Subaru 4-banger & 5W-20...anyone...anyone...

[kmrcstintn]

1999 Subaru Forester 2.5 normally aspirated 4-banger (27,500 miles) & auto transmission...I'm stuck having a shop do the oil & filter changes due to apartment complex regulations and township ordinance...last OIC was 300 miles ago and I found out they used 10w30 from the service manager after the uneducated shop manager stated 'whatever the factory recommends' (my owners' manual states that 5w30 offers best cold weather coverage)

most shops in the area are using fleet bulk 10w30...been thinkin' about Walmart since they let the car owner pick what goes in for a nominal upcharge...

since 5W-20 wasn't really in existence in 1999 when my car was made, the conventional of choice was 5w30; with that said...conventional 5W-20 in a Subaru for 3.5K-5K oic's...anyone...snyone...am I crazy?!? just stick with conventional 5w30?!? (cold weather startup)

 

[toocrazy2yoo]

You'll be well-served with either 5W30 or 5W20. My pref would be 5W20 with the caveat that you watch your consumption, switching back to 5W30 if your consumption goes up....

 

[Thatwouldbegreat]

Stick with a good 5w30, maybe a cheap 'synthetic blend' like Motorcraft 5w30 every 3750 miles with a Subaru oil filter or a Purolator PureOne oil filter.

Or switch to a full synthetic like Mobil 1 Extended Performance 5w30, Pennzoil Platinum 5w30, Castrol Syntec 0W-30, Redline 5w30, Amsoil Series 2000 0w30 and change every 7000 miles or more.

Walmart can be a dangerous place to change oil, so check out the local Walmart and see if you trust the Service Manager at the TLE to run a good shop and use a good technician.

 

[zrxkawboy]

I like thatwouldbegreat's advice: stick w/ 5W30, and try one of the CP blends (Motorcraft, TA, etc.).

Jeff

 

[Titan]

There's a fellow that's posted some used oil analysis with this engine and 5-20. I've run Subaru engines on all forms of concoctions, and never had a problem, but, I never kept one over 100,000 miles. However, I now have a 2.5 Subaru that I'm going to be driving 30-40K miles per year, and I need it to last 5 years. It's almost all highway, cruising at 78 mph, with a few runs of 100 mph for 10-20 minutes once every couple of months (that's still under 4000 rpm). I'm running Pennzoil Platinum 5-30 with a Wix Filter, and will do an UOA at 7500, when I change it (in order to prevent any potential warranty issues related to OCI's), to make sure everything is doing fine.

On another Subaru I have, that mostly gets used in town, I'd run a 5-20 without batting an eyelid over it. In fact, I have, with no consumption issues.

 

[michaelc80]

I don't think you'd see any real advantage to using a 5W-20 rather than 5w30.

If you're looking for fuel savings, I run Amsoil 5w30 in my 05 Outback Sport and usually get 35MPG at 60MHP. I don't think that's beatable with a 5W-20.

 

[jmacmaster]

I have an 03 Subaru Forester with the same 2.5 liter 4 cyl. engine and my owner's manual specifies 5w30. I suggest that you run that weight. One of the arguments that 5W-20 is not too thin is that a lot of manufacturers spec it in a lot of engines. I admittedly place little faith in this argument, BUT if this argument has any validity, then its also fair to say that if a manufacturer does not spec it for a particlular engine, then you should not use it in that engine.

There's a vast number of internet stories about numerous types of Walmart screwups on simple things like oil and tire changes. No way that their shop will ever see one of my vehicles. Same thing with places like Jiffy Lube. Do it yourself, driving the car to a place where no one will hassle you about it, or take it to a reputable independent service station.

 

[deven]

Most Subie used oil analysis come out excellent regardless of using cheap or expensive oil, as long as its has the API starburst with SM or SL rating. Cant go wrong either way.

 

[jmacmaster]

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Most Subie used oil analysis come out excellent regardless of using cheap or expensive oil, as long as its has the API starburst with SM or SL rating. Cant go wrong either way.

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When it comes to the venerable 2.5 liter 4 cyl. engine, I agree, provided that you use OCI's that are compatible with the oil. This engine is a proven one and has been around for over 20 years. Many of them have over 300,000 miles on them. My mechanic services one that has over 900,000 miles on it. Its never been rebuilt and its only problem is that it burns a bit of oil. This engine ranks right up there with the best of those built by Toyota and Honda.

 

[buster]

Use Red Line 5w-20 and get the protection of a 30wt.

 

[kmrcstintn]

1) What brand is 'Red Line 5w-20'?

2) leafing through the local coupon digest, I discovered a local shop that uses Havoline and it costs @ the same as Walmart, so I'm gonna check them out.

 

[AndyH]

Quote:

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1) What brand is 'Red Line 5w-20'?

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Redline synthetic 5W-20....brace yourself, it's on the expensive side at approx. $7.00/quart.

[URed Line]http://www.redlineoil.com/[/URed Line]