Subaru and new OCI's Required.

[Solo2driver]

Just got this email from Subaru of America:

"New Maintenance Interval for
2008 Turbo Vehicles
With increasing demands placed on turbo engines today, engine oil must contend with extraordinary under-hood temperatures intensified by the high heat output of a turbo-equipped model.

Beginning with the 2008 model year, all turbo vehicles are to be considered operating under severe driving conditions, which will require oil and filter changes every 3,750 miles or 3-3/4 months.

The new 3,750-mile maintenance interval is designed to help 2008 turbo drivers maintain the longevity of their vehicle's engine components. The change in policy is reflected in the 2008 Warranty and Maintenance Booklet. There are several other examples of severe driving that can be reviewed in the Warranty and Maintenance Booklet as well.

As the 2008 vehicles become available, please be sure to follow this new maintenance requirement. "

 

[buster]

I would definitely run a good synthetic in any turbo, that is for sure.

Quote:

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Mobil 1 has indeed released their industry-standard test results (TEOST test: oil's ability to resist the formation of deposits at high temperatures - part of API, Chrysler, Ford, and ILSAC certification - lower deposit score is better).

Mobil 1: 5.3
Castrol Syntec: 26.4 (~5 times more deposits than M1)
Mobil Clean 7500: 14.6 (yes, almost half vs Syntec)
Syntec Blend: 39.8 (273% more than Clean 7500)

---

 

[FD777]

buster,
Is there any more info regarding your quote? Just wondering if I can read more about this data.

Thanks in advance!

 

[goixiz]

I like to read the quote in detail as well
thats substantial and like to see some addtl info

 

[rshaw125]

Pity Chrysler did not do a pro-active effort for their 2.7 engine. Kudos to Subaru!

 

[dommiel74]

Castrol: For maximum protection against sludge buildup.

 

[simple_gifts]

I guess 3,750 OCI is the new 5,000 OCI.

 

[HondaF1Fanatic]

Why not just come up with a new oil specification, lots of companies do so in their turbo cars. Heck, VAG seemingly revises theirs every 6 months.

Jon

 

[bluesubie]

Quote:

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Why not just come up with a new oil specification, lots of companies do so in their turbo cars.

Jon

---

If you mean something like ACEA A3, that'll probably never happen with Subaru of America being just under two mpg's within the minimum CAFE requirements (according to a recent R&T article). That's after classifying Outbacks as "trucks".

They do allow thick oils (up to 20W50), but 5W30 is preferred for fuel economy and that's what's on the oil cap. People run 5W30 Energy Conserving oil in Subaru turbos regardless of their conditions (racing), location (the desert!) and state of tune (ECU reflash, lots of mods, etc.).

Here's a thread on the subject from May.

Some European countries have a 10k OCI for all Subaru's.

-Dennis

 

[Gary Allan]

That's the typical corrective action. You don't put 70 weight in your SBC just because you're towing up 6%-8% grades. You just shorten the OCI.

(from Tyrel)

"The light that burns twice as bright burns half as long ..."

 

[mikeg5]

good point Gary.. its that simple too

 

[JAG]

buster, that's interesting data. Can you tell us more, like where you got it and whatever else you know? Thanks.

 

[edhackett]

I just traded in my WRX for a 2008 Legacy GT. It will be getting Rotella T 10W-30 every 3750 miles. The cost will be the same or less than synthetic at 7500 miles. Given the Subaru turbo's tendancy to fuel dilution, the shorter OCI with will probably result in less wear in the long run.

The Rotella meets SM, but does not carry the "Energy Conserving" label. Do I care? No. The recommendation in the manual is designed to brainwash the masses(as required by the EPA) into using the oil Subaru used to certify its CAFE numbers. It has nothing to do with warantee. Thumbs up to the Subaru engineers who still have the balls to publish alternative weights for varying conditions.

Ed

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Would Subaru's other option be to just require full-synthetic be used in their turbo engines?

I have to assume that this OCI change was the result of a high number of turbo / engine failures, and maybe people were running the worst quality dino to 7500 miles when this engine actually needs more protection than that.

V8 engines used to put out 300hp and it seemed any old dino worked fine. 4 cylinder engines putting out 300hp is a much higher stress environment for oil and it looks like Subaru underestimated that. But, at least they're trying to keep people from frying their engines. Even if it is warrantied, it's still a pain.

 

[edhackett]

No, I don't think that Synthetic would address the problem. I don't think turbo problems were the issue. My WRX and others were showing increased wear due to damage to the oil from fuel dilution. Even GC was not able to stand up to that. The best course of action is to change the oil out sooner.

Ed

 

[CBDFrontier06]

Ahh, cool. Thanks for the reply.

 

[Camu Mahubah]

Quote:

---

No, I don't think that Synthetic would address the problem. I don't think turbo problems were the issue. My WRX and others were showing increased wear due to damage to the oil from fuel dilution. Even GC was not able to stand up to that. The best course of action is to change the oil out sooner.

Ed

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EXACTLY...why can't they just say 3000 or 4000 instead of 3750...I hate adding those numbers to my odometer in my head...

 

[CBDFrontier06]

So just do it at 3000.

 

[bluesubie]

Quote:

---

I just traded in my WRX for a 2008 Legacy GT. It will be getting Rotella T 10W-30 every 3750 miles. The cost will be the same or less than synthetic at 7500 miles. Given the Subaru turbo's tendancy to fuel dilution, the shorter OCI with will probably result in less wear in the long run.

The Rotella meets SM, but does not carry the "Energy Conserving" label. Do I care? No. The recommendation in the manual is designed to brainwash the masses(as required by the EPA) into using the oil Subaru used to certify its CAFE numbers. It has nothing to do with warantee. Thumbs up to the Subaru engineers who still have the balls to publish alternative weights for varying conditions.

Ed

---

Ed,

With the exception of the shorter OCI requirement, does anything else change for MY08? Do they still list 10W30, 10W40, 30, 40 and 20W50 and state 5W30 is preferred for fuel economy?

Supposedly, SoA has seen a lot of failures due to the clogging of the oil screens in the banjo bolt on 2.5T's with AVCS.

on the new car.

-Dennis

 

[edhackett]

Everything is the same except for the added verbage in the severe service footnote about all turbos are to be considered operating under severe service.

Thanks for the info on the oil screen problem. I wasn't aware of that. It looks like that makes the choice of a CJ-4 HDEO even more valid.

I'm really pleased with the GT. It keeps most of the things that I liked about the WRX and addresses most of the things I didn't like about it.

Ed