I need to do an oil change this weekend as I have just found out I have the weekend off however, I don't have the time to order a filter from Subaru, it just won't make it in time.

Will the standard oil filter from Halfords be OK, or should I put the oil change off until after Christmas.

My cars oil gets changed ever 2-3000 mile.

It is an STI5

 

This subject was argued over a while ago. I personally would have no problem with using a non-subaru filter, and in fact use eith Nipparts or Fram. As you are only doing about 3000 between oil changes I wouldn't worry. Just wait for the views of the elitist regiments that prowl this bbs!

 

If you've got a scooby dealer close by, buy an oem.

Not much difference in the price to halfords.

It's all personal choice.

Fram is a good call though.

HTH

Mark

 

i used a non standerd oil filter as well
revolution did my 60k service and they never used a standerd filter either (from memory)

i change my oil every 3k as well so i dont see it as a problem

 

I don't have a Subaru dealer close by, thats the problem.
I need to either mail order one, or use a full tank of juice to get one.

Can you get fram from Halfords?

 

fyi, Fram manufacture all of the filters for Halfords (halfords branded).
One advantage of buying the Fram version though is you get a rock solid warranty against engine damage (should the filter be faulty).

 

never bother with oem filters as I change oil so often

 

Gedi, seem to recall a comment from TSL Paul in the past along the lines that the Halfords branded filter was alright, but the Champion one was best avoided. On the basis of this I bought a Halfords one last time and on quick visual inspection it looked fine. Will see what it's like when it comes off in a few hundred miles.

 

just buy a genuine one online from www.grahamgoode.com

Dan

 

You could try your local "Pages" they do Blue print/point filters for all jap cars.

Jon.

 

While we're on the subject of oil filters, where abouts is it on the engine? i've looked, and cant see mine.

cheers.

[Edited by sparkykev - 12/12/2003 9:15:06 PM]

 

How hard have you looked? It's underneath, at the front of the engine and to the right (left if you're looking at the front of the car) of the sump pan.

You may have to loosen or remove the undertray to gain access to it, depending on the specific design of your car, but certainly it'll be impossible to miss once this is off.

 

Gedi, always use the official item, some of the other items you can get are slightly different sizes.
As for not having a subaru dealer near you... try somewhere like ProSport in Stockport or Jap Innovations in Oldham, both closer than a main dealer

Tony

 

Tony, even the official filters are different sizes (the new ones are quite a bit smaller than the older ones) so that in itself means nothing.

While there are unquestionably some gash aftermarket filters that shouldn't be touched with a bargepole, there are equally some that will do the job as well as (maybe even better than) the OE part, so dismissing them all out of hand is a little unfair.

At end of day, if it's being changed every 2-3000 miles anyway, provided it's reasonably close to the OE part in specification, there shouldn't be a major problem.

 

I've used Crossland filters, and I did compare to the Genuine Subaru item.

From close inpsection they seemed exactly identical in size, holes, relief valve mechanism...even the colour!

Fram ones seemed to differ in design slightly (mainly oil seal). But that doesn't mean it's no better.

Obviously bear in mind some aftermarket manufacturers buy in filters off the same companies that make them for the car manufacturers, and stick on their own brand labels. A good safegaurd is to ensure its is made to OEM (original equipment manufacturers)specifications.

 

Are there such things as performance filters or improved ones that can aid the engine & performance ??

I have seen the cooling covers/fins that you can fit to them to aid the oil cooling.

Just wondered if there was anything for us petrol heads

 

Not really. Think the WRC cars are still designed to use a standard Subaru filter, which should tell you a lot. Those fin things you are on about are largely a waste of money, BTW. More Max Power/snake oil than anything else.

 

Do Halfords have sump plug washers too?

Took me ages to get a washer out of them that'd fit my GTI-R (despite telling them it's the same basic engine as a Primera).

Rich.