To determine the appropriate gear oil for a Subaru Outback, it is important to consider the recommendations from Subaru and other Subaru owners. According to Subaru Outback Forums, Subaru recommends using a good quality 75W90 GL-5 gear oil for the rear differential of the Outback. If you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider using a synthetic gear oil with the same specifications, as it tends to have better low-temperature pour points and circulates better during cold starts.
It is worth noting that the front differential of the Outback is part of the manual transmission and shares the same gear oil. Therefore, the same gear oil used for the rear differential can be used for the transmission, with the exception of Mobil 1 gear oil, which is not recommended for use in Subaru vehicles.
Some other gear oil options that Subaru owners have used include Amsoil 75W-90 and Subaru Extra MT 75W-80, which is a slightly less viscous manual transmission fluid used in the front differential.
In summary, for the rear differential of a Subaru Outback, a good quality 75W90 GL-5 gear oil is recommended, and using a synthetic gear oil is advisable in colder climates. The same gear oil can be used for the transmission, except for Mobil 1 gear oil, which is not recommended.
Please note that it is always a good idea to consult the owner’s manual or seek advice from a certified Subaru technician for specific recommendations for your vehicle.
Contents
- How often do you change the differential fluid in a Subaru Outback?
- What kind of fluid does a Subaru differential take?
- What color is Subaru gear oil?
- Is CVT fluid the same as differential fluid?
- What gear oil should I use in my differential?
- What kind of rear differential fluid does a 2014 Subaru Outback take?
- What oil do I use in my rear differential?
- How often do you change gear oil in a Subaru?
- How often do you change the differential fluid on a Subaru Outback?
- Do Subarus need differential fluid change?
How often do you change the differential fluid in a Subaru Outback?
Having your Subaru’s differential fluid drained and replaced as often as every 30,000 miles is important to keeping your vehicle running in top condition.
What kind of fluid does a Subaru differential take?
Front & rear diffs both use 75W-90, and the CVT uses CVT fluid.
What color is Subaru gear oil?
Fresh and healthy transmission fluid has a light red, somewhat transparent color. Transmission fluid that’s in good condition is light brown and semi-transparent. If the transmission fluid is opaque and either dark brown or black, it’s bad.
Is CVT fluid the same as differential fluid?
Differential fluid and transmission fluid may seem similar, but they actually serve different purposes. Differential fluid helps to lubricate the gears in your car, while transmission fluid helps to cool and protect the transmission components.
What gear oil should I use in my differential?
75W90 GL-5 Gear Oil
The go-to gear oil for most differentials.
What kind of rear differential fluid does a 2014 Subaru Outback take?
Red Line 75w-90 NS and Motul Gear 300 75w-90 are good choices.
What oil do I use in my rear differential?
75W90 GL-5 Gear Oil
The go-to gear oil for most differentials.
How often do you change gear oil in a Subaru?
between 30,000 and 60,000 miles
Your individual driving style and frequency will play into how often you’ll need this service, but the recommended interval is usually between 30,000 and 60,000 miles.
How often do you change the differential fluid on a Subaru Outback?
every 30,000 miles
Having your Subaru’s differential fluid drained and replaced as often as every 30,000 miles is important to keeping your vehicle running in top condition.
Do Subarus need differential fluid change?
Just like the oil inside your engine requires replacement to maintain maximum protection, so does the oil in your differential. Anytime there are moving metal-on-metal parts, lubrication is important and the oil will break down over time. Give our Service Department a call to learn more.
