Subaru 0W20

[squirrel]

I've got a 2013 Subaru Impreza Sport Premium with the 2.0 liter with the CVT transmission. I was wondering about your thoughts with respect to using Toyota 0W20 SN GF-5 motor oil. I was thinking of using the Subaru 0W20 synthetic but after looking at the lack of moly and low VI I thought the Toyota oil would be better suited. I tried the local Mazda dealer to see if they sold their 0W20 oil with moly but they told me they don't sell it in quarts. Didn't get an answer when I asked the counterman what does a person do if he needs a quart for his new ride.

Anyway...do you think the Toyota would be a better choice than the Subaru GF-5 oil?

Usage of the vehicle...mostly stop and go and plenty of startups and shutdowns. Probably 40 miles per day.

Thanks!

 

[bluesubie]

Have you actually checked with the dealer to see if they carry the SM Subaru oil? From what I've read, some dealers are still gettng plenty of stock of the SM.

Does it make a difference? Probably not. The EJ n/a engines ran well on any oil. Hopefully the new engines will as well. I would be more curious to know how your consumption is since a lot of folks with the new engins are reporting high oil consumption.

And don't be in a rush to change the factory fill and don't break it in too easy.

-Dennis

 

[CATERHAM]

Hi Squirrel,

As you mentioned, the Toyota 0W-20 has a much higher 216 VI vs 169 for the Idemitsu made Subaru SN 0W-20. What that means is that the Toyota oil will be much lighter on start-up but also at normal operating temp's; it's a lighter oil.

Does Subaru allow the use of any API 0W-20 oil? If it does then yes I'm sure the Toyota oil will be fine particularly for the type of driving your doing; your average oil temp's won't be high.

 

[edhackett]

I'm sure the same engine in the Scion FR-S will get the Toyota 0W-20 as the dealer service fill.

Ed