3,750 mile OCI too extreme??

[avacado11]

Subaru calls for 3,750 mile/3 3/4 month OCIs on their turbo engines.

I am running Mobil 1 advanced full synthetic 5W-30 and a Napa Gold oil filter. For the past few changes I've been going roughly 3500 miles or every 6 months. I was looking around the forum the other day and I found that M1 5W-30 shears fairly quickly and becomes a lighter weight.

I sometimes hit redline when driving around(my car does not see track days but I don't drive it like a grandma on the streets either).

Should I really be changing the oil every 3750 miles/3 3/4 months? Is that over kill/waste of oil or does the heat coming from a turbo engine really wear down oil that quick?

Right now I have about 2500 miles on my oil(M1 5W-30), 4 months in. It's turning dark now, and it's got a gasoline scent to it.

 

[Merkava_4]

I've changed mine as early as 2500 miles if the oil is too dark for my liking.

 

[nyumski]

since it is a full syn oil, i think at least 4500 miles or 8 to 10 months if u cannot reach the miles and there is no much traffic in ur way i think the oil still good..

for better accuration i suggest you test the used oil and share it so we can discuss..

NB: if you use this oil regularly..

 

[camrydriver111]

Subaru guys who are worried about the shearing run 10W30 or 5W40.

I wouldn't worry about going two extra months though.

 

[OVERKILL]

Fuel dilution is often confused for shear or not factored into viscosity loss.. If your oil smells like fuel the odds are that you do indeed have some viscosity loss, but that's due to the fuel thinning the oil.

This is likely why Subaru calls for such short OCI's. They have small sumps so the viscosity loss is more significant (as well as the lowering of the oil's flash point) than if they had a greater oil capacity.

 

[Cristobal]

Turbos literally burn the oil. So do not stretch the OCI.

If intuition says change it, do so.

 

[Bandito440]

What model and year is your Subaru?

If under warranty, I'd be using Pennzoil Ultra 5w-30 at the recommended OCI.

If not, Rotella T6 for 5,000 miles.

A UOA at 3,750 wouldn't hurt, especially if you're smelling fuel.

 

[lubricatosaurus]

Originally Posted By: avacado11
I sometimes hit redline when driving around(my car does not see track days but I don't drive it like a grandma on the streets either).

I'm confused, which is it, ez driving or hard driving, cuz grandmas drive like a bat out of you know what:

Originally Posted By: avacado11
Should I really be changing the oil every 3750 miles/3 3/4 months? Is that over kill/waste of oil or does the heat coming from a turbo engine really wear down oil that quick?

If you go to a euro-spec oil (Porsche A40), I'd think you could stretch to 6,000 miles easily, like Castrol or M1 0w-40. Otherwise, Subaru is saying the SN GF-5 based full synthetics are the ones that can go almost 4,000 miles, got to believe that.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus
Otherwise, Subaru is saying the SN GF-5 based full synthetics are the ones that can go almost 4,000 miles, got to believe that.


Does Subaru spec a synthetic 5w-30? I don't believe so, I think it is just your typical 5w-30 PCMO.

 

[raytseng]

I would classify grandmas driving as severe service as well.

They may not be fastest drivers but it's severe driving

-Short trips
-run over obstacles and curbs
-Often jab at the brakes or gas to get things going, rather then gently accelerating
-May get confused and press both pedals.
-May change to wrong gears accidentally

 

[CT8]

Is the 3750 oci severe or "normal driving?

 

[Ga129]

Originally Posted By: Cristobal
Turbos literally burn the oil. So do not stretch the OCI.

If intuition says change it, do so.


+1

 

[gregk24]

Follow the owners manual! If it says 3750 then change it at that time. Don't over think it.

 

[Nate1979]

Watch those banjo bolts.

 

[Nick1994]

If it's under warranty, go by the owners manual.

If it's not under warranty, go 5,000 miles and get a UOA and see if you can stretch it out further.

 

[double vanos]

I do my Ecoboost engines at around that mileage and don't think a thing about it - and I'm using A3 rated oil! Oil = cheap. Engines = mucho $$$$$

 

[crazyoildude]

Just stay within what Subaru says in the om until warranty is up. Some Subaru engines have had problems with oil burning and other things although it seems if you drive them hard they tend to be ok...Go figure.. It seems to be a ring seating problem but even we don't know for sure.

 

[Clevy]

Originally Posted By: crazyoildude
Just stay within what Subaru says in the om until warranty is up. Some Subaru engines have had problems with oil burning and other things although it seems if you drive them hard they tend to be ok...Go figure.. It seems to be a ring seating problem but even we don't know for sure.


I think most all of today's newer cars consumption issues is due to improper ring seating due to to weak of a break in.
Had a guy at the track tell me once "if you want a weak motor break it in weak.if you want to strong engine break it in with a lot of throttle."
From what I've seen this is true.

Op

Subaru iirc had specified 7000 miles for a few years then reduced that interval across the board.
If you wanted to extend the interval the only safe way to do it is to get used oil analysis done to monitor the pips condition but by the time you pay for that you could have just changed the oil.
Stick with the interval they tell you otherwise.

 

[SR5]

Originally Posted By: lubricatosaurus

If you go to a euro-spec oil (Porsche A40), I'd think you could stretch to 6,000 miles easily, like Castrol or M1 0w-40. Otherwise, Subaru is saying the SN GF-5 based full synthetics are the ones that can go almost 4,000 miles, got to believe that.


If it's under warranty follow the Subaru OM.

Once out of warranty I would follow lubricatosaurus advice, and extend the OCI with a Euro spec long life oil.
Spec: A3/B4, MB 229.5, BMW LL-01, Porsche A40

 

[wn1998]

My 2014 Jetta with the 1.8T calls for 10k oil changes. It does have a quite large 5.25 Quart sump though.