The 0W-20 Oil Change Hustle & DIY vs carfax documentation

[TommyW]

I used an IAG block for my rebuild and they and my very talented FA20 guru engine builder had me use Torco 0-20. Car is amazing.

[PenGun]

Originally Posted by AK2112

Do your own oil changes and document it, including receipts for oil and filters.

This is simple.

I just took a bunch of pictures, the dates are in the EXIF metadata of the JPEGs.

[Ultramaroon]

I have a stack of oil filter box-tops with the odo reading and service date written on them.

[soundman98]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I have a stack of oil filter box-tops with the odo reading and service date written on them.

should just save the box. and put the old oil filters in the box.

just imagine handing the new owner crates of the boxes of old parts with mileages on them... "see? it's all documented!"

[NoHaveMSG]

Tracked first gen with over 90K miles, mostly on 0-20. UOA is clean. Most of the oil change intervals where at manual recommended 7500. Only in the last 18 months had it been pulled from DD duty.

Some of you guys overthink wayyyy too much.

[Midnightsky]

Originally Posted by TommyW

I used an IAG block for my rebuild and they and my very talented FA20 guru engine builder had me use Torco 0-20. Car is amazing.

I've been hearing good things about Torco lately.

[MisterGoober]

Couple Questions:
1. When you did your oil change, was there a crush washer or did you have to scrape off a "sealant" that Subaru used at the factory?

2. Regarding oil, what was the recommendation on the original FA20 for the guys with gen1 experience?

Subaru I believe uses Idemitsu as their OEM for oil. Not sure about Toyota. Curious about what's in the factory fill vs. what Toyota and Subaru will each use moving forward.

I personally wouldn't follow the owners manual and would change the oil far more frequently before worrying too much about about oil brand. Chances are, we drive harder than the typical Ascent or Outback driver.

Any thoughts on Pennzoil? It was my go to on previous Subaru platforms, cheap, plentiful (Amazon/Walmart). I would personally go with Castrol or Pennzoil whichever is better/cheaper and change the oil at 1/2 the suggested interval.

[C R]

Originally Posted by MisterGoober

Any thoughts on Pennzoil? It was my go to on previous Subaru platforms, cheap, plentiful (Amazon/Walmart). I would personally go with Castrol or Pennzoil whichever is better/cheaper and change the oil at 1/2 the suggested interval.

Pennzoil 5W-30 full synthetic is good stuff from what I've read, I ran it on a bunch of my turbo trucks and Explorer ST (twin turbo 3.0). Then again, I think most of the modern synthetic oils are excellent and like NoHaveMSG mentioned, we tend to overthink it. Even the Amazon branded oil seems to be pretty great; have you seen Project Farm's oil testing videos?

The one oil I found recently that has a huge following is Shell's Rotella T6 Diesel Oil, lots of people claiming that's all they use on their trucks/cars and even bikes due to the additive package they use.

[NoHaveMSG]

Originally Posted by MisterGoober

Couple Questions:
1. When you did your oil change, was there a crush washer or did you have to scrape off a "sealant" that Subaru used at the factory?

2. Regarding oil, what was the recommendation on the original FA20 for the guys with gen1 experience?

Subaru I believe uses Idemitsu as their OEM for oil. Not sure about Toyota. Curious about what's in the factory fill vs. what Toyota and Subaru will each use moving forward.

I personally wouldn't follow the owners manual and would change the oil far more frequently before worrying too much about about oil brand. Chances are, we drive harder than the typical Ascent or Outback driver.

Any thoughts on Pennzoil? It was my go to on previous Subaru platforms, cheap, plentiful (Amazon/Walmart). I would personally go with Castrol or Pennzoil whichever is better/cheaper and change the oil at 1/2 the suggested interval.

There is no sealant on the drain bolt, just a crush washer.

There is no reason to shorten the intervals unless you are particularly hard on the car. If you really are concerned or want to know, get a used oil analysis done periodically, they are like 20 bucks. Most UOA's on cars that are even tracked regularly come back with the factory service interval being fine. Some guys change it more often, which is fine, just not always that necessary.

Originally Posted by C R

Pennzoil 5W-30 full synthetic is good stuff from what I've read, I ran it on a bunch of my turbo trucks and Explorer ST (twin turbo 3.0). Then again, I think most of the modern synthetic oils are excellent and like NoHaveMSG mentioned, we tend to overthink it. Even the Amazon branded oil seems to be pretty great; have you seen Project Farm's oil testing videos?

The one oil I found recently that has a huge following is Shell's Rotella T6 Diesel Oil, lots of people claiming that's all they use on their trucks/cars and even bikes due to the additive package they use.

I have been running 300V in my car but am thinking about making the switch to Pennzoil. A lot of what I hear about it is that it is great.

[TommyW]

Originally Posted by Midnightsky

I've been hearing good things about Torco lately.

For good reason. The SR 5r is as good as it gets and the price reflects that.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by AK2112

Do your own oil changes and document it, including receipts for oil and filters.

This is simple.

This^

To document it you can take it a step further and take a picture of the receipt beside the odometer to show the mileage. This will give you time stamped documentation.

[mav1178]

Originally Posted by MisterGoober

Couple Questions:
1. When you did your oil change, was there a crush washer or did you have to scrape off a "sealant" that Subaru used at the factory?

2. Regarding oil, what was the recommendation on the original FA20 for the guys with gen1 experience?

Subaru I believe uses Idemitsu as their OEM for oil. Not sure about Toyota. Curious about what's in the factory fill vs. what Toyota and Subaru will each use moving forward.

I personally wouldn't follow the owners manual and would change the oil far more frequently before worrying too much about about oil brand. Chances are, we drive harder than the typical Ascent or Outback driver.

Any thoughts on Pennzoil?

1) https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54142
2) change as you need... only variation from the factory interval should be based on your oil itself, which is why I kept doing UOA on it

you can ignore factory recommended intervals all you want but unless you have proof (via a Used Oil Analysis) then it's really just throwing money away. Oil change intervals should be dictated based on need, and usually the need is based on the additives being consumed in the oil.

Oil brand is personal choice. Unless you're trying to get 10/10ths out of the car every day, you don't need anything more than the standard synthetic 0W-20...

Originally Posted by Tcoat

To document it you can take it a step further and take a picture of the receipt beside the odometer to show the mileage. This will give you time stamped documentation.

Most extended warranty fine print requires a dated receipt within 30 days of the recorded service, if you are doing it yourself. This also means you can't stockpile oil filters or even oil in advance.

[Tcoat]

Originally Posted by mav1178

1) https://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54142
2) change as you need... only variation from the factory interval should be based on your oil itself, which is why I kept doing UOA on it

you can ignore factory recommended intervals all you want but unless you have proof (via a Used Oil Analysis) then it's really just throwing money away. Oil change intervals should be dictated based on need, and usually the need is based on the additives being consumed in the oil.

Oil brand is personal choice. Unless you're trying to get 10/10ths out of the car every day, you don't need anything more than the standard synthetic 0W-20...




Most extended warranty fine print requires a dated receipt within 30 days of the recorded service, if you are doing it yourself. This also means you can't stockpile oil filters or even oil in advance.

Yes. For the same reason it would be a bad idea to hold up the same receipt for each change! If you have reached a point in a dispute where you need proof you better make sure you have been honest and up front or it will go badly for you.

[dsc_pat]

Originally Posted by Tcoat

This^

To document it you can take it a step further and take a picture of the receipt beside the odometer to show the mileage. This will give you time stamped documentation.

I always film the mileage, the VIN on the door frame, the new filter and the oil jug. Never had a problem with dealers.