# 2017 Subaru Forester - Which oil?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-subaru-forester-which-oil/145729>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** subaru\
**Created:** [August 1, 2019, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-subaru-forester-which-oil/145729 "2019-08-01T12:09:48Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Lisa46](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Lisa46](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lisa46)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2019, 12:09pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-subaru-forester-which-oil/145729/1 "2019-08-01T12:09:48Z")

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I have a 2001 Subaru Forester and I use conventional oil. I’m looking to buy a new model (2015 or newer) - will I now need to use a synthetic oil?

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**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\
**Post date:** [August 1, 2019, 12:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-subaru-forester-which-oil/145729/2 "2019-08-01T12:15:38Z")

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> **[Subaru Synthetic Motor Oil Facts and Figures](https://www.patriotsubaru.com/synthetic-oil.htm)**
>
> Subaru Synthetic Motor Oil is required on new Subarus. Patriot Subaru, Maine's largest Subaru dealer and service center can show you the benefits. 866-854-3091

If your Subaru is a 2011 or newer Forester, a 2012 or newer Impreza, or a 2013 or newer Outback, Legacy, Crosstrek, or BRZ, or Ascent - it is REQUIRED to use synthetic oil.

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**Author:** ![GorehamJ](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/gorehamj/32/24103_2.png) [@GorehamJ](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GorehamJ)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 12:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-subaru-forester-which-oil/145729/3 "2019-08-02T00:42:45Z")

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Yes. BTW - [Worth reading](https://www.cartalk.com/blogs/car-talk-car-complaints/used-subarus%E2%80%93-buy-one-not-one) before buying what you plan to.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [August 2, 2019, 3:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2017-subaru-forester-which-oil/145729/4 "2019-08-02T03:36:44Z")

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For the 2018 Forester, from what I see both the turbo and non-turbo engine require the “SN” version of synthetic, but the two engine types use differing engine oil viscosities.