Subaru 5W-30 / 5000 miles/ 13' Subaru WRX

[thescreensavers]

2 Months Since last Oil change

16 Total Autocross laps on this oil, 12 of which ~43 sec average, (4) of 75 sec avg. A majority of the 5000 miles is highway miles. But dont get it wrong there was Lots and Lots of WOT to redline.

I am actually impressed how the oil held up? Everything I have been reading says that its total [censored]?

 

[dparm]

Autocross isn't really that hard on oil. No different than going WOT at a traffic light a few times. Flashpoint could be better but I don't see it as a problem.

 

[147_Grain]

Great analysis. Stick to a 5K OCI and your WRX should last a long time (assuming to abuse).

 

[CATERHAM]

Thanks for posting.
Looks good.
The oil is made by Idemitsu for Subaru.

 

[The_Captain]

Nice report. Thanks for posting.

 

[CATERHAM]

The following is the UOA with more miles on another WRX with exactly the same annual mileage running PU 5W-30:
https://bobistheoilguy.com/forums/threads/pennzoil-ultra-5w-30-3200-miles-2012-subaru-wrx.199330/

If anything I'd give the edge to the Idemitsu made Subie oil, but that would be splitting hairs. At the very least I don't see any evidence supporting the argument to run a 40wt oil that many WRX owners do. At best it's unnecessary and at worst counter-productive (power and fuel robbing).

 

[147_Grain]

Caterham:

My dealer still owes me a few more LOF changes on the 2013 Outback (6-cylinder with a 7.5 quart sump). They have given me a choice between Mobil 1 5W-30 (which I've been using on their dime since new), Subaru's OEM 5W-30 synthetic, and Valvoline SynPower. Which of these 3 oils is lighter and best for all-around purposes?

 

[CATERHAM]

Since their dime I'd go with the Idemitsu made Subaru 5W-30.

 

[Toombs]

I'm surprised that oil kept viscosity.
Virgin Sample should have Viscosity 11.28 cst @ 100 C
So 13.5% loss~
13' WRX doesn't have a oil cooler however your oil temps are working for your auto-x application with little oxidation as shown by your insoluble %.
Great wear numbers too.


My 13 STi' dropped the factory fill to 7.9 cst @ 100 C with 3k miles, but I don't think it's fair/wise to compare it with the dealer oil.


Do you have any mods on the car?
Seems like you don't really make many short trips with that mileage.
Have you been using this oil for the life of the car?

Thanks for sharing.

 

[thescreensavers]

^ No engine mods at all, all the mods I have is for suspension/bushings.

I have been using this oil since I got the car after factory fill, since they offer 4 free oil changes. Though now that thats over I think I might be trying PU since it will be much cheaper than buying SOA 5W30.

The Miles should slow down a bit as I moved about 10 min(city) away from work instead of 35min (highway). But I like to drive so it shows in my miles.

I suppose the flashpoint got lowered by the recent shorter trips?

 

[bluesubie]

Do six consecutive uoa's on this oil, and post them here, and you may be the first person in history with a WRX to do so. One uoa doesn't really tell you much and no amount of good uoa's is a guarantee that you won't have a lubrication related engine problem. I would resist the urge to extend your intervals too far.

Yes, the low FP is probably from fuel dilution due to short trips and/or engine not brought up to operating temp prior to the sample.

-Dennis

 

[CATERHAM]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Do six consecutive uoa's on this oil.

Or better still, forget the UOAs and use the money to install an oil pressure gauge sometimes referred to as a viscometer. And then you'll never have to wonder if the oil is too light or heavy or if you have fuel dilution, because you'll know.

 

[thescreensavers]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Do six consecutive uoa's on this oil, and post them here, and you may be the first person in history with a WRX to do so. One uoa doesn't really tell you much and no amount of good uoa's is a guarantee that you won't have a lubrication related engine problem. I would resist the urge to extend your intervals too far.

Yes, the low FP is probably from fuel dilution due to short trips and/or engine not brought up to operating temp prior to the sample.

-Dennis


Hey Dennis,

I will most likely not be using SOA oil any more since its my last free oil change and was looking at PU 5W/30.

Could you explain what you mean when you said "One uoa doesn't really tell you much and no amount of good uoa's is a guarantee that you won't have a lubrication related engine problem."

Since there are a lot of different things that can cause a lubrication issues, are you saying the oil,or oil weight is not sufficient?

Would it really be beneficial to run a thicker oil such as M1 0W/40 and hide it from SOA?

 

[bluesubie]

Here's a good article that you should read on uoa's:

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/used-oil-analysis/

I just don't want you or anyone to get a false sense of security that I used to sometimes have on uoa's prior to my turbo failure. It doesn't really have anything to do with the oil grade, but more so making sure that people understand that uoa's are good for spotting mechanical issues or determining if your oil change interval is safe instead of trying to judge an oil.

Actually, they may not always even be that good in determining a safe interval. In my case my interval was probably too long. These are just my random thoughts and it's difficult to prove anything. There was also a former member here that blew an engine and had good uoa's.

And I'm not saying that you should hide anything from your dealer or SoA. In addition to the previous model years owner's manuals allowing "5W-40 conventional" for replenishment (which doesn't exist), does the 2013 manual also allow 10W-40 replenishment? I believe I recently saw a manual posted on nasioc.

-Dennis

 

[gpshumway]

Quote:
Caterham:

My dealer still owes me a few more LOF changes on the 2013 Outback (6-cylinder with a 7.5 quart sump). They have given me a choice between Mobil 1 5W-30 (which I've been using on their dime since new), Subaru's OEM 5W-30 synthetic, and Valvoline SynPower. Which of these 3 oils is lighter and best for all-around purposes?



You'll be splitting hairs between any of them. They'll all be fine in the EZ36. Stick with M1, there's no reason to switch. Subaru actually still allows conventional oil in the EZ36.

My choice in the EZ36 for the M1 line is M1 AFE 0w30. My dad's been using it a lot lately, his UOA history is posted at NASIOC ( LINK). My father lives in Northern Minnesota, where the benefits of a 0w oil are relevant.