# 2018 Subaru Forester - How often for service

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-forester-how-often-for-service/127201>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** subaru\
**Created:** [October 20, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-forester-how-often-for-service/127201 "2018-10-20T20:46:20Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![clete1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a5b964/32.png) [@clete1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clete1)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 8:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-forester-how-often-for-service/127201/1 "2018-10-20T20:46:20Z")

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Three weeks ago I took my 2018 Subaru Forester, that I purchased March 23, 2018, into the Dealership for the Forester’s first 6 month synthetic oil change. The Forester had 1,234 miles on it. After the service was complete I asked the Subaru Service Advisor if I really need to bring the Forester in every 6 months when I only drive about 200 miles a month. The Service Advisor told me that Subaru recommends the Forester be serviced every 6 months or 6,000 miles. I know what Subaru recommends, but my question to him was; and now to you is, do I really need to take the vehicle in every 6 months when I put so few miles on it? I really enjoy your column and answers to questions, thank you very much! Clete in Colorado

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**Author:** ![VOLVO-V70](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/8e8cbc/32.png) [@VOLVO-V70](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VOLVO-V70)\
**Post date:** [October 20, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-forester-how-often-for-service/127201/2 "2018-10-20T20:50:47Z")

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You have a warranty, do you really want to void that just because you don’t want to change the oil every 6 months . Besides those short trips you make fall under the severe service area. I also don’t drive the mileage but still change oil every 6 months.

I don’t think Ray ever answers here.

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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:** [October 22, 2018, 3:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-forester-how-often-for-service/127201/3 "2018-10-22T15:12:19Z")

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Volvo’s right. Unfortunately, Subaru is one of the remaining companies that has this time requirement. I have a 2016 Forester. It has had 5 oil changes in 12,000 miles. Stupid, but that warranty has value to me.

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**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-forester-how-often-for-service/127201/4 "2018-10-22T15:28:07Z")

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I think Subaru REQUIRES the oil to be changed to maintain the warranty.

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**Author:** ![clete1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a5b964/32.png) [@clete1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/clete1)\
**Post date:** [October 22, 2018, 6:01pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2018-subaru-forester-how-often-for-service/127201/5 "2018-10-22T18:01:11Z")

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Thank you, I certainly do not want to void the warranty for the cost of an oil change.