Engine oil - what should we (Aussie) use?
 

hi all,

I'm new to boxer/Subaru engine and what sort of oil should we use?

the US guys use 0w20. is this Subaru specific and we should use something similar?

coming from my previous cars, the oil viscosity of 0w20 seems a bit low?

thanks

I bought 0w20 from the Subaru service department. I thought about 5-30 but thought it safer to stick with the manufacturers recommendation. Was $101 for 5l.

I have read the oil is like that so emissions are lower. The engine is designed with the right clearances to suit that oil.
The 15000 between services concerns me. I feel it is a marketing thing for when they are selling the car. I have not seen an engine worn out from too many oil changes. The manual states that one litre per 1000 km is acceptable. I guess that means 15 litres of top up over 15000 km means you have pretty clean oil.

You can use this (see below). It's in stock and costs $55inc for 4L which is great value for money. This is only for a street car as anything track needs more like 10w45 or 10w35 as a minimum.
Cheers
HKS Australia

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/a...-088_093-1.jpg

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/a...-AK001_2-1.jpg

This is one of those topics where there is no one correct answer. Answers include "It depends" and "Everything's a compromise". Where do you live? What sort of driving do you do? i have read many times that the greatest rate of wear occurs on start up ( this makes sense) so if you are doing lots of short trips lower viscosity is better. Mainly tracking the car? Higher is better.
Because I don't use my car much and when I do it tends to be longer trips plus motokhanas and occasional track day I use Mobil 1 5w-50. But as I say, it depends.

Fuel for thought.

so running 5w30 etc won't harm the engine?

what do other performance Subaru use?

i do a lot of short trips and occasional track days.

also how much oil do we need for an oil change?

i seems to recall a little over 5L??

thanks

Can you tell me who manufactures HKS oil?
(Stupid translation: an oil that is not suitable for track work,ie street only, is called "Super Racing".

Oil doesn't harm engines; oil protects. Different oils/viscosities have different optimum operating parameters. I am guessing after a few hundred thousand kilometers one might be able to detect the difference in engine wear to using different oils.


5.5 litres with oil filter replacement , 5.2 without.

It is not that it cant be used it is just recommended that a different oil viscosity should be used for prolonged track use.

cheers dave

I will be using this and doing oil analysis to see how it is performing (rather than guessing).

http://www.amsoil.com/StoreFront/images/asm_300.jpg

I will use that until I find something with better specs or UOA shows performs better ... or I go forced induction.

Note, that is NOT what I use in my current 400hp Subaru, as they are completely different engines.

The 5w30 will be fine. HKS sell a specific oil for normal EJ20 Turbo's 7.5w42 but forced induction cars see more heat.
Cheers
HKS Australia

Don't know sorry and can't imagine HKS disclosing that information. As for the name - if you ever looked at HKS products in general they make lot's of parts called "Super Racing". It's just the series in which the oil is packaged. I only advised not to use the 0w25 for track use as light oil for a track car is asking for trouble. As you can see below after only 5 mins on a track the oil temp rose beyond what a 25 weight oil is capable of maintaining. Maybe you should look at the heavier weight Super Racing Oil for track use.
Cheers
HKS Australia

http://i846.photobucket.com/albums/a...5004-AT008.jpg

Will you be using this oil for track as well, or street only?

Both ... as the HTHS viscosity is similar to most 30 weights.

Again, I will test it after each decent flogging. I test like crazy with a new car, then go back to once or twice a year when I have data to support (or reject) my choice.


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