What is Subaru Front Differential Fluid Type and Capacity?

Taking care of a Subaru comes with some responsibilities. Changing the front differential fluid is surely one of them. But to do that, you must know about the correct type of Subaru front differential fluid.

Here, we will be discussing the type of fluid and also talking about the common query that what is the Subaru front differential fluid capacity. As a bonus, we will also leave some recommendations for quality differential fluid for Subaru.

Why Does Your Subaru Need Front Differential Fluid?

Differential fluid is part of maintaining the axles of your car. It’s a fluid that keeps the internals of the axles lubricated. You can consider it a special oil that keeps the front or rear axle up and running without any issues.

When it comes to the front axle of your Subaru, you will want it to adapt to different torque levels. 

But without proper lubrication, the front axles will fail to do that. As a result, the front wheels on your Subaru won’t be able to rotate at varying speeds.

So, to keep the front axles running smoothly, you will need to lubricate the parts from time to time. That’s when you have to use the front differential fluid. 

The specialized motor oil lubricates the axle and makes it capable enough to give you a smooth driving experience.

Subaru Front Differential Fluid Type

Now, let’s talk about the specific type of fluid you should pick up for your Subaru. Check out the table below to see which kind of fluid will suit Subaru cars the best.

Component	Oil Base	Oil grade	SAE Viscosity
Front differential	Synthetic/ Full Synthetic	API GL-5	75w-80
Front differential	Synthetic/ Full Synthetic	API GL-5	80w-90
Front differential	Synthetic/ Full Synthetic	API GL-5	75w-90

Subaru advises users to use a synthetic oil base for their front differential fluid with an API classification of GL-5. Here, we’ll examine each of these factors individually.

Read Also: How Much Differential Fluid Change Cost In 2023?

API GL-5 Standard

Usually, a GL-5 rating means the oil will be used in gears with a very high sliding force. The axles of a Subaru have exactly that kind of gear setup. So, you must use a differential fluid with a GL-5 rating.

Anything other than that might work as a temporary solution, but they won’t do a good job for longer. It’s a must to maintain the API standard for your differential fluid.

Oil Base

For the oil base, Subaru recommends synthetic oils in general. It’s the best-suited oil to use for your Subaru front differential because it provides the highest possible performance you can desire. Depending on the car model, you may choose synthetic or full synthetic.

As for mineral oils, you may end up saving some money with them. But the performance boost will be horrible and not worthwhile or enjoyable.

Viscosity

When it’s to the oil’s viscosity, there are several ways to go about it. It will depend mostly on the Subaru model you have. 

If you have a Subaru with high performance or an older model of Subaru, you can get by with SAE 75w-90 fluid.

But for the most part, a 75w-80 is great for modern Subaru cars. Although, a 80w-90 works out pretty well too. 

None of them should cause any problems, and you can use one of the three viscosities for your Subaru front differentials.

All in all, you can use any oil out there that has the similar properties we have discussed here. 

As long as the gear oil is synthetic, has a GL-5 API classification, and comes in a 75w-90 viscosity, it should be good enough for your Subaru.

Read Also: Never Change Differential Fluid – What Will Happen?

Subaru Front Differential Fluid Capacity

For the Subaru differential fluid capacity, it’s better to go with something around 1.3 US quarts or 1.2 litres. 

That’s the standard oil capacity that Subaru recommends using in their cars. However, the number varies based on the model of the car.

Below is a table showing the Subaru front differential fluid capacity for different models.

Model	Engine	Front differential capacity
Subaru Crosstrek	FB20 engine	1.18 liters
Subaru Ascent	FA24 Turbo engine	1.18 liters
Subaru Forester	FB25D engine	1.28 liters
Subaru Impreza	FB20 engine	1.18 liters
Subaru Legacy	FA24 Turbo engine	1.18 liters
Subaru Legacy	FB25D engine	1.28 liters
Subaru Outback	FB25D engine	1.28 liters

As you can see, most of the front differential oil capacity is a standard 1.2 liters. While it may vary slightly based on the different models and engines, you can still use a 1.2-liter capacity oil and make it work for your Subaru model.

Some Quality Recommendations for Subaru front differential fluid :

While there is a recommendation for what type and capacity of differential fluid you should use, there is no recommendation for a brand. 

So, you can choose any differential fluid brand that meets the specifications mentioned earlier.

But at the same time, you don’t want to pick up low-quality oil in your precious Subaru. 

Keeping up with that, here are some quality recommendations for Subaru front differential fluids from our side.

Brand	Viscosity	API standards	Liquid volume
Subaru	75w-90	GL-5	5 Gallons
Motul Gear 300	75w-90	GL-5	6.6 Gallons
Motorcraft	80w-90	GL-5	1 Quart
ACDelco	75w-90	GL-5	1 liter
Red Line	75w-90	GL-5	1 gallon

Among these 5 choices, Subaru always recommends the one they make for their cars. It’s the same oil you would get in the front differential from the factory. So, of course, it’s the best pick for your Subaru vehicle.

Other than that, you can still check out the other options as a choice based on your requirements, because the Subaru oils may not be available at all times.

Besides these 5 choices, there are plenty of other oil options. You can use any of them as long as they meet the viscosity and API standards.

Read Also: How to Check Subaru Cvt Transmission Fluid Level

When Subaru front differential fluid change?

Changing the differential fluid on your Subaru is regular maintenance that you must follow up on. Typically, changing it every 30 to 50 thousand miles is better. 

But sometimes, changing the differential fluid on your Subaru is mandatory. 

Several signs indicate you need a differential fluid change in your car. Let’s have a quick look at those signs.

• The car will start to vibrate unusually due to the roughness
• Some humming or whirring noises will come from the engine
• There might be a burning smell coming from the front part of the gearbox
• Difficulties in making turns due to lack of lubrication

Usually, these are the signs that should give you a hint that it’s time to replace the differential fluid on the front axle. 

However, these are some issues that you can easily avoid if you simply opt to change the fluid every 30,000 miles.

Don’t know how to change the fluid? Then, follow along with the video below to learn the process. It’s very simple.

Read Also: The 8 Best Oil for Subaru WRX Engine Review in 2023

Does Subaru have differential fluid?

Yes, Subaru cars have differential fluid. The differential is a part of the drivetrain that helps the wheels turn at different speeds, which is necessary for cornering and driving on uneven surfaces. The differential fluid lubricates and cools the gears in the differential to prevent wear and tear.

FAQs About Subaru Front Differential Fluid Type & Capacity:

Well, we have given you answers to all kinds of queries related to the front differential fluid of Subaru. But you might still have some questions left in your mind. So, let’s take a look at some of the common questions regarding the matter.