poll: What oil are you using and what change interval?

**ClimberDHexMods** · February 16, 2010

No, 20w50 is the high end for severe service. And, of course, Subaru's famous TSB for the oil change interval recognized that the Subaru turbo engine operates under and should be treated as a severe service vehicle with shortened OCIs, etc.

Also, according to that, you can run a straight 40 viscosity

Thank you for the information, I had completely missed that before. Is this not in the owner's manual? I would check mine--again--if not out of the state.

**c-lo** · February 16, 2010

I'm using Castrol GTX high mileage oil and changing every 3k. got 134k on it now.

Bannonjr · February 17, 2010

Don't both stand as weights, which are representations of viscosity?

In a sense ya...

W is for "winter" ...cold if you will...basically how the oil acts is at startup vs at operating temp.

**05LGTLtd** · February 17, 2010

Castrol GTX 5w30 every 3500 miles. On my last subaru black filter, next change will get a K&N filter... just bought four of them to get me through the year.

boymk123 · February 17, 2010

any of you use Eneos yet? I only heard good thing about this oil (It is used by Honda F1 racing team, Japan Orange Team...)

If you do, please post up UOA if possible

I'm using GC right now, 90C operating temp.

JoeFromPA · February 18, 2010

Thank you for the information, I had completely missed that before. Is this not in the owner's manual? I would check mine--again--if not out of the state.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2265204/Subaru-LegacyOutback-2008-Owners-Manual

Here's a full owner's manual for ya....

JoeFromPA · February 18, 2010

It's on page 11-13. Here are the appropriate grades for severe service:

SAE 30 or 40, 10w50, 20w40, or 20w50

For regular service under suitable temperatures, 5w30, 10w30, an 10w40 are recommended.

Subaru states:

"Severe Driving Conditions will require the oil change interval to be increased to 3,750 miles or 3.75 months. New for 2008: All turbocharged models are considered to be operated under severe driving conditions and require the oil interval of 3,750 miles or 3.75 months."

I interpret this as also being regularly suitable for an appropriate higher viscosity oil.

**Merc6** · February 18, 2010

30 and 40 stupid question. If it doesn't say Racing like the red redline bottles, it still has the normal detergent additives?

JoeFromPA · February 18, 2010

I'm not 100% sure honestly....I never see them or examine them at all.

I do know that it's incredibly hard to find a true SAE 30 or 40....most really act like 10w30 and 10w40

**ClimberDHexMods** · February 19, 2010

Pennzoil has straight weight oil available. We use to dump straight 50 weight in the old audi so that it would leak everywhere a little less

I could get it at any gas station IIRC, and I did.

Bannonjr · February 19, 2010

Here's some info , thought I'd share incase it hasn't been around yet ..(if it's a repost...sorry) it's what I go by in the Amsoil product guide.

Engine Oil

Grade 1......API*

SUBARU TURBO SPECIAL MESSAGE:

Subaru has published Service Bulletin # 02-103-07 that identifies a factory design related problem with premature clogging of the oil mesh screen located inside the oiling system that supplies the turbo charger on all model turbo charged cars. A clogged screen will result in oil starvation and turbo charger failure. Subaru has reduced their recommended oil drain interval in half, as a solution, from 7,500 miles to 3,750 miles (3-3/4 months) and requires the oil mesh screen to be inspected, and possibly serviced, at every oil change. With this Subaru factory related design issue, AMSOIL INC. therefore must recommend customers follow the new Subaru oil change interval of 3,750 miles or 3-3/4 months until Subaru resolves this issue.

Signature Series 0W-30 100% Synthetic Motor Oil (SSOQT)

SAE 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (ASLQT)

XL 5W-30 Synthetic Motor Oil (XLFQT)

Above -4F......10w-30, 10w-40

All TEMPS......5W-30 [1]