WRX_BLUES

Need to get some oil to top up my MY03 STI. Can't remember the viscosity and type of oil (semi, fully synthetic) to get. Haven't got search facility anymore so can't look this up.

Can anyone tell me off hand?

Thanks in advance!

julian N/W wrx my93

lots of debate over oils on here......................

Burble

Get something like castrol RS (fully syn) 10w60

julian N/W wrx my93

but that old chestnut, the us haynes manual recomends 5w30 fully synth every 3k miles!

ChungsterSTI

WRX Blue...

You should find out from ya dealer that did your last service to see what oil they used.

You don't want to be mixing fully synth with semi synth etc.

Funny you should say that Julian, cos the dealer I'm going to for my 10k service said they use BP's 5w30 oil, as recommended by Subaru UK.

I want to bring my own Castrol RS 0w40.

julian N/W wrx my93

at last someone on here has said something agreeing with me to do with oil

well not directly agreeing but you know wot i mean!

it's made my day that has!

WRX_BLUES

I went for Mobil 1 0W 40 in the end. I couldn't find any 5W 30. Not bothered about mixing synth and non synth as it is so low at the moment that it is just about registering. I've only done 7000 miles as well. Quite surprised as I thought it would make the 10,000 mile service.

harvey

iTrader: (48)

Did you get a hand book with the car?
On a version 6 I have run 5w-30 fully synthetic but concluded it was too thin, even with 3,000ml oil changes so I went back to Motul 300 V 15w-50.
It might be different for a bug eye but I am pretty sure 0w-40 is not a good choice.
Your choice of oil and keeping it topped up are major factors in engine reliability.

Turbotits

iTrader: (2)

I use Mobil1 15/50 motorsport in mine. Ok so far but who knows? Everyones got a different opinion

WRX_BLUES

I thought that W number was what temperature it would begin to work at. And the second number basically was the amount of breakdown of the oil i.e. the higher the number the less it would breakdown. So if this is the case then shouldn't the Mobil 1 I bought be okay.

787b

Oil is the most important factor in modern engine longevity.

The most important thing is frequency of changes. That means at least every 6 months on this car, regardless of mileage. You should also use fully synthetic oil and change every 5-6000 miles, with a new filter. Never use engine flush which is snake oil at best. Even worse are oil additives.

If you don't skimp on oil changes you're most of the way to good engine protection. If you mix oils - eg synth and semi synth, remember you're getting the weakest link in the change - ie semi synth protection. Fine if you change every 3 months/3000 miles. Otherwise synth costs a little more which is well worth while because it's protection degrades slower than semi-synth.

julian N/W wrx my93

the oil debate can go on forever on here!

i've run on 5w30 ful synth for over 2 years with no problems.

each to there on i surpose!

WRX_BLUES

Well, having put the Mobil1 in, the engine is definitely a lot quieter. I was wondering why my engine sounded so rough recently. Definitely loosened up the engine now.

I'm just wondering what kind of damage could have been done as it was so low on oil and I don't know for how long either.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

You put what in?

0 rated oils are far too thin for turbo engines, you should be running the 10w40 as per the Subaru handbook, 5 rated oils are also too thin for everyday use, a 15w50 is better in fully synthetic as it maintains its consistancy at the extremely high temps your turbo produces, the likes of 0 and 5 rated oils thin far too much at these temps and dont provide enough protection to the bearings.
10w40 oil MINIMUM!

Tony

WRX_BLUES

Then why does the manual state 5W then? Also states on the canister that it is ideal for turbo charged performance cars. Approved by Porsche and what not.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

If you actually read what it says, it states that a 5w30 FULLY synthetic oil can be used in colder climates, ie 0 degrees and below, it also states that you shouldnt push your engine with this oil in as its too thin, it definately does NOT recommend this oil for daily useage, you will find that the 10w40 covers from around -30 to +40 degrees with no problem.
My new car (JDM STi MY03) has the same bar chart but unfortunately i cannot translate the japanese

Tony

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Oh i should also point out one thing with the US haynes manual, they never use to have turbocharged cars so the 5w30 was ok for their 2.5 NA engines.
Ive looked at an old dutch owners handbook, the 5w30 on turbo engines is for 0 and below, the 10w30 and 10w40 is from -20 and above, you can take it as you see but this is what Subaru state, i prefer what they say as they would have tested it on these engines.

Tony

WRX_BLUES

Okay, thanks Tony,

I'm sure this will be fine until I get my 10K mile service when they'll do a full oil change. The temperature isn't exactly warm at the moment anyway.

WRX_BLUES

What a coincidence! I just phoned up Subaru just to confirm what oil they use for servicing and they said 10W 40 Castrol GTX (the rating as correctly stated by Tony!), but they said that they can use Castrol RS 10W 60. After some conversation, it worked out that my 10K service was up anyway as it is a year since I bought the car. This will be more reassuring for myself as they will drain the oil that I've wrongly put in.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

You will be better going for the castrol RS, as your car has some miles under its belt it should be bedded in nicely

Tony

Andy Tang

iTrader: (3)

My personal opinion:

Mobil 1 Motorsport 15w50 for the winter
Castrol RS 10w60 for the summer

Normal Mobil 1 (0w40) is too thin for the Subaru.

WRX_BLUES

Tony,

Yep, already asked for them to put in Castrol RS

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Tony