Had a service done last week adn was amazed at the oil used. They used Fully Synthetic (which is what I wanted) but it is 10/60 ! I would have thought they would have used 5/30 or 5/40 so was really supprised, oh by the way it was "Castrol RS" and I run a MY05 STI PPP. They sadi it is what Subaru Recommend.
Bizzare !

 

my dealer put helix semi synth in mine? i was uprise at thjis, but again they said it was subaru recommended, in my my00 ppp.

i just trusted em (shouldnt really)

 

Definately not 10w-60 for an 05.

5w-30 or 5w-40 synthetic is recommended with 10w-40 semi-synthetic as the minimum quality!

Cheers
Simon

 

Why are they using it and will it do any harm ?
As it is under warranty I pretty much stuck with them doing it.
I thought it was a bit thick at temperature, but who am I to them if I say they are using the wrong oil ? They will laugh and say they are the Subaru mechanics and not I and as such know better. I do wonder if this is really the case sometimes.
I've just paid good money for a service in which they may not have used the best oil they could have.

 

The difference is as follows.

sae 60 is 24cst thick at 100degC, sae 40 is 14cst at 100degC. This is in fact 70% thicker than recommended.

Potential peoblems are: More friction, heat and wear. More drag and therefore reduced bhp. Increased fuel consumption.

It won't harm in the short term but long term, increased wear is the worst scenario.

Cheers
Simon

 

Hmmmmmmm, so how can I challenge the dealership about them not using the correct oil ? I did ask the other day as I said I was supprised at the grade but they just said they were using the correct oil as recommended by Subaru.

It drive you mad doesn't it ?

Out of interest which brand / grade is best for a MY05 STI PPP ? I will take my own oil next time if if doesn't affect my warranty.

 

Firstly call Subaru UK and ask what they recommend. Their answer will be per the handbook then visit the Dealer, refer to the handbook and Subarus recommended oil viscosity.

I would use either Motul 300V or 8100 5w-30 or 5w-40 or Silkolene PRO S 5w-40

Cheers
Simon

 

The Subaru owners manual for my UK WRX Bugeye states 5W30 is preference - but also 10W40 is mentioned. 5W40 is OK and it is what I used last service. Manual states 10W50 is only recommended for hot climates, desert areas and if towing a trailer (on a regularly basis).

Oilmans' advice is top notch.

 

Aww cheers mate, that's the nicest thing that's been said here all day

I'll be back tomorrow now

Cheers
Simon

 

I use Motul 300v 5W-40 in my MY04 STi PPP.
It was the same price (or cheaper) than the BP Visco 3000 that my dealer used on its first service.

Bought it from the man above. ^^^^

 

Now that's a good oil

Cheers
Simon

 

I called Subaru UK and they said that the dealer should not be using 10/60 and that they recommend Shell Helix Plus 5/30 (fully synth). Said that the first update for years on oil went out to the dealers over a month ago. Mentioned the 10/50 for towing and desert conditions too. Said to challenge the dealer if I wanted it changed (for free) but it wouldn;t do any harm, just reduce MPG and performance slightly.

Called dealer and they said they were right and Subaru UK were wrong and end of story. Called Subaru UK back and they said to take my own oil in next time and if they question it get them to call Subaru UK and they will say it is the recommended oil and they can use it.

So 4500 miles left and I will buy some Shell..........what a load of **** !

 

Well done!

Hate to say "I told you so" and this illustrates that Dealers cannot be trusted and as usual know jack **** about oil.

I personally would get it changed out, what's the point of risking it, short or long term.

You don't have to use Shell by the way, Shell pay Subaru to recommend them!

Any decent 5w-40 or 5w-30 is fine.

Cheers
Simon

 

I prefer Royal Purple 5w30 or 5w40. Its the best, not that carbon breaking process like many 'synthetic' oils use these days...

 

Cheers mate,

I refuse to pay for 2 oil services inside 1 week so I will change it at the next 5000 miles oil service. only 4500 miles left. What other commercially available Fully synth Oil can I buy off the shelf that is better than the Shell stuff ?

Cheers

 

Plenty here:

http://www.opieoils.co.uk/lubricants.htm

To your door, next day!

Cheers
Simon

 

I've been quite confused by oil lately. different opinions on scoobynet, etc. I supplied 0w-40 mobil 1 for my dealer to put in a uk yr 2000 bugeye wrx and they have just phoned back saying it is too thin, and a customer of theirs has just had to put a new engine in after using 0w-40 mobil 1 . So much for it being the dogs bo??ocks. It would be good to get a diffinitive answer or guide on scoobynet.

 

I've made my recommendations on many occasions.

Late model scoobs stock/road (late 90's onwards) 5w-40
Early model, modded or used on track 10w-50 or 15w-50

Cheers
Simon

 

I use and have been recommended to use Castrol RS 10/60 in my lightly modified STi 5 Type R, Dunno much about the new-age scoobs, and don't know much about oil (neither do I profess to) but engine mappers and builders have suggested to me what to use, and as such, that is what shall be put into my car!

I think that oil recommendations in handbooks can only cater for a standard car (as tested) - as soon as you step outside of having the standard car, the oil needs change also!

TBH, I do not think you will find oil cheaper that oilman can supply it at (unless you have contacts )

 

Of course buying and taking your own oil to the dealer is no guarantee that they will actually use that oil

Not that I am too much of a doubting thomas !

 

Even better currently here! Sorry couldn't resist!

http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthread.php?t=448013

Cheers
Simon

 

Steady

 

Very true..!

Some grease monkey would like some nice Motul fully syth 300v to put in his motor. I've had this worry for years when supplying my own oil to main dealers. Asking for the empties is no guarantee either as they'd probably decant it into another container. Now that is pessamistic..!

Best solution as always is to find a small independant (vat reg.) specialist.!

Interesting that Subaru UK have recently released an update (after years) recommending the use of 5w 30 fully syth..! Oilman, it seems at least someone has been listening all this time..!

 

I think it's called homework and I do it religiously.

Sad indeed but it's my chosen profession

Cheers
Simon

 

GUYS!

After reading this post, i have become a little worried,

I trusted my dealer to put helix semi syth in my my00 ppp.

Is this going to damage my engine? i have read a million posts on oil, and no one seems to have semi in theres!

has my dealer pulled a fast one? was the guy who gave the advise on "work experiance"

Suggestions would be gratful

 

Just before my 1000 mile oil change on a MY05 STi with PPP, I ordered 6 litres of Motul 300 10w/40, fully synth, for the dealer to use. *Then* I read a few posts about breaking the car in and how fully synth at this mileage could actually delay the break-in period. So I let my dealer use the "prescribed" semi synth.

Sitting at about 1500+ miles now.

At what point can I change from dealer's semi to Motul 300 fully synth?

 

Regarding the use of your own oil, my dealer was more than happy for me to watch the oil change and full check. I can't think why, if you asked nicely, they would not let you watch.

 

I feel better now someone else has the Castrol RS 10/60 in their STI. Main concern is that Dealer and Subaru UK are miles apart on which oil to use as recommended.

I went fully Synthetic at 1000 miles service in MY05 STI PPP and it did use a bit of oil until about 2000 miles but now I just check it every couple of weeks and rarely needs a drop. Seemed a bit tight for a while too but reving freely now at 5500 miles and going strong. Wonder if I would feel the difference using 5/30 oil ? When I switched to Mobil 1 in my Clio Cup 172 (slightly modded) it was noticably quicker straight away.

 

As mentioned, I don't know of the differences in the needs between new-age/classic, but I use RS 10/60 RELIGIOUSLY in my lightly modified Type R - which hasn't blown up, thrown a big end or had any hiccups whatsoever (apart from discharging the battery, needing a new MAF sensor, and having to port the wastegate to save boost-creep (not a problem per-se as it was only induced by modding!)!) - *touches wood*
TBH, the car has never used any oil whatsoever, but it is probably changed every 2-3K miles, or yearly (weekend plaything that hasn't been used recently!)

 

I find this staggering!

Surely if friction was that bad b4 the change the engine would be shot?