2019 Subaru Legacy 2.5L break-in Strategy

[Patrick0525]

What is the BITOG forum consensus on doing an oci and uoa starting at 0 mile? There is still uncertainty whether Subaru fixed the oil consumption issue. Is it better to use the OE filter or Fram Ultra? Rockauto has the FU at $6.92

 

[OVERKILL]

It's not going to tell you much other than "hey, there's break-in material".

 

[skyactiv]

Use the OEM oil filter due to it having the proper bypass setting. Also use a new crush washer for each oil change. Document your oil changes.

 

[Patrick0525]

Originally Posted by skyactiv
Use the OEM oil filter due to it having the proper bypass setting. Also use a new crush washer for each oil change. Document your oil changes.


When is the 1st oc? I usually do it 1000mi and the 1st uoa at 10K.

 

[TTK]

Keep factory oil in for at least a couple thousand miles, then change it. Use Subaru oil filter or Wix/NAPA Gold They have the correct bypass setting.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted by Patrick0525
Is it better to use the OE filter or Fram Ultra?
No Fram Ultra here. Shouldn't use it since the bypass oil filter pressure is too low on the Ultra. Same problem on a lot of GM engines made in the last 5 years too. OEM filter would be fine, though I'd prefer the Wix 57055 here, or the NAPAGold same equivalent, both with the right bypass valve pressure threshold.

Suggest changing out the factory fill out at 500 to 1,000 miles, and put in TGMO Toyota 0w20 (or Zepro) because it has a ton of moly to help break-in. Honda-Acura makes a big deal about having moly in there at least up to around 5,000 miles or so. Fills surface asperities I assume, although Honda-Acura has only mentioned the "hot spots" which might form if no moly.

 

[Patrick0525]

Originally Posted by TTK
Keep factory oil in for at least a couple thousand miles, then change it. Use Subaru oil filter or Wix/NAPA Gold They have the correct bypass setting.



I checked the dip-stick and like other Subaru owners it over the top fill mark by 1/2". Subaru is over filling these engines.

 

[maxdustington]

Mototune break-in!

 

[Zee09]

Congratulations on your new car.
Did the oil use give you any pause prior to purchasing?

 

[Patrick0525]

Originally Posted by Zee09
Congratulations on your new car.
Did the oil use give you any pause prior to purchasing?


Thanks. It is my work colleague's brand new car and I happened to be out there when he checked his oil level. I am posting his questions on his behalf.

 

[PimTac]

Drive it normally but sensibly for the first 500 miles. Mix up your speeds. I like to change the oil at 1000 miles but as you already see you will get suggestions all over the map.

The engine is not the only thing breaking in. Transmission, differentials, the awd system etc are all getting done.

 

[Fatboymoe]

I have a 2018 Legacy. I have had it serviced twice by the local Subaru dealer, both at 5k instead of the recommended 6k for various reasons. Neither time did my vehicle require any make up oil between changes. The only fluid I had to top off was the antifreeze, and that was just a few ounces to keep it to the cold fill mark.

 

[Bud]

Well, you always have the owners manual, unless you just want to roll the dice on many of the opinions here.

 

[oil_film_movies]

Originally Posted by Patrick0525
I checked the dip-stick and like other Subaru owners it over the top fill mark by 1/2". Subaru is over filling these engines.
My GM dealership over-fills by about 1/4" on oil changes there. Frankly, unless there is the appearance of bubbles on the dipstick, indicating foaming from the crankshaft hitting the oil surface, there is no problem with a little over-filling. Usually its just merely annoying.

 

[Patrick0525]

Originally Posted by oil_film_movies
Originally Posted by Patrick0525
I checked the dip-stick and like other Subaru owners it over the top fill mark by 1/2". Subaru is over filling these engines.
My GM dealership over-fills by about 1/4" on oil changes there. Frankly, unless there is the appearance of bubbles on the dipstick, indicating foaming from the crankshaft hitting the oil surface, there is no problem with a little over-filling. Usually its just merely annoying.

Definitely not 1/4" maybe even larger than 1/2".

 

[TTK]

Originally Posted by Patrick0525
Originally Posted by TTK
Keep factory oil in for at least a couple thousand miles, then change it. Use Subaru oil filter or Wix/NAPA Gold They have the correct bypass setting.



I checked the dip-stick and like other Subaru owners it over the top fill mark by 1/2". Subaru is over filling these engines.

That is standard for Subaru, even at the dealer. It is okay.

 

[JLTD]

I had this engine awhile back in a new Outback, and my dealership had a break-in recommendation which they said they gave every new owner:

Heavy acceleration (3/4 pedal, not floored) with rpm less than 4000, AND deceleration to low rpm for the first 1000 miles. I had the CVT but used manual mode, and every start/stop I did this in each gear. On the highway, I'd occasionally downshift one gear(sometimes two depending on speed limit), go heavy accel then foot-off-the-gas decel back to my desired speed. No cruise control during these miles.

First OCI was at 4000 miles, and no consumption for as long as I had it.

 

[SubieRubyRoo]

My mom got an 18 Forester late last year. Drove through break-in like she normally does, first OCI at 3k. Has had dealer perform oil changes at recommended 6k interval since then. She's now around 18k and the engine doesn't use a drop in between changes. Even though the maintenance manual says CVT is "lifetime fill", severe service recommends a change at 24,855 miles. I'm not sure why the recommendation is so specific, and that it is not a round number, but I'm telling her to have it changed at 24k. Necessary? Probably not. Smart when you're considering keeping a vehicle for 200k+ and minimizing repair bills? Definitely.

If I lived closer I'd be doing her OCIs with PP 5W30 every 7.5k and a Napa 7055 filter, since someday it will likely become my vehicle.

 

[sw99]

We are at 20K on the 2018 OB 2.5L. First OCI was the free dealer one at 6k. Then at 12.5k and the third at 19.5K. No oil burning here and I plan to settle in at 7500 mile OCI's on full synthetic. Our will be out of warranty by year 2 so I'm not worried about pushing the 6k recommended interval.

 

[Flashlightboy]

Originally Posted by SubieRubyRoo
.severe service recommends a change at 24,855 miles. I'm not sure why the recommendation is so specific,


Easy peasy. It's a Japanese car and they are on the metric system. 40,000 kilometers is 24,855 miles.