How often should you flush the coolant in a Subaru?
Maintaining your Subaru's cooling system is essential for ensuring the longevity and performance of your vehicle. Coolant, also known as antifreeze, plays a critical role in regulating engine temperature and preventing overheating or freezing. But how often should you flush the coolant in your Subaru? Let’s dive into the details to help you keep your car running smoothly.
Why Coolant Maintenance is Important
Coolant not only regulates your engine's temperature but also prevents corrosion and lubricates components like the water pump. Over time, however, coolant can degrade, becoming less effective and potentially causing damage to your engine. Regular coolant flushes help remove old, contaminated fluid and replace it with fresh coolant, ensuring optimal performance.
Recommended Coolant Flush Intervals for Subarus
Subaru vehicles are known for their reliability, but like any car, they require regular maintenance. The recommended interval for flushing the coolant in a Subaru depends on the model and year of your vehicle:
- Newer Subaru Models (2015 and later): Subaru typically recommends flushing the coolant every 100,000 miles or 10 years, whichever comes first. After the initial flush, subsequent flushes should be performed every 50,000 miles or 5 years.
- Older Subaru Models (pre-2015): For older models, it’s generally advised to flush the coolant every 30,000 miles or 2-3 years. Always check your owner’s manual for specific recommendations.
Signs That Your Coolant Needs Attention
Even if you’re following the recommended schedule, it’s important to watch for signs that your coolant may need to be flushed sooner. These include:
- Coolant appears dirty or rusty when you check the reservoir.
- Overheating engine or fluctuating temperature gauge readings.
- Sweet or burnt smell coming from the engine bay.
- Visible leaks or low coolant levels.
How to Flush Coolant in a Subaru
If you’re a DIY enthusiast, flushing the coolant in your Subaru can be done at home with the right tools and precautions. Here’s a quick overview of the process:
- Ensure the engine is completely cool before starting.
- Drain the old coolant by opening the radiator drain plug.
- Flush the system with distilled water to remove any remaining debris or old coolant.
- Close the drain plug and refill the system with the recommended Subaru coolant (typically Subaru Super Coolant).
- Bleed the system to remove air pockets, ensuring proper circulation.
- Check for leaks and monitor coolant levels over the next few days.
If you’re not comfortable performing this task yourself, it’s always a good idea to bring your Subaru to a trusted auto repair shop for professional service.
Final Thoughts
Regular coolant flushes are a vital part of maintaining your Subaru’s health and performance. By following the recommended intervals and keeping an eye out for warning signs, you can avoid costly repairs and ensure your vehicle stays on the road for years to come. If you’re unsure about your Subaru’s coolant needs, don’t hesitate to consult your owner’s manual or reach out to a professional mechanic for advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Subaru recommend an engine flush?
Subaru Engine Oil System Flush is a specially formulated cleaner that removes oil deposits from critical areas of the engine's lubrication system. Use of this product is highly recommended for use with turbo-charged engines, and/or engines that have not received oil changes at the proper intervals.
What happens if you never change coolant?
If you do not change your coolant, it can become acidic. If it does, your engine will no longer be protected from rust, which will slowly kill it. You will have to pay for costly servicing.
How often should Subaru coolant be flushed?
every 2-3 years
A good rule of thumb is every 2-3 years, or 24,000 to 36,000 miles. Depending on conditions, you may need to change it more frequently so be sure to check with your Subaru service advisor.
How long does coolant last in a Subaru?
How often should you change coolant in a Subaru? Typically, you should have your Subaru coolant flush completed each 30,000 miles or each two years. There are some instances where your vehicle can go without a flush for a longer period of time.
Do Subaru's need special coolant?
This will hold true in most all Subaru Outbacks, Impreza, Forester, Legacy and WRX models. If you own a 1999 to 2008 SOHC 2.5l you should use the O.E. Subaru Long Life Coolant that is green in color pictured below.
When should you do a coolant flush on a Subaru?
Dirty or low engine coolant can affect the life and performance of your Subaru engine. Q: How often does my coolant need to be flushed or changed? A: The frequency of changing your engine coolant depends on driving style and climate. A good rule of thumb is every 2-3 years, or 24,000 to 36,000 miles.
How much does a coolant flush cost?
between $100 and $150
How Much Does a Coolant Flush Cost? The cost of a coolant flush depends on your vehicle's coolant capacity, and whether or not you are flushing the system with chemicals or soap before refilling it. Typically, you can expect to pay between $100 and $150 for this service on most vehicles.
Can coolant last 10 years?
You can typically expect the antifreeze to last 3-5 years in most vehicles, or around 30,000 to 60,000 miles. Some advanced formulations, such as organic acid technology (OAT) coolants, can last up to 10 years or 150,000 miles in newer vehicles.
How often do you really need a coolant flush?
30,000 miles
The simplest way to avoid overheating is to service the system according to your owner's manual recommendations. Flushing the coolant and replacing it with fresh fluid every two years or 30,000 miles is a good rule of thumb, but guidelines can vary from model to model.
How much does Subaru charge for a coolant flush?
Service Pricing
| Service Pricing | |
|---|---|
| Coolant Flush | $139.95 |
| Brake Fluid | $119.95 |
| Battery Service | $42.95 |
| Ethanol | $23.95 |
