the right oil?
01 November 1999, 02:39 PM
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Hello,
I'm the owner of a dutch Subaru Impreza Turbo MY99. I'm using mobil1 0W40 fully synthetic oil. There were no problems during the last 12000km. Is the oil suitable for my
car? If not, can somebody tell me why not?
Simon555 from Holland
s.dehaan02@kpn.com
I'm the owner of a dutch Subaru Impreza Turbo MY99. I'm using mobil1 0W40 fully synthetic oil. There were no problems during the last 12000km. Is the oil suitable for my
car? If not, can somebody tell me why not?
Simon555 from Holland
s.dehaan02@kpn.com
01 November 1999, 05:58 PM
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Hi Simon,
For what its worth I ran my last MY98 for 30,000 miles on Mobil 1 0W-40 and never had a problem.
It appears that Subaru UK do not recommend or permit(to maintain the warranty) this grade of oil to be used, but Mobil 1 are supplying some UK dealers with a special grade of 5W-40 which is recommended. I am not sure whether this is available off the shelf, but the other alternative would seem to be the Mobil 1 Motorsport (which is available off the shelf in the UK) which I believe is 10/15W-50, and thought to be a better bet than 0W-40.
I believe Subaru don't recommend the 0W-40 grade simply as they have not tested it and there seem to have been endless discussions on this BBS none of which seem particularly conclusive as to its suitability.
The main concern that seems to have been expressed relates to the perception of low viscosity causing problems at high temperatures (I personally don't understand what would be the difference between 0W-40 and 5W-40 at the same high temperatures). The benefits however would seem to include for example better circulation from cold owing to the lower viscosity when cold (which I can understand).
Steve
PaulP posted the following recently which you might find of interest:
"Just to let everyone knew regarding the big debate on MOBIL 1. I wrote a letter to MOBIL asking for an explanation on their oil with regard to the Subaru Impreza Turbo and SUBARU UK.
Well my wife has just phoned me to tell me that there is a 4 page letter waiting for me at home which includes details of all faxes sent between MOBIL, the Subaru dealers and Subaru UK. I will try and scan the letter in tomorrow but just to let you know that all answers regarding MOBIL 1 should be answered tomorrow, SO WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!
IP: Logged
PaulP
Member posted 26-10-1999 08:02 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reply from MOBIL:
"Mobil 1 0W-40
Subaru Japan have stated that all oils with a 0W rating will invalidate engine warranty. This is because 0W viscosity has not been tested by Fuji Heavy Industries and is unlikely to be tested by them in the near future. It is not a result of engine problems and is not related to synthetic technology or oil quality. This oil which operates at temperatures as low as minus 54 degrees exceeds the quality level required of Subaru vehicles. This oil was used by customers for 2 years in Subaru engines without any claims for engine failure before the Warranty Bulletin was produced regarding OW oils.
Mobil recommend Mobil 1 0W-40 for vehicles outside warranty.
Mobil 1 15W-50
Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50 uses the same synthetic technology which results in fast flow rates and reduced friction. It is designed for ardous race and rally use at the highest temperatures where a thicker more stable oil is required. Again this lubricant has not been tested by Fuji Heavy Industries so they cannot give approval.
Mobil recommend 15W-50 for use outside of the warranty.
Mobil 1 5W-40
Using the same technology as Mobil 1 0W-40, MOBIL HAS MADE MOBIL 1 5W-40 EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO SUBARU DEALERS.
This product fulfils the viscosity requirements of Subaru for use in all of their model range. Mobil 1 5W-40 makes available the same benefits achieved by Mobil 1 without the extreme low temperature capability and ulta quick circulation offered by the 0W rated product. Mobil 1 5W-40 will be available exclusively to Subaru dealers for routine servicing. For interim lubricant top-up, we advise customers to either return to dealer for top-up or use Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50 for DIY top-up. While Motorosport is 15W-50m, the viscosity will have negligible effect on the sump viscosity and the lubricants are totally compatible.
Semi-synthetics 10W-40
Mobil Super S 10W-40 and Duchams QXR 10W-40 have been accepted for use during the warranty period and whilst not delivering the optimum performance of fully synthetic engine oil, they still exceed the performance requirements necessary to meet the Subaru warranty.
Summary
During the warranty period and in order to adhere to the viscosity requirements of the Subaru warranty, Mobil recommend the use of Mobil 1 5W-40, Mobil Super S 10W-40 or Duckhams QXR 10W-40. Out of warranty, Mobil recommend Mobil 1 OW-40 or Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50"
My thoughts
It appears that the dealer CAN use MOBIL 1 oil, the 5W-40. However this is not available to the general public but only to SUBARU dealers. The other MOBIL 1 products will invalidate your warranty, the 0W-40 and 15W-50 types. However using Mobil Super S 10W-40 is okay for your warranty but MOBIL recommend the best oil to use outside your warranty is Mobil 1 0w-40 or Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50. So for the people who have wrote and said that their dealer uses MOBIL 1, then it is almost certain to be this exclusive 5W-40 rated oil which we cannot buy. At least the above should clear up everything regarding the use of MOBIL 1. The above is the official statement by MOBIL, it looks like to me that the Mobil 1 Motorsport is a good oil and is probably the best oil but if we put it in our engines we know that SUBARU will not honour the warranty".
For what its worth I ran my last MY98 for 30,000 miles on Mobil 1 0W-40 and never had a problem.
It appears that Subaru UK do not recommend or permit(to maintain the warranty) this grade of oil to be used, but Mobil 1 are supplying some UK dealers with a special grade of 5W-40 which is recommended. I am not sure whether this is available off the shelf, but the other alternative would seem to be the Mobil 1 Motorsport (which is available off the shelf in the UK) which I believe is 10/15W-50, and thought to be a better bet than 0W-40.
I believe Subaru don't recommend the 0W-40 grade simply as they have not tested it and there seem to have been endless discussions on this BBS none of which seem particularly conclusive as to its suitability.
The main concern that seems to have been expressed relates to the perception of low viscosity causing problems at high temperatures (I personally don't understand what would be the difference between 0W-40 and 5W-40 at the same high temperatures). The benefits however would seem to include for example better circulation from cold owing to the lower viscosity when cold (which I can understand).
Steve
PaulP posted the following recently which you might find of interest:
"Just to let everyone knew regarding the big debate on MOBIL 1. I wrote a letter to MOBIL asking for an explanation on their oil with regard to the Subaru Impreza Turbo and SUBARU UK.
Well my wife has just phoned me to tell me that there is a 4 page letter waiting for me at home which includes details of all faxes sent between MOBIL, the Subaru dealers and Subaru UK. I will try and scan the letter in tomorrow but just to let you know that all answers regarding MOBIL 1 should be answered tomorrow, SO WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!
IP: Logged
PaulP
Member posted 26-10-1999 08:02 AM
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The reply from MOBIL:
"Mobil 1 0W-40
Subaru Japan have stated that all oils with a 0W rating will invalidate engine warranty. This is because 0W viscosity has not been tested by Fuji Heavy Industries and is unlikely to be tested by them in the near future. It is not a result of engine problems and is not related to synthetic technology or oil quality. This oil which operates at temperatures as low as minus 54 degrees exceeds the quality level required of Subaru vehicles. This oil was used by customers for 2 years in Subaru engines without any claims for engine failure before the Warranty Bulletin was produced regarding OW oils.
Mobil recommend Mobil 1 0W-40 for vehicles outside warranty.
Mobil 1 15W-50
Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50 uses the same synthetic technology which results in fast flow rates and reduced friction. It is designed for ardous race and rally use at the highest temperatures where a thicker more stable oil is required. Again this lubricant has not been tested by Fuji Heavy Industries so they cannot give approval.
Mobil recommend 15W-50 for use outside of the warranty.
Mobil 1 5W-40
Using the same technology as Mobil 1 0W-40, MOBIL HAS MADE MOBIL 1 5W-40 EXCLUSIVELY AVAILABLE TO SUBARU DEALERS.
This product fulfils the viscosity requirements of Subaru for use in all of their model range. Mobil 1 5W-40 makes available the same benefits achieved by Mobil 1 without the extreme low temperature capability and ulta quick circulation offered by the 0W rated product. Mobil 1 5W-40 will be available exclusively to Subaru dealers for routine servicing. For interim lubricant top-up, we advise customers to either return to dealer for top-up or use Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50 for DIY top-up. While Motorosport is 15W-50m, the viscosity will have negligible effect on the sump viscosity and the lubricants are totally compatible.
Semi-synthetics 10W-40
Mobil Super S 10W-40 and Duchams QXR 10W-40 have been accepted for use during the warranty period and whilst not delivering the optimum performance of fully synthetic engine oil, they still exceed the performance requirements necessary to meet the Subaru warranty.
Summary
During the warranty period and in order to adhere to the viscosity requirements of the Subaru warranty, Mobil recommend the use of Mobil 1 5W-40, Mobil Super S 10W-40 or Duckhams QXR 10W-40. Out of warranty, Mobil recommend Mobil 1 OW-40 or Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50"
My thoughts
It appears that the dealer CAN use MOBIL 1 oil, the 5W-40. However this is not available to the general public but only to SUBARU dealers. The other MOBIL 1 products will invalidate your warranty, the 0W-40 and 15W-50 types. However using Mobil Super S 10W-40 is okay for your warranty but MOBIL recommend the best oil to use outside your warranty is Mobil 1 0w-40 or Mobil 1 Motorsport 15W-50. So for the people who have wrote and said that their dealer uses MOBIL 1, then it is almost certain to be this exclusive 5W-40 rated oil which we cannot buy. At least the above should clear up everything regarding the use of MOBIL 1. The above is the official statement by MOBIL, it looks like to me that the Mobil 1 Motorsport is a good oil and is probably the best oil but if we put it in our engines we know that SUBARU will not honour the warranty".
05 August 2004, 12:42 PM
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