Just to make sure, since I don't know much about Japanese vehicles, but I was wondering if I need to do anything out of the ordinary when switching to synthetic on a 2.5 Subaru Legacy. The motor runs great and has 60k on it. It has been running on mostly Pennzoil. I would like to switch without doing an Auto-Rx treatment. Anyone have any problems with my transition or does it seem reasonable.
Mobil 1 and Subaru Legacy
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You can switch without cleaning, but I wouldn't use Mobil 1 5w30 or 10w-30 in it. The EJ25 likes a 12+ cSt oil. I have used Amsoil for a couple of years with excellent results. I just put GC in our ~170k mile '99 EJ25 a couple of nights ago. Sounds sweet! A 10 cSt oil like Mobil 1 xw-30 made it sound like crap, even 100k miles ago.
Now where else on the 'net are you gonna find advice like that!
Long live BiTOG!
Hmm, I was going to try Mobil 1 10w30... By 12+ do you mean someting like 0W20 or a 40 weight?
By 12 Cst, he means the actual measured viscosity of the oil at 212 degrees F. most 10w-30 oils, such as Mobil 1, are at 10 Cst. 12 is on the very thick side of 30 weight oil, borderline 40 weight.
Ok, how about switching to Mobil 1 synthetic Ow40 or T and SUV 5w40? This car will be in northern IN. I was moving towards 5w40 due to the additive package and the fact it might clean better. Both pour about the same in the cold and its thicker than a 30 weight.
[ November 04, 2004, 12:34 AM: Message edited by: Annihilator ]
[ November 04, 2004, 12:34 AM: Message edited by: Annihilator ]
I have a 1999 Outback with the SOHC EJ25. I currently have a Castrol 5w30 12.2cSt oil in it. Seems to be working fine. Doug Hillary also has the same model Outback, he used M1 10w30 and found the engine to be "noisy" with it. He is using Delvac 1 5w40 and is very pleased with it. I think Sprintman has also had good results with Redline 5w30.
Incidentally, Subaru dealers here in Oz keeping telling customers that Subarus prefer lighter oils due to tight clearances.
Incidentally, Subaru dealers here in Oz keeping telling customers that Subarus prefer lighter oils due to tight clearances.
I think a 5w-40 is an excellent choice. I plan on running 0w-30 GC in the winter and 5w-40 Amsoil AFL in the summer in both the Subaru and my '01 XJ.
One more data point. I had always used Mobil 1 in my Subarus until I discovered oil analysis. I tried Motorcraft and Castrol GTX in my Imprezas (EJ18 and EJ25) and they seem to REALLY run smooth and quiet. Much better than with Mobil 1. Oil analysis indicates lower wear metals with non-synthetics. I also tried GC 0W-30 in my 2.5RS and it seemed to run a lot rougher and louder. Switching to Castrol GTX 10W-30 later made a really big difference. Smooth as butter and whisper quiet. I now use Castrol GTX in my Subarus. The EJ18 does seem to like 10W-40, especially in summer. It becomes noisier with 5w30. The EJ25 seems to be happiest with 10W-30.
70% M1 5w30 30% M1 15/50 (TEXAS BREW)
Simple Answer:
No.
Oil is oil so just switch. The good news is you are switching from "dirty" natural oil to clean synthetic. It's like switching from coffee in a can to espresso.
I recommend Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40. It's what the truckers use. I put this oil into a 200,000 mile leaky, overheating engine... the leaks stopped and the engine stayed cool.
Great stuff.
Sounds good, I think I'm going to try a 5W40 in my friends car. He really wants synthetic so I will probably recommend Mobil 1 snythetic 5w40. Thanks all!
I have no problem the the recommendations listed above, but do disagree with what farel said about "dirty" natural oil. The Pennzoil is made from a Group II+ base stock and there is nothing dirty about it. Crystal clear before the additive package is put in. Anyone making their base out of Group II, Group II+, or Group III is crystal clear. NO DIRT. I run Pennzoil 5W30 in my wifes 2004 Forster 2.5 without any problems doing 5,000 mile changes. Smooth and no noise.
My 2.5L Suby has not liked Mobil 1 5w30 or Drive Clean 5/30.
It has liked the Castrol StartUp 10/30 and GC very much.
This is SOTP, of course, though a very finely calibrated one
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Once I run out of GC, I will try T&S 5w40, I think. Or Delvac.
It has liked the Castrol StartUp 10/30 and GC very much.
This is SOTP, of course, though a very finely calibrated one
Once I run out of GC, I will try T&S 5w40, I think. Or Delvac.
My 2.5L Forester has run 77,000 trouble free miles on Mobil 1 10w30 here in Florida and I would not go any heaver. If I lived in the Midwest I would use Mobil 1 5w30. My oil/filter gets changed at 5,000 mile intervals. Ed
Hello, my MY02 Impreza 2.5 has had a steady diet of M1 5W30 here in Omaha since 2500 miles. No abnormal sounds like you hear from a boxer engine (piston slap) and it runs excellent and gets great gas mileage. Brian
That's the "Truck & SUV" version of Mobil 1. Isn't that the exact same mix as the Mobil Delvac 1?
Yep, I think you all have nailed it at around 12 cst or so without going overboard. Maybe for Chicago GC 0W-30 or M1 0W-40 would be fine all year.
Both are available here if he wants to switch from Pennzoil, which is excellent, imho, to a synthetic.
Ya, I think I will do a interval with T&S 5W40 first to clean it out some and then go into 0W40.
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