What is the general concensus on fuel. I used to use Optimax in my Legacy turbo but the tappets seemed to get rattlier. So far I'm sticking to Premium UL in my '99 Turbo Impreza. Is this wise? The local BP sells Super UL at 76.9 (74.9 for Prem UL)

Also what is the generally accepted time for allowing the oil to heat up? Is the oil hot enough when the temp gauge is flattening off?

 

Can't understand how Optimax can make the tappets rattle! It takes longer than you think for the oil to heat up, depends on the ambient temperature too. Worth waiting a bit longer than when the water temp gauge has settled.

Les

 

To be sure, get an oil temperature guage. The time it takes for the water temp to rise is a hell of a lot faster than the oil!

I prefer BP to Shell, but it is personal preference.

 

My water temp can be normal and my oil temp not even moved. Takes at least twice as long for the oil temp to come up. I normally wait till about 80C before I use above 3000rpm

 

The water temperature guage can read "normal" after a couple of miles unconjested town driving but the oil is still in the 40s cent. At this time of year I have done five or six miles at 3000rpm max. before the mid 70s and normal temp is in the 80s.
On the coldest winter days with snow or slush and not exceeding 3.5k rpm I can do a regular 16ml journey and still be lucky to get to the 70s.
The point is that it takes far longer for the engine to warm through than many people realise and especially those without oil temp. guages. Obviosly most ware takes place on a cold start and the car should be treated gently until fully warm.