It's been a long while since I've posted here; previously I had a SAAB 9-5 AERO (I liked ACEA A3 oils like Mobil 1 0W-40 and GC for that car) and then an Acura TL (Motorcraft semi-syn worked nicely there) and then an Acura MDX (Mobil 1 EP with Honda "FILTECH" filters work nicely for 15,000 miles) and then a couple of VW TDIs (I used to have a very a long commute), and stuck with VW's recommendation (VW 507.00) for those.
Back in the day, Auto-Rx was very popular here, and Pennzoil Ultra hadn't been created yet
Now I'm driving a 2015 Subaru Forester XT, and for those unfamiliar with the engine, it has the 2.0-liter four cylinder from the BRZ/FR-S, but Subaru changed the fuel injection from port+direct, to direct only, and turbocharged it.
It seems that direct injection engines have had problems with excessive carbon buildup on the intake valves (not all makes are equally affected, but in scanning various forums, BMWs, Minis, and Audis appear to be problematic)
As I understand, it's theorized that without port injection, there's no gasoline to wash off the buildup of recirculated crankcase vapors and oil on the intake valves and stems.
This Subaru "DIT" engine is relatively new in the U.S., so I've no idea if carbon build-up will be a problem, but I'd certainly like to choose an oil which might help minimize this problem. Of interest, is that Subaru recently shortened the oil change interval for this particular car to 6,000 miles (it was 7,500 miles last year)
Could Pennzoil Ultra help, with its increased cleaning power?
Could Redline help, also thought to be a very clean oil?
Do I look for an oil with low NOACK volatility like Amsoil?
Low SAPS? Low amount of VI? Just stick with Mobil 1?
So many factors!
I should also answer these questions:
1. What kind of vehicle you have : 2015 SUBARU FORESTER XT
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 : SYNTHETIC 5W-30, changed every 6,000 miles or 6 mos
3. Where you live : Northern Fairfield County, CT
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?) : Sometimes slow, sometimes hard/fast
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?) : Country back roads, ranging from 25 mph to 55 mph, 13 miles each way to work and back
6. Whether your car has any known problems : None
Thanks for your thoughts.
Jason
Back in the day, Auto-Rx was very popular here, and Pennzoil Ultra hadn't been created yet
Now I'm driving a 2015 Subaru Forester XT, and for those unfamiliar with the engine, it has the 2.0-liter four cylinder from the BRZ/FR-S, but Subaru changed the fuel injection from port+direct, to direct only, and turbocharged it.
It seems that direct injection engines have had problems with excessive carbon buildup on the intake valves (not all makes are equally affected, but in scanning various forums, BMWs, Minis, and Audis appear to be problematic)
As I understand, it's theorized that without port injection, there's no gasoline to wash off the buildup of recirculated crankcase vapors and oil on the intake valves and stems.
This Subaru "DIT" engine is relatively new in the U.S., so I've no idea if carbon build-up will be a problem, but I'd certainly like to choose an oil which might help minimize this problem. Of interest, is that Subaru recently shortened the oil change interval for this particular car to 6,000 miles (it was 7,500 miles last year)
Could Pennzoil Ultra help, with its increased cleaning power?
Could Redline help, also thought to be a very clean oil?
Do I look for an oil with low NOACK volatility like Amsoil?
Low SAPS? Low amount of VI? Just stick with Mobil 1?
So many factors!
I should also answer these questions:
1. What kind of vehicle you have : 2015 SUBARU FORESTER XT
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 : SYNTHETIC 5W-30, changed every 6,000 miles or 6 mos
3. Where you live : Northern Fairfield County, CT
4. How you drive (easy? hard? fast? slow?) : Sometimes slow, sometimes hard/fast
5. What your daily drive is like (short trips? long trips? city? highway?) : Country back roads, ranging from 25 mph to 55 mph, 13 miles each way to work and back
6. Whether your car has any known problems : None
Thanks for your thoughts.
Jason
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