Oil Analysis - 1st oil change

[R L Newb]

thanks for the new UOAs guys, and we always appreciate the oil knowledge from Dennis!

[BRZZZZZZZZZZ]

Originally Posted by TallTerror13

My trip to work is 5 whole miles, round trip! I've had my car for almost 5 months and I drive it every day, but I only have 2750 miles on it... how often should I change my oil?

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With short trips like that I would certainly change the oil every 3 months myself personally. Short trips are the hardest trips in my eyes.

[regal]

We are seeing more UOA's and one thing sticks out is copper. Some have quite a bit and some don't. Any thoughts are why?

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by regal

We are seeing more UOA's and one thing sticks out is copper. Some have quite a bit and some don't. Any thoughts are why?

It could just be from the break-in metals like Blackstone stated in the last uoa posted above. That car has only 3k miles on it. And the one above that is in km's so that's about 8,500 miles.

This is why when Subaru's came from the factory with conventional mineral oil, many people said to wait until 10k miles or so to switch because the cars can be slow to break in and it wasn't worth it to switch so early doing 3-4k mile intervals. The break-in metals in my Forester XT didn't start to drop until 18k miles although it's not uncommon to see completely normal break-in metals in Subaru's with only 8k miles on them. Check the OP as well. Copper didn't drop to normal levels until the 26k mile uoa. Different oil change intervals and different break-in methods may affect this (and different oil additive packs?), I'm not sure.


-Dennis

[Blorb]

Here's my second oil change, first analysis with the Toyota OEM 0W-20.

[tbrocato]

Here is my latest oil change. K&N air filter was being used during this oil run.

[R L Newb]

Any reason you're still changing at 5k with the Eneos? Seems like it could handle the 7500 interval without an issue.

[regal]

Originally Posted by R L Newb

Any reason you're still changing at 5k with the Eneos? Seems like it could handle the 7500 interval without an issue.

Basically the manual says change the oil at 3500 miles. If you read it very few people meet the critierea for the 7500 mi interval. And if you can afford Sustina might as well follow the manual. That oil consistently gives good results I just wish NAPA carried it and it was halfway affordable. It is scary thin though.


As far as using 5W20, some 5w20 are very good oils because the base stocks make up near that visc, not as much junk needed to hit the mark.


The other school of though is the catterham blend 0w30, incredible VI.


Then you have the Sustina which I think must have some high tech additives to keep putting out low metals UOA.


I'm going with the Catterham blend for the summer with 1/2 qt mobil 1 racing oil additive (insurance .)

[PollosHermanos]

After reading this thread it seems like our factory fill is pretty damned good. I just scheduled my first change for Saturday and I'm at 4 months and 4150 miles.

Even though I think I'd be fine - I do plan to autocross on Sunday so I thought that it would be good not to do that on what I consider the tail end of the first oil cycle.

Good call?

[bluesubie]

tbrocato - With that K&N, your silicon may not drop to normal levels. More flow sometimes = more dirt ingestion. Definitely keep an eye on it.

-Dennis

[sato]

Originally Posted by bluesubie

tbrocato - With that K&N, your silicon may not drop to normal levels. More flow sometimes = more dirt ingestion. Definitely keep an eye on it.

-Dennis

Agreed. Same thing Blackstone told me in reference to my current ride while using the K&N

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[R L Newb]

Originally Posted by regal

Basically the manual says change the oil at 3500 miles. If you read it very few people meet the critierea for the 7500 mi interval. And if you can afford Sustina might as well follow the manual. That oil consistently gives good results I just wish NAPA carried it and it was halfway affordable. It is scary thin though.


As far as using 5W20, some 5w20 are very good oils because the base stocks make up near that visc, not as much junk needed to hit the mark.


The other school of though is the catterham blend 0w30, incredible VI.


Then you have the Sustina which I think must have some high tech additives to keep putting out low metals UOA.


I'm going with the Catterham blend for the summer with 1/2 qt mobil 1 racing oil additive (insurance .)

Except for those that track or autox a lot I'd say most fit the 7500 bill. It's hard to be considered "severe city driving" unless your typical day involves starting the car, driving a mile, shutting it off, repeat.

Originally Posted by PollosHermanos

After reading this thread it seems like our factory fill is pretty damned good. I just scheduled my first change for Saturday and I'm at 4 months and 4150 miles.

Even though I think I'd be fine - I do plan to autocross on Sunday so I thought that it would be good not to do that on what I consider the tail end of the first oil cycle.

Good call?

yes, the factory fill is some slick stuff (). I typically vote for an oil change after the winter before I start racing with my STi; you could probably go either way at that point and be fine but since you already have it scheduled might as well change the oil.

What oil are you putting in?

[PollosHermanos]

Originally Posted by R L Newb

What oil are you putting in?

Good question - the dealer is doing the service so I assume they'll be putting in whatever it is that subaru specs for Synthetic.

This particular dealer has a program that will give you perks if you use them for maintenance, among them is free tires for life so I am trying to keep that up. They quoted me $77 for the service. Doing it on my own would be about $20 cheaper if I recall correctly.

After some internetting I can't seem to find if there is a standard synthetic oil for Subaru. I'm going to have to ask them unless some knows better?

EDIT: The dealer "thinks" it's valvoline. That's encouraging

[regal]

Originally Posted by PollosHermanos

Good question - the dealer is doing the service so I assume they'll be putting in whatever it is that subaru specs for Synthetic.

This particular dealer has a program that will give you perks if you use them for maintenance, among them is free tires for life so I am trying to keep that up. They quoted me $77 for the service. Doing it on my own would be about $20 cheaper if I recall correctly.

After some internetting I can't seem to find if there is a standard synthetic oil for Subaru. I'm going to have to ask them unless some knows better?

This is Subaru's OE supplier (same oil) http://www.autohausaz.com/search/pro...Fenm7AodC2EAlA