Oil recommendation 2006 Subaru Forester turbo

[cobra617]

Folks,
I have been using Motul Eco-nergy 5w-30 on this car for about 100,000 miles (M1 5W-30 for the 40,000 miles before that). The Motul was recommended to me by a few tuners (one of which being hte place that tuned my car). It is just so much more expensive than other synthetics that I wonder if it is worth it (it costs twice what Pennzoil Platinum costs). My other cars run Pennzoil Platinum (Acura RDX and Mazda CX-9). I change at around 5000 miles.

Here are the details:

1. What kind of vehicle you have

2006 Subaru Forester XT VF-39 turbo 20psi 140,000 miles

2. What your owner's manual says -- not just viscosity, but certifications (look for acronyms like API SM, ILSAC GF-4, etc.) and change intervals as well

ILSAC GF-4 or API classification SM with the words “ENERGY CONSERVING”

3. Where you live

Maryland - Warm-Hot summers, cold winters (lately at least)

4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?)

This varies. For the most part I drive easy. But on my daily trip to work, I might punch it (WOT) once or twice (or thrice).

5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?)

50 miles/day to/from work. Depending on traffic, it is mainly highways.

6. Whether your car has any known problems

No known issues. Car had been custom tuned. Engine wise, I have an upgraded turbo (VF-39), upgraded intercooler (STi TMIC) Cobb tuning turbo back exhaust. Running 20psi @93 octane. (300HP/330 ft-lbs at the wheels)


Thanks,

 

[zach1900]

Pennzoil platinum 5w30.

 

[Rand]

rotella t6 5w40

oci 2x a year or about 5000-6000mi less if severe service.

This isn't a car I'd extend very much.

Those engines like a thick 30wt, being tuned I'd go with the 5w40 that will likely end up in the area of a thick 30wt to low 40wt.

Other options m1 0w40, great oil OEM in many high performance engines. Usually shears slightly out of the 40wt into a thick 30wt.

I'd stay away from a fuel economy minded 0w30,5w30,10w30 oil you don't want to be anywhere close to a 20wt in that engine.

 

[Hollow]

Rotella T6 5w40
Mobil 1 0W40
Pennzoil syn 5w30
QSUD 5w30

 

[901Memphis]

Mobil 1 0W40 European Formula from Walmart for about $25 a jug

 

[OneEyeJack]

Try using what I use.

 

[daves87rs]

Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Mobil 1 0W40 European Formula from Walmart for about $25 a jug




+1

 

[Nate1979]

No need for an expensive oil. The recommendations so far have been spot on.

 

[Merkava_4]

Valvoline Synpower 5W-40.

 

[cobra617]

Thanks VERY much for the responses!

I have one jug of the Motul 5w-30 Eco-nergy remaining in my garage. Sounds like the M1 0W-40 is the one I should go with since there is a Wal-Mart all of 1 mile from my home. (I have to order the Motul). I like that it costs half of what the Motul costs.

Question.....what distinguishes the European formula of M1 0W-40?

Thanks again!

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: daves87rs
Originally Posted By: 901Memphis
Mobil 1 0W40 European Formula from Walmart for about $25 a jug




+1


+2

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: cobra617

Question.....what distinguishes the European formula of M1 0W-40?

Thanks again!


It meets some of the toughest specs for turbocharged engines.

 

[cobra617]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: cobra617

Question.....what distinguishes the European formula of M1 0W-40?

Thanks again!


It meets some of the toughest specs for turbocharged engines.


Thanks. That is re-assuring since I am running higher boost.
Actually what I should have said was, how do I know I have the right stuff? Meaning, is there a M1 0W-40 Non Eurpoean? Or is all of it the European?

Thank you.

 

[Bandito440]

There's only one version of M1 0w-40, so no worry about picking the wrong one.

You want a thicker oil that's not energy conserving.

M1 0w-40
M1 TDT 5w-40
Rotella T6
Castrol 0w-40

Get a UOA sometime.

 

[Bandito440]

If you're wanting to continue with a Motul product, the 8100 X-cess 5W-40 may fit the bill.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

Yeah, the eco-nergy is a low HTHS low vis30 grade. Your tuner should have rec'd the Motul xmax 5w30 or similar ACEA A3,B4 LL01.

 

[Doog]

Originally Posted By: Bandito440
There's only one version of M1 0w-40, so no worry about picking the wrong one.

You want a thicker oil that's not energy conserving.

M1 0w-40
M1 TDT 5w-40
Rotella T6
Castrol 0w-40

Get a UOA sometime.


+1 If you go to any Walmart you should be able to find at least one of these.

 

[cobra617]

Originally Posted By: Doog
Originally Posted By: Bandito440
There's only one version of M1 0w-40, so no worry about picking the wrong one.

You want a thicker oil that's not energy conserving.

M1 0w-40
M1 TDT 5w-40
Rotella T6
Castrol 0w-40

Get a UOA sometime.


+1 If you go to any Walmart you should be able to find at least one of these.



Thanks again. I am so happy that I'll basically be able to cut my oil expenses in half. Paying between $42-$50 a 5L jug for the Motul hurts. The Mobil1 can be had for half that. Sometimes less if I snag a deal at a warehouse store (Costco/BJs etc...)

Thanks.

 

[Thermo1223]

A lower HTHS 0w30 is not an instant death sentence. Used them plenty of time but modified I would run Mobil 0w40 or GC 0w30. No need for anything else because those are so easy to come by.

 

[sicko]

Originally Posted By: Bandito440
There's only one version of M1 0w-40, so no worry about picking the wrong one.

You want a thicker oil that's not energy conserving.

M1 0w-40
M1 TDT 5w-40
Rotella T6
Castrol 0w-40

Get a UOA sometime.



This. Turbo Subarus tend to like thicker oils, and those are all good oils. I would also add PP or SynPower, especially if you can find either in their 5w-40 variants. Also, Castrol makes what people call GC (German Castrol) 0w-30 which is a thick 30 weight oil.

Any of those oils would serve you well.

Also, in the past Subaru has recommended owners with Turbos to let the vehicle idle for 30 seconds before turning off the engine, to allow for more circulation to cool off the turbo.