Hiya from the great north!

[TBJ]

In may this year I bought a 1997 Subaru Legacy Outback 2.5 with 174000km on it. On June 12 I performed the scheduled oil change, I used Amsoil engine flush ($ 6.00 here at Peavey Mart), used a WIX oil filter and Amsoil 5W30 100% synthetic. The oil claims to go up to 40,000km (which I may never see for some years to come) and if I've read correctly they support the use of WIX oil filters. My question is do I wait a year until my next oil change or go 6 months and do a flush again but this time using a new oil filter for that process? Any comments please.

 

[va3ux]

Where did you find Amsoil Engine Flush in Canada ?

 

[TBJ]

http://www.peaveymart.com/nav/main.html I was surprised when I found anything Amsoil here.

 

[Gremil]

First don't forget the service rating of the filter. It is 7,500 miles or six months if you are using AMSOIL. There are other filters, like the AMSOIL Ea Oil Filters that can go the full distance, 25,000 miles or one year, because of the way they are constructed and because of the filter media they employ.

I've seen people run Wix filters past 12,000 miles using AMSOIL, but it's not what is recommended.

Also, there is also a time limit on the AMSOIL which is one year. You won't need to flush the engine again.

To sum it all up, if you only drive 15,000 miles in a year, the Wix filter should be changed at the six month or 7,500 mile limit. The Amsoil can be changed at the end of the year as long as you don't go past your 25,000 mile limit. You won't need to flush again.

I forgot to put everything in kilometers, but you get the idea. Hope this helps.

 

[TBJ]

From reading other posts and remembering the label on the flush container, I should have used a new oil filter for that process, the oil that came out was pretty black and another 6 bucks isn't that much in six months time.

On another note, your saying I'm fine for another 2.5 service dates (12,000 km) or do an oil change in December )brr).

 

[Gremil]

The main reason they want you to use a new filter for flushing is to be sure the old filter isn't reaching it's load limit. If the old filter is reaching its load limit and clogs, your oil system will begin to by pass unfiltered oil. That could be tough on your engine especially the bearings.

Even if you didn't change your oil filter to a new prior to flushing, once you drained the engine oil hot it should have also drained the contaminants with the old oil.

 

[Gremil]

On your question of oil drain, your Wix filter is good for 12,000 miles or six months. The engine oil is good for the full 40,000 kilometers of one year. If you drive the full 40,000 kilometers in a year and continue with the Wix brand filter you will need at least 3 oil filter changes.

I hope this clears things up.