2011 Subaru Outback Engine Oil Capacity
The 2011 Subaru Outback has an oil capacity of 6.9 or 4.4 quarts (6.5 or 4.2 liters) depending upon the engine type.
Written by Andrew Hobson
Reviewed by Lisa Steuer McArdle
The 2011 Subaru Outback offers a spacious interior, expansive cargo space and reliability that can rival any other midsize SUV. But to keep your Outback in peak condition, you’ll have to know its engine oil capacity, which is 6.9 or 4.4 quarts depending upon the engine under your Outback’s hood.
From wear and tear due to towing cargo or just the usual upkeep, maintaining a vehicle like the Outback can get pricey over time. But if you own a 2011 Subaru Outback, you can slash your
car repair
costs by changing your oil at home—just make you check your owner’s manual first for the correct oil type and capacity for your Outback.If you can’t find the manual, or perhaps just to know more about your 2011 Subaru Outback engine oil capacity then you are right where you need to be! We have created this guide to show you how to change your Outback’s oil.
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2011 Subaru Outback engine oil capacity
So let's get right to it: how much oil does a 2011 Subaru Outback need?
The answer depends on the engine in your Outback. If your Outback has the 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, then the oil capacity is 6.9 quarts. If your Outback has the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine then the oil capacity is 4.4 quarts.
With all these numbers flying back and forth, be careful not to mistake your engine’s displacement—the 3.6 or 2.5-liter volume its cylinders occupy—with its oil capacity, which refers to the specific amount of oil needed for an oil change. Oil capacity and engine displacement are not interchangeable terms—when changing oil the number you need to pay attention to is the oil capacity.
What kind of oil does a 2011 Subaru Outback need?
Knowing how much oil your Outback needs is half the battle—the other half is knowing what type of oil your Outback needs. You heard that correctly—when it comes to oil every car has a type! Don’t waste your time or money by just picking up the cheapest 6.9 or 4.4 quart bottle of motor oil on the shelf. It, most likely, isn’t what your Outback needs!
Instead look for Mobil High Mileage 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil. This is the oil that Subaru recommends for the 2011 Outback and it makes sense to heed the manufacturer’s advice.
If you’re curious as to what all those numbers and letters mean—then let’s break it down. The numbers in the oil type specify the grade of viscosity or how thick the oil is. The “W” on the other hand stands for winter. The 5 right in front of the W means that this oil has a low viscosity or thickness at 0 degrees F, and the 30 means that this oil maintains its thin nature at a scorching 212 degrees F.
So basically the oil you need is one that will perform well under cold weather conditions. The synthetic in the description refers to the oil’s synthetic quality—meaning it was man-made and synthesized with artificially created components to help prolong the life of your engine.
How often to change oil on a 2011 Subaru Outback
Now that you know all you need to know about your 2011 Subaru Outback’s oil capacity and type: it’s time to
change the oil!
Wait just a minute! Subaru recommends changing the oil on your 2011 Outback every 6,000 miles. If you don’t drive your Outback that often then a good gauge for when to swap out your oil to make sure your engine is running cleanly is every six months.
Those seem like awfully big ranges for when to change your Outback’s oil—so to know when it's best for an oil change be sure to check your Outback regularly (at least once a month or every other refuel). Also be on the lookout for any of the telltale signs that your oil needs to be changed:
- Your Outback’s motor oil is dark brown or even black (clean oil is light brown in complexion like a cup of tea)
- Your Outback’s Motor oil is coarse or gritty to the touch
- Your Outback’s engine is making unfamiliar noises
- Your Outback’s engine is making new smells—specifically burning, smoke or oil smells
- Your Outback’s performance is hindered—specifically the gas mileage
How to change your Outback’s oil and oil filter
Once you’ve decided that it’s time for an oil change, gather your materials. In addition to the 4.4 or 6.9 quarts of 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil you will also need:
- A 65- to 67-mm oil filter wrench with extension and a ratchet
- A 14-mm wrench
- Torque wrench with 14-mm socket
- Drain pan
- Funnel for the oil
Your first step is to run your Outback’s engine until it reaches normal operating temperature. This should take all of five minutes. Once that’s been achieved shut off the engine, pop the hood and follow these steps:
- Remove the oil fill cap
- Slide underneath your Outback and using your 14-mm wrench remove the oil drain bolt and let the old oil drain into the drain pan
- Remove the used crush gasket from the drain bolt.
- Using the 65- to 67-mm oil filter wrench with extension and a ratchet—remove the old oil filter and let the remaining oil drain.
- Install the new filter
- Place a new crush gasket on the oil drain bolt and with your Torque wrench tighten it to 30 lb-ft
- Refill the engine with your new oil and replace the fill cap
Start your Outback and let it warm up for just under a minute—this should let the new oil fill the filter. Double check that you’ve added the right amount of oil by using your dipstick—if you need to top it off.
After that run your Outback for a few more minutes and keep an eye out for leaks. If you’ve successfully changed your Outback’s oil then the
oil pressure light
should turn itself off. The very last step is to dispose of the old oil. Don’t just dump it on your ground by your garage or throw it in the garbage bin. Do the earth a solid and seal it up in a container and dispose of it at your local recycling center.
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