What kind of gas does a 2016 Subaru Forester take?
The Forester’s fuel needs vary by engine: most models run on regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane), while the turbocharged 2.0-liter XT requires premium gasoline (91 octane) or higher.
Across the 2016 lineup, Subaru offered two main engines in the Forester: a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated BOXER engine and a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (XT). Fuel recommendations depend on which engine your specific vehicle has, so checking the owner's manual for your trim is always the best practice.
Engine variants and octane requirements
The following overview flags the fuel grade by engine to help avoid misfuelling.
- 2.5-liter non-turbo (2.5i and most 2.5i trims): Regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87 (AKI) or higher is suitable.
- 2.0-liter turbo (2.0XT): Premium unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended to preserve performance and prevent knocking.
Bottom line: non-turbo Foresters use regular 87-octane fuel, while the turbocharged XT variant requires premium 91-octane gasoline or higher.
Practical fueling tips
Additional considerations can help you fuel correctly and maintain engine health:
- Verify the exact octane requirement for your trim in the owner's manual or on the fuel door label, as regional variations can exist.
- Most 2016 Foresters are compatible with up to 10% ethanol (E10). If you live in an area with higher ethanol blends, confirm compatibility in the manual or with a dealer.
- Avoid using lower-octane gasoline than recommended, as it can cause knocking and reduce performance over time.
If you accidentally fuel with the wrong octane, you may notice knocking or reduced performance; simply refuel with the recommended octane and consult a dealer if symptoms persist.
Summary
For the 2016 Subaru Forester, gasoline needs depend on the engine. The common 2.5i models run on regular 87-octane gas, while the turbocharged 2.0XT requires premium 91-octane gasoline or higher. Always verify fuel requirements in the owner's manual for your specific trim and market.
What type of fuel does a Subaru Forester take?
Most Subaru Foresters use regular unleaded gasoline (87 octane), but turbocharged models, such as the Forester XT, recommend or require premium unleaded (91-93 octane). Always check the sticker on your fuel door and the owner's manual to confirm the correct fuel for your specific model year, as it is the most accurate source.
Fuel type by engine
- Non-turbocharged engines: Use regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating of 87. Using a higher octane fuel will not provide any performance benefits and is a waste of money.
- Turbocharged engines (XT models): Are recommended to use premium unleaded gasoline (91-93 octane) for optimal performance and to prevent engine knocking. They can technically run on regular fuel, but this may result in reduced power and efficiency.
How to confirm the right fuel
- Check the fuel door: Look for a sticker inside the gas cap door. It will state whether regular or premium fuel is required.
- Consult the owner's manual: The manual provides the most definitive information on the correct fuel type for your vehicle.
What kind of gas does a 2016 Forester take?
regular unleaded
Regular fuel: Models such as the Forester, Outback, and Crosstrek run efficiently on regular unleaded or 87-octane fuel. Using higher-octane fuel in these vehicles won't harm the engine, but it doesn't offer any benefit in terms of performance.
Should I use 87 or 89 gas?
Your car will run just fine. All modern cars can run 87,89,91,93. It's suggested that for maximum power that you use 93. If you're not at a track day event and just daily commuting 87 will serve you well. All modern cars are equipped with knock sensors to prevent engine damage from running lower octane fuel.
Does my Subaru really need premium gas?
No, most Subarus do not need premium gas; regular unleaded is sufficient for non-performance models like the Outback, Forester, and Crosstrek. However, high-performance models, including the WRX, WRX STI, and BRZ, require premium gas due to their turbocharged and higher-compression engines. For turbocharged non-performance models like the Outback XT, always check the owner's manual or the inside of the gas door, as most are designed to run on regular gas unless specified otherwise.
Subaru models that can use regular gas
- Non-performance models: These are designed for 87-octane fuel and do not benefit from higher-octane fuel.
- Forester
- Outback
- Crosstrek
- Ascent (even the turbocharged engine models are often designed for regular fuel)
- Turbocharged models: Check the gas door or owner's manual, as many turbocharged models, like the Outback XT and Ascent, are designed to run on regular gas.
Subaru models that require premium gas
- Performance models: These engines are built for high performance and require a higher octane rating to prevent knocking.
- WRX
- WRX STI
- BRZ
Key things to remember
- Always check your car: The most reliable source is your car's owner's manual or the sticker on the inside of the fuel door.
- Premium won't improve performance in a regular-gas car: If your Subaru is designed for regular gas, putting premium fuel in will not provide any extra power or benefits.
- Low-octane gas is a risk for performance models: Using a lower-than-required octane in a performance engine can lead to power loss and engine damage.
