First Oil Change to the shop

[2point0]

Subaru filters are so cheap, I'd never use anything else. I'd post a link to the nasioc oil filter comparison but it'd probably get deleted. Feel free to look it up, basically the OEM was much better than aftermarket.

I've got the dealer doing my first 3 oil changes for free (just one more to go) and after that, no one will touch it but me. Easy enough to get bulk oil online, and everyone should own a Fumoto valve (aka Qwik Valve). Most floor jacks will fit under the car if you drive up on a couple of 2x6's first. Easy peasy.

I've yet to have a positive experience at any "quick oil change" type of shop. I'm sure there are good ones out there, but I haven't seen them. I've had a few instances where I get home, look under the hood, pick up the oil cap and screw it back on. No joke.

[2point0]

Originally Posted by NicholasByrd

There are many shop which do great job but there are some which will only take more money from you, so its all up to you to select good shop or you can take it to the companies servicing center.

Yeah, they'll try to get you to do a rear end flush or intake cleaning or some such bullshit. $$$

[AZP Installs]

For those guys in So Cal, definitely check out Mike Sprank over at Infamous Performance. Great guys and great shop. They can hook you up with the proper oil and a careful oil change for you.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
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[2point0]

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

For those guys in So Cal, definitely check out Mike Sprank over at Infamous Performance. Great guys and great shop. They can hook you up with the proper oil and a careful oil change for you.

-Mike Paisan

Agreed! I've heard only good things about Infamous, and have been to the shop during a toy drive. Very cool guys and reasonable tuning rates.

[Orthow]

Originally Posted by 2point0

Yeah, they'll try to get you to do a rear end flush or intake cleaning or some such bullshit. $$$

Bullshit? It's called an upsell. Basic maintenance gets overlooked by the majority of consumers so asking if you want a new air filter, injector flush or differential fluid flush should be expected. There are loads of women and even men who have NO clue that Differentials and Transmissions also run gear oil that require flushing or that air filters are a wearable item. For those sorts - I hope they get upsold everytime as the second owner will have a better vehicle as a result.

To add to that do you avoid restaurants because the servers attempt to get you to add an order of mushrooms with your steak? As this is the exact same scenario. You simply say yay or nay and continue on with your meal. Same should be done at an oil changers.

I should mention I have always done my own oil changes and maintenance. I have never been employed by an oil shop nor do I own one lol

[2point0]

Originally Posted by Orthow

Bullshit? It's called an upsell. Basic maintenance gets overlooked by the majority of consumers so asking if you want a new air filter, injector flush or differential fluid flush should be expected. There are loads of women and even men who have NO clue that Differentials and Transmissions also run gear oil that require flushing or that air filters are a wearable item. For those sorts - I hope they get upsold everytime as the second owner will have a better vehicle as a result.

To add to that do you avoid restaurants because the servers attempt to get you to add an order of mushrooms with your steak? As this is the exact same scenario. You simply say yay or nay and continue on with your meal. Same should be done at an oil changers.

I should mention I have always done my own oil changes and maintenance. I have never been employed by an oil shop nor do I own one lol

Whoa there, I think you took this too personally. A brand new car does NOT need a diff flush. I'd go as far as to say it probably never needs a flush. At most, drain and fill and not for a long long time yet. How about a radiator flush? Waste of money. Again, drain/fill at most. If a radiator REALLY needs a flush, it probably needs to be replaced.

Yes, filters are wear items, I didn't say they weren't. What I'm refering to is that I've had a shop show me the inside of my intake and tell me I need an intake cleaning service. It's called crankcase ventilation and it's gonna keep happening, so no I don't want to waste my money on ridiculous services. The cure is a good catch can or AOS, not some BS (yes, BS) upsell. You're right, most people don't know the difference so they'll get suckered into extra services they don't need. And there are people who don't realize oil needs to be changed. If you don't know the history of ANY car, you're taking a risk buying it.

As for restaurants, I don't mind hearing about the specials. But I HATE going to Carl's Jr. and before I can open my mouth, "Would you like to try our new xxx yyy?" I can't even understand what they're asking and no I don't want it so yeah I just say, "No I want a Super Star with no---" and before I can say "onions" they fire off, "Would you like to make that a combo?" "NO COMBO JUST THE DAMN SAMMICH AND NO ONIONS!" And for the record, I hate mushrooms too. Yes, I'm a picky eater.

Ok, guess I got carried away there too. I'm calm now. That drive-thru stuff just irks me. I suppose this was just a long-winded way of saying I think you misunderstood my meaning.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by 2point0

Agreed! I've heard only good things about Infamous, and have been to the shop during a toy drive. Very cool guys and reasonable tuning rates.

Yuppers. Mike was one of our clients here when he lived in NY/NJ and his shop out there now is an awesome place with a great attitude and honest service, not a lot of places like that around anymore

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[Draco-REX]

Just some notes:
Subaru Filters.. Black = good, blue = bad.

Filters exploding.. Not likely. I bet the bypass valve on his oil pump failed. I've seen this happen and the oil comes out from every possible weak point in the engine. A filter seal is very likely. But a filter won't fail. The amount of pressure needed to do that is insane, and way more than a car can generate without another failure somewhere else along the line. Frankly, other parts of the engine will spring leaks and relieve pressure before the filter housing will blow.

Bring your own oil.. Some places will let you, some will not. Ask BEFORE they start work on your car, then make sure they actually use it. ALWAYS mark your old filter.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Just some notes:
Subaru Filters.. Black = good, blue = bad.

Filters exploding.. Not likely. I bet the bypass valve on his oil pump failed. I've seen this happen and the oil comes out from every possible weak point in the engine. A filter seal is very likely. But a filter won't fail. The amount of pressure needed to do that is insane, and way more than a car can generate without another failure somewhere else along the line. Frankly, other parts of the engine will spring leaks and relieve pressure before the filter housing will blow.

Bring your own oil.. Some places will let you, some will not. Ask BEFORE they start work on your car, then make sure they actually use it. ALWAYS mark your old filter.

The blue filters are fine. That is the oem filters that Subaru sells now, at least for the EJ motors. I'm not sure of the color of the top mounted filters on the new generation of engines.

Find a trusted mechanic and they will do right by you either just doing he labor or doing the whole oil change. It is almost the same price at our shop if you bring the oil or we provide it.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[Draco-REX]

Originally Posted by AZP Installs

The blue filters are fine. That is the oem filters that Subaru sells now, at least for the EJ motors. I'm not sure of the color of the top mounted filters on the new generation of engines.

Find a trusted mechanic and they will do right by you either just doing he labor or doing the whole oil change. It is almost the same price at our shop if you bring the oil or we provide it.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

The black filters are Tokyo Roki and of a very high quality. However I believe the new blue filters have been found to be made by Fram and all that entails.

The good news is that the 130 and 160 filters for the FA20 are still the black Tokyo Rokis.

[AZP Installs]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

The black filters are Tokyo Roki and of a very high quality. However I believe the new blue filters have been found to be made by Fram and all that entails.

The good news is that the 130 and 160 filters for the FA20 are still the black Tokyo Rokis.

I believe the blue ones are manufactured by Honeywell. However, as long as they meet the specs that Subaru lays out and have good quality control, it doesn't matter. The issue with inexpensive cheaply made products usually lies with the QC and/or the specs and tolerances laid out by the purchasing company.

-Mike Paisan


11+ Years Maintaining, Modifying and Educating TriState Subaru Enthusiasts.
Call directly as We carry almost every manufacturer now, so before you buy parts call us.
Like us on Facebook! | E-mail: sales@azpinstalls.com | 725 Fairfield Ave | Kenilworth, NJ 07033 | 908.248.AZP1 (2971) | T-1 Certified Amsoil Direct Jobber |AIM: AZP Installs
"Race Tested, Enthusiast Approved!"

[bluesubie]

Originally Posted by Draco-REX

Just some notes:
Subaru Filters.. blue = bad.

A bit but what is this based on? Unjustified Fram-o-phobia I suppose since there are tons of uoa's out there (and many to 7,500 miles in a turbo) that show the blue Honeywells are just fine. Like AZP said, it doesn't matter as long as it meets the specs laid out by Subaru.

-Dennis

[grodenglaive]

Interesting article here on oil filters: http://minimopar.knizefamily.net/oil...ence.html#fram
The reviewer takes apart over 30 filter brands to see how well they're made, measures surface area of filter material, etc.

[2point0]

Paranoid Fabrications did a comparison on NASIOC as well. There's a link to it in Unabomber's Oil FAQ if anyone is interested. He did use the black filter, not the blue one. Yes, my blue filters all said Honeywell on them. It seems they may also make the filters for Fram. Not sure if that's just the filter media or the whole filter.