DIY Maintenance Tips For Subaru Owners
Taking on the maintenance of your Subaru yourself can be both rewarding and cost-effective. Whether you're new to DIY car care or have plenty of experience, keeping up with the service intervals and mastering a few maintenance tricks can really help with the performance and longevity of your Subaru. And hey, even if you only take care of your car’s basic maintenance, you’ll not only save a lot of dough, but you could end up becoming a certified car whisperer. Stick around for a few no-nonsense maintenance tips and upgrade options for Subaru owners. We’ll cover everything from dependable OEM parts to aftermarket performance upgrades, because we want your Subaru to perform at its peak condition for years to come.
OIL CHANGE
According to Subaru of America, you should change your Subaru's oil every 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever occurs first. Depending on your driving style, you might need to change your oil more frequently, especially if you drive aggressively. You know who you are. Our tip to save a bit of time and money is to order yourself one of our oil change service packages. These convenient packages contain everything you need for a complete Subaru oil change: 100% synthetic Motul oil, an OEM Subaru oil filter, and an OEM crush washer, all available at a special bundled price. Why Motul? In addition to better fuel economy, Motul’s ester-based synthetic oil delivers outstanding protection, performance, and durability, making it ideal for both everyday driving and track conditions.
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WHY SYNTHETIC OIL?
Why synthetic oil? While Subaru specifies that most Subaru engines should be filled with synthetic engine oil, it’s important to confirm which type of oil your vehicle uses. More often than not, turbocharged engines require synthetic oil because it protects the turbo by not breaking down and losing viscosity at higher temperatures. Synthetic oils excel in racing applications, as they remain stable when exposed to extreme heat, while still maintaining their protective qualities.
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AIR FILTER REPLACEMENT
Regularly replacing your air filter is crucial for preventing debris and contaminants from entering your engine, reducing wear and tear, and extending its lifespan. A clean air filter also improves fuel efficiency, and helps to reduce harmful exhaust emissions. Subaru recommends replacing air filters approximately every 15,000 miles, though this can vary with driving conditions. For those who drive on dirt roads frequently, it may be necessary to change or clean the filter more often. Our tip to save a few bucks- Using a high-performance, washable filter such as AEM’s DryFlow Air Filters means that you can use the same filter over and over again. Keeping them clean is easy with their DryFlow Air Filter Cleaner, and best of all- they have a limited lifetime warranty.
Upgrade your air filter here-
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SPARK PLUGS
If you want to keep your Subaru purring like a kitten, don't forget about the spark plugs. Subaru recommends a change every 60,000 miles, but check your owner's manual for the specifics. If your car is tuned, you might need to do this every 25,000 to 30,000 miles, or sooner. When in doubt, there’s no harm in pulling a plug to check the condition every now and again. Our tip- while they may cost a little extra, iridium spark plugs are worth considering because they last up to 25% longer than platinum ones. Also, keep in mind that when you replace your spark plugs, your old ignition coils may not be able to keep up with your new plugs, which could lead to rough running conditions, or even leave you stranded. If you don’t want to spend the money to preemptively replace all the coils, it’s never a bad idea to either test the ones you have, or carry an extra in your car.
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BRAKE PADS & ROTORS
Being able to stop your car is a good thing, so staying on top of your Subaru’s brake maintenance should be a top priority. Subaru brake pads usually last between 30,000 and 70,000 miles depending on your driving habits. No matter how you drive (or brake), we’ve got a tip for that too- Whether you’ve purchased OEM Subaru brakes and rotors, or an aftermarket Big Brake Kit, every brake manufacturer has their own break-in procedure, and it’s important to follow it to the tee. Usually, this is something that your mechanic will deal with, but if you’re doing it yourself, you’ll definitely want to pay attention to your specific break-in procedure so that you can avoid glazing your pads or warping your rotors.
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BRAKE FLUSH
Just as important as replacing your brake pads and rotors is performing a brake flush. Subaru recommends that you take care of your brake flush at 30,000 miles, but again, you’ll want to check your owner’s manual to make sure. Our tip- Not all brake fluids are created equal, and choosing the correct brake fluid for your specific application is crucial for both performance and safety. While OEM brake fluid is fine to use with factory pads and rotors on a regular street car, a high-performance brake fluid like Motul’s RBF600 is ideal for racing applications where there’s a lot of heavy braking involved. With a higher boiling point, RBF600 is able to maintain consistent pedal pressure, ensuring reliable stopping power.
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SUBARU MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE
Subaru's key service intervals are recommended at 30,000, 90,000, and 105,000 miles. If you're handy in the garage, taking care of these services yourself can save you an expensive trip to the dealership or mechanic. While these services are a bit more involved than routine oil changes or brake flushes, we’ve got good news; IAG Performance offers comprehensive service packages at a bundled price, ensuring you have all the right parts and fluids to maintain your Subaru. Our packages contain everything you need to complete your Subaru’s 30k, 90k and 105k services, all delivered to your front door.
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Maintaining your Subaru doesn’t have to be an overwhelming task- it can actually be satisfying, as well as save you a bit of money. Staying on top of your car’s service recommendations will do wonders to improve the performance and extend the life of your vehicle. From oil changes to brake flushes, and from OEM to aftermarket, we can help you with the parts you need for your Subaru. Of course, if you have any questions or need support, feel free to call us at (410) 840-3555 or email us at sales@iagperformance.com. Happy wrenching!