Your thoughts please....

[Johnnu2]

Have an older Subaru (2009) with minimal mileage (under 40K). It calls for regular oil (not synthetic); 5W-30.
Regular oil seems to be getting a bit scarce on the shelves at Walmart. Any thoughts (pro or con) on switching to synthetic for this sweet subie..????
THANKS,
J.

 

[sceva]

Go for it.

 

[Kevin]

I always thought synthetic oil lasted longer between changes. Is this not true?

 

[Cholo]

If it says no synthetic, then no synthetic. Go to a Subaru forum to find out why it has that stipulation. I've never heard of it except during engine break in on older cars.

 

[NikA]

Pro: it's available and will generally provide superior thermal stability of the lubricant between oil changes.

Con: on some cars, the seals are not designed to handle the "slicker" synthetic, and small oil weeps can result. I doubt a 2009 Sub will be a problem, think rope and cork seals on classic cars.

I doubt the manual specifically states "no synthetic," more like "conventional oil meets necessary specifications."

 

[hittman]

It calls for regular oil (not synthetic); 5W-30.

There’s your answer.
That and, can’t you make it anywhere but WalMart that sells oil??

 

[Ethang]

does it just call for regular oil or does it specifically say don't use synthetic? There is a big difference. I don't know of any engine that would be harmed by using a superior oil....

I use Mobil 1 in my daily drivers and normally put 300+ thousand miles on them before I get another one. Never had an engine related problem.

 

[bobski]

sounds like someone wanting to put a 357 in a gun marked 38spl only.
i wouldnt do it if the maker says no.

 

[NikA]

sounds like someone wanting to put a 357 in a gun marked 38spl only.
i wouldnt do it if the maker says no.

More like "can I use WonderOil X to lubricate my gun instead of regular gun oil?" The only question is whether the oil meets the manufacturer's minimum requirements; there are seldom repercussions besides cost for using a HIGHER quality product as a lubricant.

 

[Dave P.]

Oil threads are like religious ones in that I usually stay out of them.
That said NikA basically answered your question with his two posts.

 

[Captain America]

As stated before, there are benefits to using synthetic oil but it will find it’s way past the seals in some older engines. We no longer do any conventional oil changes, we offer semi-synthetic and full synthetic…semi-synthetic is nothing more than a 50/50 blend of conventional and synthetic.

 

[powder smoke]

Use Good quality oil and dont look back! if you have any doubt call the Subaru dealer!

 

[BearBiologist]

Both Amazon and O'Reilly's have it. Run "Conventional Motor Oil" in your search!

 

[37fed]

Every time I have changed oil brands (regular or otherwise) I got new oil leaks on high mileage engines. But any oil beats no oil.

 

[arcticruger]

Use NAPA/Valvoline standard motor oil. NAPA uses Valvoline for their conventional motor oils, it’s just branded NAPA. Just like their silver and gold oil filters are made by Wix. NAPA branded for these two items (oil and filter) are usually cheaper.

 

[Fox Mike]

Subaru specifically calls for synthetic oil in later models.
Subaru Synthetic Motor Oil.
If your Subaru is a 2011 or newer Forester, a 2012 or newer Impreza, or a 2013 or newer Outback, Legacy, Crosstrek, or BRZ, or Ascent - it is REQUIRED to use synthetic oil.
I heard all the 'this is going to leak', 'it will ruin your engine', and all the other tales. I use Mobil1, for years, in everything and never a problem. My suggestion is do what you think is OK.

 

[Pal Val]

Why look for oil only at Walmart? Try an auto parts store, or even a gas station. 5W-30 is a pretty common grade.

 

[arcticruger]

Subaru specifically calls for synthetic oil in later models.
Subaru Synthetic Motor Oil.
If your Subaru is a 2011 or newer Forester, a 2012 or newer Impreza, or a 2013 or newer Outback, Legacy, Crosstrek, or BRZ, or Ascent - it is REQUIRED to use synthetic oil.
I heard all the 'this is going to leak', 'it will ruin your engine', and all the other tales. I use Mobil1, for years, in everything and never a problem. My suggestion is do what you think is OK.

Correct, our 2017 Outback uses synthetic. I continue to use conventional motor oil with zinc for most my cars though, especially the older Mopars. Although, I did go synthetic on a new 2.0 DOHC rebuild for the neon.

 

[Pat-inCO]

While it is MUCH more expensive, I go to the Subaru Dealer and have them do it.
I used to do ALL of my own maintenance, but I remember many a time having to
find a way to dispose of the old oil. Dealership takes care of it AND this old guy
does not have to climb under the car to do it. ;-)

P.S. Mine is a 2017 Outback, with 25K miles on it (30 mpg in town).

 

[GypsmJim]

Have an older Subaru (2009) with minimal mileage (under 40K). It calls for regular oil (not synthetic); 5W-30.
Regular oil seems to be getting a bit scarce on the shelves at Walmart. Any thoughts (pro or con) on switching to synthetic for this sweet subie..????
THANKS,
J.

OMG, where do you live? Don't you have a bunch of auto places around, like Autozone, NAPA or National?

Forget wally. go where you have to. If all else fails, Amazon or ebay will help you.

It should be OK to go synthetic or semi-, but why pay the price if you don't need it?

 

[Jimbo357mag]

I always order a synthetic blend oil when I get the oil changed in my older Toyota. 1) It saves me money 2) It satisfies the technology side of my brain.:)

Now a really tough decision is which brand of oil filter???:unsure:

 

[Bad Barlow]

It depends on how often you change your oil.
If you do it frequently,use standard dino oil, but you can extend changes with synthetic.

 

[BigBlue]

As long as you stick with 5w-30, the synthetic oil won't hurt. If anything it will protect better.

 

[Johnnu2]

Thanks everyone for taking the time to post your thoughts; I appreciate it.
I like changing my own oil not to mention that I really don't trust dealerships; once my car leaves the dealer, it NEVER goes back. The reason I go to Walmart for oil is because the local auto parts stores charge $8 - $10 for a quart of synthetic (which my Toyota uses) and not a whole lot less for regular oil. Walmart sells me a 5 qt jug of Mobil1 for about $26 (last time I was there). The 2009 Subaru doesn't say "no synthetic" nor does it say "OK to use synthetic". I would ask the dealer, but the last time I asked the service manager a technical question about their change-over from a rubber timing belt to a chain timing belt, he gave me the wrong answer. I really only asked to guage the depth of his knowledge.....It wasn't very 'deep'; I thanked him and went home.
THANKS again everyone,
J.

 

[sfhogman]

Here's a little tip I picked up from my Subaru nut neighbor...(I should talk...my son, daughter and I all drive Subarus...).
Per what he and the Subaru Forum had to say, I installed a Fumoto drain valve. Now when I drain my oil, I simply run the Forester up on ramps, stick a bit of clear tubing to the valve and run the other end into an empty 5 gallon oil jug. Turn on the valve. Enjoy an adult beverage, turn the valve off and replace the cap on the jug.
Replace filter, add oil.
Yes, I know it's a ball valve but it works fine and sooo easy.
The local parts store recycles used oil, jug and all.
Fumoto valve is about $25 at Amazon.

Jeff

 

[Johnnu2]

Thanks Jeff, I did know about that drain valve, being an old fart, I tend to stay away from 'change'. In fact, the easiest part of my oil change ritual is taking off the drain plug. Here's something that I wonder how many Subie owners know... (and may/may not pertain to newer Subies since mine is 2009). All my MANY Subies over the years have had a CRUSH WASHER between the drain plug and the pan. I buy them directly from Subaru and get ripped off to the tune of about $1.25 per washer, but I never reinstall that drain plug without one. That Fumoto drain plug would obviously not require such a washer after initial installation.
I switched to Toyota (best move ever made) when I realized that Subaru was having an oil consumption problem, and (in my opinion) was lying to their customers telling them that 1 qt. of oil consumption between oil changes "is normal consumption". I think they may have quietly fixed that problem since then. None of my Toyotas ever burned even a drop of oil between 10,000 mile (factory recommended) oil changes. Not even a drop during new car 'break in' year. They are amazing cars IMHO of course.
THANKS AGAIN,
J.

 

[sfhogman]

True enough...my Forester is a nice vehicle, but I think the best car I have owned in all my years of driving was the 2008 Corolla that I bought from Hertz. Sold it to a friend in 2015 and it's still out there, running just fine. Great little car.