Oil Choice for new WRX!

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Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: bluesubie
5W-40 conventional may be used for replenishment,

Does it even exist?

Nope! They've also had some other odd things listed in the manuals. The 2012 Outback manual allowed a switch to synthetic, but recommended sticking with it over the life of the car if you made the switch. So 1980's!

When a Subaru email newsletter stated that the new Impreza's required 0W-30 conventional, I sent a long tirade to a friend at SoA that went unanswered.
lol.gif


-Dennis
 
Originally Posted By: bluesubie


Subaru of America calls for 5W-30. They did not design and build the engine.
wink.gif

SoA got approval from Fuji Heavy Industries to allow 5W-30.

05LGTLtd - Other than mentioning that 5W-40 conventional may be used for replenishment, SoA dropped the recommendation of thicker viscosities during model year 2011.

-Dennis


They didn't re-engineer the block make a significant change in the drivetrain from 2010 to 2013 either. I know of no TSB that says that earlier models should NOT run a 40 or even 50 weight oil for the proper temps. What did change was SoA needs to get better MPG stats and they are moving to thinner oil to do so. After Honda was sued due to not making MPG in the hybrid civic, some lawyer probably told them not to allow 10w50 any more because it was a legal liability. Requiring synthetic just gives them another way to deny warranty...
 
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Originally Posted By: bluesubie
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: bluesubie
5W-40 conventional may be used for replenishment,

Does it even exist?

Nope! They've also had some other odd things listed in the manuals. The 2012 Outback manual allowed a switch to synthetic, but recommended sticking with it over the life of the car if you made the switch. So 1980's!

When a Subaru email newsletter stated that the new Impreza's required 0W-30 conventional, I sent a long tirade to a friend at SoA that went unanswered.
lol.gif


-Dennis


That's hilarious!
 
Originally Posted By: bluesubie

When a Subaru email newsletter stated that the new Impreza's required 0W-30 conventional, I sent a long tirade to a friend at SoA that went unanswered.
lol.gif


-Dennis


Drive Magazine had an article on the then new Honeywell filter claiming better media than the "bargain" brand and that it had a silicone ADBV.

My letter to them informing that the media was exactly the same as the "bargain" brand and that XRF analysis of the ADBV valve confirmed that it was nitrile and not silicone went unanswered also.
grin.gif


Ed
 
Originally Posted By: 05LGTLtd
Originally Posted By: bluesubie


Subaru of America calls for 5W-30. They did not design and build the engine.
wink.gif

SoA got approval from Fuji Heavy Industries to allow 5W-30.

05LGTLtd - Other than mentioning that 5W-40 conventional may be used for replenishment, SoA dropped the recommendation of thicker viscosities during model year 2011.

-Dennis


They didn't re-engineer the block make a significant change in the drivetrain from 2010 to 2013 either. I know of no TSB that says that earlier models should NOT run a 40 or even 50 weight oil for the proper temps. What did change was SoA needs to get better MPG stats and they are moving to thinner oil to do so. After Honda was sued due to not making MPG in the hybrid civic, some lawyer probably told them not to allow 10w50 any more because it was a legal liability. Requiring synthetic just gives them another way to deny warranty...


01.gif
 
My friend, firstly it seems like you have already made up your mind!

The dilemma here is Redline 5W-30 might very well be sufficient for your driving needs, but it does not "officially/legally" meets API SN rating to the best of my knowledge.

So now, not only tracking will be a violation of your warranty but your choice of oil as well!

You can get away by using M1 Euro, if you really wanna play safe as it meets API SN officially and oil grade varies from region to region (its weather dependent as well), Subaru called for for a 40 grade in Middle East as opposed to 20 grade in Canada.
 
Man if I had a new WRX I would be running the factory recommended oil until the warranty was up.

I run 'em hard and often, so I always assume I will NEED the warranty one day!
 
If your major concerns are warranty and what Subaru intends for your WRX, then my recommendation would be the genuine "Subaru Synthetic 5w30". It's ~$7 a quart.
 
The only API approved xw30 I'd run in a turbocharged Subaru is Castrol Edge with SPT 0w30, unless there's another API approved 0w30 or 5w30 with HTHS > 3.5 and Zinc > 900ppm.
 
Originally Posted By: 05foresterXT
unless there's another API approved 0w30 or 5w30 with HTHS > 3.5 and Zinc > 900ppm.

BMW 5w-30 oil (rebadged Castrol) would also fit this bill.

However, both this oil as well as GC are only API SL certified. I'm not sure if Subaru would be OK with that on a 2013 car.
 
Originally Posted By: Quattro Pete
Originally Posted By: 05foresterXT
unless there's another API approved 0w30 or 5w30 with HTHS > 3.5 and Zinc > 900ppm.

BMW 5w-30 oil (rebadged Castrol) would also fit this bill.

However, both this oil as well as GC are only API SL certified. I'm not sure if Subaru would be OK with that on a 2013 car.


I feel as though the OP is very contradicting. Plans on tracking the car occasionally, using Redline 5w-30 (not API approved), yet wants to maintain the warranty by using a 5w-30.

:scratches head:

If you want to maintain the warranty, Pennzoil Ultra 5w-30 would be the best bet.
 
Since we have established that the OP only plans to do occasional autocrosses and not track days on full-size road courses, and that the car has an oil cooler, we can put away thoughts of Redline 5w30 or heavier weight oils. So my previous recommendation of M1 or PU 5w30 still seems good. The more I read about SN-spec PU, the more I want to try it.
 
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I want to use what SOA specs. Because its SOA that will be declining my warranty claim should something fail.

PU 5w30 seems like a great fit!
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Now that engine oil is out of the way, have you thought about gear oil?


I'll stick with Subaru's.

That's something I will have the dealer do.
 
Originally Posted By: artificialist
Now that engine oil is out of the way, have you thought about gear oil?


I've heard great things about Subaru's synthetic Extra-S 75w90. That is the factory for all 6spd STi's.

Factory fill for WRX's is some conventional 75w90 I believe. Now that I'm approaching 30,000 miles I will be dumping the old gear oil fill for Extra-S.

Check Out: Fred Beans Extra-S

Pretty pricey at $15 per quart, 4.3 quarts total is needed for both rear diff and transmission case, but they only have to be dumped every 30k miles. Possibly 60k for synthetic. I've got mine lined up in the garage to be done in a few weeks.
grin.gif


I've heard Motul Gear 300 works well with our 5spd transmission also, but I'll stick with Subaru's offering.
 
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I'm just going to throw the CYA into the whole thing if warranty is a concern. Maybe better info at some of the Subby boards.

Pick your oil and filter, bring it to a shop (but watch them use it!), pay them and keep the receipts. Your word against theirs (SoA) that you actually put that PU in your car and not somebody elses even with all your purchase receipts, barcode packages, detailed logs and UOA's. If you think they won't fight to save some cash on your blown turbo claim, think again. Their pockets are much deeper and fuller when the lawyers are involved.

I had 4 perfectly even worn tires that only lasted 1/2 the life as rated. I rotated myself regularly and checked all my brakes etc. What do you think local dealer and GOOD(4 one)YEAR covered? They wanted to see PROOF from dealer that maintenance was done regularly.
 
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