Oil Choice for new WRX!

[rg200amp]

It's time once again to make a choice on the oil I plan to use. Car is 2013 Subaru WRX 2.5L Turbo.

Subaru calls for synthetic 5w30. So that leaves the options PLENTIFUL!

Some owners on WRX forums use and stand by Rotella T6. While I know that is a great oil, I want to stick with Subaru's spec.

SoOoOoOoOoOoOo . . . . .

In my eyes; there are only two options.


A) Redline 5w30. I have used this oil in the past with my Lincoln and I know it is an exceptional lube.



or



B) Pennzoil Ultra 5w30. Again, I know this oil is very good, cheaper in price, and EASY to find.


The nut in me wants to use Redline.

The nut in me usually gets his way. .

What say you? Any recommendations to check out. I have not been keeping up on oils since the VW had it's own spec and Mobil 1 0w40 was the pick.

 

[HTSS_TR]

Pennzoil Ultra if it's easy to find at your Walmarts, almost no Walmart near my place has it, the closest ones have it is about 45 minutes drive. Other than WM, Pep Boys near my home has it.

 

[umungus1122]

PU, or PP are great bargains. Have you considered GC?

 

[Ibrahim]

What is your intended OCI? If you really wanna try something fancy, I say try Redline 0W-40!

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: Ibrahim
What is your intended OCI? If you really wanna try something fancy, I say try Redline 0W-40!


Oil change interval is going to be 4000 miles.

I want to stick with a 5w30. But Redline's 5w30 is hard to beat. . .

 

[randomhero439]

Sexy ride! How do you plan on driving it? Will it see autocross or a road course?

If you plan on driving it hard, i would say Pennzoil Ultra would NOT cut it. For mild driving with occasional boosting, sure PU all the way. Where is the fun in occasional boosting? lolz

Redline 5w30 would be my recommendation. Otherwise for hard Mobil 1 0w-40 would be the next choice. If it will see autocross then bump it to Redline 0w-40 or Rotella T6 5w-40.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: randomhero439
Sexy ride! How do you plan on driving it? Will it see autocross or a road course?

If you plan on driving it hard, i would say Pennzoil Ultra would NOT cut it. For mild driving with occasional boosting, sure PU all the way. Where is the fun in occasional boosting? lolz

Redline 5w30 would be my recommendation. Otherwise for hard Mobil 1 0w-40 would be the next choice. If it will see autocross then bump it to Redline 0w-40 or Rotella T6 5w-40.


Again, I want to stick with 5w30 since that is what Subaru calls for.

I do plan on having some fun track days, however I also do a bit of stop and go/traffic/start ups + shut downs.

So I need something that can handle it all.

Redline 5w30 is just the obvious choice it seems.

 

[randomhero439]

Yes i understand the 5w30 bit (even though Redline 5w30 is as thick as Mobil 1 0w-40). I agree with you on the Redline 5w30, i was simply listing other options.

 

[randomhero439]

To be perfectly honest. For track days i would use a conventional 20w-50 and a Purolator Classic. Change oil when you get to the track, and change it again before you leave. I dont think your WRX has a factory oil cooler like the STI does... am i correct?

This is what i do with my Accord, except i used 10w-40 (Car is specced for 5w-20)

I am a firm believer in choosing an oil grade based on driving conditions.

 

[KHP]

I'll vote for Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. My WRX loves this stuff and it's a very stout oil. I've got a good used oil analysis trend going on that I'm pretty confident that I can run this oil 7,500 miles and not lose sleep over it.

Checkout my used oil analysis History:
KHP's 2011 WRX used oil analysis

I've read that RedLine oils depletes TBN pretty quickly so it may not last as long as Pennzoil Ultra in this particular application. Redline should be able to do 4,000 OCI's easy. Either way both are great oils. Though I would go for Pennzoil Ultra for value and protection.

If you can wait another 2-3 weeks I should have another 7,500 mile used oil analysis coming up on Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. 4,000 mile OCI's should be a cake walk for Pennzoil Ultra.

Have fun with your new ride!

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: randomhero439
To be perfectly honest. For track days i would use a conventional 20w-50 and a Purolator Classic. Change oil when you get to the track, and change it again before you leave. I dont think your WRX has a factory oil cooler like the STI does... am i correct?

This is what i do with my Accord, except i used 10w-40 (Car is specced for 5w-20)

I am a firm believer in choosing an oil grade based on driving conditions.


I appreciate the comment. But I am not putting anything in the engine except 5w30.

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: KHP
I'll vote for Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. My WRX loves this stuff and it's a very stout oil. I've got a good used oil analysis trend going on that I'm pretty confident that I can run this oil 7,500 miles and not lose sleep over it.

Checkout my used oil analysis History:
KHP's 2011 WRX used oil analysis

I've read that RedLine oils depletes TBN pretty quickly so it may not last as long as Pennzoil Ultra in this particular application though it should be able to do 4,000 OCI's easy. Either way both are great oils. Though I would go for Pennzoil Ultra for value and protection.

If you can wait another 2-3 weeks I should have another 7,500 mile used oil analysis coming up on Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. 4,000 mile OCI's should be a cake walk for Pennzoil Ultra.

Have fun with your new ride!

Thanks!

Yea, the higher TBN and detergents in Ultra are what keep me considering it. I do a lot of start ups and shut downs during the day in between stop and go traffic. (Work)

So I want something that can handle that.

 

[KHP]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: KHP
I'll vote for Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. My WRX loves this stuff and it's a very stout oil. I've got a good used oil analysis trend going on that I'm pretty confident that I can run this oil 7,500 miles and not lose sleep over it.

Checkout my used oil analysis History:
KHP's 2011 WRX used oil analysis

I've read that RedLine oils depletes TBN pretty quickly so it may not last as long as Pennzoil Ultra in this particular application though it should be able to do 4,000 OCI's easy. Either way both are great oils. Though I would go for Pennzoil Ultra for value and protection.

If you can wait another 2-3 weeks I should have another 7,500 mile used oil analysis coming up on Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. 4,000 mile OCI's should be a cake walk for Pennzoil Ultra.

Have fun with your new ride!

Thanks!

Yea, the higher TBN and detergents in Ultra are what keep me considering it. I do a lot of start ups and shut downs during the day in between stop and go traffic. (Work)

So I want something that can handle that.


Also take into consideration Pennzoil Ultra's low NOACK number which is 6.6% for the GTL based SN formulation. It's a match made in heaven for our hot running turbo's.

Check out: PQIA Synthetic Shootout

 

[rg200amp]

Originally Posted By: KHP
Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: KHP
I'll vote for Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. My WRX loves this stuff and it's a very stout oil. I've got a good used oil analysis trend going on that I'm pretty confident that I can run this oil 7,500 miles and not lose sleep over it.

Checkout my used oil analysis History:
KHP's 2011 WRX used oil analysis

I've read that RedLine oils depletes TBN pretty quickly so it may not last as long as Pennzoil Ultra in this particular application though it should be able to do 4,000 OCI's easy. Either way both are great oils. Though I would go for Pennzoil Ultra for value and protection.

If you can wait another 2-3 weeks I should have another 7,500 mile used oil analysis coming up on Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. 4,000 mile OCI's should be a cake walk for Pennzoil Ultra.

Have fun with your new ride!

Thanks!

Yea, the higher TBN and detergents in Ultra are what keep me considering it. I do a lot of start ups and shut downs during the day in between stop and go traffic. (Work)

So I want something that can handle that.


Also take into consideration Pennzoil Ultra's low NOACK number which is 6.6% for the GTL based SN formulation. It's a match made in heaven for our hot running turbo's.

Check out: PQIA Synthetic Shootout


Hmmmm. . . .

It's looking good. . .

I think may go with Pennzoil Ultra.

 

[david_ES2]

Frequent start ups and stop & go traffic? Pennzoil Ultra 5W30 Clearly appears to be the logical choice,

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: KHP
Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: KHP
I'll vote for Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. My WRX loves this stuff and it's a very stout oil. I've got a good used oil analysis trend going on that I'm pretty confident that I can run this oil 7,500 miles and not lose sleep over it.

Checkout my used oil analysis History:
KHP's 2011 WRX used oil analysis

I've read that RedLine oils depletes TBN pretty quickly so it may not last as long as Pennzoil Ultra in this particular application though it should be able to do 4,000 OCI's easy. Either way both are great oils. Though I would go for Pennzoil Ultra for value and protection.

If you can wait another 2-3 weeks I should have another 7,500 mile used oil analysis coming up on Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 API-SN. 4,000 mile OCI's should be a cake walk for Pennzoil Ultra.

Have fun with your new ride!

Thanks!

Yea, the higher TBN and detergents in Ultra are what keep me considering it. I do a lot of start ups and shut downs during the day in between stop and go traffic. (Work)

So I want something that can handle that.


Also take into consideration Pennzoil Ultra's low NOACK number which is 6.6% for the GTL based SN formulation. It's a match made in heaven for our hot running turbo's.

Check out: PQIA Synthetic Shootout


Hmmmm. . . .

It's looking good. . .

I think may go with Pennzoil Ultra.

If you're concerned about warranty coverage, it's probably best to stick with Pennzoil Ultra since Red Line does not have API or ILSAC certification and SoA knows this. Although, I wouldn't hesitate to top off Pennzoil Ultra with some Rotella 5W-40 or Pennzoil Ultra 5W-40. Your owner's manual allows "5W-40 conventional" for replenishment and good luck finding that.

If you do have a problem from something that occurred at the track, SoA would likely claim it's abuse and not honor your warranty anyway.

If you can't find Pennzoil Ultra, and you're afraid to use a 40 grade, check out Amsoil XL 5w30. It has an HTHS of 3.3 which is probably one of the highest you'll find in a GF5 oil.

-Dennis

 

[KrisZ]

Originally Posted By: rg200amp
Originally Posted By: randomhero439
To be perfectly honest. For track days i would use a conventional 20w-50 and a Purolator Classic. Change oil when you get to the track, and change it again before you leave. I dont think your WRX has a factory oil cooler like the STI does... am i correct?

This is what i do with my Accord, except i used 10w-40 (Car is specced for 5w-20)

I am a firm believer in choosing an oil grade based on driving conditions.


I appreciate the comment. But I am not putting anything in the engine except 5w30.



I would re-consider your stance here. randomhero439 brings a very good point about track days and the need for something thicker. Unless you install a pressure gauge and/or oil temp gauge, you have no way of knowing that 5w30 is up to the task of protecting that engine, so thicker oil, just for the track event is a safe choice.
Your argument about the warranty is also weak because I'm pretty sure that any track use will void the warranty much quicker than using thicker grade oil.

 

[A_Harman]

For track days, Redline 5w30 would be fine.
For the street and autocross use, PU or Mobil 1 5w30 would be fine. The HTHS of both of these oils are a little low for my comfort for track day use. But if your car has an oil cooler, they would be fine.

 

[dparm]

Unless you are out on the track every weekend, any store-bought 5w30 syn would be fine.

 

[05LGTLtd]

GC, Pennzoil Ultra, PP are all good choices. Don't be afraid to run 10w30 Pennzoil Ultra / Pennzoil Platinum in the summer. I don't see the cost for redline or Amsoil when dumping 4k. If you get a good deal on Synpower or Napa synthetic I wouldn't pass it up either.

Take a look at the Data on the PQIA: http://www.pqiamerica.com/March2013PCMO/Marchsyntheticsallfinal.html

Check your manual and see if subaru says 40grade is OK for summer. T6 and Mobil 1 0w40 have a lot of following for a reason. Search HT/HS and turbo Subaru and decide if 5w30 is really where you want to be. I've been running Pennzoil Ultra 10w30 year round, just south of you btw. I'm going to run GC or 0/5w-40 after this OCI. Of course I've got 90k on my legacy. I ran Castrol GTX 5w30 for the first 45k, and never burned a drop or had problems.