Oil for new Subaru WRX

[soloz]

Hello, I'm trying to decide what oil and interval I should use for my new 14 WRX. Subaru has switched from a 3750 to 7500 OCI, but even on my previous 06 NA Legacy I never went over 5k on synthetic, so I'll probably stick to about 3-4k.
Most of my driving is short trips around town, but every couple weeks it'll get a longer 30+ minute run at 60+mph. I will push it and Rev the engine a bit so I've always used the severe maintenance schedule for all my cars.

I was looking at Pennzoil Ultra 5w30, but I've heard good things about Brad Penn and Amsoil in turbo Subies. I'm wondering if anyone here has some advice for me.

 

[Nick1994]

Brace yourself - it's a turbocharged engine, there's gonna be a lot of suggestions for Mobil 1 0w40...

 

[Hollow]

For an OCI that brief, I'd go with Rotella T6 5w40.

But any SN rated synthetic should be able to handle the severe service interval.

 

[Rand]

if you short trip it you should stick to the 3.75month/3750 mile interval anyway.

Thats still the old school "regular/conventionally" turbo'ed 2.5

Rotella 5w40 is extremely popular with that engine.

 

[SilverGGA]

Originally Posted By: soloz
... new 14 WRX ... so I'll probably stick to about 3-4k.
Most of my driving is short trips around town...


Follow the owner's manual's break in instructions and do the first oil change at 7.5k miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first. If you don't drive enough, try to drive more so it reaches 7.5k miles before 7.5 months.

Use Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 every 3,750 or 3.75 months, whichever comes first.

 

[gathermewool]

Originally Posted By: SilverGGA
Originally Posted By: soloz
... new 14 WRX ... so I'll probably stick to about 3-4k.
Most of my driving is short trips around town...


Follow the owner's manual's break in instructions and do the first oil change at 7.5k miles or 7.5 months, whichever comes first. If you don't drive enough, try to drive more so it reaches 7.5k miles before 7.5 months.

Use Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 every 3,750 or 3.75 months, whichever comes first.


Huh? What's your reasoning for running the FF for the entire duration, but PU (a Resource Conserving oil, which I wouldn't personally run an an EJ turbo Subie) for only 3750 miles?

Also, short-tripping effects not withstanding, I wouldn't worry about a time limit, except with respect to maintaining the warranty should an oil-related failure occur that could be tied to poor
maintenance (not likely.)

 

[QuietPortage]

I believe the owner's manual requires 5w30, so yes, off the shelf synthetics like Pennzoil Ultra should do well, although the new PUP seems to have been watered down compared to the old Ultra. Oh well.

I don't see the sense in paying for a premium synthetic unless you're extending the OCIs, making significant modifications, or racing.

The 3,750 severe service is fine. Just go with that if it makes you comfortable.

 

[Pablo]

Originally Posted By: soloz
Hello, I'm trying to decide what oil and interval I should use for my new 14 WRX. Subaru has switched from a 3750 to 7500 OCI, but even on my previous 06 NA Legacy I never went over 5k on synthetic, so I'll probably stick to about 3-4k.
Most of my driving is short trips around town, but every couple weeks it'll get a longer 30+ minute run at 60+mph. I will push it and Rev the engine a bit so I've always used the severe maintenance schedule for all my cars.

I was looking at Pennzoil Ultra 5w30, but I've heard good things about Brad Penn and Amsoil in turbo Subies. I'm wondering if anyone here has some advice for me.


I have the same car. 2014 WRX Hatch SWP. Had the oil changed (free) at 1500 miles with Sub Syn 5w30. Will run this 3000 miles. Then at 4500, I will change to Amsoil OE 5w30 for 3K. After that it will Amsoil 5w30 HDD, or 5W-40 Euro Full SAPs (EFM).

I will use the stock Subie OF, the longer Subie OEM, or Mazda RX-8 (2011+) OF.

 

[bigjl]

My 04 WRX and 04 Legacy (NA) both required an oci at 1000 miles, might have been one month if the miles not reached but can't remember.

Both were specced for 5w30.

But i paid extra for Mobil 1 on the WRX.

I would not use 5w30 if i was doing any significant tuning though.

Not sure why the first reply is so anti 0w40 Mobil 1 though.

Surely if somebody wants to run it they can

 

[bvance554]

Supertech! You're engine will never know the difference.

 

[soloz]

I'd like to stick with a 5w30 for warranty purposes. I know there are lots of happy Rotella t6 users, but it only comes in 5w-40 and says it's not good for cars with cats?

I've seen several Subaru owners say they burned Mobil 1 for every happy Mobil 1 user so I have ruled it out.


If ultra is watered down is there a different oil I should look at?

I read that there isn't anything special I'm the Subaru FF so I was thinking about changing the oil at 500-1000 then again at 3750.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: soloz
I'd like to stick with a 5w30 for warranty purposes. I know there are lots of happy Rotella t6 users, but it only comes in 5w-40 and says it's not good for cars with cats?

I've seen several Subaru owners say they burned Mobil 1 for every happy Mobil 1 user so I have ruled it out.


If ultra is watered down is there a different oil I should look at?

I read that there isn't anything special I'm the Subaru FF so I was thinking about changing the oil at 500-1000 then again at 3750.

Thanks for the feedback so far.

RT6 does not mention anything about not being good for cats. It meets API SM specs as mentioned in your manual. Mobil 1 burning comments are usually based on the Resource Conserving 5w30 version, not the more robust 0W-40 or other non Resource Conserving varieties. The factory fill Idemitsu is different from the dealer service fill and contains additional molybdenum, zinc, and phosphorus. IMO there is zero benefit in changing FF prior to 3,750 miles and it has been shown to go longer than that with no problems (albiet a 20 grade).

My recommendations would be a high HTHS 5w30 like Mobil 1 ESP 5w30, Motul X-clean 5w30 or Pennzoil Ultra 5w30 always topped up with Pennzoil Ultra 5W-40 since "5W-40 conventional" is allowed for replenishment according to your manual. The aforementioned Amsoil HDD 5w30 has been shown to do very well in WRX's but it's not a girly man oil so you probably wouldn't use it.

Any Resource Conserving 5w30 will be "watered down" compared to other popular WRX choices like German/Belgian Castrol, Mobil 1 0W-40, or Rotella T6.

-Dennis

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Don't put any form of Mobil 1 in the engine if you are a member of any Subaru forums. The fanboys are convinced that Mobil 1 causes your engine to self destruct.

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
Don't put any form of Mobil 1 in the engine if you are a member of any Subaru forums. The fanboys are convinced that Mobil 1 causes your engine to self destruct.

And I've been trying to educate them that that's not necessarily the case. IMO, it's a viscosity issue and not a brand issue (^ notice my recommendations). But yes, some people continue to use Resource Conserving oil even after power mods, and don't understand why they have problems "using the oil weight on the cap".

And here's one that just had bearing failure in a stock car even with 3k mile OCI's. Original story is linked in that first post.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2611627

He was just outside the warranty period but was still covered.

-Dennis

 

[rjundi]

Originally Posted By: bvance554
Supertech! You're engine will never know the difference.


Correct!!!! I have the similar engine in 2005 Legacy turbo with 165,000 miles and used 3750 miles with whatever Subie mechanic puts in (wolf's head???) or dealer bulk fill since brand new. Nothing mechanically has failed yet including turbo and valve train looked decent apparently when valve cover gasket changed out.

It uses a Subie standard oil filter or mechanics Wix.

Sidenote the one time I did put in Mobil 1 it consumed it. Maybe a fluke but it was going at a rate of 1qt/1500 miles. Conventional it maybe loses 1/4 quart over 4000 miles since new.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Originally Posted By: Miller88
Don't put any form of Mobil 1 in the engine if you are a member of any Subaru forums. The fanboys are convinced that Mobil 1 causes your engine to self destruct.

And I've been trying to educate them that that's not necessarily the case. IMO, it's a viscosity issue and not a brand issue (^ notice my recommendations). But yes, some people continue to use Resource Conserving oil even after power mods, and don't understand why they have problems "using the oil weight on the cap".

And here's one that just had bearing failure in a stock car even with 3k mile OCI's. Original story is linked in that first post.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2611627

He was just outside the warranty period but was still covered.

-Dennis


I always thought it was the propensity of that crowd to just turn the boost up to ridiculous levels and blow up a stock engine while stoplight racing.

 

[SilverGGA]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool
Huh? What's your reasoning for running the FF for the entire duration, but PU (a Resource Conserving oil, which I wouldn't personally run an an EJ turbo Subie) for only 3750 miles?

Also, short-tripping effects not withstanding, I wouldn't worry about a time limit, except with respect to maintaining the warranty should an oil-related failure occur that could be tied to poor
maintenance (not likely.)


Huh? So what is your reasoning for not following what Subaru told you? You should be the one providing scientific explanation because you are the one who challenged sticking to what Subaru recommended.

 

[gathermewool]

This is a forum of conjecture, my friend, simmer down. Besides, I asked for your reasoning - your opinion - not for you to defend your thesis.

It's obvious why Subaru chose an RC oil, and it has nothing to do with what is best for the engine and turbo.

There is also nothing special about the Subaru factory fill, so there's no reason to leave it in for the entire first interval. And, while I don't see a reason to change out super early, I haven't liked what Ive seen in my own UOA with a similar engine (EJ257,) so my "scientific explanation" is based on empirical data and educated guesses, which is all us lay men have. For me, that leads me to believe that running a RC oil holds greater risk than running what I think works. I don't know for sure really, none of us can, but we can make a beat guess and go from there.

So, some one who drives his turbo Subie on the highway, even with lots of in-boost operation, may not offer the same stress as a city-driven rex that gets hammered on occasion. The result may be the same or it may be that a stouter oil may endure in instances where another oil designed around fuel economy and cleanliness may not.

 

[SilverGGA]

To me, it just makes sense to use a high quality OTC oil that will fulfill warranty requirements while it is under warranty. The used oil analysis with 5w30 Subaru synthetic and PU are not "bad" per se. We all know about updated stuff having a NOACK of ~10 instead of ~5-6, so we need to keep a close eye the newer and upcoming used oil analysis. According to Shell's Q&A, they started migrating to the new formulation in 2013.

Bottom line is, is OP ready to explain to the dealer if he needs warranty work done on his engine, but he used 5W-40 or 0W-40? If one can find a 5w30 that shears less i.e. doesn't shear to a 20 weight, one can safely use the manufacturer spec'd oil during the warranty and is also free to switch to something else after warranty. Do I think there are better oils than the RC oils? Yes, as I don't use RC oil myself, but my car is out of warranty. But are they that much better to make a huge difference, or is the RC oil going to make your engine blow up? I don't think so either, and to me, it isn't worth the hassle in case I need warranty work on the engine.

After so many years obsessing about oil and filter, I guess I have gone full circle and now believe in just being sensible.

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: gathermewool

There is also nothing special about the Subaru factory fill, so there's no reason to leave it in for the entire first interval

Really? I would call 1,000 ppm's of zinc and ~1,000 ppm's of moly special.

Although some recent used oil analysis have shown lower zinc, but not sure if that's a typical Blackstone zinc oddity.

-Dennis