Reasons NOT to use Kirkland 0w-20 or 5W-30 Synthetic...?

[Hoster987]

2025 Subaru Touring XT with of course the 2.4 turbocharged engine...I will be changing the oil next week and with the Costco sale coming up Wednesday April 9, 2025 for 2 - 5 quart jugs for $30ish I am curious if this oil is worth the buy or should I be using something else???

this is my first oil change since buying the Outback new last October and I am at about 4K miles...I plan to change the oil every 3-4K miles only because this car does more short trips and is not my only driver...I also plan on using OEM Tokyo Roki oil filters but may also go to Microgard Select/STP Extended filters...

any thoughts or experience you care to share is appreciated...I'm not really new to turbocharged engines but I am new to flat/boxer engines and want to protect mine as best I can...no towing and mostly just day to day driving...

thanks

Bill

The oil is fine and is not a "low quality" oil, especially when your OCI is 3-4K; mine is 6-7K or so / every 6 months

FWIW, if you take advantage of the current Pennzoil rebate, Pennzoil is cheaper. While I do not have a turbo, our older 2016 OB 2.5i burned more with M1 and Kirkland (but our 2014 Acura MDX didn't burn Kirkland) causing the "low oil" warning after a few thousand miles. No warning when switched to other brands such as Castrol or increased the viscosity to 5W30 (from 0W20).

As for the filter, I have been using Wix mostly due to the bypass rating.

 

[Glenda W.]

I do the same thing. I prefer to use oils that have either Dexos 1 Gen 3 or a European approval like MB 229.5x. The idea of saying that Brand A is better than Brand B if both oils have the same approval is not relevant for me.

The oils with the more stringent certification is likely the better oil. I'd rather have a cheap oil that meets a stringent certification, than an expensive oil which doesn't. HPL is the only exception to this - it is better than most if not all oils.

I tend to agree but with some exceptions. For example you can buy a dexos 1 gen 3 syn blend vs a dexos 1 gen 3 oil thats GTL/PAO/AN. IMO there is a difference in performance especially in a problem engine. Honestly I’ve never noticed a wear difference between oils but have noticed cleanliness differences even between brands.

 

[jayjr1105]

FYI the 4 pack (jugs) are now on sale for $53 + tax. Makes it under $14 per 5qts before tax or $2.70/qt

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

FYI the 4 pack (jugs) are now on sale for $53 + tax. Makes it under $14 per 5qts before tax or $2.70/qt

This is only on their website, correct? I think they charge shipping for some items shipped from their site but I need to check

 

[jayjr1105]

This is only on their website, correct? I think they charge shipping for some items shipped from their site but I need to check

Free shipping. Out the door for $57 and some change

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

Free shipping. Out the door for $57 and some change
View attachment 272650

I hope they offer the high mileage version soon

 

[tolian21]

I hope they offer the high mileage version soon

Its available in store only for now.

 

[jayjr1105]

I hope they offer the high mileage version soon

They already do but in 5w30 only. Hopefully it comes in 5w20 or 0w20 but I'm not holding my breath

 

[OilStainedNapkin]

They already do but in 5w30 only. Hopefully it comes in 5w20 or 0w20 but I'm not holding my breath

Oh yes, I saw it in store. I’m hoping they offer it online and at that cheaper price delivered

 

[tolian21]

Change Kirkland every 4-5k miles, and it will work just fine for most engines

 

[thetricky]

2025 Subaru Touring XT with of course the 2.4 turbocharged engine...I will be changing the oil next week and with the Costco sale coming up Wednesday April 9, 2025 for 2 - 5 quart jugs for $30ish I am curious if this oil is worth the buy or should I be using something else???

this is my first oil change since buying the Outback new last October and I am at about 4K miles...I plan to change the oil every 3-4K miles only because this car does more short trips and is not my only driver...I also plan on using OEM Tokyo Roki oil filters but may also go to Microgard Select/STP Extended filters...

any thoughts or experience you care to share is appreciated...I'm not really new to turbocharged engines but I am new to flat/boxer engines and want to protect mine as best I can...no towing and mostly just day to day driving...

thanks

Bill

The big question here is how long do you plan to keep it? Driving the wheels off it? Trade-in in a year or two?

 

[silversport]

thanks...I plan to keep it for the long haul...

Bill

 

[thetricky]

thanks...I plan to keep it for the long haul...

Bill

If that's the case, personally, I would run something that is going to keep your rings and ring lands clean for the long haul. Yes, I know just about every approved oil should do that, however, we have seen on this site that isn't always the case. I'm keeping my vehicles to the end and this is my mindset as well.

 

[tolian21]

If that's the case, personally, I would run something that is going to keep your rings and ring lands clean for the long haul. Yes, I know just about every approved oil should do that, however, we have seen on this site that isn't always the case. I'm keeping my vehicles to the end and this is my mindset as well.

For average driving and non-performance car, doing 4-5k OCI, why do you think that Kirkland, DexosGen3 will not keep your rings clean?
There are videos on youtube of people removing their valve covers at 200k miles using Supertech, and things look very nice and clean

 

[thetricky]

For average driving and non-performance car, doing 4-5k OCI, why do you think that Kirkland, DexosGen3 will not keep your rings clean?
There are videos on youtube of people removing their valve covers at 200k miles using Supertech, and things look very nice and clean

Because varnish on the valve train and ring land carbon are not the same beast. Take a peek at some of the filter C&P threads on here where liberated carbon bits are found after running a cleaner oil.

While OP certainly doesn’t have a race car, it is still turbocharged, direct inject, a long shot from my FB25 port injected mill.

 

[tolian21]

Because varnish on the valve train and ring land carbon are not the same beast. Take a peek at some of the filter C&P threads on here where liberated carbon bits are found after running a cleaner oil.

While OP certainly doesn’t have a race car, it is still turbocharged, direct inject, a long shot from my FB25 port injected mill.

We saw plenty of pictures with varnish from Mobil1 and other oils that are supposedly “better”

 

[Glenda W.]

For average driving and non-performance car, doing 4-5k OCI, why do you think that Kirkland, DexosGen3 will not keep your rings clean?
There are videos on youtube of people removing their valve covers at 200k miles using Supertech, and things look very nice and clean

Because in my case much better oils couldn’t. Supertech/Kirkland is a cookie cutter additive/base oil package that’s already approved for blenders. Mostly group 3 and 2. Works in most vehicles but not all. Ring cleanliness is a whole different ballgame. Cheap high volatility oils start leaving deposits on pistons as soon as the engine is started. I don’t believe it can be avoided by shortening oci’s. Of course this is all engine dependent as a good number could go hundreds of thousands of miles on syn blend or even conventional without oil consumption. Subaru engines aren’t one of those unfortunately.

 

[tolian21]

Because in my case much better oils couldn’t. Supertech/Kirkland is a cookie cutter additive/base oil package that’s already approved for blenders. Mostly group 3 and 2. Works in most vehicles but not all. Ring cleanliness is a whole different ballgame. Cheap high volatility oils start leaving deposits on pistons as soon as the engine is started. I don’t believe it can be avoided by shortening oci’s. Of course this is all engine dependent as a good number could go hundreds of thousands of miles on syn blend or even conventional. Subaru engines aren’t one of those unfortunately.

You comparing Kirkland to HPL or Amsoil?
I am just talking about your regular oils, quaker state, pennzoil, and etc.

 

[thetricky]

We saw plenty of pictures with varnish from Mobil1 and other oils that are supposedly “better”

Again, not the same as ringland carbon. Looks like even the boutiques and VRP are really slow at cleaning varnish up. All cleaning varnish gets you is bragging rights.

 

[Glenda W.]

You comparing Kirkland to HPL or Amsoil?
I am just talking about your regular oils, quaker state, pennzoil, and etc.

No. Some OTS oils that are GTL/PAO/AN or GTL/PAO/Ester. And you’re not wrong for most engines. I just got problem low tension oil rings. Which seems to be getting a little more common thus the release of Valvoline R&P.