2018 Subaru Forester 0w20 Idemitsu oil question

[LmG7119]

Thank you all. I was debating between choice #1 and #3. So the one with moly is better. Do I want to stick to the same oil for every oil change? Amazon also has Pennzoil 550046127 Platinum for $15.48 after $10 rebate. I don't know what is the difference to Ultra Platinum. I think you can't beat that. My Forester needs 5.1q. This is why a was looking at Liqui Moly. It comes with 5L(5.283g). I think LM had moly in the name before moly term. LM is also certified for VW. This is why I used it in my Audi.

Just an FYI, I will be using ceratech in Subaru and I already use it in Allroad.

@Garak
I used Rotella T6 in my previous 2003 Audi Allroad and liked it a lot, but there is no 0w20 in T6.

 

[LmG7119]

Or should I get Castrol 06006 GTX MAGNATEC 6q pack for $22 https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06006-MAG...+0w20&psc=1

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: lepa71
I used Rotella T6 in my previous 2003 Audi Allroad and liked it a lot, but there is no 0w20 in T6.

Nope, nothing like that.

If I had the Forester and the manual permitted a 5w30, I'd be using the T6 5w30. With some of these OEMs, though, you never know. One year, a 20w-50 is on their chart, and the next year, 0w-20 only.

In any event, regardless of your choice, a 5 quart jug should get you close enough to the 5.1 quarts yours calls for. In the G37, which calls for 4.9 L, I've used 5 quart (4.73 L) and 5 L jugs, and didn't worry about the 100 to 200 mL difference, since all was good on the dipstick.

 

[racin4ds]

So 0W20 is the only specified oil for use in late model Subies? No thanks! Looks like they're trying to eek out every last .00001mpg from their line up. I've owned a couple Subarus and wouldn't dream of putting "water" in the crankcase. I'll stick with the 5W30 (NA) or 0W40 (Turbo) for mine.

It isn't like any Subaru gets good fuel mileage anyway... The 2018 Forestor I have now as a loaner is only average 26mpg, My 2008 Legacy GT Turbo gets 24-25mpg and runs WAY better!

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted By: kaesees
Originally Posted By: Garak
You won't find a dexos2 oil in 0w-20.
https://www.amazon.com/ZEPRO-Eco-Medalis...;keywords=zepro div>
dexos2 is not the same as dexos1 Gen2. dexos2 is the U.S. diesel or Euro diesel-petrol oil spec. dexos1 Gen2 is for gasoline engines only, and it is dexos1 in its 2nd generation. (dexos2 is still in its 1st generation)

 

[LmG7119]

Originally Posted By: racin4ds
So 0W20 is the only specified oil for use in late model Subies? No thanks! Looks like they're trying to eek out every last .00001mpg from their line up. I've owned a couple Subarus and wouldn't dream of putting "water" in the crankcase. I'll stick with the 5W30 (NA) or 0W40 (Turbo) for mine.

It isn't like any Subaru gets good fuel mileage anyway... The 2018 Forester I have now as a loaner is only average 26mpg, My 2008 Legacy GT Turbo gets 24-25mpg and runs WAY better!


I would love to run 5w30 oil, but I don't want to lose warranty for this. I understand what you are saying and agree 300% but Subaru will void the warranty if you use not approved oil. There a lot of issues of oil consumption on forester forum when 0w20 is used especially with MT. In addition, I'm buying 10year/100K Gold plus. So I will stick to 0w20. Just want to make sure I would get a "better" 0w20.

 

[LmG7119]

Originally Posted By: lepa71
Or should I get Castrol 06006 GTX MAGNATEC 6q pack for $22 https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06006-MAG...+0w20&psc=1


How does this one compare? Do I need to stick with same oil for each oil change or just get whatever cheaper branded oil I could find? I have a friend who owns Goodyear shop but by bringing my own oil and filter I will save money.

 

[PimTac]

Originally Posted By: racin4ds
So 0W20 is the only specified oil for use in late model Subies? No thanks! Looks like they're trying to eek out every last .00001mpg from their line up. I've owned a couple Subarus and wouldn't dream of putting "water" in the crankcase. I'll stick with the 5W30 (NA) or 0W40 (Turbo) for mine.

It isn't like any Subaru gets good fuel mileage anyway... The 2018 Forestor I have now as a loaner is only average 26mpg, My 2008 Legacy GT Turbo gets 24-25mpg and runs WAY better!




We try to be factual and somewhat scientific here. Personal opinion will work for you but in the broad sense anyone running a 0w20 oil will do just fine. Since the vehicle would be under warranty I would agree with the OP that 0w20 is the way to go.

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Originally Posted By: racin4ds
So 0W20 is the only specified oil for use in late model Subies? No thanks! Looks like they're trying to eek out every last .00001mpg from their line up. I've owned a couple Subarus and wouldn't dream of putting "water" in the crankcase. I'll stick with the 5W30 (NA) or 0W40 (Turbo) for mine.

It isn't like any Subaru gets good fuel mileage anyway... The 2018 Forestor I have now as a loaner is only average 26mpg, My 2008 Legacy GT Turbo gets 24-25mpg and runs WAY better!


Apparently the local Subaru dealer believes this, as their invoices claimed they put 0W20 in my turbo for which 5W30 is recommended TWICE!
Both times, the "service advisor" swore that they MUST HAVE used to right oil and that 0W20 was just the standard printout, but I was not convinced this was true.
The freakin cap says 5W30 right on it, cmon!!
Believe that the V6 that is optional in the Outback and Legacy is also supposed to get 5W30 along with the WRX/FXT turbos.

BTW, pretty sure that my daughter gets better than 30mpg in her Impreza...mileage should be good given how gutless that thing is. I think little power and AWD is a good combo for a novice driver as long as she does not have to merge onto 128 or Mass Pike when the traffic is flowing...

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Originally Posted By: Garak
Originally Posted By: kaesees
Whoops

Which is why GM shouldn't have been messing with logos and naming conventions for the new generation of the specification. Make it something for the oil companies to attend to, and make it seamless for the consumer. European OEM specs have all kinds of revisions, but they're not plastered all over the bottle.
A current dexos1 oil should be a current dexos1 oil, full stop.

I agree that dexos1 Gen 2 and dexos2 is EXTREMELY confusing, maybe they could have called the former dexos1+ or dexos1 NextGen. I could see an issue with keeping the old name in that people could end up buying/using old stock when the Gen 2 updates would have meant something to them.

 

[sw99]

ST 0w20 full synthetic, it's under $16 at Walmart and is a fine oil.

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: lepa71
Originally Posted By: lepa71
Or should I get Castrol 06006 GTX MAGNATEC 6q pack for $22 https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06006-MAG...+0w20&psc=1


How does this one compare? Do I need to stick with same oil for each oil change or just get whatever cheaper branded oil I could find? I have a friend who owns Goodyear shop but by bringing my own oil and filter I will save money.

Many people use a different oil for every interval based on sale price with no ill effects. I do wonder if the constant switching that I do is the cause of my consumption, but it could just be the nature of the high strung turbo and short gearing.

 

[PimTac]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Originally Posted By: lepa71
Originally Posted By: lepa71
Or should I get Castrol 06006 GTX MAGNATEC 6q pack for $22 https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06006-MAG...+0w20&psc=1


How does this one compare? Do I need to stick with same oil for each oil change or just get whatever cheaper branded oil I could find? I have a friend who owns Goodyear shop but by bringing my own oil and filter I will save money.

Many people use a different oil for every interval based on sale price with no ill effects. I do wonder if the constant switching that I do is the cause of my consumption, but it could just be the nature of the high strung turbo and short gearing.




I think we all heard stories of someone who had used one brand of oil in their vehicle and somewhere along the way decided to switch to another brand. The result was either increased consumption or leakage.

Maybe this involves a particular film that is built up by the original oil and then being erased by a different chemistry? Maybe one of the experts can chime in on this. For the record, I usually stick with one brand through a cars life unless circumstances change like availability etc.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

Originally Posted By: PimTac
Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Originally Posted By: lepa71
Originally Posted By: lepa71
Or should I get Castrol 06006 GTX MAGNATEC 6q pack for $22 https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06006-MAG...+0w20&psc=1


How does this one compare? Do I need to stick with same oil for each oil change or just get whatever cheaper branded oil I could find? I have a friend who owns Goodyear shop but by bringing my own oil and filter I will save money.

Many people use a different oil for every interval based on sale price with no ill effects. I do wonder if the constant switching that I do is the cause of my consumption, but it could just be the nature of the high strung turbo and short gearing.




I think we all heard stories of someone who had used one brand of oil in their vehicle and somewhere along the way decided to switch to another brand. The result was either increased consumption or leakage.

Maybe this involves a particular film that is built up by the original oil and then being erased by a different chemistry? Maybe one of the experts can chime in on this. For the record, I usually stick with one brand through a cars life unless circumstances change like availability etc.


I change oil on almost every OCI because I use what's on sale with a rebate. My Toyota neither uses or leaks oil with 120K on it. I don't worry mileage to much with my OCI as I change in good weather in the spring and the fall. Average OCI is between 5K and a little over 6K. Generally the typical oil usage is well under a half quart. Currently the Valvoline is down about a half cup and I've topped it off with a little over 2550 miles on it. Next oil I use is very likely going to be Havoline ProDS 10w30.

 

[CR94]

Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
... Believe that the V6 that is optional in the Outback and Legacy is ...
Since when have Subarus had "V" engines?

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted By: lepa71
Or should I get Castrol 06006 GTX MAGNATEC 6q pack for $22 https://www.amazon.com/Castrol-06006-MAG...+0w20&psc=1
That is a great price on a very good oil. If you're looking for value, you can't do much better than that. Only one better I can find is to get Pennzoil Platinum at walmart, then http://www.pennzoil.com/en_us/promotions/do-it-yourself-oil-change/promotion-9.html if you don't mind mail-in rebates. They will mail you a $10 check for a 5-quart jug.

 

[LmG7119]

Is there a consensus not to worry about 0.1q as long as dipstick shows full?

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted By: lepa71
Is there a consensus not to worry about 0.1q as long as dipstick shows full?
Its fine. When you change oil, you can't get all the old oil out anyway, so its kind of approximate how much new oil you need to reach the top line of the dipstick anyway. Of course over-filling it can cause problems (foaming).
The top line or hole on the dipstick is definitive & where it should be.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
I agree that dexos1 Gen 2 and dexos2 is EXTREMELY confusing, maybe they could have called the former dexos1+ or dexos1 NextGen. I could see an issue with keeping the old name in that people could end up buying/using old stock when the Gen 2 updates would have meant something to them.

Even with old stock, I wouldn't worry too much. If stock is sitting in a place that long, it's probably not a good destination to buy oil in the first place.

For those who really want to know, the license number would have been the perfect differentiator.

The only ones who really know anything about dexos1 versus dexos1 Gen 2 are people in the field (i.e. at GM or formulators) and then us OCD BITOG people. The general public is clueless about it, even on other auto forums, where anything they get remotely right is cut and pasted from here.

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Originally Posted By: CR94
Originally Posted By: Virtus_Probi
... Believe that the V6 that is optional in the Outback and Legacy is ...
Since when have Subarus had "V" engines?

Oops...yes, they are just bigger boxers, not Vs.