Maintenance Schedule

[blackfang]

Exactly what it is.

Subaru's maintenance guide with prior years on the right hand side.
https://www.subaru.com/my-subaru/mai...edule2009.html

The info below is my recommendations based off experience and what I have seen. These may not necessarily coincide with every owners maintenance requirements.

LGT 2.5 Turbo
Every 3750 service*
Replace oil, filter, crush washer

Every 7500 miles
Replace oil, filter, crush washer
Rotate tires
Multi point vehicle inspection

15/45/75k mile service
Replace oil, filter, crush washer
Rotate tires
Inspect and adjust parking brake
Multi point vehicle inspection

30k service
Engine oil and filter
Rotate tires
Replace coolant pre 2009 models. 2009+ every 137,500 miles/11 years
Replace air filter
ReplaceTransmission Fluid
Replace brake fluid
Inspect and adjust parking brake
Multi point vehicle inspection(free)

60k service
Engine oil and filter
Rotate tires
Replace coolant pre 2009 models. 2009+ every 137,500 miles/11 years
Replace air filter
ReplaceTransmission Fluid
Replace brake fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust parking brake
Multi point vehicle inspection(free)

2.5i
3750 service
Replace oil, filter, crush washer

Every 7500 miles
Replace oil, filter, crush washer
Rotate tires
Multi point vehicle inspection

15k miles
Replace oil, filter, crush washer
Rotate tires
Inspect and adjust parking brake
Multi point vehicle inspection

30k service
Engine oil and filter
Rotate tires
Replace coolantpre 2009 models. 2009+ every 137,500 miles/11 years
Replace air filter
ReplaceTransmission Fluid
Replace brake fluid
Inspect and adjust parking brake
Multi point vehicle inspection(free)

60k service
Engine oil and filter
Rotate tires
Replace coolantpre 2009 models. 2009+ every 137,500 miles/11 years
Replace air filter
Replace Transmission Fluid
Replace brake fluid
Replace spark plugs
Inspect and adjust parking brake
Multi Point vehicle inspection(free)

105k
Replace timing belt
Inspect drive belts
Adjust valves

Cabin Air Filter- 12 months/9300 miles.


* denotes severe service interval. This is required for all turbo models. Normal service is 7500 miles.

Notes
2010 CVT has lifetime transmission fluid and does not get changed

Fuel filter in models prior to 2005 get changed as the filter is in the engine bay on the drivers side. 2005+ you can still change the filter, however, it is on the fuel pump and generally doesn't get replaced unless their is an issue.

The spark plugs in a 2005+ 2.5i come with platinum spark plugs and depsite what the book states, they do not need to be changed every 30k.

For those with 2009+ Legacy and LGT/B, you have the Subaru Super Coolant(blue), the first coolant exchange is 11yr/137500. After that exchange the coolant every 6yr/75,000.

If you use this in your pre-09 vehicle, the coolant exchange is done every 30 months/30,000. This is due to the fact your coolant system still has a mixture/residue of the old green coolant in it. However, if the place that services your car uses a Wynns Power Flush III coolant flush machine, you can exchange it every 6yr/75,000 miles being that machine is approved by SOA and removes all old coolant/residue(per TSB 01-166-08).

09-50-07

01-166-08

[john]

105k miles until a timing belt swap? That's pretty impressive.

[FLlegacy]

I seriously disagree with the plugs not needing changing at 30k, mine most certainly did and I don't know what kind of "platinum" they were but they were toast at the 30k mark. I only run chevron premium, so gas was not an issue. For those who would believe that prem is a waste my gas mileage and performance from the premium doesn't lie to me. I can get ~415 miles on a tank of chevron prem, on the 87 it barely made 150 miles on a half tank. That is mostly highway and some city. And it ran like a turd, hesitating more than usual on acceleration and just sluggish. Only premium goes in the tank of my legacy and forester.

[blackfang]

Originally Posted by FLlegacy

I seriously disagree with the plugs not needing changing at 30k, mine most certainly did and I don't know what kind of "platinum" they were but they were toast at the 30k mark. I only run chevron premium, so gas was not an issue. For those who would believe that prem is a waste my gas mileage and performance from the premium doesn't lie to me. I can get ~415 miles on a tank of chevron prem, on the 87 it barely made 150 miles on a half tank. That is mostly highway and some city. And it ran like a turd, hesitating more than usual on acceleration and just sluggish. Only premium goes in the tank of my legacy and forester.

The factory spark plugs are NGK FR5AP-11 which are double platinum tipped.

You are more than welcome to change them at 30k. We do not and we have not seen a single issue with any vehicle not getting them changed. I still have my stock plugs in and car is running fine getting 29-32 mpg with 87 and sitting at 53k.

Also you can't always compare the use of 87 vs premium because so many factors are involved(exact type of driving, same brand of fuel, same weather conditions, was the a/c used or not used, what corrections is the ECU making that is having and effect, etc). I have not put a single drop of premium fuel in my car because it really won't make that much a difference to justify putting premium in all 3 of my vehicles. If it is your slice of pie, then great. However, the only problems I have seen is when people run 87 in a vehicle that is supposed to run 91+ and have seen issues with their LTFT's percentages, and multiple misfire codes when there isn't a misfire, etc.

[TSi+WRX]

Originally Posted by blackfang

Also you can't always compare the use of 87 vs premium because so many factors are involved(exact type of driving, same brand of fuel, same weather conditions, was the a/c used or not used, what corrections is the ECU making that is having and effect, etc).

Forget "regular" with "premium," things can even depend on where the specific gas-station - two "Shell" stations, for example, just a block apart - sources their gas supply from.

Everyone in my local area knows to avoid the Shell station that's literally right down the road from a well-regarded local tuner-shop - cars have been known to knock so badly on their 93-octane, "premium," V-Power that they're rendered un-tunable, while the same Shell V-Power from another station is just fine.

FWIW, I agree with blackfang and the others - it's my most humble opinion that if your car, Flegacy, is going through plugs at intervals of less than 30K miles, there's something else that's a problem: from something as simple as improper gap to potentially more serious mechanical issues.

[Dookie]

Originally Posted by TSi+WRX

FWIW, I agree with blackfang and the others - it's my most humble opinion that if your car, Flegacy, is going through plugs at intervals of less than 30K miles, there's something else that's a problem: from something as simple as improper gap to potentially more serious mechanical issues.

100% agree, always double, triple check your gaps before you install. If you accidently tap the tips of the plug while installing, pull it back out and recheck. Remember to ONLY use feeler gauges on the iridium plugs, and NOT the circular plug gappers while checking the gaps. Those tips are very easy to break off, I know because I've broken a few.

Originally Posted by kagenmateer

Is the tranny fluid change just as important on MT as AT? I'm at around 45k and it's never been changed.

Yes, I change mine about every 30k and can tell the difference in shifting each time.

[blackfang]

Originally Posted by Dookie

100% agree, always double, triple check your gaps before you install. If you accidently tap the tips of the plug while installing, pull it back out and recheck. Remember to ONLY use feeler gauges on the iridium plugs, and NOT the circular plug gappers while checking the gaps. Those tips are very easy to break off, I know because I've broken a few.

+1.
I had to gap the plugs on my Cobra and ended up doing the same thing and not realizing it about 8 years ago. That was fun testing everything to see why it ran a little off. Checked the plugs and one of them was off.

[havanisda]

The plugs aren't platinum they're iridium. They don't look like your everyday sparkplug.

[kagenmateer]

Awesome!!!!

[kagenmateer]

Is the tranny fluid change just as important on MT as AT? I'm at around 45k and it's never been changed.

[blackfang]

I say yes plus it is easier to do.

[TSi+WRX]

+2.

Also, from what I understand, our Iridiums shouldn't need to be gapped (as long as you ordered the right one, that is ) - but the truth of the matter, as we all know, is that occasionally, one or more will require regapping.

So check, and double check. And if you do need to regap, be careful!

[kagenmateer]

stillinfordookie'splugwalkthrough

[Dookie]

Originally Posted by kagenmateer

stillinfordookie'splugwalkthrough

I'll plan on doing it next weekend.

[havanisda]

Here ya go KG:

[kagenmateer]

hav- ha ha

dookie- I'm looking forward to it.

[Texan1983]

what is proper gap for an 08 legacy non-turbo with the ngk fr5ap-11 plugs?

[blackfang]

Check under your hood on the catalyst sticker. They usually have it posted on there. You can also check with NGK.

However, I will save you the trouble .044

[Dookie]

Blew the coolant reservoir to Turbo hose this past weekend. Talk about a steamy mess when the coolant sprays all over the turbo heat shield. Almost glad this happen, since it reminded me to replace the coolant. Which hasn't been done since 100k miles.

So yeah, engine is running much cooler now. Haven't even heard the fans kick-in. Just a reminder for those of you that haven't done this service yet.