Subaru Oil All Synthetic?

[DaJo]

I just purchased a case of Subaru oil for my car's first oil change... Which will be done by me.

When I got home I realized they gave me the 0W-20 Synthetic oil...
I called them back and asked if they gave me the wrong box, assuming I only need the normal conventional oil because the engine is still fairly new. They replied that that is the right oil to be used for the BRZ.

Anyways, my question is...Are ALL Subaru engine oil by-default Synthetic?

Thanks in advance!

[Le86]

Not all but the vast majority of "Subaru oils" are synthetics. Your car comes from the factory with synthetic, not conventional.

[Jimbo]

Why wouldn't you want synthetic for the first change? Are you doing a change with very minimal miles - like less than 1,000 - and are concerned about the so-called break-in oil? If so, I'd wait - or just change the filter if you want to be extra fussy.

[neutron256]

Originally Posted by Jimbo

Why wouldn't you want synthetic for the first change? Are you doing a change with very minimal miles - like less than 1,000 - and are concerned about the so-called break-in oil? If so, I'd wait - or just change the filter if you want to be extra fussy.

Even the breakin oils are usually synthetic, they just have different additives and may be a different weight.

Using a synthetic is pretty much always better. It has a more constant molecular structure so it maintains its designed properties better and experiences less breakdown over time.

[Grimlock]

Technically speaking nearly all oils marketed as "synthetic" are actually highly refined dinosaur oil. The only oils that I can think of that are truly synthetic are AmsOil and Redline.

The reason for this is that there was a court case where Mobil sued another manufacturer claiming that the other company's "synthetic"-marketed oil was highly refined dinosaur oil whereas MobilOne (at the time) was true synthetic, and much more expensive. The court ruled that the term 'synthetic' was a marketing term and could be used by highly-refined dinosaur oils.

Dont sweat it.

[Beyer Subaru]

Yep, every 2013+ Subaru runs synthetic at this point.

Impreza, Sport, XV, BRZ, Forester and Outback - 0W-20 Synthetic
WRX/STi - 5W-30 Synthetic
Tribeca - 5W-30 Conventional but Subaru reccomends Synthetic

[DaJo]

Perfect! Thank you everyone! <3:happy0180:

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

Technically speaking nearly all oils marketed as "synthetic" are actually highly refined dinosaur oil. The only oils that I can think of that are truly synthetic are AmsOil and Redline.

The reason for this is that there was a court case where Mobil sued another manufacturer claiming that the other company's "synthetic"-marketed oil was highly refined dinosaur oil whereas MobilOne (at the time) was true synthetic, and much more expensive. The court ruled that the term 'synthetic' was a marketing term and could be used by highly-refined dinosaur oils.

Dont sweat it.

Technically speaking conventional oil, nor Group III oils, are made from dinosaur oil or dinosaur fossils. Also, it's a common misconception that there was a Mobil lawsuit, and that there was a court case, but there was only a "ruling" by the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau.

When speaking of Amsoil, note that their OE and XL lines are made from Group III base stocks. Of course, what matters most is the complete package (base stocks and additives) and the oil's end performance.

DaJoian - Can you check if the oil is API SM or SN? Just curious.

-Dennis

[DaJo]

Originally Posted by bluesubie

Technically speaking conventional oil, nor Group III oils, are made from dinosaur oil or dinosaur fossils. Also, it's a common misconception that there was a Mobil lawsuit, and that there was a court case, but there was only a "ruling" by the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau.

When speaking of Amsoil, note that their OE and XL lines are made from Group III base stocks. Of course, what matters most is the complete package (base stocks and additives) and the oil's end performance.

DaJoian - Can you check if the oil is API SM or SN? Just curious.

-Dennis

I will do that and report back to you as soon as I can. Thanks!

[Ranatsu]

Originally Posted by Grimlock

Technically speaking nearly all oils marketed as "synthetic" are actually highly refined dinosaur oil. The only oils that I can think of that are truly synthetic are AmsOil and Redline.

The reason for this is that there was a court case where Mobil sued another manufacturer claiming that the other company's "synthetic"-marketed oil was highly refined dinosaur oil whereas MobilOne (at the time) was true synthetic, and much more expensive. The court ruled that the term 'synthetic' was a marketing term and could be used by highly-refined dinosaur oils.

Dont sweat it.

99% sure Pennzoil Ultra is a group IV base oil, as well as Rotella T6.

[Grimlock]

Originally Posted by bluesubie

Also, it's a common misconception that there was a Mobil lawsuit, and that there was a court case, but there was only a "ruling" by the National Advertising Division of the Better Business Bureau.

You're right.

http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums...=950368&page=1

But the results were the same. Group III oils can be called synthetic and a lot of companies started using Group III instead of PAOs in their synthetic oils.

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by Ranatsu

99% sure Pennzoil Ultra is a group IV base oil, as well as Rotella T6.

Pennzoil has said that all Ultra is PAO Group IV, but RT6 is Group III.

-Dennis

[Ranatsu]

Originally Posted by bluesubie

Pennzoil has said that all Ultra is PAO Group IV, but RT6 is Group III.

-Dennis

Yep you are correct.

[blu_]

All 0-20 weight oil is synthetic.