Originally Posted By: mickjf
I've got the same engine in a MY13 XT Forester and now that it's out of warranty and I'm doing my own changes I've decided to go for this new oil from Penrite
http://www.penriteoil.com.au/products.php?id_categ=1&id_viscosity=106&id_products=710.
My car does a lot of shorter trips so like others I'm concerned with fuel dilution as well as the potential for piston deposits. This oil seems to be a balance between the Subaru recommended SN/GF5 and one that will better resist shearing down over time. I'll do an OA at 7500km and see how it's holding up.
Hi Mickjf,
And Welcome !!
OK, Penrite Enviro+ C3 5W30 full synthetic. Yeah that looks like an interesting oil. It's looks to me like a mid-SAPS C3 oil (HTHS 3.5 or more) but they claim it meets the economy requirements of specs like C2, GF-5 etc which are normally lower in HTHS ( 2.9 or more). They also say it's NOT suitable for motorcycle wet clutches, and most Penrite oils are.
This says to me it's a high HTHS oil but with many friction modifiers added to make it slippery.
It has a TBN of 7.8 and a SA of 0.78, which is mid-SAPS to me. As you said, this may help with deposits.
As long as you don't go for too long an oil change interval (OCI) it should be fine. Best of both worlds as you say. When you get the oil analysis, make sure it includes TBN, as this is the where low SAPS oils can fail when there is too much sulphur in the fuel.
This Penrite oil is API SN and ACEA C3, but it also looks like they claim C2, MB 229.51, BMW LL-04 etc. Which is a nice list.
What's the damage ??
The full SAPS, Shell Helix HX8 5W-30 and Castrol Magnatec Stop-Start 5W-30 are pretty good value. They are both full synthetic oils rated SN and A3/B4. Just as another option for you.
Let us know how it goes.