When to change all my oil?

[Rev_Tim]

I have a 1997 Subaru Outback. It shows 310K on the odo but has a replacement 2.2 Liter engine so I'm not sure how many of those miles are on the replacement engine. I got it when it at 257K.
I have been running Mobil 1 10w30 or 10W-40 in it ever since I got it and have been changing the oil every 5-6000 miles.
My question comes around the fact that while the car does not leak or smoke, it uses about 1 qt of oil every 1000 miles or so. So, to me it seems as if I am already effectively replacing the oil every 5000 miles even if I didn't change the oil at all. I am wondering if it would make sense to just change the oil filter every 3000 miles (I've recently switched from K&M to the Fram Ultra Synthetic filter) and then drain and fill every 12000 miles or so.. or if I should continue to change it completely every 6000 miles?
Thanks for any input on this ...

 

[xshoex]

Fram ultra can safely go 10k, and even up to 15 if your feelimg froggy. If your really adding a quart every 1k then I would more then l likely go 7500mi and then switch entirely to get the gunk out.

 

[Rev_Tim]

Just trying to do what ever I can to keep this old work horse running as long as possible. I also add MotorKote from time to time and changed the manual trans and rear end oil with one of the recipes I found here. It didn't clear up the synchro problems from 1st to 2nd gear but other than that it runs great.

Thanks for the input

 

[Colt45ws]

With a fram Ultra...Run it to the 12k you wanted to. Don't bother changing the filter.
Have you consdered trying the Mobil 1 High mileage to see if it brings down the consumption?

 

[Ihatetochangeoil]

http://www.amazon.com/MotorSilk%C2%AE-Engine-Oil-Treatment/dp/B007HRI81M

If I were in your shoes, I would pull an oil sample whenever you THINK you're ready for your next oil change, and see what a test lab has to say of your oil's condition.

You might be pleasantly surprised. I would also try a treatment of Motor Silk. That might help also; and if it doesn't, you're not out more than a tank of gas. Again, you might be pleasantly surprised.

Cheers.

 

[edvanp]

If I had your subie, I'd run whatever was on sale in the 10w30 range and run a premium filter, changing the filter every 10k. If that engine is getting a fresh quart every thousand miles, I don't think the oil needs to be changed.

Try a different oil once, like Maxlife or Pennzoil Conventional and see if the consumption slows down a bit. I had a couple of vehicles that would go through M1 at a faster rate than other oils.

 

[krismoriah72]

This is the Bulletproof EJ22 subaru engine. I have had 2 of them and know of a few more locally.

This is one of the easiest vehicles to change oil in as well.

My advice is to find a 5w30 conventional and jobber type filter and keep racking up the miles.

Supertech 5w30 and supertech filter is all this engine needs. If you want to get exotic maybe step up to pennzoil 5w30 and a carquest red or a napa silver.

When to change? 5000 miles

 

[buck91]

M1 should be good for well over 5000 miles anyways. If you are keeping it topped up with a quart every 1000 miles I'd bet you could get away with never doing a full change again.

Myself, I'd probably just do a change once a year and call it good. Thats what I plan to do on our 3.5L Olds which burns...a lot...of oil.

 

[Dorian]

My Dad had an old 94 Impreza with the EJ18. That thing leaked so much oil it wasn't funny. People would get [censored] at stop lights and in drive throughs because of all the smoke from the oil burning on the exhaust. Safe, I know. But he always used Mobil2 and never had to actually change the oil. He drove with it like that for years. I couldn't even tell you if he changed the filter. Once the leak was fixed, it was like new again. The engine blew a few years later with its next owner, who likely abused the car. So honestly it will not matter as long as you keep adding oil.

 

[snakyjake]

My 2005 Subaru's oil is black after a few thousand miles. The engine also has the tiniest oil filter I've seen. Not sure how long the oil can go. Like to hear your experiences and UOA results.