Here are the results of my first oil change on my 2005 Subaru WRX STi, performed at 4,971 miles with a total of 2,503 miles on the Mobil Drive Clean 5w-30 (newest ILSAC GF-4 variety) oil.
After reading Tim's post on the same oil shearing out of grade here:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009004
I started second-guessing my decision to run this oil in my STi. However, I ran the oil for the full 2,500 I had originally intended and then sent it off to Blackstone for analysis. Here are the results:
http://www.sju.edu/~ahedin/oil_analysis/2005-02-05_Oil_Analysis.gif
I did decide to switch oils at my last oil change, I went with Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5w-30 (SM/GF-4). I'll run this oil for 2,500 and send off a sample to Blackstone for analysis. Differences I've noticed between the MC 5w-30 and the DC 5w-30 are:
- The MC 5w-30 feels "thicker" to me in the engine, resulting in a slightly sluggish feeling in the engine when compared to the DC.
- The MC quieted the engine down a notch, especially during cold starts (temps below 20 degrees F).
At some point in the future (probably around the 10,000 mile mark) I'm going to be switching over to German Castrol 0w-30 and will likely stretch the OCI out to 5,000 miles.
Any and all comments are appreciated!
After reading Tim's post on the same oil shearing out of grade here:
http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=009004
I started second-guessing my decision to run this oil in my STi. However, I ran the oil for the full 2,500 I had originally intended and then sent it off to Blackstone for analysis. Here are the results:
Here's a GIF image version of the report:code:
UNIT NUMBER: 05 STI
REPORT DATE: 2/14/05
NAME: AndyH
LAB NUMBER: C37687
EQUIPMENT MAKE: Subaru
EQUIPMENT MODEL: 2.5L Turbo
FUEL TYPE: Gasoline (Unleaded)
OIL USE INTERVAL: 2,503 Miles
OIL TYPE & GRADE: Mobil Drive Clean 5W/30 (SM)
MAKE-UP OIL ADDED: 0 qts
COMMENTS: Copper and silicon read on the high side in the initial sample from
your Subaru. This engine is still fairly new at 4971 total miles, so we are
going to blame these findings on lingering wear-in at brass and bronze parts,
and they should improve next sample. All other wear looks great. The universal
averages column shows typical wear from this type of engine after 3700 miles
on the oil. The viscosity was normal and no fuel dilution or anti-freeze was
present. Check back next oil change for another look at copper and silicon.
They should drop.
MI/HR on Oil: 2,503 Universal
MI/HR on Unit: 4,971 Averages
Sample Date: 02/05/05
Aluminum: 3 4
Chromium: 1 1
Iron: 11 9
Copper: 23 8
Lead: 2 3
Tin: 0 1
Molybdenum: 179 50
Nickel: 0 0
Manganese: 0 1
Silver: 0 0
Titanium: 0 0
Potassium: 0 1
Boron: 41 56
Silicon: 17 13
Sodium: 192 17
Calcium: 1034 2450
Magnesium: 16 73
Phosphorus: 435 749
Zinc: 604 874
Barium: 3 0
SUS Viscosity @ 210 Degrees F: 54.2 (values should be 54 - 61)
Flashpoint in Degrees F: 400 (value should be >365)
Fuel:
Antifreeze: 0.0% (value should be 0%)
Water: 0.0% (value should be
Insolubles: 0.3% (value should be pre>
http://www.sju.edu/~ahedin/oil_analysis/2005-02-05_Oil_Analysis.gif
I did decide to switch oils at my last oil change, I went with Motorcraft Synthetic Blend 5w-30 (SM/GF-4). I'll run this oil for 2,500 and send off a sample to Blackstone for analysis. Differences I've noticed between the MC 5w-30 and the DC 5w-30 are:
- The MC 5w-30 feels "thicker" to me in the engine, resulting in a slightly sluggish feeling in the engine when compared to the DC.
- The MC quieted the engine down a notch, especially during cold starts (temps below 20 degrees F).
At some point in the future (probably around the 10,000 mile mark) I'm going to be switching over to German Castrol 0w-30 and will likely stretch the OCI out to 5,000 miles.
Any and all comments are appreciated!