should towing be a factor in deciding weather to use a dino or a synthetic? or just change the dino more frequently? i tow a bass boat and a pop up camper in my subaru.
towing
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I would be more concerned about the tranny fluid if it was an automatic.
Yes, of course towing should be a factor in your decision. Towing anything that makes the engine work noticeably or significantly harder than when you're not is a factor in how quickly the oil will "wear out" (meaning add-pack depletion, oxidation, shearing,... anything like that). Therefore, it should be a consideration in the SAE grade and oil type you choose.
If you're working the engine harder and/or driving in extremely high ambient temperatures, the oil temps may end up higher than a normally stressed engine.
The typical Subaru recommendations for "desert temperatures" or towing duty are 30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, and 20W-50. The first two (single weight) are probably listed because of their resistance to viscosity breakdown and low volatility. Single weight oils are less volatile and by design don't contain any viscosity index improvers that break down faster under extreme heat. The others are probably listed because as oil temps increase beyond "normal", a 5W-30/10W-30 may thin out to dangerous levels. A heavier oil will still maintain a thick enough oil film past a "normal" oil temp.
I'm not sure about what effect an oil cooler will have. I'm curious why the recommendations aren't modified given that some Subaru models come standard with an oil cooler.
The typical Subaru recommendations for "desert temperatures" or towing duty are 30, 40, 10W-50, 20W-40, and 20W-50. The first two (single weight) are probably listed because of their resistance to viscosity breakdown and low volatility. Single weight oils are less volatile and by design don't contain any viscosity index improvers that break down faster under extreme heat. The others are probably listed because as oil temps increase beyond "normal", a 5W-30/10W-30 may thin out to dangerous levels. A heavier oil will still maintain a thick enough oil film past a "normal" oil temp.
I'm not sure about what effect an oil cooler will have. I'm curious why the recommendations aren't modified given that some Subaru models come standard with an oil cooler.
That's good advice. Overheated fluid kills autoboxes.
Do you have a "tow package" option installed on the truck with oil cooler and tranny cooler? Also most Subbies are not rated for real high towing limits, how much does each trailer and rig weigh? Where do you tow? Flat, level roads, or hilly terain? Highway or local, and how far?
A small aluminium shallow draft with a single axle trailer or a small pop up should be no problem with any good oil changed regularly. And as noted above, the tranny usually gets more abuse than the engine. It's better to shift down a gear or two and slow down than have the tranny hunting gears all the time creating big time heat.
A small aluminium shallow draft with a single axle trailer or a small pop up should be no problem with any good oil changed regularly. And as noted above, the tranny usually gets more abuse than the engine. It's better to shift down a gear or two and slow down than have the tranny hunting gears all the time creating big time heat.
thanks,the car is an auto.rated for 2,000 lbs. the pop up is around 1,300 lbs. the boat about 1,700. the towing will be only in summer months. the car is currently being maintained eveey 3,750 miles by dealer. they use 5w-30 gtx.thanks again!
gj:
If you like the Castrol, I'd reccomend running Castrol's HD-30. It should be as heat-proof as you can get without running a synthetic. Just change back to your regular oil this fall before the first freezing day of the year.
If you just want to run synthetic, basically any synthetic with a 30, 40 or 50 on the right side of its SAE rating will do you just fine.
I don't know if I'd run synthetic ATF in your shoes or not, but it's something to consider.
I DO know that if I was towing with a Subaru I'd do the following:
1. Never, ever, ever tow in OverDrive. Keep the tranny stuck in D.
2. Change my ATF every 15,000 miles or every Fall season, whichever comes first. That way if you burnt the ATF over the summer, it gets cleaned out for the rest of the year until you burn it again next summer.
How many days do you expect you'll be towing during the summer season?
If you like the Castrol, I'd reccomend running Castrol's HD-30. It should be as heat-proof as you can get without running a synthetic. Just change back to your regular oil this fall before the first freezing day of the year.
If you just want to run synthetic, basically any synthetic with a 30, 40 or 50 on the right side of its SAE rating will do you just fine.
I don't know if I'd run synthetic ATF in your shoes or not, but it's something to consider.
I DO know that if I was towing with a Subaru I'd do the following:
1. Never, ever, ever tow in OverDrive. Keep the tranny stuck in D.
2. Change my ATF every 15,000 miles or every Fall season, whichever comes first. That way if you burnt the ATF over the summer, it gets cleaned out for the rest of the year until you burn it again next summer.
How many days do you expect you'll be towing during the summer season?
this year only occasionaly. next year i hope to take some long trips. my dream trip is to take it to yellowstone nat. park. from va to there will be a long haul! thanks again.
Just don't expect your Subie to hold up very long w/o having drivetrain problems, esp transmission, with extended use.
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