Gubbins

Hi there - need a 10K service soon. Garage suggesting semi-synth oil, 10/40. Why was I under the impression that a car like mine (STI PPP, MY03) would need fully synth??? Would it matter? The service mgr said put fully synth in at your own risk, which seems a bit alarmist!

Also, what about the viscosity? I don't really understand it - can someone explain it to me please, plus also suggest what I should be putting in!

Thanks

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

He's recommending 10/40 semi (probably Castrol Magnetec) because that's what he stocks! His comment about fully syn. may be based on the fact that a lot of them are 0/40 and this has been the subject of a lot of discussion on here where they are considered too thin for full protection when using the car hard.
The 10/40 grading is fine but there are no (?) well known brands of full syn. with this grading. Favoured full syn brands are: Castrol RS 10/60, Mobil 1 15/50, Motul 15/50
It's much cheaper to provide your own oil at this service (I do!)
The basic idea of the viscosity grading is that, for instance, a 10/60 will behave like a 10 when cold (providing good flow characteristics when engine is cold) and behave like a 60 when hot (providing high film strength at high temps) It's a bit more complicated than that in scientific terms but it gives a basic idea when selecting a suitable oil for the Subaru.
JohnD

Gubbins

cheers john!

Red Rocket 11166

Gubbins

Rang 2 different dealers this morn, and both told me they put semi in there cars.
One uses Helix 10-40w and the other 10-40w BP.

Cheers Red.

micared

At the mileage yours is at now, you should be on a high quality fully synthetic, such as Castrol RS10/60, Motul, which I believe is 15/50 or Mobil1, Silkolene, of similar viscosities....don't let your dealer convince you that Magnetec is O.K....it's known to be unable to cope with the temperatures a scoob engine will subject it to. Helix semi-synthetic is recommended to aid the running in process, ( 5-10k ) no more than that. As said previously, dealers will tell you whatever they are getting a good deal on is a quality item.....however,that doesn't mean it is.....I worked for two main dealers, trust me!

Red Rocket 11166

Micared

I'm running mine in at the mo, (1200miles) MY 96 Turbo.

Where can you get Helix from ?

Red

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Any Shell garage?
JohnD

Red Rocket 11166

Thanx John

Will get some soon.

Red