92 Legacy 230K, Do I need to switch oil?

[speedbird151]

My car is burning 1 qt every 3000 miles. I know that doesn't seem like alot, but I want to do something to make sure that doesn't increase. I've been using Castrol GTX 5W30. I'm thinking of switching to 10W30 Schaeffer's 7000 Supreme, Maxlife or Castrol GTX HM. Your thoughts and advise are appreciated. I want to drive this car for another 5 years without having to rebuild or replace the engine.

Thanks,

Paul in SF

 

[bluesubie]

It would probably burn less with one of the high mileage oils or a 40 weight. Do the 92's allow 40 weights? 1k per 3,000 miles is not bad though and Subaru's current guideline is purportedly 1 quart per 800 miles (just changed from 1 qt./1k miles).

-Dennis

 

[coffee]

I would try Castrol HM 10w30 or 40 and see what that does for you.

 

[Sparkman]

Keep in mind that Subaru's recommendations are meant to absolve themselves of responsibility for oil burners. No one in their right mind actually should believe that a well put together engine should burn 1qt/800 miles.

I would double ARX and then use a 5w-40 or 10w-40.

 

[spOILEDrotten]

I have a 96 legacy with the ej22 and after running AutoRX, most of my burning and leaking has stopped. I'm also using Mobil 1 High Mileage 10w30 for this loop. I've only put 800 miles on it, but it hasn't budged from full and I've only had trace amounts in my garage floor.

 

[Stainless]

Quote:

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I would double ARX and then use a 5w-40 or 10w-40.

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This is EXACTLY what i would do also.

 

[Merkava_4]

Quote:

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I've been using Castrol GTX 5W30. I'm thinking of switching to 10W30. . .

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That's not going to help you much; you need to go to a 10W-40. See how that does and if you're still consuming oil, the next step up would be HM 10W-40.

 

[Bill in Utah]

1 quart per 3k is not a problem. Esp is a car with 230k miles.

I'd be more worried (even in SF) about getting flow going as soon as possible so I'd continue with the 5w30 and *if* the oil useage gets to 1qt per 1000 miles, then start to worry.

ARX may help you but I doubt it.

230k is alot longer than alot of folks make it too. Your are doing something right!

Just keep up with the OCIs.

Take care, bill

 

[KieferS]

i would do auto rx and do Maxlife Synthetic 5w30

 

[blackdiamond]

I don't know what the disadvantage of running a High Mileage oils is other than price. In reality, does $5-10 really matter for an oil change in the grand scheme of things? If you change your own oil you will more than make up the savings. If the non-synthetic MaxLife is really a blend then it should be a fantastic oil that will serve you well. I ran 10w-40 in my Toyota 22RE and it seemed to run well. I am considering running MaxLife in a new engine as well.

 

[spOILEDrotten]

I drive 1500 miles a week. That said, synthetic keeps me from crawling up under my car every 3 or so weeks.

 

[RedDart]

I'll second what Bill In Utah said. I've had much lower mileage Fords (Probe & Taurus) that used a 1/2 quart every 3K, especially on long trips and there was never any visible smoke. If you want to spend more money to try a HM oil as an experiment that is fine. With 230K on the clock you have been obviously doing the right things.