched off for a few minutes. Watch the informative video below for an more information.
What oil is best for Subaru XV?
Essentially there are two types of oil: mineral and synthetic. The latter is a combination of oil and chemicals that improve the oil’s viscosity (basically how fluid it is). Synthetic oil has changed everything from how often we change our engine’s oil and how long our engine will last. Initially, it was developed for jet engines where high pressure and friction caused the oil to either burn up too fast or damage the engine from within. Synthetic oil keeps your engine safe by ensuring this doesn’t happen.
Your Subaru XV will require synthetic oil. Subaru recommends 0W-20 synthetic as the best choice because it improves fuel economy while maximising power. It may be more expensive, but synthetic oil is far better for your engine health, and over the long term will translate into huge savings.
How often you change the oil of Subaru XV
Owners of a Subaru XV will need to change their engine oil after the initial 12,500km, then every 12,500km thereafter. This is part of every Subaru logbook service and is crucial to maintaining the performance and increasing the lifespan of your Subaru XV. If an oil change is missed or delayed excessively contaminants can build and the oil can start losing its effectiveness. A regular oil change is as vital to your Subaru XV as regular toilet breaks are to you!
How to change the oil?
The process of changing your XV’s oil can be done from home, however, keep in mind you’ll need the right tools to get it done properly. A wrench with a 14mm socket, a car jack, a large funnel and bucket, paper towels, disposable gloves, approximately 5 litres of new synthetic 0W-20 oil, and a new oil filter.
- Warm up the engine to operating temperature.
- Jack up the car to access the oil outlet underneath.
- Open up the bonnet and remove the oil filler cap to allow the oil to drain smoothly.
- Ensure your bucket and funnel are set up ready directly underneath the oil outlet.
- Using the wrench open the bolt plug using a 14mm socket and allow the oil to drain out. Be careful, the oil will be hot!
- Wipe around the outlet and secure the bolt tightly in place using a new Subaru Sump Plug Washer.
- Next, change the oil filter by unscrewing it and replacing it. Make sure you wipe around the filter with paper towels to ensure no residue oil or grit is left inside.
Fill up the oil as per the amount specified in the owner’s manual. It should be around 5 litres. - Check the oil level by examining the dipstick. You may have to add a bit extra to fill it.
- Start the car and check for potential leaks.
- Dispose of your old engine oil and filter properly following your local laws. Be warned, the penalties for incorrect disposal of used engine oil and oil filters are very severe as 1 litre of oil can contaminate 1 million litres of water!
Subaru Brake fluid
Your XV will run best on genuine Subaru brake fluid, this will always ensure your XV brake components are properly cooled and maintained. A Subaru dealer will use Subaru brake fluid and changes should be made every 50,000km or at least every two years as Brake Fluid is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air. Water in Brake Fluid lowers its boiling point, and causes corrosion in brake components.
Servicing your XV
The Subaru XV is definitely one of the most reliable cars on the road. With a Horizontally-opposed Boxer 4-cylinder engine, this vehicle is made to be part of the family for years. The XV boasts an impressive on-road and off-road capability, exposing the engine to harsher conditions makes it all the more important to service regularly.
Know your driving habits as well as your mechanic
Building a relationship with your Subaru dealership can be beneficial as they’ll get to know you and your car. The XV does become part of the family. It’s important to treat it right. Being aware of how you use your car will also influence how frequently you check things like oil levels and tyre pressure. Long road trips are often a good excuse to get a quick service before you head off on your adventure.
Should I choose Subaru specialists?
There is always a technical upside to visiting a Subaru Dealership, as they will know more about your car than anyone else in the game. Having expert eyes on your car is always a good idea as this will ensure the best quality of attention and will look good on your service records if you want to upgrade down the track. A Subaru Dealership can also apply software updates and perform mandatory safety recalls that aftermarket and independent workshops can’t do.
Note: The Subaru XV model is marketed as the Subaru Crosstrek. This change in name was made to align with Subaru’s global naming strategy. Therefore, when referring to the Subaru XV in the context in the market, it is synonymous with the Subaru Crosstrek. Rest assured, any information or references pertaining to the Subaru XV can be considered applicable to the Subaru Crosstrek.