Motul X-Lite 0W-30 6,000 mi '04 Subaru Forester XT

[bluesubie]

UOA by Oil Analyzers Inc.

Driving conditions: Oil in use since March 2011; 7 mile daily commute each way; spirited driving with a few redlines here and there on days where I have a 30 minute drive. A trip to SC during June. Most of my consumption is usually on trips if I’m driving on the interstate at steady highway speeds. 3500 rpm's at 80 mph. Cobb Stage I "Off The Shelf" ECU reflash done 700 miles ago. +29% HP/+21% Torque. Probably not done early enough to affect this OCI though.

Comments: Lubricant and filter change is suggested if not done at sampling time; Infared results indicate OXIDATION is SEVERELY HIGH. Infared results indicate that NITRATION is at a SIGNIFICANT LEVEL; FLAGGED ADDITIVE levels indicate slight LUBE MIXING

Equipment make: Subaru
Equipment model: 2.5L Turbo
Oil use interval: 6022 miles
Oil type & Grade: Motul X-Lite 0W-30
Make-up oil added: 1.5 Liters
Miles on unit: 112,407
Air filter: Amsoil Ea panel filter
Oil filter: OEM Honeywell
Overall severity of report = 4 abnormal

Code:


(newest to oldest, left to right)

X-Lite; PU 5W40; M1 0W40; SSO; SSO

Iron 4 8 7 11 11

Chromium 0 0 0 0 0

Nickel 0 0 0 0 0

Aluminum 0 2 0 3 3

Copper 8 8 15 5 6

Lead 1 1 0 10 4

Tin 0 0 0 1 0

Cadmium 0 0 0 1 0

Silver 0 0 0 0 0

Silicon 7 7 8 10 11

Sodium 2 10 22 28 90

Potassium 0 0 3 2 2

Titanium 0 0 0 0 0

Molybdenum 4 24 123 2 1

Antimony 0 1 2 0 0

Manganese 0 0 0 4 0

Lithium 0 0 0 3 0

Boron 6 117 112 7 7

Magnesium 13 19 30 17 17

Calcium 3323 2347 2805 3497 3423

Barium 0 0 0 0 0

Phosphorus 984 824 880 654 677

Zinc 1145 1050 1061 717 755



Fuel %
Soot
Water
Vis @ 100C:11.3 12.1 13.2 10.1 9.6

TBN 4.93 3.78 1.99 4.35 4.01

Oxidation 47 15 37 43 38 (4 critical)

Nitration 26 27 27 32 27 (3 abnormal)

X-Lite; PU 5W40; M1 0W40; SSO; SSO

Lube chg No

Filter chg No


I'm thinking that most of the oxidation is from the ester based Motul. I'm happy with the low wear. TDS states the viscosity on this oil is 11.9 and TBN is 11.2.

Haven't changed the oil yet.

Comments?

-Dennis

 

[buster]

Results look good, but nitration would concern me a bit. I don't know what to make of Oil Analyzers. They are hard to read.

 

[panthermike]

I agree with you, high oxidation is likely from the Ester base in the oil. Wear looks good.

 

[SubLGT]

Looks good to me. Good retention of TBN and viscosity (but you did add 1.5L as makeup oil). Do you know the oxidation number for virgin X-Lite? Are you aiming for a 10K OCI?

Did you get better fuel mileage with this "heavy" 0W30, than with M1 0W40 or PU 5W40?

I saw a 5L jug of the X-Lite 0W30 at Amazon for $65.62 with free shipping (for a limited time). I'm not up to speed on Motul prices. Is that a good deal?

 

[SubLGT]

Originally Posted By: bluesubie
...........I'm thinking that most of the oxidation is from the ester based Motul. ........-Dennis


From Polaris Labs, regarding FTIR oxidation test:
"Significant contamination of water, glycol, soot or fuel may affect all FTIR results. Ester-based lubricants will show high oxidation values."


here is a nice summary of FTIR analysis for oxidation, nitration, etc:
http://www.lubetrak.com/newsletter/Mar03HTML.html

"......These esters, imides and amides can interfere with the oxidation measurements of the FT-IR. For this reason, a good FT-IR program will include a reference sample of the new oil used in the application. The new oil spectrum is subtracted from the used oil to eliminate the presence of these additives. If your program is not using this new oil reference method, a comparison analysis of the new oil should be obtained, so that you will know the amount of these additives that might be interfering."

 

[bluesubie]

Sub - That's a decent price. I think that's about what I paid picking up at a nearby Audi aftermarket shop. I can get it for $52.25 a jug if I agree to purchase a case of it from Annapolis Subaru. I was planning to only go to about 7,500 but that depends on consumption since I don't have any more.

I haven't sen a VOA on this. Thanks for the info, I'll have to check it out!

I don't think my mpg's have varied all of that much. I don't track them on a spreadsheet, but they vary quite a bit depending on my driving conditions week to week.

-Dennis

 

[SubLGT]

So what oil is next for you? Maybe a 0W-20 for this winter?

 

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted By: SubLGT
So what oil is next for you? Maybe a 0W-20 for this winter?

Not unless it's Red Line or Motul 300V!

I haven't decided what I'm running next. Here's what I've been considering:

Motul X-clean 5W-30. Local pick-up from my buddy's Subaru shop. It's mid-SAPS, but he had a decent 7,500 mile uoa on it in his 2011 STI.
Motul 300V 5W-30 (pricey)
Mobil1 0W-40
RLI 0W-30, 5W-40
Red Line 5W-30

I'll probably think of a few more between now and when I actually change it. I checked my records and I don't know if I've even ever replaced my PCV valve! Shame on me.

It doesn't look particularly easy, but maybe that would help with my consumption.

-Dennis

 

[CATERHAM]

Like you oil options, but forget the RLI 5W-40; It's way heavier than the rest with a HTHS vis of 4.3cP plus.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: buster
Results look good, but nitration would concern me a bit. I don't know what to make of Oil Analyzers. They are hard to read.

I never put any stock in the Oxidation/Nitration values. But thats just me.

Eventually must of will come to see that thicker is not better.

But then again its a subie engine. They seem to be able to run on anything.