An oil change is one of the most important and routine car maintenance activities. Keeping your car full of fresh engine oil is the best way to ensure its moving parts stay lubricated; this allows you to keep driving confidently across Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Holladay, Murray, West Valley City, and South Salt Lake for years to come. And while you can always bring your Subaru to the Mark Miller Subaru Midtown service center in South Salt Lake for an oil change, you can also do it pretty easily yourself with a little know-how.

Here at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown in South Salt Lake, we want to help you save money on routine maintenance—that’s why we’ve put together this quick Subaru Outback oil change guide to help you change your car’s oil at home. Review these steps and get your vehicle in great condition in no time! Of course, if you’d rather schedule service, our Subaru-trained technicians are here to help drivers throughout Salt Lake County.

What Is an Oil Change?

The oil inside your engine gets broken down over time due to the friction and heat of the engine. It also gets contaminated with dirt and other debris as you drive through busy streets in Salt Lake City or highways near West Valley City. After a while, these effects make for oil that doesn’t lubricate moving parts as well, which can lead to more friction and heat within your engine. If left untreated, your engine can completely fail.

When you get an oil change (or do your own), all the old oil gets drained from your engine. The oil filter is also replaced to ensure that your engine continues to run smoothly. Finally, new oil is added, the specific type of which depends on your Subaru’s manufacturer specifications.

These steps are pretty simple, and most South Salt Lake and Murray drivers can do them at home with a little know-how.

When Should I Change My Oil?

All cars need an oil change at regular intervals. Those intervals vary depending on your Subaru’s make, model, and year of manufacture. Check your Subaru Outback’s owner’s manual to determine the recommended intervals, or ask the experts at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown.

A good rule of thumb is to change the oil every 10,000 miles—or if you drive your Subaru hard, commute daily into Salt Lake City, or experience stop-and-go traffic in Millcreek or Holladay, every 3,000 miles may be better. If you’re not sure, changing the oil in your Subaru should be done at least twice a year.

Tools You’ll Need for Changing the Oil in a Subaru

To change your Subaru’s oil at home in South Salt Lake, you’ll need a few easy-to-find tools. You should be able to find these at your local hardware or auto-parts store in Salt Lake City:

• Oil that matches the specs for your Subaru Outback
• A funnel to help you pour the oil
• Rubber gloves
• A replacement oil filter for your Outback
• An oil filter wrench
• A wrench for your car’s drain plug
• A drain pan or bucket to catch the old oil
• A hoist, jack stand, or ramps to lift your car
• Screwdrivers or wrenches

Changing the Oil in Your Subaru Outback

It wouldn’t be a Subaru Outback oil change guide without the steps! Follow these directions to perform an oil change from your driveway in Salt Lake County:

• Lift the car. Since you’ll be underneath the car, make sure it’s secure. You can lift your car with a set of jacks, or drive it onto ramps to raise the front end—but whatever you do, make sure it’s safe with wedges behind the back wheels.
• Remove the undertray. This protects engine components from road debris, grit, and grime around Salt Lake City roads. Remove it carefully and set aside. If you notice oil leaks, bring it to Mark Miller Subaru Midtown for inspection.
• Drain the old oil. Place a drain tray underneath the drain plug, loosen with a wrench, and allow the oil to fully drain. This may take five minutes or more.
• Remove and replace the filter. Loosen the oil filter, allow the oil to drain, then install a new filter with a lightly oiled gasket. This helps ensure a snug fit.
• Replace the undertray and lower the car. Re-tighten the drain cap, replace the undertray, and safely lower the car.
• Refill the engine. Add the correct amount of oil recommended by Subaru. Check the dipstick and let the car idle for a few minutes to circulate oil before driving around South Salt Lake again.

Get Your Subaru Outback Oil Changed at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown

Now that you’ve read our Subaru Outback oil change guide, you can see how easy it is to change your oil at home. However, for more complex maintenance or simply for peace of mind, trust the experts at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown in South Salt Lake. Our factory-trained service team proudly helps Subaru drivers from Salt Lake City, Millcreek, Holladay, Murray, and West Valley City.

Schedule maintenance easily online, or contact us with any questions. Keeping your Subaru on the road for years to come starts with trusted Subaru service at Mark Miller Subaru Midtown.