Meallbhan

iTrader: (3)

I've recently had the car serviced by Subaru and they used Shell Helix Plus 10W/40, does anyone know if this is semi or fully synthetic for when I top up?

Cheers.

stiler83

It's a semi-synthetic. The Ultra is Fully Synthetic

Shell Helix Plus - United Kingdom

masterbates1

if you drive your car like you stole it, with that oil expect an engine rebuild very soon. Castrol RS 10/60, 10-40 the 40 is to low and will brake down and fail along with your engine.

Meallbhan

iTrader: (3)

Cheers guys. Thats interesting that Subaru would use a **** oil. The car gets a hard drive every now and then but I treat it with respect. So are you saying I should be using a 10/60 oil. Does it matter if it fully or part synthetic?

stiler83

There's nothing wrong with it, you just have to use your common sense. The harder you drive the more frequent you would want to change the oil&Filter. Granted there are better high performance oils out there but no need to go over reacting and saying the engine is going to blow. If you are looking at recommendations then I've always liked Motul 300V 5W30 in my hill climb car and used the 300V 5W40 in my WRX and I now use the 5W30 in my R32.

masterbates1

Subarus dont like thin oil, subaru serviced my car my pre scoob 1 week later the car failed and was running on 3, dint think oat of this.
Second scoob went for a service to the same scoob deal 2 weeks later big end went.
Ask what oil was used 10-40, dint thick oat of this till i dii lots of re-search and found 10-40 if driven hard will brake down and fail.
I now use Castrol RS 10/60 as re-builder said this was the right oil and never had probs since 3-1/2 since rebuild using Castrol RS 10/60.
Mate the 10-40 will be fine in the ford

stiler83

All oils are not created equal but the weight of the oil has nothing to do with if it will break down or not, that is down to the individual properties of the oil used. Oils of the same weight can have vastly different shear strengths and just writing off and oil due to it specific weight is ridiculous, you need to know far more about it than that. The Individual properties are what are important.

These engine failures you talk about, do you know the history of them, ie if they were new or second-hand?, as lets be honest if they were second-hand they could have been abused from day1 so that's not really a measure is it!?!

Agreed the Shell Helix Plus 10W/40 wouldn't be my choice but there is no reason to panic or rush out tomorrow and change it.

masterbates1

first scoob bought with 1 other owner same as second scoob both full service and low miles. I was told to put 10-60 in and after 3-1/2 years of using it no probs, give it to subaru to put 10-40 on both cars and both cars had engine fails, if you dont think the oil as oat to do with weight and just goes on properties then why not put the very best of mobile 1's 0-40 in. give it a thrash and see how long the engine last. As the OP mate dont put that crap 0-40 in your motor.
stiler83 What oil do you use

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

There is nothing wrong with 40 rated oils for subaru's (nor the 10w40 shell semi synthetic otherwise you would be seeing a fleet of subarus in for new engines ), if anything that 10w60 is too thick, consider that STI have their own branded oils in the 5w40 and 15w50 fully synthetic ranges and see whats good and what isnt (btw its motul rebranded )

OP, you wont have any problems running the 10w40 semi synthetic in your car, even if you do rag it, most of the scoobs out there still quite happily run 10w40 with no problems

Tony

gaz-cole

i have always used 10-40 semi in mine since i had it 3 years ago, as long as common sense is used to servicing regular there would be no reason not to use it.

cster

Subaru recommend 5W30 .
You would think they would know

stiler83

You do know how the weight rating works right??
The SAE designation for multi-grade oils includes two grade numbers; for example, 5W-30. Historically, the first number associated with the W ('W' is for Winter, not Weight) is not rated at any single temperature. The "5W" means that this oil can be pumped at a lower temperature than "10W" and "0W" can be pumped at a lower temperature than "5W". The second number, 30, means that the viscosity of this multi-grade oil at 100°C (212°F) operating temperature corresponds to the viscosity of a single-grade 30 oil at same temperature. A 0W oil is tested at -35°C, a 5W at -30°C and a 10W is tested at -25°C. The real-world ability of an oil to crank in the cold is diminished soon after put into service. So basically put the first number indicates the viscosity of the oil at a cold temperature, while the second number indicates the viscosity at operating temperature. So as you can see a 0W40 would have the same viscosity as a 5W40 at operating temperature, so as long as you are not driving hard until up to temp then they would offer you the same protection(in ref to viscosity and not individual oil properties) but I wouldn't recommend a 0W for the Subaru engine.

If I recall correctly Subaru recommend 5W30 on MY01> but I forget for <2000 but like I said I always used 5W40 Motul 300V.
I wouldn't use a 60 as l agree with Tony it is too thick and would say a 15W50 is the max and as both these weight are available under the STi brand that should say something. If you are just fast road driving then a 5W30/40 or 10W40 would be fine and I would only go to a 50 for heavy track use.

Steviem

Thanks for that Stiler83


My oil is due a top up very soon. The thing is - i dont know if there is fully or semi synthetic already present in the engine. Can both fully and semi be mixed together - as in if there is fully synthetic already in mine, would it do harm topping it up with semi?

Thanks!

masterbates1

O.K we all have different oils in our cars lets see what every body else uses
I USE 10-60 MY00 FAST ROAD please all add and then we can see, and make our minds please state as i did.
cheers

s70rjw

iTrader: (2)

Most semi / fully synthetics will mix fine.
Regular changes using a 10/40 will be fine on a standard (ish) car. Letting the oil warm before caning the car is more important.No oil gives instant protection from cold.

Meallbhan

iTrader: (3)

Thanks very much, all very helpful answers. I'll just stick with what's in it then. Think I'm still used too having my old car where I needed thin oil to get to the top of the head quickly. Cheers.

LeeMac

iTrader: (1)

10-40 with frequent changes you wont have problems because of oil type

you will have problems if you're a thick **** drive it like a dick all the time

Wouldn't 10/60 be too thick for winter?

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

Far too thick, I used both 10 40 and 15 50 in my classic and 5 40 and 15 50 in my Spec C, you felt the 15 50 oil on start up and initial driving, and it was a far more powerful car than an MY00 classic with a 10 60 oil in there, hate to see what your car is like in the morning

Tony

masterbates1

been ok for the last 3-1/2 yrs.
so you saying to me use 15-50 yes. got any names of oil you use, i drive fast road.

dazdavies

iTrader: (22)

Not being rude mate but that statement is complete and utter scare mongering gash.

I run my car which incedently is a 500bhp daily driver on cheap comma semi synth 10/40. The car has never missed a beat and the oil gets changed every 5k.

My car has a hard life sees the red line atleast couple of times a day.

All this crap about you having to spend £50 on 5 litres of the good stuff is complete tosh. On a track it may have some validity but for everyday use any decent semi synth API spec oil will be fine!!!

masterbates1

you spend all that money on your 500bhp car and then use cheap tosh oil

Iain01

At 5000 miles did an oil change on my car with millers 10/60(07 gb270).
I was averaging 230 miles per tank(vpower). At 10,000 i used silkolene pro s 5/40 and average since then has been 270 miles per tank.
No other changes other than grade of oil.

masterbates1

prob why only get 200 miles per tank v power

Meallbhan

iTrader: (3)

Having read all the replies above, now I'm more confused than ever. There is so many differences in opinion.

masterbates1

Just send pm to the oil man will post his reply
Make:subaru
Model:impreza
Year:2000
Engine type:2000
Modifications:VF34 decat from turbo green pan 3 port boost fuel pump 330bhp
Driving style: fast road

dazdavies

iTrader: (22)

30K miles in it sunshine

Iain01

you will always find varying replies on what grade of oil to use, people have different preferences. Most people on the forums are enthusiasts and are willing to spend a bit more to look their cars.
I've done a few searches on this and still not sure what is the best grade.
Suppose it depends on driving style, use and power of the car.

Aaron1978

iTrader: (12)

mine has Millers CFS 10w/60, as part of an uprated service by re motorsport. they usually use 10w/40.

Aaron

Meallbhan

iTrader: (3)

The engine is basically standard for now anyway. Remap is coming one day but will cross that bridge another day.

The car is used every day and not put over 3000rpm till warm.

Driving style is calm most of the time with the odd red line every now and again.

masterbates1

I dont even use cheap crap in my lawnmower,