Confused about New Subaru Outback oil filters..part number / numbers

[ammolab]

New to a 2024 Outback Onyx XT. I can’t determine for sure the proper factory oil filter.
The car has a 15208AA22A filter on it, but some online Subaru sites have that part with a 20AA suffix, or an 160 suffix. Are these both proper? Is the suffix an update? Different manufacturers?

I know about the pressure relief valve controversy and what other makers filters fit, but I want OEM for my first change. Thanks and I’ll be back with more questions!

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Interesting I thought the -20A was on everything minus the BRZ that gets the -170 motorsport spec filter .

You have an American made car, assuming engine was crated with filter from Japan. May have a Tokyo Roki Japan filter not available in the U.S. as a part.

Confirming is this application the 2.4 Turbo in your Onyx?

I prefer the Wix 57055XP on Subaru for aftermarket.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

The 20A is correct.

The 160 is also correct but only available overseas, although they do put them on the vehicles from the factory, or at least the Japanese ones.

 

[ammolab]

Yes, the XT Indicates the 2.4 Liter turbo engine. Engine from Japan
The 22A on my car is Tokyo Roki as are the 160s I have seen for sale. The 20As I see are Indonesian.

So then are any of the 15208AA filters I should avoid? Like the 15208AA15 American made filters I see at Walmart?

I do see the Wix at Rock Auto with a spec pressure relief valve.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

Yes, the XT Indicates the 2.4 Liter turbo engine. Engine from Japan
The 22A on my car is Tokyo Roki as are the 160s I have seen for sale. The 20As I see are Indonesian.

So then are any of the 15208AA filters I should avoid? Like the 15208AA15 American made filters I see at Walmart?

They will all work.

There are two Subaru sizes, tall and short. They're about 1/2" difference in length, but they all screw on the same.

The 12A (short) or 15A (tall) was what Subaru of USA was using for several years. For some reason about 1.5 years ago, they stopped selling them, stating there was some type of production shortage... However as you noted those started showing up at WalMart afterwards, for whatever reason. Subaru replaced those with another plain blue "emergency" filter with no markings, which was simply an unlabeled AC Delco PF2057. They used these for about a year. Then about six months ago, they came out with the Indonesian filters. These are the new permanent USA filters.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

Get the Full 2-OSB007

 

[EastKYMike]

Would a K&N HP 1008 be a good choice for my 2025 Onyx OB with the 2.5 non turbo engine?

 

[Glenda W.]

Off a 2024 Crosstrek.

 

[Glenda W.]

Those who want the made in Japan Tokyo Roki are buying the Mazda equivalent. Here is a informative thread about it.

D

Thread 'Subaru 15208AA160 and Mazda N3R1-14-302 cut open and compared'

Apr 9, 2022

Most of you will probably already be aware that the Tokyo Roki 15208AA160 "black" filter that comes on Japan-built Subarus is not available in the USA. US Subaru dealers replace it with 15208AA15A "blue", made by Fram, at the first oil change. It's widely understood that the Roki filter is superior. Subaru fans have been buying Mazda N3R1-14-302 Tokyo Roki filters, intended for the RX-8, in the belief that they are the same filter as the Subaru 15208AA160. But are they? I decided to find out.

Here we have a disassembled Subaru black next to a disassembled Mazda filter.

I...

• dwasifar
• Replies: 48
• Forum: Engine Oil Filters

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[EastKYMike]

As a novice weekend guy, who just joined the site today, I can't see any difference. Just want a quality replacement filter for my new Outback. I can buy K&N and CarQuest locally. I only run Amsoil in my vehicles, so I think with good oil and 5K intervals most off the shelf filters should be okay, Ironically Amsoil doesn't offer a filter for my car on their website. I've always liked their EaK filters.

 

[jim302]

New to a 2024 Outback Onyx XT. I can’t determine for sure the proper factory oil filter.
The car has a 15208AA22A filter on it, but some online Subaru sites have that part with a 20AA suffix, or an 160 suffix. Are these both proper? Is the suffix an update? Different manufacturers?

I know about the pressure relief valve controversy and what other makers filters fit, but I want OEM for my first change. Thanks and I’ll be back with more questions!

All of those are fine. The current part at most dealer parts counters is 15208AA21A which is made in Indonesia, sourced through Tokyo Roki.

22A (made in Japan) seems to be for current production engines.

160 (Japan) and 20A (Indonesia) suffixes are older part numbers which have been superseded.

 

[Glenda W.]

As a novice weekend guy, who just joined the site today, I can't see any difference. Just want a quality replacement filter for my new Outback. I can buy K&N and CarQuest locally. I only run Amsoil in my vehicles, so I think with good oil and 5K intervals most off the shelf filters should be okay, Ironically Amsoil doesn't offer a filter for my car on their website. I've always liked their EaK filters.

Welcome!!

I’d recommend the Carquest Premium. Excellent quality with the correct bypass.

 

[EastKYMike]

Local Advance auto had a Subaru Indonesia filter 20A. it was a little expensive at $16 but I bought it anyway, my first 2 oil changes are free at the subaru dealership, 5K & 10K miles, but I think I will do one at 1000 miles to get the break in oil out, and then get my 5k mile oil change at dealer since its free.

 

[4WD]

Local Advance auto had a Subaru Indonesia filter 20A. it was a little expensive at $16 but I bought it anyway, my first 2 oil changes are free at the subaru dealership, 5K & 10K miles, but I think I will do one at 1000 miles to get the break in oil out, and then get my 5k mile oil change at dealer since its free.

Math and science is still taught well in Indonesia …

 

[Pelican]

This may not be applicable to this, but my 2001 outback had 2 types of filters, one smaller
than the other and when I asked the dealer he told me that the reason was Engine Bay room,
one was for when there wasn't enough clearance. I hope the manual reflected that, not that the
difference was that big.

 

[EastKYMike]

just out of curiosity, would a 15208AA100 work on the 2.5 engine? its quite a bit shorter in lenght than the 20A or 22A filters.

I have 3 of them, if they are not applicable or recommended then Ill just offer them up to someone here for free.

 

[Jimmy_Russells]

just out of curiosity, would a 15208AA100 work on the 2.5 engine? its quite a bit shorter in lenght than the 20A or 22A filters.

I have 3 of them, if they are not applicable or recommended then Ill just offer them up to someone here for free.

Yes they will work, they're just shorter.

 

[EastKYMike]

one more dumb question and Ill quit, in regards to the shorter filters, are they okay with a 5K mile interval? or would it be a stupid idea to change the (short filter) only at 2500 miles with a new filter. Or am I just overthinking this whole tall vs short filter thing and just use one and not think twice about it.