03 Subaru WRX Oil?

[go0sebumpz]

I've had my car for about 5 months since i bought it from a private seller. He's used regular dino oil on it with the oem filters. I am not sure of which oil to use, but he told me to use dino oil. What type of dino oil should be best for me? I heard halvoline 10w-30 is good. Mainly 10w-30 is good for me and dino. That's all i heard that is what i need so far. Any types of brand in particular? By the way, my car has 43k miles on it. Suggestions?


thanks

 

[Titan]

If it were mine, I'd run Pennzoil Platinum 5-30, just like I run in my current two Subarus. Being a turbo-charged engine, I think you would be better served by using an oil with a high resistance to heat stress, those oils are generally refered to as "synthetics".

 

[Merkava_4]

You can safely use 10W-30, 10W-40 above -4*F according to Amsoil.

 

[bluesubie]

I heard Havoline was good to.

With an '03, you might want to go with a high mileage oil even though your mileage isn't that high (e.g. Valvoline Max Life). They are usually thicker and more shear stable than a regular conventional oil.

Take some time to read around here and do some searches in this forum and the UOA forum on "Subaru". After a while, your head will be spinning from all of the info.

-Dennis

 

[Eddie]

Mobil 1 or Pennzoil Plat in 5w or 10w30. OCI of 5-6,000 miles and do a UOA to fine tune.

 

[SilverGGA]

Being in LA, I'd suggest you to run a 10w-40 or a thick 5w-30 10w-30. If you decide to run a HM oil like bluesubie suggested, Mobil 1 HM 10w-30 (AECA A3) is a great choice. Mobil 1 HM also has a 10w-40 formulation.

IMHO, I would suggest against running thin 5/10w-30 oils in WRXs. There have been quite a few spun bearing incidents on the WRX/STi when thin 5/10w-30 is used, combined with fuel dilution (even thinner) and driving hard in high temp (eg when you drive to LV

) Check nasioc.com or i-club.com for details.

 

[go0sebumpz]

any other suggestions?

thanks for the replies and tips.

 

[SubLGT]

Quote:

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any other suggestions?.......

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Do a UOA, to check for fuel and coolant in your oil. If your vehicle has a filter screen in the turbo oil line banjo fitting, check it to make sure it is not clogged up with gunk.

 

[edhackett]

There isn't a screen in the 2.0 L engines.

The very best dino oil that you can use in your WRX is Shell Rotella T 10W-30 or 15W-40 Triple Protection. These engines are prone to fuel dilution and are sensitive to the chemical damage done to the oil by the fuel. The Rotella oils are about as resistant to this damage you can get in an off the shelf oil.

The other recommendations for a high mileage oil are good also. Do not run a SM GF4 5W-30 in this car. They don't hold up well to the effects of fuel dilution.

Also, don't run a dino oil for more than 3750 miles in this car. The synthetics are OK for 5000 miles, maybe 7500 if confirmed by oil analysis.

Ed (Past 2003 WRX owner)

 

[DC84]

Rotella 5w-40 synthetic from Walmart is a good choice as well. It can be had for about $17 per gallon in many regions. I have been running Syntec 5w-40 in my 06' and will switch to Rotella have the Syntec stash is gone.

 

[eldesperado]

I've seen the UOA's with Rotella T synthetic and the high zinc and phosphorous levels scare me. Bad for the cats.

 

[artificialist]

Plenty of cars from the 1980s would be able to keep their factory catalyst for >120,000 despite high zinc oils. I have seen it for myself.

 

[ITSMR2U]

Subaru is posting severe duty OCIs for their new turbo cars (3750 mi). I would never use a dino oil in a turbo engine. The WRX gets pretty hot under the hood.

 

[Conan]

Quote:

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I've seen the UOA's with Rotella T synthetic and the high zinc and phosphorous levels scare me. Bad for the cats.

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Why are people so concerned with catalytic converters? They're pretty cheap to replace compared to replacing engines.

 

[Saab9-3]

I have heard good things about Elf/Motul with the Subie's

 

[artificialist]

Manufacturers have to warranty the catalytic converter for 100,000 miles, but they have have just about any length warranty on the engine, IIRC.

That in mind, I have seen plenty of cars with the factory cat still working despite higher ZDDP oils used in the past.