The Subaru Maintenance Schedule: Myths and Facts

20230616 subraru 22 20 1

Your Subaru is more than just a vehicle: it's a road companion that accompanies you on all your adventures, whether they are daily or extraordinary. To ensure your Subaru continues to deliver optimal performance, it is essential to follow its maintenance schedule. While at first glance, some maintenance tasks may seem optional, in reality, each step of the program is designed to prevent issues before they become costly and problematic.

Subaru maintenance is scheduled alternately every 6 months or every 10,000 km, whichever comes first. Adhering to thiscalendrierschedule keeps your vehicle in perfect condition throughout its lifespan.

In this article, we will explain why following all maintenance recommendations is essential and how each step contributes to the longevity and safety of your Subaru.

Maintenance A: The Foundation of Your Subaru's Health

Every 6 months or every 10,000 km, Maintenance A is like a medical check-up for your Subaru. This basic service focuses on essential elements to ensure your vehicle runs well, and includes:

Oil change and filter replacement:Your engine oil is crucial for keeping it clean and well-lubricated. Regular oil changes prevent premature wear of internal parts.
Fluid level check:Brake, coolant, and other fluids play a vital role in ensuring your Subaru operates safely. Regular checks ensure these systems are effective.
Drive belt inspection:The belt is checked to ensure it is in good condition and properly tensioned.
Battery maintenance:The battery is inspected to ensure it is functioning correctly, and maintenance is performed if necessary.
Tire condition check and pressure adjustment:It is crucial to ensure the tires are in good condition and properly inflated. This guarantees better road handling and prevents premature wear.
And more

A

Time: 1.0 h

Drain engine oil and replace the filter
Check tire condition, including the spare, and adjust pressure
Check fluid levels, including both differentials, and top up
Service the battery
Check the operation of lights, wipers, and washer nozzles
Check and adjust drive belt tension, if necessary
Inspect the axle boot condition
Lubricate all latches, hinges, and locks
Inspect all steering and suspension components
Check underneath the vehicle for damage
Conduct a road test

These steps may seem simple, but they ensure your Subaru continues to run smoothly day after day. However, limiting maintenance to this step alone is like only monitoring your blood pressure during a medical exam:it's important, but it's only partof the picture.

Maintenance B: Going Further in Your Subaru's Care

Maintenance B, performedevery 12 months or 20,000 km, deepens the inspection to ensure everything is fine under the hood. It includes the same checks as Maintenance A, but adds several critical points that should not be overlooked:

Tire rotation:Why is it important to rotate the tires? Simply because your tires wear differently depending on their position. Regularly changing their place extends their lifespan and prevents uneven wear.
Brake inspection and maintenance:Your brakes are one of the most critical components of your car. During Maintenance B, they are disassembled and inspected to ensure they are in perfect condition, which is crucial for your safety.
Coolant and filter tests:If the engine overheats or the filters are clogged, your Subaru's performance can quickly decline. These tests ensure your engine remains efficient and well-protected.
And more

B

Drain the engine oil and replace the filter
Rotate the tires and check for wear
Check the condition of the tires, including the spare, and adjust the pressure
Remove and inspect the front and rear brakes, and perform maintenance
Check fluid levels, including both differentials, and top up as needed
Check the operation of lights, wipers, and washer nozzles
Perform battery maintenance
Check and adjust the drive belt tension, if necessary
Check the condition of the axle boot
Lubricate all latches, hinges, and locks
Inspect all steering and suspension components
Check underneath the vehicle for any damage
Check the coolant, hoses, and clamps
Check and replace the engine filter and cabin air filter if needed
Adjust tire alignment (recommended)*
Conduct a road test

Ignoring this additional maintenance can lead to undetected wear that will eventually cause costly repairs. Tire rotation and brake maintenance, for example, aresimple steps that prevent much higher costsin the long run.

Maintenance C and D: Crucial Steps for a Long-Lasting Subaru

When your Subaru reaches60,000 km or 36 months (Maintenance C), as well as100,000 km or 60 months (Maintenance D), more thorough checks are necessary to ensure the critical components of your vehicle are still functioning well.

During Maintenance C, we check among other things:

Brake fluid change:Over time, brake fluid degrades, which can reduce the effectiveness of your braking system. By replacing it, you ensure your Subaru remains responsive, especially during emergency braking.
Injector maintenance:These components are essential for engine performance. Well-maintained injectors ensure good combustion.

C

Drain the engine oil and replace the filter
Rotate the tires and check for wear
Check the condition of the tires, including the spare, and adjust the pressure
Remove and inspect the front and rear brakes, as well as the parking brake, and perform maintenance
Check fluid levels, including both differentials, and top up as needed
Check the operation of lights, wipers, and washer nozzles
Check and adjust the drive belt tension, if necessary
Test the battery and perform full maintenance
Check the condition of the axle boot
Lubricate all latches, hinges, and locks
Inspect all steering and suspension components
Check underneath the vehicle for any damage
Check the coolant, hoses, and clamps
Check and replace the engine filter and cabin air filter if needed
Drain the brake fluid
Service the fuel injectors
Check all hoses in the emission system
Check the crankcase ventilation valve and replace if necessary
Adjust tire alignment (recommended)*
Conduct a road test

During Maintenance D, we also check:

Spark plug maintenance: New spark plugs ensure your engine always starts smoothly.
Transmission and differential fluid change: New fluids ensure optimal lubrication, extending the life of your systems and preventing breakdowns.

D

Drain the engine oil and replace the filter
Rotate the tires and check for wear
Check the condition of the tires, including the spare, and adjust the pressure
Remove and inspect the front and rear brakes, and perform maintenance
Check the level of all fluids and top them up
Check the operation of lights, wipers, and washer nozzles
Check and adjust the tension of the drive belt, if applicable
Perform battery maintenance
Check the condition of the axle boot
Lubricate all latches, hinges, and locks
Inspect all steering and suspension components
Check underneath the vehicle for any damage
Check the coolant, hoses, and clamps
Check and replace the engine filter and cabin air filter if needed
Replace the spark plugs
Drain the transmission and differential fluids
Adjust tire alignment (recommended)*
Conduct a road test

These maintenance tasks may seem more complex, but they are designed toprotect the most important parts of your vehicle. A poorly maintained engine or neglected brakes can lead to much more costly and, in some cases, dangerous failures.

Why are additional maintenance tasks necessary?

A common misconception is that only basic maintenance, like oil changes, is truly necessary, and everything else is superfluous. In reality, each step of the Subaru maintenance program is designed toprevent breakdowns and keep your vehicle in perfect condition.

For example, tire rotation during Maintenance B may seem trivial, but it prevents you from having to replace your tires sooner than necessary. Similarly, brake maintenance can prevent costly repairs or accidents. Maintenance C, with brake fluid changes and injector maintenance, helps maintain engine performance while improving energy efficiency.

Maintaining Your Subaru, a Long-Term Investment

Following the Subaru maintenance schedule is not just about adhering to a series of recommendations. It's about ensuring the safety of your journeys, the performance of your vehicle, and its longevity. Each step is designed so you can enjoy your Subaru for many years, by avoiding unpleasant surprises.

Maintenance Based on Vehicle Mileage

Vehicle Odometer	Required Maintenance	Vehicle Odometer	Required Maintenance
10,000 or 6 months	A	120,000 or 72 months	C
20,000 or 12 months	B	130,000 or 78 months	A
30,000 or 18 months	A	140,000 or 84 months	B
40,000 or 24 months	B	150,000 or 90 months	A
50,000 or 30 months	A	160,000 or 96 months	B†
60,000 or 36 months	C	170,000 or 102 months	A
70,000 or 42 months	A	180,000 or 108 months	C
80,000 or 48 months	B	190,000 or 114 months	A
90,000 or 54 months	A	200,000 or 120 months	D
100,000 or 60 months	D	210,000 or 126 months	A
110,000 or 66 months	A	220,000 or 132 months	C‡

At Subaru Trois-Rivières, we are here to assist you in maintaining your vehicle. Our technicians are trained to take care of every detail, clearly explaining the reasons behind each recommendation.Make an appointment today and ensure your Subaru is ready to tackle the miles ahead.