Oil Change Interval Change (Subaru recommended)

[Flow]

http://drive.subaru.com/fall13_modes..._tips4#finding

Thought it was interesting that Subaru lists the 2013/14 oil change period as 7.5k miles/7.5 months, but reduces it to 6k miles/6months for the 2015.

Any ideas on why?

[N1rve]

To get more money out of you.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by N1rve

To get more money out of you.

first few oil changes/basic maintenance at subaru are free. something like 2 yrs/24,000 miles or 3 oil changes.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by shiumai

first few oil changes/basic maintenance at subaru are free. something like 2 yrs/24,000 miles or 3 oil changes.

Doesn't that correlate to using up the 3 oil changes faster, which means service intervals come sooner, which translate to (assuming you go to dealership for services) going to the dealership faster and more often than you would of a car following the 7.5k interval.

In 100k miles, the 7.5k interval car will get 13.3 (roughly) oil changes, while as a 6k interval would need 16.667 (roughly) oil changes.

Thats almost 2 oil changes more.

In 10 years (120 months), the 7.5 month car will end up at the dealership 16 times if following the month schedule. The 6 month car will be at the dealership 20 times.

The difference would be about 4 oil changes. At the closest Subaru dealer, it costs 54.95 for an oil change for me.



Over the course of 10 years or 100k miles, one 6k mileage BRZ will be paying 219.80 more than a 7.5k/7.5 month BRZ.

Multiply that by 100,000 cars which equates to $21,980,000 extra

**this assumes no inflation
**this assumes oil changes are constantly $54.95
**this assumes no decrease in time value of money
**this assumes dealership servicing and not DIY.
**this assumes 100k subaru BRZ will be sold

[shiumai]

you're assuming that owners will continue going to the dealership for oil changes past that free period. i'm not planning to.
actually, if they're still offering free oil changes up to 24,000 miles, and you get 4 free oil changes at the dealer instead of 3, it will be costing subaru an extra $54.95 per BRZ sold.
assuming 100k subaru BRZs sold as you did, that will cost subaru an extra $5,495,000 by changing that interval. what happens AFTER the free oil change period is a level playing field between DIY, dealerships and other places to get your oil changed.

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by shiumai

you're assuming that owners will continue going to the dealership for oil changes past that free period. i'm not planning to.
actually, if they're still offering free oil changes up to 24,000 miles, and you get 4 free oil changes at the dealer instead of 3, it will be costing subaru an extra $54.95 per BRZ sold.
assuming 100k subaru BRZs sold as you did, that will cost subaru an extra $5,495,000 by changing that interval. what happens AFTER the free oil change period is a level playing field between DIY, dealerships and other places to get your oil changed.

Me and you both know it only costs like maybe 15 dollars to the dealer or less to perform an oil change. They can do something we can't, buy oil in drums.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by N1rve

Me and you both know it only costs like maybe 15 dollars to the dealer or less to perform an oil change. They can do something we can't, buy oil in drums.

even so, it looks like this will cost subaru more, unless they limit the number of oil changes in that free period.

[paiceyfan]

Originally Posted by shiumai

first few oil changes/basic maintenance at subaru are free. something like 2 yrs/24,000 miles or 3 oil changes.

I think it may be free in certain parts of the country...not offered to me here in Oregon.

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by Flow

Any ideas on why?

IMO, because of the faulty oil control rings on the oil guzzling FB Foresters, Imprezas, Crosstreks, and Outbacks.

The majority of people don't check their own oil and sometimes ignore the low oil warning light. By reducing the OCI, dealers can keep a closer eye on oil consumption.

-Dennis

[Flow]

Originally Posted by bluesubie

IMO, because of the faulty oil control rings on the oil guzzling FB Foresters, Imprezas, Crosstreks, and Outbacks.

The majority of people don't check their own oil and sometimes ignore the low oil warning light. By reducing the OCI, dealers can keep a closer eye on oil consumption.

-Dennis

Ah, I hadn't considered that, but because of the timing, and the source of the link (Subaru email talking about oil usage), this makes sense to me.

[ZionsWrath]

You get free oil changes? I never heard that when I bought my BRZ

[Euro7R]

I don't even bother following the intervals. Different variables will make one to change their oil earlier than recommended. For example, if you took your car to a track day, I don't think you'll want to wait till you reach oil change time interval to swap it out.....

[kavanagh]

According to Blackstone on my used oil analysis with 7500 miles including 4 track days on dealership oil change using Toyota oil, I should change at 10k intervals.
This is for a car in AZ that sees ~4-6 track days per 7500 miles and runs e85.

[shiumai]

Originally Posted by ZionsWrath

You get free oil changes? I never heard that when I bought my BRZ

http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?p=724428