STI Maintenance Schedule — Service Intervals by Mileage
STI service intervals and what each one actually catches
Built from the 1 STI configurations in our database, averaging 4.0 cylinders.
| Mileage | Service | Shop note |
|---|---|---|
| 7,500 mi | Engine oil & filter, tire rotation, fluid level check | A 7,500-mile interval fits most STI engines on full synthetic. Towing, idling or short city hops push it back to 5,000. |
| 15,000 mi | Cabin & engine air filters, brake inspection, wiper blades | Cabin filters are the most skipped item on any schedule and the most common reason A/C feels weak. Two minutes behind the glovebox on most cars. |
| 30,000 mi | Brake fluid, transmission fluid check, coolant inspection, spark plug check | Brake fluid absorbs water. Past three years it boils sooner and the pedal goes long on a long mountain descent. |
| 60,000 mi | Transmission fluid service, spark plugs, serpentine belt, coolant | 'Lifetime' transmission fluid means the life of the warranty. Drain and fill at 60k and the gearbox lasts roughly twice as long. |
| 100,000 mi | Timing belt (if equipped), water pump, plugs, full fluid replacement | Chain-driven engines skip the belt, but the water pump and thermostat still age out. Do them together — the labor overlaps. |
Intervals reflect the STI powertrain mix in our data set. Your owner's manual is the authority — follow its severe-duty column if you tow, idle, or drive mostly short trips.
What makes STI upkeep different
- STI engines here average 4.0 cylinders, which is why the oil interval lands at 7,500 miles rather than a generic 5,000.
- Most common body types in the data: Compact Cars — heavier classes wear brakes and tires faster than the interval table implies.
STI maintenance schedules by model
Frequently Asked Questions About STI Maintenance
How often should you change the oil on a STI?
7,500 miles on full synthetic fits the STI engines in our data (averaging 4.0 cylinders). Drop to 5,000 miles if most trips are under 15 minutes, if you tow, or if the car idles a lot.
What does a STI service cost?
A routine oil and filter service runs about $70-$160 at an independent shop. Bigger milestone services (60k transmission and plugs) run several times that.
Can you service a STI outside the dealership?
Yes. Under the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act any qualified shop can perform scheduled maintenance without affecting your factory STI warranty, as long as the correct parts and fluids are used. Keep the receipts with mileage — that is all a dealer can ask for.