I just purchased a Subaru Forester XT turbo. this is basically the same engine as used in the current WRX. The recommended oci is 3750 or 3.75 months to maintain warranty. The car will see a fair amount of California desert as well as occasional mountain pass climbing plus a lot of freeway and short trip stuff. I was thinking of Castrol GTX 5-30 for the price per gallon at Walmart and also because the change interval is so short. I don't really know whether the Subie turbo is hard on oil or not, the oil almost clear with the factory fill at 2500 miles. I would like to go synthetic but I am thinking with the short intervals it could be overkill. Any suggestions for my kind of service would be appreciated. I am a retired guy and won't be doing much drag racing.
Oil for a Subaru Turbo
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About the only thing your engine has in common with the WRX is it has a turbo and a flat 4. WRX is putting out a lot more ponies.
I hate Subarus OCI recommendation. I personally would not run a conventional oil in a turbo application, but that's just my opinion. You can get some good deals on many different synthetics at Wal-Mart or other places when they are on sale.
Enjoy the Subaru.
Subaru just lowered the OCI's on their turbo cars this year. To me that says something.
I am a fan of synthetics even with normally aspirated cars. If it was me I'd run a quality synthetic (they come up on sale all the time) and leave it at that. For the few dollars difference a oil change to me it is a clear choice. Every extra bit of protection particularly with a turbo is IMO worth it.
BTW Johnny the engine is the same as the WRX. The STI is the Subaru horsepower king
I am a fan of synthetics even with normally aspirated cars. If it was me I'd run a quality synthetic (they come up on sale all the time) and leave it at that. For the few dollars difference a oil change to me it is a clear choice. Every extra bit of protection particularly with a turbo is IMO worth it.
BTW Johnny the engine is the same as the WRX. The STI is the Subaru horsepower king
Originally Posted By: tenderloin
Subaru just lowered the OCI's on their turbo cars this year. To me that says something.
I am a fan of synthetics even with normally aspirated cars. If it was me I'd run a quality synthetic (they come up on sale all the time) and leave it at that. For the few dollars difference a oil change to me it is a clear choice. Every extra bit of protection particularly with a turbo is IMO worth it.
BTW Johnny the engine is the same as the WRX. The STI is the Subaru horsepower king
You are absolutely correct, my mistake. I've watched to many rallies. Everytime I hear WRX my old mind is thinking STI. The pretty little blue monsters.
Subaru just lowered the OCI's on their turbo cars this year. To me that says something.
I am a fan of synthetics even with normally aspirated cars. If it was me I'd run a quality synthetic (they come up on sale all the time) and leave it at that. For the few dollars difference a oil change to me it is a clear choice. Every extra bit of protection particularly with a turbo is IMO worth it.
BTW Johnny the engine is the same as the WRX. The STI is the Subaru horsepower king
You are absolutely correct, my mistake. I've watched to many rallies. Everytime I hear WRX my old mind is thinking STI. The pretty little blue monsters.
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Synthetic. Do it, I think it is a must in this application.
Johnny
A bit of Subie info...In 2009 Subaru is dropping the WRX name from automatic turbo Impreza's. The auto versions will keep the same HP as the 2008 model but will be called the Impreza GT. Subaru is bumping the HP of the WRX (all manual) next year by 40 without much is any change in price. Should be a screamer for the dollars.
A bit of Subie info...In 2009 Subaru is dropping the WRX name from automatic turbo Impreza's. The auto versions will keep the same HP as the 2008 model but will be called the Impreza GT. Subaru is bumping the HP of the WRX (all manual) next year by 40 without much is any change in price. Should be a screamer for the dollars.
If anyone has never driven an STI, you owe it to yourself to go test drive one. I just don't see how you could have more fun in a production car.
I have had great oil analysis results with Redline 10w-40 in the wife's WRX. As mentioned above I wouldn't even consider dino oil for your car. Not only is the synthetic better for the turbo application, the cost difference is negligible. My local Wal-Mart sells the 5-quart conventional Penzoil for $15, while Penzoil Platinum is only $19. No brainer.
Originally Posted By: Johnny
If anyone has never driven an STI, you owe it to yourself to go test drive one. I just don't see how you could have more fun in a production car.
I'd highly recommend the pre-2008 model though, it's much better in my opinion and also some other people's opinions from those that have driven both.
If anyone has never driven an STI, you owe it to yourself to go test drive one. I just don't see how you could have more fun in a production car.
I'd highly recommend the pre-2008 model though, it's much better in my opinion and also some other people's opinions from those that have driven both.
I'm saving for an '09 WRX myself, my non-turbo Impreza was one of the greatest cars I have ever owned. Love the brand, and love the crazy owners 
Escort, not so much.
Escort, not so much.Normally, I'd think a good dino would do just fine here...but the XT series Subaru's seem to be harder on oil that you'd think, so synthetic might be the way to go.
Considering the prices one can find Pennzoil Platinum at with the mail in rebates [.99-2.99 per quart typically] I'd say that would be your best bang for the buck.
Valvoline Synpower also has some really good sales from time to time.
Considering the prices one can find Pennzoil Platinum at with the mail in rebates [.99-2.99 per quart typically] I'd say that would be your best bang for the buck.
Valvoline Synpower also has some really good sales from time to time.
Originally Posted By: Johnny
to BITOG from one retired guy to another.
About the only thing your engine has in common with the WRX is it has a turbo and a flat 4. WRX is putting out a lot more ponies.
I hate Subarus OCI recommendation. I personally would not run a conventional oil in a turbo application, but that's just my opinion. You can get some good deals on many different synthetics at Wal-Mart or other places when they are on sale.
Enjoy the Subaru.
Thanks Johnny for the welcome ffrom one retiree to another. As far as the WRX engine is concerned, it is the same as the Forester. They are both rated at 224 HP. Here it is;
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=FORESTER&trim=25XTLIMITED&command=overview
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZAWRX&trim=4DOOR&command=overview
Same engine, the new Forester 0-60 time is right around 6 seconds. Surprising I know!
Gene
About the only thing your engine has in common with the WRX is it has a turbo and a flat 4. WRX is putting out a lot more ponies.
I hate Subarus OCI recommendation. I personally would not run a conventional oil in a turbo application, but that's just my opinion. You can get some good deals on many different synthetics at Wal-Mart or other places when they are on sale.
Enjoy the Subaru.
Thanks Johnny for the welcome ffrom one retiree to another. As far as the WRX engine is concerned, it is the same as the Forester. They are both rated at 224 HP. Here it is;
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=FORESTER&trim=25XTLIMITED&command=overview
http://www.subaru.com/shop/overview.jsp?model=IMPREZAWRX&trim=4DOOR&command=overview
Same engine, the new Forester 0-60 time is right around 6 seconds. Surprising I know!
Gene
Ok, the majority of you guys say synthetic, synthetic it will be. Is it for sure my engine is hard on oil, some of you had said it is. My factory fill oil is almost clear at 2500 but most of it was on the road. I guess this would be normal with road miles. Thanks for all the opinions. Anybody have any recommendations for oil filters?
Gene
Gene
Originally Posted By: ThirdeYe
Originally Posted By: Johnny
If anyone has never driven an STI, you owe it to yourself to go test drive one. I just don't see how you could have more fun in a production car.
I'd highly recommend the pre-2008 model though, it's much better in my opinion and also some other people's opinions from those that have driven both.
Is it the '07 or '08 STIs that are having the problems with broken ring lands?
Originally Posted By: Johnny
If anyone has never driven an STI, you owe it to yourself to go test drive one. I just don't see how you could have more fun in a production car.
I'd highly recommend the pre-2008 model though, it's much better in my opinion and also some other people's opinions from those that have driven both.
Is it the '07 or '08 STIs that are having the problems with broken ring lands?
Turbos should use a full synthetic oil because of the increased heat.
There are some REALLY hot local spots, and the average oil temp is higher.
There are some REALLY hot local spots, and the average oil temp is higher.
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