--- title: Subaru WRX oil change: grade, interval, what we check url: https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/wrx/ business: Xpress Oil & Lube (Xpress Oil & Lube Center) shops: Reno Northwest: 6100 Mae Anne Ave, Reno, NV 89523, (775) 787-1000, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed; Reno South: 4993 Longley Ln, Reno, NV 89502, (775) 828-6996, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-3 pm, Sun closed; Carson City: 1861 E College Pkwy, Carson City, NV 89706, (775) 883-5823, Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed; Gardnerville: 1293 US Hwy 395 N, Gardnerville, NV 89410, (775) 301-5912, Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm, Sat 9 am-3 pm, Sun closed type: Drive-in oil change and vehicle maintenance, no appointment needed, since 1983 --- Today's coupons - $10 off full-service oil change - $5 off smog check - $25 off transmission fluid service [See all coupons](https://xpressoilandlube.com/coupons/) - [Home](https://xpressoilandlube.com/) - [By vehicle](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/) - [Subaru](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/) - WRX # Subaru WRX Oil Changes: Two Turbo Generations The 2015 to 2021 WRX with the 2.0-liter turbo is listed at 5W-30 synthetic in the reproduced 2018 Subaru schedule, while the 2022 and newer WRX with the 2.4-liter turbo carries its own grade on the oil cap. Both follow Subaru's 6,000-mile or 6-month interval, and hard driving puts them on the 3,000-mile severe column. ★★★★★ 4.7 stars from 952 Google reviews WRX owners tend to know their cars, and the first question we usually get is not how often but which oil. The answer depends on the generation, because Subaru changed engines in 2022. This page sorts that out, then covers the gearbox, the differentials and what Northern Nevada roads do to a turbo sport sedan. ## At a glance - 2015 to 2021 WRX, 2.0-liter turbo: 5W-30 synthetic (2018 schedule reproduced on cars101.com) - 2022 and newer WRX, 2.4-liter turbo: the grade printed on the cap - Subaru's base interval: 6 months or 6,000 miles; severe 3,000 miles or 3 months - Six-speed manual or the Subaru Performance Transmission automatic, each with its own fluid ## Why turbo owners care about the grade A turbo shares its oil with the engine and spins far faster than the crank, with the exhaust housing right beside it. Oil that has thinned out or broken down from heat shows up there first. So the WRX gets the exact grade on its cap in a full synthetic, and it gets changed on time. Subaru's car-care page sets the general rule at 6 months or 6,000 miles, and Subaru of America's 2014 announcement names 3,000 miles and 3 months for severe use. Track days, autocross, spirited canyon runs and towing are all hard use by any reading of the manual. ## Manual or automatic, and the axles Most WRXs we see are six-speed manuals. On those, the transmission and the front differential share a gear oil, and the rear differential has its own. The reproduced 2018 Subaru schedule lists front and rear gear oil at 15,000 miles or 15 months under severe driving. Automatic WRXs use a CVT branded the Subaru Performance Transmission, which takes Subaru CVT fluid only. We check the gear oil levels while the car is up and can handle [differential service](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/differential-service/) with the oil Subaru names. Clutch and gearbox repairs are outside what our service centers do; if we see a leak, we show you and you take it from there. ## Mount Rose, Geiger Grade and the WRX The roads that make a WRX fun around here are the ones that work its oil hardest: the Mount Rose Highway, Geiger Grade up to Virginia City, Kingsbury Grade. Long climbs at high boost in summer heat, with Reno averaging about 65 days a year at 90 F or more (NOAA 1991 to 2020), heat-soak the turbo. Cold starts on the other side of the year, 122 freezing nights at the Reno airport, mean the oil has to flow fast before the turbo spools. That is the case for following Subaru's severe column if you drive that way, not for a blanket short interval. ## What we do No appointment at any of our four service centers. We read the cap, use a full synthetic in that grade, drain fully, fit a new filter, refill to the manual's capacity and run the multi-point check: intake and air filter, belts, coolant level, brake fluid, battery at participating locations, tire pressure, lights and wipers. If you run a specific oil brand or filter, tell us at the window and we will tell you whether we have it. ### Sources - [subaru.com/owners/car-care-tips/months-or-miles.html](https://www.subaru.com/owners/car-care-tips/months-or-miles.html) (Subaru: 6 months or 6,000 miles, whichever comes first; read 2026-10-15) - [static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/MC-10232894-9999.pdf](https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/tsbs/2014/MC-10232894-9999.pdf) (Subaru of America 2014: severe interval 3,000 miles and 3 months; read 2026-10-15) - [cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2018.html](https://www.cars101.com/subaru/maintenance-2018.html) (cars101.com reproduction of the 2018 Subaru schedule: 2.0 turbo WRX 5W-30 synthetic, gear oil 15,000 miles or 15 months severe, Subaru CVT fluid only; read 2026-10-15) - [ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals](https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/products/land-based-station/us-climate-normals) (NOAA 1991-2020: Reno 65 days at 90 F or more, 122 freezing nights; read 2026-10-15) ### Your service center: Reno Northwest - Call [(775) 787-1000](tel:+17757871000) Mon-Fri 8 am-5 pm, Sat 8 am-4 pm, Sun closed - Address 6100 Mae Anne Ave, Reno, NV 89523 [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=6100+Mae+Anne+Ave%2C+Reno%2C+NV+89523&destination_place_id=ChIJ3dFA7yBEmYARYg1CtQTi_Bk) ### What a customer said Carson City Always fast and friendly service. Brought our 2021 Subaru WRX STI in for the first time almost a year ago and we always go back. Thorough job thought out the whole system and if you ask them not do do siemthing anytime you come in they will make it on your profile for the next time you are in. [All reviews](https://xpressoilandlube.com/reviews/) ### Related - [Subaru oil change](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/) - [Full synthetic oil change](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/oil-change/full-synthetic/) - [Differential service](https://xpressoilandlube.com/services/differential-service/) - [High altitude, mountain passes and your engine](https://xpressoilandlube.com/guides/high-altitude-driving-maintenance/) - [3,000 vs 5,000 vs 7,500 miles](https://xpressoilandlube.com/compare/3000-vs-5000-vs-7500-miles/) - [Reno Northwest service center](https://xpressoilandlube.com/locations/reno-mae-anne/) Drive in. No appointment. Drive out. Locally owned in Northern Nevada since 1983. No appointment, no pressure: we tell you what the inspection found and you decide. [About us](https://xpressoilandlube.com/about/) ## More Subaru [### Subaru Outback oil change Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/outback/)[### Subaru Forester oil change Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/forester/)[### Subaru Crosstrek oil change Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/crosstrek/)[### Subaru Impreza oil change Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/impreza/)[### Subaru Ascent oil change Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/ascent/)[### Subaru Legacy oil change Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/legacy/)[### Subaru oil change Learn more](https://xpressoilandlube.com/vehicles/subaru/) ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call your service center or drive in; there is no appointment to make. ### What oil does a 2019 WRX take? The 2.0-liter turbo in the 2015 to 2021 WRX is listed at 5W-30 synthetic in the reproduced 2018 Subaru schedule. ### Is the 2022 WRX oil different? The 2.4-liter turbo has its own listing in the owner's manual and on the cap. We read the cap and match it. ### Do you change manual transmission fluid? We check the gear oil level and can service the differentials. Ask at the window about the gearbox fill for your car. ### Is 3,000 miles right for my WRX? Subaru's severe interval is 3,000 miles or 3 months. Hard driving, track use and lots of short trips fit it; steady commuting usually fits 6,000.