In 5 months (late Sept-Oct) I’ll be taking my 10,000 miles on the clock 2024 Subaru Outback Turbo on a 3,000 mile road trip thru the Southwest (CA, NV, NM,UT). The oil the dealer puts in is the stock Subaru 0-20 oil and id like to know if that oil is up to the demands that will be put on the engine? There will be numerous mountain passes during the trip with 6% grades common. Oil shear is a big concern for me - or am I overthinking here?
Oil for a road trip with numerous mountain passes?
- Thread starter vregan
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Patman
Staff member
I think that ESP 5w30 or 0w30 would be a good choice for this trip, it will give you the extra HTHS for the extra stress your engine will see
I live in mountainous terrain and use a 30 grade in my Outback. Oil temps reach upper 230’s regularly.
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Mobil 1 Truck & SUV 0w20. I did all those mountain passes with 0w16. You are overthinking.
the Subaru factory engine oil is made by Idemitsu and is a good oil, just have it done before your trip, Valvoline EP Pennzoil Ultra are also fine oils to use at that mileage or ask the dealer lead mechanic about a 5w-30 oil if concerned, no reason to use Mobil ESP in your case. Just stay up on your oci. and filter.
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If you still insist that you want the peace of mine, get the good old Red Line 0w-20. Your Subie is not gonna shear that.
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I drive on the Snoqualmie Pass twice a day, 6 days a week with 0w16 lol.
If I knew I was going to be pounding on my car hard like described, I'd bump up a grade to 0/5W-30 for sure.
I’m sure 0w20 can handle that road trip just fine. If it was me, I would use Xw30
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Get an OBD2 reader from Autozone, get the cheap one. Plug it in when you're driving on those mountain passes. I assure you you're not going to see very high temperatures. Your cooling system will get plenty of cool air. Things would be different if you drove your Subaru on a rough mountain trail at slow speed. Then I would worry, and I would also worry about your CVT lol.
Lol idk about 0w20 or 0W16....jk jk
but with any other oil he is definitely overthinking it.Personally I dont believe in anything less than 30 Weight but...any oil can handle this trip.
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This is the futureLol idk about 0w20 or 0W16....jk jk
Personally I dont believe in anything less than 30 Weight but...any oil can handle this trip.
The devil is a lie lol. That's horrible. Why not crisco with a detergent add pack lol.
I think I'm done buying new vehicles.
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What if I told you in a few years some Uber driver will rack up 400k miles on his Camry running 0w-8? It will happen.
Oh I dont doubt it one bit. I think toyota already has a engine or two on this diet.
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But the days of neglect are gone. You cannot neglect these modern fuel efficient vehicles. They are not your 1992 Hilux. You need to be on top of your game if you want these to rack up big miles. Even Car Care Nut agrees, Toyotas cannot be neglected anymore. Short trip these things on 0w-8 in winter upto 10,000 miles, and you will kill it in no time. Imagine carrying around 5% fuel in the oil pan and your deal changes the oil every 10k. At 5k they rotate your tires, sell you a cabin air filter and send you home
edyvw
$50 site donor 2025
So, what do you think people use in Subarus in Colorado?
It is about the cooling system to keep oil temperature in check, not oil itself. You have a 2024 vehicle, don't worry. If it were 2004, that is where altitude could be detrimental. Old parts, high internal pressure, low external pressure, and something usually gives up.
On that note, I would run Mobil1 ESP 0W30 or 5W30 regardless of trip.
Japanese HKS recommends (has in it's offer) 10W40 for Subaru long stroke boxer.. As they said, and you can search for it, it is silencing rings vs cilinder walls sound on startup. Difference in fuel consumption is negligible between 5w30 and 10w40 in my experience..
I would think that reports like Glenda's here would disabuse people of this popular recommendation for Subarus, but alas, this advice persists.
Another oil burner Subaru on M1 EP from day 1
OP, I would heed the advice here and use a xW-30 and make strong consideration for M1 ESP 0W-30.
Do I hear 0W-4? jk
