Which engine oil for Subaru Crosstrek?

Pennzoil motor oil
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N3OO

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Hello all,

I have a question and didn't know where to post it so here goes.
My son just purchased a darn near mint Subaru Crosstrek with 130k miles on it with the boxer engine: I know, throw your dice take your chances. I don't know anything more about it.
I see it calls for 0w20, which oil would you feel safer with? Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum or another?

Thanks for any insight,

Bob
 
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N3OO said:
Hello all,

I have a question and didn't know where to post it so here goes.
My son just purchased a darn near mint Subaru Crosstrek with 130k miles on it with the boxer engine: I know, throw your dice take your chances. I don't know anything more about it.
I see it calls for 0w20, which oil would you feel safer with? Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum or another?

Thanks for any insight,

Bob
Click to expand...

Hi, get ready for the show - grab some popcorn!

I own a ‘21 in mint condition, 42k miles and nothing but regular obsessive maintenance has been done to it.

I’ve tried a variety of oils and read a lot on here and other forums about the FB20D’s oil preferences.

Note that a majority of other world markets where the crosstrek is sold call for 5W30, including Japan which has a temperate climate including snowy winters like where I live on the Canadian border. A 0W winter grade is fine for winter starting if you wish, but I highly suggest using a 30 grade oil overall.

I personally use Valvoline Advanced, Extended Protection, and Restore and Protect. I have left over 0W20 from years ago to use up but the engine is louder and looser on it than the refined and quieter/almost more tight and optimized feel of 5W30. I only use 0W20 in the winter months for cold start help, and when I use this up I am strongly considering stocking up on Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 for the best of both worlds (0W30 is hard to find in the USA unfortunately, and the Mobil 1 ESP is a unicorn because it meets euro spec and API SP requirements and the oil has an incredibly robust composition and results from user testing and used oil analysis reports.

If you’re starting fresh I would simply buy Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 regardless of where you live and enjoy the best cold start protection as well as high temp / towing / off road head protection the 30 grade provides. Every spring when temps are stable above 0°f I get unreasonably excited to put 5W30 back in because it runs so much nicer. 0W30 year round is the goal once I use up my stash of existing 0W20.

All this ranting to say I highly recommend not using 0W20 year round as Subaru boxer engines are known to shear oil faster than other engines, and sometimes have higher fuel dilution as well (I have neither issue in mine thankfully). Starting with a 0W30 fixes that by have higher headroom for shearing plus Mobil 1 ESP is especially resilient to shearing thanks to Euro spec approvals.

If you’re asking for brand suggestions only, I’m a unapologetic Valvoline man, but they simply don’t offer 0W30 like Mobil 1’s exception ESP offering, so that’s my top pick for the Subaru - otherwise Valvoline Restore and Protect is pretty much the GOAT. I’d run that in 5W30 if you don’t use Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 because again having the 30 grade headroom is good and the engines perform and sound better on 30 grade than 20.
 
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Be sure to do all the preventative maintenance if you do not know the service history. Personally I would try to decide whether to use a "high" mileage or regular oil. Personally would not use any 0w-20 unless you live next to Santa Claus in the North pole. 5w-30 Havoline Lifelong would be a good choice as well as any oil you listed.
 
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0W30 pennzoil Euro LX is what I usually run, and its supposed to be good for DI systems to slow down valve deposits. Check if any of the other fluids have been changed. The front diff is separate from the transmission, so it can get missed if its been quick lube maintenance. I would use subaru or idemitsu CVT fluid for it only, and the right one.
I haven't heard any direct horror stories of generic CVT fluid hurting these, but subaru makes these transmissions themselves, and goes to the trouble to have a different fluid spec for each CVT they make, so maybe its a good idea?
 
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The OP doesn't mention the year of his son's new Crosstrek but units built before 2015 were known for burning oil due to 'low tension rings'. Subaru supposedly fixed the issue around 2015. I agree that 5w30 synthetic would be my choice for a Subaru Boxer engine.
 
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N3OO said:
Hello all,

I have a question and didn't know where to post it so here goes.
My son just purchased a darn near mint Subaru Crosstrek with 130k miles on it with the boxer engine: I know, throw your dice take your chances. I don't know anything more about it.
I see it calls for 0w20, which oil would you feel safer with? Mobil 1, Pennzoil Platinum or another?

Thanks for any insight,

Bob
Click to expand...
If it was new I'd say ESP/M1 EP/AmsoilSS/HPL but in this case 100% Valvoline Restore and Protect. Start with that for about 4 oil changes or so.

C

Post in thread 'Oil Strategy To Prevent Carbon Piston / Ring Deposits ?'

Patman said:
You haven’t been paying enough attention on this site. Piston ring deposits start forming right away with a lot of motor oils, so changing them at 3k doesn’t prevent that.

And clean under the valve covers doesn’t mean no piston ring deposits have formed. A lot of oils can keep the upper part of the engine perfectly clean but can’t prevent the rings from getting gummed up.
Click to expand...
What is causing these ring deposits to form? In the past ring deposits was not a common problem like it is today. An additives in the fuel?
 
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Adkcedarman said:
Hi, get ready for the show - grab some popcorn!

I own a ‘21 in mint condition, 42k miles and nothing but regular obsessive maintenance has been done to it.

I’ve tried a variety of oils and read a lot on here and other forums about the FB20D’s oil preferences.

Note that a majority of other world markets where the crosstrek is sold call for 5W30, including Japan which has a temperate climate including snowy winters like where I live on the Canadian border. A 0W winter grade is fine for winter starting if you wish, but I highly suggest using a 30 grade oil overall.

I personally use Valvoline Advanced, Extended Protection, and Restore and Protect. I have left over 0W20 from years ago to use up but the engine is louder and looser on it than the refined and quieter/almost more tight and optimized feel of 5W30. I only use 0W20 in the winter months for cold start help, and when I use this up I am strongly considering stocking up on Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 for the best of both worlds (0W30 is hard to find in the USA unfortunately, and the Mobil 1 ESP is a unicorn because it meets euro spec and API SP requirements and the oil has an incredibly robust composition and results from user testing and used oil analysis reports.

If you’re starting fresh I would simply buy Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 regardless of where you live and enjoy the best cold start protection as well as high temp / towing / off road head protection the 30 grade provides. Every spring when temps are stable above 0°f I get unreasonably excited to put 5W30 back in because it runs so much nicer. 0W30 year round is the goal once I use up my stash of existing 0W20.

All this ranting to say I highly recommend not using 0W20 year round as Subaru boxer engines are known to shear oil faster than other engines, and sometimes have higher fuel dilution as well (I have neither issue in mine thankfully). Starting with a 0W30 fixes that by have higher headroom for shearing plus Mobil 1 ESP is especially resilient to shearing thanks to Euro spec approvals.

If you’re asking for brand suggestions only, I’m a unapologetic Valvoline man, but they simply don’t offer 0W30 like Mobil 1’s exception ESP offering, so that’s my top pick for the Subaru - otherwise Valvoline Restore and Protect is pretty much the GOAT. I’d run that in 5W30 if you don’t use Mobil 1 ESP 0W30 because again having the 30 grade headroom is good and the engines perform and sound better on 30 grade than 20.
Click to expand...
Why not just mix some of the 5W-30 with the 0W-20 to thicken it up slightly?
 
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0/5W-30 is all that engine needs. It will run quieter and will not affect fuel mileage at all. And, depending on what year it is, will help to minimize oil consumption. VRP 5W-30, as mentioned, is the best option for cleaning the rings if it is already a drinker. Its what I currently have in my FB25 Outback.
 
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Mobil and Pennzoil are fantastic choices either one is great also Valvoline and Castrol all four won't let you down. Look for the sales stock up if you have a Costco membership the Kirkland Signature Full Synthetic is excellent as is SuperTech. 0W-20 is fine for all year use.
 
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We have several Subarus (2013, 2023, 2026) and have used M1EP 0w-20, M1AC 0w-20, and Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. We mostly buy M1 when they have a rebate on (usually $10/jug), Pennzoil hasn't been as good with rebates.

All have 2.5L engines and oil consumption is around 1Q/8-10K miles on the oldest, a PI engine (13-15K OCI) . The DI engines have their oil changed every 6K and we have yet to add any oil to them.
 
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