New to turbos...Outback XT advice?

[BrotherShoe]

Greetings! My wife is the new owner of a 2009 Subaru Outback XT Limited. This is our first turbo (and first Subaru) engine and we're trying to discern the best practices for getting the most out of her car. We bought the car certified used from a Subaru dealer and it is in excellent condition w/ 41k miles.

My dad is a trucker and I've learned from him the importance of careful maintenance, esp. with a turbo. I suppose my first question is "What type of oil?" I read that some OBXT owners use Rotella. (Years ago, my brother and I had a lawn care business. We used 15w40 Rotella in our 4-cycle mowers because we got tired of the machines tearing up GTX.)

Aside from oil, what do we need to be aware of (filter brands/types?) to best protect our engine?

Thanks!
Chris "BrotherShoe"

BTW, I drive a 2000 Ford SVT Contour w/ 230k miles. I only use Mobil 1 5w-20 with Motorcraft, Purolator PureONE, Mobil 1, or (rarely) K&N oil filters.

 

[tommygunn]

Throw WIX filters onto the list of filters you already use and you pretty much got a perfect list of rather good filters to stick with. I know Subaru's tend to like thicker oils and with a good oil you can't go wrong, and Rotella is a fantastic oil, especially the 5W-40 synthetics.

Just maintain it according to the manual and you should have a great time with it.

 

[MrWideTires]

turbo subarus love to destroy oil, so get used to spending good coin on synthetics and changing them often.

Mobil 1 0w40, GC, or Rotella 5W40 are all good, I would not exceed 5000 miles between changes (and that is if you are easy on the car). This coming from someone that has owned several turbo subarus.

 

[bigjl]

Turbo Subaria are specced for an energy conserving 5w30 oil in the UK.

With a 10k mile or 1yr interval.

I think your one has the 2.5 engine.

Better torque than the 2.0

As you are in the US why not consider Amsoil 5w30 (ASL i think) has the appropriate A5/B5 certification and is fully synthetic.

I wouldn't run anything as thick as a 0w40 myself but Mobil 1 is a very good oil also.

I would also stick with Subaru filters. Blue not the older black.ones.

But I seem.to remember from my Subaru days that you could buy Zero Sports filters.online from Japan and also uprated STi branded filters.

I believe the STi ones where STi pink from.memory.

Most important thing with these engines with a turbo is to warm them.up before giving it the beans.

And even more importantly letting the engine tickover at journey end. To allow the turbo to be cooled and reduce risk of "cooking" the oil in a hot turbo by turning as soon as you stop.

You may want to invest in a Turbo Timer.

The London Air Ambulance(HEMS) had WRX's then Forester Turbos a few years ago for rapid response duties when the helicopter was grounded.

They followed the normal Subaru schedule of 10k mile changes under severe service conditions and had no mechanical failures.

They did specify Full Synthetic oils though.

Thanls to budget cuts they now drive Skoda VRS hatchbacks.....with diesel engines!

Subarus were.used in London for almost.a decade with no mechanical.failures apart from a couple of clutches.

One 52 plate(2002) STi, only one STi rest were WRXs, is still use by the head consultant on HEMS.

When given back to Subaru most of the WRXs had well over 80k on them. They were between three and four years old at the time.

A very reliable car is treated correctly, warm it up and cool it down.

Stick to a quality 5w30 FullSynth A5/B5.

No more to it IMOH.

 

[Eddie]

The manual is a good sourse of info. I think an excellent turbo oil is the Pennzoil 5w30 with the Honda/Acura turbo approval. Not positive but, I think the OCI is 3,750 miles but, not sure. OEM filters are good ones and have the correct bypass pressure setting requirments that most aftermarket filters don't. Ed

 

[artificialist]

Be sure to visit the Transmission, Gear oil, and Brake fluid section, because it is important to change the gear oil in an AWD car.

Also, replace the timing belt when the manual tells you to.

 

[joaks]

Rotella and amsoil sig series are both very popular. Can't go wrong with either. The Amsoil might be a little more popular.

 

[SubLGT]

If your 2009 is still using the mesh screen in the turbo oil supply line, you should check it for obstructions.

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: MrWideTires
turbo subarus love to destroy oil, so get used to spending good coin on synthetics and changing them often.

Mobil 1 0w40, GC, or Rotella 5W40 are all good, I would not exceed 5000 miles between changes (and that is if you are easy on the car). This coming from someone that has owned several turbo subarus.

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
If your 2009 is still using the mesh screen in the turbo oil supply line, you should check it for obstructions.


+1!!! (says the guy that has blown a turbo due to oil screen blockage)

Stick with any non Resource Conserving oil (Rotella T6, Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 0w40 or Mobil 1 High Mileage) or German Castrol) and don't go beyond 6k miles even if a used oil analysis tells you that you can.

For the filter, order OEM filters in bulk on-line or use a Wix 57712 since it has the same bypass pressure as OEM (23 psi's).
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2506579&page=all

-Dennis

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: bigjl
Turbo Subaria are specced for an energy conserving 5w30 oil in the UK.

With a 10k mile or 1yr interval.

I think your one has the 2.5 engine.

Better torque than the 2.0

As you are in the US why not consider Amsoil 5w30 (ASL i think) has the appropriate A5/B5 certification and is fully synthetic.

I wouldn't run anything as thick as a 0w40 myself but Mobil 1 is a very good oil also.


The OP's owner's manual allows 5W-40.

-Dennis

 

[squareznboxez]

Shell Rotella T6 from what i've seen is the oil of choice for turbocharged 2.0L and 2.5L EJ motors

made my own thread about Mobil Delvac 1 5w-40 (very similar to Rotella T6 just with a group IV PAO base stock)

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2721537&page=1

Delvac 1 5w-40 (Group IV PAO base) & Shell Rotella T6 5w-40 (Group III semi-synthetic) seem to the oil of choice for those looking to go with a diesel oil

been nerding out on oils lately and it seems Shell's Rotella T6 has been getting outstanding UOA results for Subaru motors;

08 WRX STI

http://www.iwsti.com/forums/2-5-liter-litre-factory-motor/199888-uoa-7626-miles-rotella-t6.html

07 WRX STI

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubb...;gonew=1#UNREAD

03 WRX

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2147196

02 WRX motor in a 99 RS

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1933342&page=1

03 WRX

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2147196

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1980964

08 WRX STI

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1992976

11 WRX

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2652600

07 WRX STI - moved from a 5w30 > 5w-40

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=2078804

https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=1937230

again apologies for the nerd out but i thought to post these up for any1 thinking twice of running quality diesel lubricants like Delvac 1 / Rotella T6 in EJ motors

hope it helps

dan

 

[Thermo1223]

I never personally liked Rotella, the engine was sluggish and not as eager to rev freely.

I had excellent results with Mobil 0w30 and Pennzoil Platinum 5w30. I did also use GC 0w30 but never got a used oil analysis for it.

A turbo timer is not necessary and hasn't been for some time. The turbo is oil & coolant cooled. As long you are not shutting the engine off seconds after leaving the highway or any high load situation you will be fine. A nice leisurely residential drive is all the cooldown it needs. Sitting at stoplights as well will work. If for some reason you need to shutdown after such a situation then 1-2 mins is all you need.

The main thing is you must use a synthetic oil and no more than 5000 miles usually between changes.