Subaru Syn 5w30 - 5141 miles - 2011 WRX, 70k miles

[rationull]

Just got a UOA done on my 2011 WRX. This run was Subaru synthetic 5w30, which is what I've used since the car was new. I used to be able to get a really good deal on this oil, but not anymore, so I figured I'd stop running it and get one last UOA for comparison to the next run (which is PU 5w30).

Blackstone's comments mentioned that the new UOA was of a different oil from the first couple -- presumably due to the large differences in moly, calcium, and boron. I guess this points to a reformulation of the Subaru branded oil. The earlier samples were probably SM so perhaps there were changes related moving the oil to SN.

The viscosity drop on the first two samples actually seemed pretty good for an RC 5w30 but the last run didn't do as well. Makes me glad I'm switching and I will look forward to seeing how the PU holds up.

Code:


MI/HR on Oil 5,141 5,270 5,221

MI/HR on Unit 70,109 25,906 15,628

Sample Date 3/12/2016 3/9/2013 6/30/2012

Make Up Oil Added 1 qt 1 qt 0.5 qt



ALUMINUM 6 3 3

CHROMIUM 0 1 1

IRON 5 7 8

COPPER 1 3 5

LEAD 0 0 0

TIN 3 1 0

MOLYBDENUM 150 55 56

NICKEL 1 1 1

MANGANESE 0 0 0

SILVER 1 0 0

TITANIUM 0 0 0

POTASSIUM 0 1 0

BORON 52 3 2

SILICON 8 4 7

SODIUM 4 5 4

CALCIUM 1914 2572 2934

MAGNESIUM 0 14 23

PHOSPHORUS 613 710 814

ZINC 762 850 1003

BARIUM 0 0 0





SUS Viscosity @ 210°F 54.2 60.80 59.00

cSt Viscosity @ 100°C 8.55 10.45 9.94

Flashpoint in °F 390 405 400

Fuel %
Antifreeze % 0.0 0.0 0.0

Water % 0.0 0.0 0.0

Insolubles % 0.2 0.2 0.3

TBN --- 2.8 3.5

 

[bigt61]

Surprisingly consistent #'s considering the 60k spread in UOAs. You already pointed out the differences so the next PU run could be interesting. Maybe stretch it to 6k if you feel so inclined. Thanks for posting.

 

[Al]

I also have been running the Subaru oil in my 2008 for years (Subaru Bucks). Its a great oil and I may continue to use it even though I can't get it free. You certainly could go further.

I have the EJ NA engine. I am running this UOA to 15,000 miles.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: Al
I also have been running the Subaru oil in my 2008 for years (Subaru Bucks). Its a great oil and I may continue to use it even though I can't get it free. You certainly could go further.

I have the EJ NA engine. I am running this UOA to 15,000 miles.


Yep, Subaru bucks! I was really disappointed when they discontinued that.

Are you saying you're doing a 15k mile run on one fill of Subaru 5w30?

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: rationull
Are you saying you're doing a 15k mile run on one fill of Subaru 5w30?

Yea..I did a used analysis at 10K miles and it was good

 

[rationull]

Nice! Just found that UOA in your post history. Looks like on that run yours had thinned below grade as well, although on my report Blackstone calls out that the viscosity at 100 deg C should be 9.1-11.3 rather than 8.5-11.3 as on yours. Not sure where the 9.1 comes from .. the best reference I found just now was this which appears to specify an 8.5 minimum at 100 C.

 

[bluesubie]

Subaru was late to the SN party (~late 2012 IIRC) but the biggest difference with that reformulation was a drop from the high moly of around 600-ish.

You couldn't pay me to run a Resource Conserving oil in an EJ turbo longer than 7,500 miles. Actually, you could pay me if payment included covering any repairs for failures. Make sure you compare apples to apples when considering an extended OCI. Been there, done that, no fun.

Anything under 9.3 cSt's at 100C is a 20 grade. The Blackstone "should be" viscositity doesn't mean that is the minimum viscositity for a certain grade.

 

[CATERHAM]

Good results.
If the Idemitsu made Subie 5W-30 is a bit pricey now then PU 5W-30 (or PP or even PYB 5W-30) would be a good alternative.

 

[rationull]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Good results.
If the Idemitsu made Subie 5W-30 is a bit pricey now then PU 5W-30 (or PP or even PYB 5W-30) would be a good alternative.


The Idemitsu oil is actually still reasonably priced vs other synthetics in quart bottles not on sale (which of course in BITOG terms means it's not that cheap!). I think it's $7.50 per quart at my local dealership, but non-sale price for good synthetics at auto parts stores seems to be around $9.xx generally.

Still no match for Amazon or Walmart or sale prices on 5 quart jugs.