It's been through nearly 160k miles, driven in the snow at Tahoe and Yosemite as well as in the heat, but mostly as a commute car and grocery getter. It's been through the weirdest reverse idler gear break where it was rebuilt, but it's about time for a new car. I'm ready to turn it into a garage queen where I'd like to keep it around (maybe trips up in the snow where AWD would come in handy) and I'm not sure what oil to feed it from this point on.
I've occasionally neglected the oil changes, but the engine still runs well on a diet of either Mobil 1 5W-30 or 0W-40. It's basically seen nothing but Mobil 1 since I had a run of Mobil conventional 10W-30 back when I got it for about 6000 miles of frequent changes. Also Subaru OEM filters (mostly from a stash of Tokyo Rokis) and assorted aftermarket filters until I found the Wix 57712.
The owners manual says 5W-30 preferred and lists 10W-30 or 10W-40 on the basic chart. Of course there are other options for severe duty including 20W-40, 20W-50, 30, 40, etc, but I never go through those conditions.
I'm thinking maybe just a basic motor oil - maybe Chevron 5W-30 since the owners manual says that API SJ/SL of the recommended grade is fine. Once I have a new car this is going to be seeing low miles and maybe I'll take it out for old time's sake or just when I feel like it. I get that Subaru back spec'ed a recommendation for only the severe-service OCIs, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be hitting 3750 miles before 4 months at that point.
Any input on what I might consider?
I've occasionally neglected the oil changes, but the engine still runs well on a diet of either Mobil 1 5W-30 or 0W-40. It's basically seen nothing but Mobil 1 since I had a run of Mobil conventional 10W-30 back when I got it for about 6000 miles of frequent changes. Also Subaru OEM filters (mostly from a stash of Tokyo Rokis) and assorted aftermarket filters until I found the Wix 57712.
The owners manual says 5W-30 preferred and lists 10W-30 or 10W-40 on the basic chart. Of course there are other options for severe duty including 20W-40, 20W-50, 30, 40, etc, but I never go through those conditions.
I'm thinking maybe just a basic motor oil - maybe Chevron 5W-30 since the owners manual says that API SJ/SL of the recommended grade is fine. Once I have a new car this is going to be seeing low miles and maybe I'll take it out for old time's sake or just when I feel like it. I get that Subaru back spec'ed a recommendation for only the severe-service OCIs, but I'm not sure if I'm going to be hitting 3750 miles before 4 months at that point.
Any input on what I might consider?