The Subaru dealership near me is running a deal for a full synthetic oil change for $29.99. When I called to make an appointment for my low mileage (46k) 2003 Legacy, the advisor told me that because of its age, they would only recommend conventional oil because synthetic would cause the seals and gaskets to leak. Is that valid advice? The car has never had synthetic oil. It’s either only had conventional and maybe synthetic blend. The car belonged to my Dad and he had all the oil changes at the dealership.
Dealer service said synthetic oil will cause my 2003 Subaru to leak.
- Thread starter lokijoker
- Start date
It's an old wives tale. If it is leaking it might make it worse if it does some cleaning, but with that low a mileage I'm guessing you haven't got much build up. I'd take advantage of the deal, IMO.
Just my $0.02
Just my $0.02
THIS ^^
Had an early 2000s Saturn with free dealer oil changes up to 60K miles. Switched to synthetic when I started changing the oil myself and it started leaking. Could just be a coincidence but that is my experience so there may be some validity to the dealerships claim.
Better leaking than burning.
Given enough time Dino Juice will also cause your engine to leak.
Ive had it happen. Stick to what youve been using.
If it ain't broke; Don't "fix" it. Use what the dealer told you to use. It's been workin', fine, for 21 years, ain't it?
You have to take off the valve cover gaskets to get to the head gaskets anyway 
Do they still sell dino?
I had an old truck that burned oil with syn-blend or maybe the kind of oil that dealer used ... Paper work showed a 5W-30 syn-blend but no brand was listed. When I changed oil myself, I used Chevron Supreme 10W-30 dino and didn't burn any.
Maybe it had to do with the brand, Noack, the spread (5W vs. 10W) which contributes to Noack, dino vs. syn-blend base oil, formulation and ad packs, etc. Who knows but is was consistent. I was busy and every time I took the car to the dealer, it would burn oil.
If I want to graduate a car or introduce an old engine from dino or syn-blend to full synthetic, I would use and highly recommend M1 EP 10W-30.
I had an old truck that burned oil with syn-blend or maybe the kind of oil that dealer used ... Paper work showed a 5W-30 syn-blend but no brand was listed. When I changed oil myself, I used Chevron Supreme 10W-30 dino and didn't burn any.
Maybe it had to do with the brand, Noack, the spread (5W vs. 10W) which contributes to Noack, dino vs. syn-blend base oil, formulation and ad packs, etc. Who knows but is was consistent. I was busy and every time I took the car to the dealer, it would burn oil.
If I want to graduate a car or introduce an old engine from dino or syn-blend to full synthetic, I would use and highly recommend M1 EP 10W-30.
Your post reminds me of a joke I think I may remember, there are 2 penguins, and 1 of them wants to go get some ice cream, and when the 1 penguin comes out, he has ice cream dripping from his face, and the other penguin says, hey, did you blow a Seal.
No more joking, LOL, but for $29.99 you are not getting a so called Full Synthetic oil, this place is not selling Mobil 1 ESP or Mobil 1 FS for $29.99
Do they still have real synthetic these days? or are they all sort of a "blend" now?
That is one of those cheap oil deals where they upsell you on the 17 other things they find wrong with your low mileage 21 year old leaky boxer.
Their advice is terrible too and they are wrong, so that is enough reason to not give them your hard earned cash.
PartyBear, your post is something I cannot answer, but I will say this is the best post in the year 2024.
I cannot wait 4 the Responses. LOL
Last real synthetic I bought at Wally had Tri Syn on the label sometime in the late nineties. Man that stuff was good.
Dealers have good deals sometimes. I used to get a lot of $19.99 to $25.99 oil change coupons from them matching local quick lube prices!
They also use a better OEM oil filter. When I was real busy and dealer took too long, I would take my own filter to quick lube places and they give me a $1 off for bringing my own filter. lol
I didn't trust their oil filter but you know oil is oil.
They also use a better OEM oil filter. When I was real busy and dealer took too long, I would take my own filter to quick lube places and they give me a $1 off for bringing my own filter. lol
I didn't trust their oil filter but you know oil is oil.
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