3,000 mi oil-change

[prest1ge]

I finally brought my car in yesterday for the complimentary 3,000 mi oil-change. My dealership refilled with Subaru brand 0w-20 and changed out the oil filter as well. My last car was bought new in 2005 and lets just say that I don't recall first oil-changes making such a big difference.

I recall complaining about notchy shifting and crude, lawn-mower-like sound quality of the engine. To my suprise, both of these were addressed by the oil-change. The car glides from gear to gear so easily that it doesn't even feel like the same car anymore (in a good way of course). I find myself having to readjust throttle control because of this. My service technician believes the big difference in perceived smoothness is due to the drainage of metal shavings from the engine oil. This leads me to believe that the previous notchiness in shifting that I experienced was not due to the transmission, but rather the engine losing momentum in between gears from dirty oil friction.

The engine also sounds a lot more refined at above 4k RMPS. Whereas it used to sound coarse like a high-powered blender, it now is significantly quieter and more smooth. I also feel less vibrations through the gas pedal now. It's like they filled my car up with AA-grade European butter.

As silly as this might sound, I now see why reviewers have been raving about the FT86. It took the first oil-change for me to realize that, so to those owners who are still in doubt, BE PATIENT!

[NYNOMAD]

I noticed the same thing on my 1st oil change. Never had an oil change make such a difference. All positive differences!

[#87]

Placebo

[prest1ge]

Originally Posted by #87

Placebo

How many miles do you have on your BRZ?

[kwood9000]

I plan on changing my oil at 1,000 miles...also using a filtermag to reduce circulation of some of the metal shavings.

[so26]

I recently changed my oil at 1600mi with Eneos 0-20w oil and an oem filter and the engine does sound a little less rough but not to the extent that the OP is claiming.

BTW, I was surprised how dark the original oil was when it came out. I guess the detergent additives in the original oil were really doing their job.

[Bonburner]

I check the dip stick and its still pretty light .. when it gets darker I'll change the oil :X
or at 3k

[rice_classic]

Great deal on oil!

I don't stress out as much about oil ($10 super awesome brand vs $3.49 valvoline napa) now that I found Joe Gibbs research. Find a good oil, at a good price and keep it clean by changing the filter often (which is damn easy to do on these cars!)

Joe Gibbs has a great study done on the importance of changing the filter often and the critical role the filter plays in increasing longevity. http://www.joegibbsracingoil.com/tra...h/filters.html

Gibb's opening statement is interesting: (the bold is my emphasis)

Originally Posted by Joe Gibbs Racing

Over 70% of all machine wear is realted to contamination, and dirt is the number 1 source of contamination. Reducing the dirt level in your engine reduces the wear in your engine, so what is the best way to keep the dirt level low? Frequent oil filter changes and high quality air filters (not high flow air filters) can remove dirt and prevent dirt from entering the oil system.

Personally, I change the filter in between oil changes. It's cheap, it takes 30 seconds and it plays such a significant role... why not?!

[_F-R-S_]

Originally Posted by prest1ge

I finally brought my car in yesterday for the complimentary 3,000 mi oil-change. My dealership refilled with Subaru brand 0w-20 and changed out the oil filter as well. My last car was bought new in 2005 and lets just say that I don't recall first oil-changes making such a big difference.

I recall complaining about notchy shifting and crude, lawn-mower-like sound quality of the engine. To my suprise, both of these were addressed by the oil-change. The car glides from gear to gear so easily that it doesn't even feel like the same car anymore (in a good way of course). I find myself having to readjust throttle control because of this. My service technician believes the big difference in perceived smoothness is due to the drainage of metal shavings from the engine oil. This leads me to believe that the previous notchiness in shifting that I experienced was not due to the transmission, but rather the engine losing momentum in between gears from dirty oil friction.

The engine also sounds a lot more refined at above 4k RMPS. Whereas it used to sound coarse like a high-powered blender, it now is significantly quieter and more smooth. I also feel less vibrations through the gas pedal now. It's like they filled my car up with AA-grade European butter.

As silly as this might sound, I now see why reviewers have been raving about the FT86. It took the first oil-change for me to realize that, so to those owners who are still in doubt, BE PATIENT!

That brought tears to my eyes

[SLEEPER WRX]

Changed the oil at 1K miles
Seriously - 0w20 pours like water!
I put new 0w20 in but . . .
I think next oil change will have 0w30

[Plxdjake89]

Just did my first oil change at 3k a second ago. I don't believe I hear the chirp anymore (I only drove for like 15 minutes....spirited ) and the engine does sound noticeably quieter.

[Bonburner]

Originally Posted by Plxdjake89

Just did my first oil change at 3k a second ago. I don't believe I hear the chirp anymore (I only drove for like 15 minutes....spirited ) and the engine does sound noticeably quieter.

that kind of makes me sad .. I like Hearing my engine :/
although I'm happy the chirping goes away ~

[Plxdjake89]

Originally Posted by Bonburner

that kind of makes me sad .. I like Hearing my engine :/
although I'm happy the chirping goes away ~

Lol, scratch the chirp. I was handling this b**** for a sec and when I came to a stop...it was back

[Bonburner]

haha, oh well