Please take note update info 12/12/03:

The 4.2 quart capacity noted in your owner's manual is for the 2004 Forester non-turbo models when just filling up the engine oil and not replacing the filter. The capacity of the non-turbo models when replacing the filter is 4.8 quarts. Turbo motors are 5 quarts with filter*


There is a lot of information here on changing your oil:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3014

Have a look there for the basics, here is some specific info to the Forester (at least to my 04')

The drain plug is 17mm same as all the other Scoobies. With the Forester though you have to swing a hatch out of the way to get to the oil filter and drain plug. There are 6 plastic fastners you need to pop out before the hatch will move.

PN's for the flap:

Swing away hatch flap: 57728AC090

The OEM PN for the clips are: 909130067.

Here is what they look like:

Looking in the hatch

the 2.5L turbo's oil filter is smaller than the NA's filter. The turbo has a 68mm VS 80mm

Here is an OEM oil filter for the Turbo next to two other filters. The Purolator will go on the other motors, the WIX I believe will work on the turbo but WIX has not confirmed this yet. I will update this page if that happens

scan of the oil change procedure

I highly suggest installing an oil drain valve to make oil changes a lot easier.

Details here:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2084

Peaty 7/14/03

The following is a quote from page 8 of the August 2003 Subaru Tech T.I.P.S. newsletter that SOA sends to all Subaru service departments


ALL TURBO MODEL OIL FILTERS

Be advised that the correct oil filter to use on 2003MY/2004MY turbo model vehicles is P/N 15208AA080. This includes the 2004 WRX STi. Naturally aspirated vehicles should use P/N 15208AA024/15208AC060. Using the wrong oil filter on a turbo model may put the filter too close to the turbo down pipe and possibly cause an unnecessary heating of the oil filter.

more info

Please note that the oil fill capacity stated here is not right for the 2004 MY

There has been come confusion regarding adding oil to the 04" Foresters. The owners manual is in error when it states 4.2Qts. Many have changed their oil and noticed that it looks low on the dipstick using the stated amount.


Here is the correction from SOA:

Begin Quote:

Dear xxxx:

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We do apologize for this inconvenience. We appreciate that you brought this to our attention. The correct capacity for the engine oil for the 2004 Forester XT is 5 quarts when replacing the engine oil and filter.

The 4.2 quart capacity noted in your owner's manual is for the 2004 Forester non-turbo models when just filling up the engine oil and not replacing the filter. The capacity of the non-turbo models when replacing the filter is 4.8 quarts.

We have advised our Publications Department that this information needs to be added to future Forester owner's manuals.

Thanks for the opportunity to be of assistance. If you need any future assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Best wishes,

John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.

End Quote

-----------------


12/12/03

It seems that Purolator now has an application for the 2.5L motor:

Pure One: PART NUMBER: PL14612

Premium Plus PART NUMBER: L14612

I haven't seen them yet but will post a pic when I do.

According to the WIX cross ref of that number the 51365 WIX filter pictured above will work too.

We have BrysImpreza from NASIOC to thank for the following oil filter cross ref:

I was sick of trying to find the right part number cross reference, so I did some homework and came up with these PN's

SUBARU OE OIL FILTER: 15208AA100 new PN change 15208AA09A
PUROLATOR OIL FILTER: L14612
FRAM OIL FILTER: PH6607
WIX OIL FILTER: 51365
K&N OIL FILTER: HP-1008
AMSOIL OIL FILTER: SDF13
AC DELCO OIL FILTER: PF1237



10/28/03

Some pics of the oil filters side by side

The Purolator is a little longer but not as wide as the OEM filter and the WIX is similar in height to the OEM filter but not as wide. All three are well made though.

info

From Jamie:

---------------------------

Hey gang...
after our lengthy discussion on the "new" 080 2004
oil filters, we were prompted to give Subaru a ring
and find out exactly what oil filter is to go where...
and possibly eliminate this confusion.

see: http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=430542

Our dealership spoke at length with 2 of the
higher - uppers at Subaru
and have the final low down
on this oil filter confusion...
and yes.... they've changed their mind again

As of today, 10/8/03 - we were told the following:

all Subaru Turbo's from 2002 - on
should begin to use the 15208AA080 (black)
as a replacement oil filter.

yes, all 2.0 and 2.5L TURBO's

but....
if you have used or
have purchased the AA060 (white) oil filter -
that is okay!!
You will NOT hurt your car. It's perfectly fine to use the 060
so please, do not panic. Your car will function just fine
with the 060 in place - NO WORRIES

Reason for the change??? ....drumroll please....
.....a manufacturing change.....
yep. different manufacturer <---that is all....

so to keep it simple - Subaru is stating
that ALL MY2002 and newer -
turbo models only - should use AA080

and all NA (non turbo'd) should continue
to use the AA060 (with the exception of the H6, SVX, Loyale...)

hope this helps....
any questions just ask....

Jamie
www.allsubaru.com || aka Carter Subaru, Seattle WA

If you have to remove some of those funky plastic screws to get at the oil drain plug have a look here on for info on how to deal with them:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=1478

* info to go with capacity statment above:

There has been come confusion regarding adding oil to the 04" Foresters. The owners manual is in error when it states 4.2Qts. Many have changed their oil and noticed that it looks low on the dipstick using the stated amount.


Here is the correction from SOA:

------------------------

Begin Quote:

Dear xxxx:

Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We do apologize for this inconvenience. We appreciate that you brought this to our attention. The correct capacity for the engine oil for the 2004 Forester XT is 5 quarts when replacing the engine oil and filter.

The 4.2 quart capacity noted in your owner's manual is for the 2004 Forester non-turbo models when just filling up the engine oil and not replacing the filter. The capacity of the non-turbo models when replacing the filter is 4.8 quarts.

We have advised our Publications Department that this information needs to be added to future Forester owner's manuals.

Thanks for the opportunity to be of assistance. If you need any future assistance, please feel free to contact us.

Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Best wishes,

John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.

End Quote

-----------------
_________________
Peaty

Turbo motor oil filter:

SUBARU OE OIL FILTER: 15208AA080 new PN change 15208AA100

See bottom filter PN has changed yet again: 15208AA09A

Update, here are some pics that Jon S. was nice enough to share. They show how the hatch to the oil filter and drain plug has 8 fasteners rather than the 6 on the turbo. Also it shows how the oil cooler differs. The coolant line at the bottom does not point down then to the side like the turbo's but it goes directly to the side. This makes it so it can take the larger diameter oil filter. There seems to be a lot more room under there :)

Oil filter cross ref for aftermarket, I haven't used all of these but I have used most of them. This is what I've gotten from various cross ref sites and forums:

So if you have a Turbo motor 2.0 or 2.5L:

SUBARU OE OIL FILTER: 15208AA100
PUROLATOR OIL FILTER: L14612
FRAM OIL FILTER: PH6607
WIX OIL FILTER: 51365
K&N OIL FILTER: HP-1008
AMSOIL OIL FILTER: SDF13
AC DELCO OIL FILTER: PF1237
Mobil 1: M1-108


If you have an NA non-turbo H4 motor

SUBARU OE OIL FILTER: 15208AA060 (looks like 15208AA100 is now used)
PUROLATOR OIL FILTER: PL14460
WIX OIL FILTER: 51334
K&N: HP-1004
Amsoil: SDF-20
Mobil 1: M1-104 (may now be M1-112 trying to verify)
Trak Auto: M4460

Oil filter fitment clarification

More filter pics

Subaru has a new PN for the turbo oil filter: 15208AA09A


8-19-05


Update note:15208AA09A filters have been discontinued due to leaking issues, the new PN is 15208AA100 (black filter)

FYI and update, there have been issues with the new (white) oil filter leaking at the seam. Subaru has gone back to the black filter w/the PN 15208AA100

Also this filter is now for both the turbo and non-turbo H4 (4 cyl) motor.

Now there are only two oil filters used the 4 and 6 cyl oil filters. The Std 80 mm has been dropped.

H4 NA and Turbo motors = 15208AA100

H6 Motor = SOA5165109

Update!

new information from Subaru

Beginning 11/2008 OEM oil filter part number 15208AA100 will be discontinued


Filter will be replaced with part number: 15208AA12A

Photos to come soon.