For a US user, Motul seems to be unreasonably priced. A comperable (likely better) oil can be bought for half the price from walmart
2022+ Subaru WRX FA24F Oil Strategy
- Thread starter Roberts9156
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It depends where you get the oil from. I shop unpopular and not widely available oils on eBay. I shopped 2-stroke Motul oils a few times and my orders were all good. You can get a 5L (a bit over 5 qts) jug Motul 5W-30 (C2, C3) for about $40-50 with free shipping. And it shipped form within the US, not internationally.
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That is not too bad, but still, Mobil 1 ESP, Pennzoil Ultra Platinum, Valvoline Restore and Protect are all below $30
edyvw
$50 site donor 2026
Yes, you can; however, Mobil 1 ESP is a better oil.
I'm in a similiar situation (2026 WRX still under 300 miles), but more than a bit overwelmed by everything here. Why are you choosing Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 0w-20 over Mobil 1 ESP x2 0w-20 (I think that's the Mobil 1 Euro 0w-20)?
To be clear, I'm not trying to change your mind, I'm looking to gain understanding to help me make my own.
Because Pennzoil Ultra is a better oil, its SQ,GF 7 rated, and the ESP is not,,if you were to have any warranty claim, this maybe one thing that would be looked at, the ESP is designed for Euro applications, call and ask Mobil tech line , if you want Mobil 1 check out their AFE line of oils or the EP series are good oils, Valvoline Restore and Protect right off the bat also comes to mind as a great alternative.
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For me it’s because:
1. Main reason is from what I see, Mobil 1 Mobil 1 ESP 0W-20 is not officially API SP or SQ certified (warranty concerns, not technical concerns)
2. 100 C viscosity is 8.8 (Pennzoil Ultra Platinum) vs 8.0 (Mobil 1 ESP). Not a huge difference, but the higher the better because fuel dilution will gradually lower it, maybe to levels that could increase wear.
Counterpoint for Mobil 1 ESP is it appears to also be a GTL base stock but with some PAO. I like the concept of using a pure GTL base stock and would like to believe it may slightly reduce the rate of intake valve deposit buildup (no real proof of this I’ve read, just my hope).
After my 5 year powertrain warranty is up, my current plan is to change to Mobil 1 Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30.
1. Main reason is from what I see, Mobil 1 Mobil 1 ESP 0W-20 is not officially API SP or SQ certified (warranty concerns, not technical concerns)
2. 100 C viscosity is 8.8 (Pennzoil Ultra Platinum) vs 8.0 (Mobil 1 ESP). Not a huge difference, but the higher the better because fuel dilution will gradually lower it, maybe to levels that could increase wear.
Counterpoint for Mobil 1 ESP is it appears to also be a GTL base stock but with some PAO. I like the concept of using a pure GTL base stock and would like to believe it may slightly reduce the rate of intake valve deposit buildup (no real proof of this I’ve read, just my hope).
After my 5 year powertrain warranty is up, my current plan is to change to Mobil 1 Mobil 1 ESP 0W-30.
Between the two, I would also pick Pennzoil Ultra Platinum for 0w20 grade
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BTW, congrats on the WRX. Hope you like it. In my opinion, I wouldn’t stress too much about “the best” oil, even though we all do. If you’re here on BITOG, you are probably gonna have your engine outlast the rest of your car. 
You may want to do the first couple oil changes at pretty short intervals due to the most wear and residual manufacturing debris in a new engine.
If you really want a puzzle for the WRX, try to figure out the oil filter bypass saga. Is it more important for a high efficiency filter that may bypass just a little at high RPMs, or a high pressure bypass filter that are only available by a few manufacturers that have lower efficiency media? I have no idea the best answer.
You may want to do the first couple oil changes at pretty short intervals due to the most wear and residual manufacturing debris in a new engine.
If you really want a puzzle for the WRX, try to figure out the oil filter bypass saga. Is it more important for a high efficiency filter that may bypass just a little at high RPMs, or a high pressure bypass filter that are only available by a few manufacturers that have lower efficiency media? I have no idea the best answer.
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BTW, congrats on the WRX. Hope you like it. In my opinion, I wouldn’t stress too much about “the best” oil, even though we all do. If you’re here on BITOG, you are probably gonna have your engine outlast the rest of your car.
You may want to do the first couple oil changes at pretty short intervals due to the most wear and residual manufacturing debris in a new engine.
If you really want a puzzle for the WRX, try to figure out the oil filter bypass saga. Is it more important for a high efficiency filter that may bypass just a little at high RPMs, or a high pressure bypass filter that are only available by a few manufacturers that have lower efficiency media? I have no idea the best answer.
I went deep into the bypass rabbit hole. Short version is that the filter media of the filter itself will determine the bypass rating of that filter. 23psi isn't something that Subaru engineers wanted for the engine but rather what that OEM filter needs
That said, your engine is almost never in bypass with any good filter unless it is clogged from neglect. Not even on cold starts.
Fwiw, I use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum 5w30 in the WRX and mine is tuned on E50 at about 400 crank HP.
ESP 5w30 would be my 2nd choice
And Valvoline Restore and Protect is also a good option (currently running this just out of curiosity)
I used Pennzoil Platinum and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum in my mustang almost exclusively and when I went to do the timing components and crank gear at 100k miles the engine looked brand new aside from the expected cam wear.
I'm sure any good quality oil at a 3k to 5k change will be solid in the FA24. Just have to pay attention to fuel dilution and avoid long OCI on this motor.
"Avoid long OCI on this motor."
Completely agreed. Subaru engines don't like those 10K mile intervals. Or even 7K for that matter
I run Mobil 1 Euro 5w40 in ours, since new. The 23' now has 23k on it. 6k OCI on this wrx.
How did you choose between that and 0w40?
I got the Mobil 1 Euro 5w40 for $5 a jug. I bought 20+ of them when they had a sale at Walmart
Not what I expected, but no one can argue with thatI got the Mobil 1 Euro 5w40 for $5 a jug. I bought 20+ of them when they had a sale at Walmart
Thx... I kept my last WRX 17 years. My issue is that I know 0w-20 is not a great choice, but I also know that while using 5w-30 shouldn't cause me warranty issues, I had a friend get into a really difficult battle with a car company over a warranty claim when all he did was add a cold air intake (which had nothing to do with the wear in the engine that caused the claim).BTW, congrats on the WRX. Hope you like it. In my opinion, I wouldn’t stress too much about “the best” oil, even though we all do. If you’re here on BITOG, you are probably gonna have your engine outlast the rest of your car.
You may want to do the first couple oil changes at pretty short intervals due to the most wear and residual manufacturing debris in a new engine.
If you really want a puzzle for the WRX, try to figure out the oil filter bypass saga. Is it more important for a high efficiency filter that may bypass just a little at high RPMs, or a high pressure bypass filter that are only available by a few manufacturers that have lower efficiency media? I have no idea the best answer.
So I'm a bit paranoid trying to figure out the safest oil that's 0w-20 and how long to go between changes. Speaking of which, have you decided how long you're going in-between oil changes? The fuel dilution definitely concerns me, and I'd rather get my oil changed (can't change it myself due to my HOA) more often but use 0w-20 for the first 6 years
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Yeah, I’m feeling the same, and want to stay with a safe bet during warranty. So far, I’ve been limited by time (6 months) and always been well below 3K miles each time. I may start driving more, and thinking I’ll then change it between 4K and 5K miles.
To keep it running clean, for gas I’m trying to mostly use Shell or Exxon (seem like the best premium gas additives and only ones with friction modifiers), or any other Top Tier station.
To keep it running clean, for gas I’m trying to mostly use Shell or Exxon (seem like the best premium gas additives and only ones with friction modifiers), or any other Top Tier station.
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I don't know if I mentioned this earlier or not but the owners manual says 5w30 can be used.
I had an oil change done at my dealer after purchase and they had no problem throwing 5w30 in there when I requested it.
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Don't know if this matters to you or not but Danny tuning is very much respected in the WRX community and has said multiple times that shell 93 gas is inconsistent and can cause him issues when tuning
If you stay stock I wouldn't worry about it at all
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Thanks. The language in the manual “…should be changed to 0W-20 synthetic at the next oil change” makes me think they can still make a stink if they are that kind of people.
I am stock, but surprised to hear something negative about Shell gas.
I am stock, but surprised to hear something negative about Shell gas.