0w-20 Oil for my Subarus

[Barley]

New member here. Hopefully you are not rolling your eyes at another "which oil is best?" thread. I would hazard to say this thread is a little different, as it is limited to what is available to me locally, and has actual prices attached. Here we go!

I’m currently driving a 2012 Subaru Forester 2.5X Premium with the FB25 engine and a Subaru XV Crosstrek 2.0i Premium with the FB20 engine. That means two cars that use 0w-20 synthetic (SM/SN, GF-4/GF-5). I change my own oil at the Subaru recommended 7,500 mile OCI and use the black Tokyo Roki filters (15208AA160). My wife and I drive conservatively. My wife drives the Forester about 35 miles roundtrip on country roads (30-55 mph limits) each weekday and I drive the XV Crosstrek about 90 miles roundtrip on state highways (55-60 mph limit) each weekday. In general, we do not encounter stop and go/city driving conditions (we live out in the country). My goal is to keep the cars as long as possible. I am not afraid of paying more if it means better quality that will help me keep the car engines running smoother for longer.

I did some research and came up with the following oil options that are available in my area. Any advice on the best option for my application would be appreciated. I live in southern Wisconsin, where the temperature can vary from 0 degrees F in the winter to 90 degrees F in the summer. If it makes sense to use one brand in the winter vs. another in the summer, let me know.

Thank you for your advice!

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w-20 - $4.90/qt
Toyota 0w-20 SN - $5.31/qt
AMSOIL OE 0w-20 - $5.73/qt
Subaru 0w-20 SM – $6.15/qt
Mazda 0w-20 GF-5 w/ Moly - $6.25/qt
AMSOIL XL 0w-20 - $6.93/qt

 

[dave123]

Mobil 1 0w20 year round in both 7500 mile oci

 

[OB4x4]

Just use the least expensive one you can find. My personal preference is Mobil 1. No oil in that group is going to let you down, so just go for price and availability.

 

[buster]

Quote:
(55-60 mph limit) each weekday


That's it?

All of those are good choices but at those prices, I'd go with the M1 or TGMO. Especially in Wisconsin.

 

[electrolover]

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy would be the way to go.

Top notch product.

to BITOG!

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: OB4x4
Just use the least expensive one you can find. My personal preference is Mobil 1. No oil in that group is going to let you down, so just go for price and availability.


+1

 

[bluesubie]

Take your pick! Any of those are a good choice, IMO! Do you have much consumption between intervals for either car?

-Dennis

 

[Barley]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie

Take your pick! Any of those are a good choice, IMO! Do you have much consumption between intervals for either car?

-Dennis


Not that I can notice on the Forester. Too early to tell on the XV Crosstrek.

 

[Hollow]

If your local WalMarts have it (much as I don't care for WM) you can usually find Quaker State Ultimate Durability and Pennzoil Platinum in 0w20 for a good price.


Granted I have the older EJ25 engine, but Quaker State Ultimate Durability was a very smooth oil, more so than PP for my vehicle.

 

[Ibrahim]

Mobil 1 Advanced Fuel Economy 0w-20 or Castrol Edge with Titanium if you can find that for less $!

 

[skyship]

This is one of the few non hybrid engines that the Germans think should be using a 20 grade. Liqui Moly oil finder result:
Engine FB25B
Capacity : LubeCap 5,2 liter

· Use : Normal
· Intervals : Change 12000 km / 8 months
· Products : Leichtlauf Special AA SAE 5W-20

No idea what that costs in the US, but it's not cheap even in Germany.

Your use does not sound like severe service and the temperature range of a 5/20 is good down to minus 25C. If it gets colder than that then Mobil 1 0w20 would be the next best, but LM make true long life oils and a 5/20 lasts slightly longer.
If you are doing only long trips then try doing a used oil analysis with TBN after the 7.5K miles, as it might be OK to extend to 10K miles if the filter is rated for it, which it probably is.
Can't find the Crosstreck listed, but if it is older it might be specced outside the US and Japan for an 0 or 5/30.

 

[skyship]

If you like to spend money on oil I would pick LM 5/20, Castrol Edge 0/20 or Mobil 1 0w20 as the top three picks. The OEM's don't use expensive oils in many cases and the R&D spending by the majors results in slightly better products. If the OCI is extended steer well clean of the cheaper dino blend 5/20's and make sure it is a top quality full synthetic 0 or 5/20 tp prevent shearing to a lower grade.

 

[Clevy]

Any of those choices are great. I'd use the Mazda branded oil with the Toyota oil coming in a close second.
You can't lose with any of them though. Maybe try each of them,see which ones give you the warm fuzzies.

 

[tig1]

Mobil 1 0w20 is outstanding in my Duratechs. I do 10K OCIs and use this oil year round as it is very suitable in extreme temps in the summer. We had the hottest summer on record here, with many days between 100-109 and the 0-20 performed without a hitch.

 

[GC4lunch]

Originally Posted By: Barley

Mazda 0w-20 GF-5 w/ Moly - $6.25/qt

At that price, it's a steal. I have yet to see that price on that oil.

 

[Indydriver]

I can only second the sentiments posted so far. You have a regimen that is pretty easy on oil and you've listed all top notch oils that have been thoroughly dissected by this board. Some have higher viscosity index than others but there is no doubt that the cheapest oil on your list will serve you just fine.

You might consider doing a used oil analysis check with TBN to confirm oil condition at your 7500 mile OCI. Unless one of these engines is direct injection, you will probably find you could go even further. DI would be my only concern with this interval.

 

[icepickjazz]

Originally Posted By: GC4lunch
Originally Posted By: Barley

Mazda 0w-20 GF-5 w/ Moly - $6.25/qt

At that price, it's a steal. I have yet to see that price on that oil.

Yeah, I would like to find it a that price for my Mazda CX-5

 

[Greggy_D]

Originally Posted By: dave123
Mobil 1 0w20 year round in both 7500 mile oci


This. No reason not to. Plus you can find it at just about every Walmart out there. Around $25 for 5 qts.

 

[asharris7]

Originally Posted By: skyship
If you like to spend money on oil I would pick LM 5/20, Castrol Edge 0/20 or Mobil 1 0w20 as the top three picks. The OEM's don't use expensive oils in many cases and the R&D spending by the majors results in slightly better products. If the OCI is extended steer well clean of the cheaper dino blend 5/20's and make sure it is a top quality full synthetic 0 or 5/20 tp prevent shearing to a lower grade.


I agree some OEM's don't spend a lot of money on their oils, but with the exception of Toyota, Mazda. Mobil and Idemitsu made.

 

[Barley]

Originally Posted By: Clevy
Any of those choices are great. I'd use the Mazda branded oil with the Toyota oil coming in a close second.
You can't lose with any of them though. Maybe try each of them,see which ones give you the warm fuzzies.


I would love to do that, but the prices I listed are for volume purchases, so I'm pretty much locked in for 2 years once I make my decision (except for the Mobil 1, of course). Quaker State Ultimate Durability 0w20 is not that available around these parts.