1st drive + Oil filter on top!

[Superdog]

Today I test drove two Subarus for the first time ever. Forester and Outback. The first thing I noticed was the oil filter is on top of the 2.5! That is awesome! Unbelievable! Someone finally did it! Unless it has a check valve in it and stays full of oil and spills all over the place when you remove it. Does it?

I dismissed the Forester due to its harsh ride. I want a smooth ride. The OB's ride is much better and the visibility is great and you get that filter on top! The OB's driving position is a little lower though, I do prefer being up higher.

I just read the press release regarding the 2013 so I may wait and get one since they say it has a smoother ride. Right now it's just $2k off sticker for a 2012 - not bad nor really great. I suspect the 2013 will be close to the same discount (but may cost more).

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by Superdog

Today I test drove two Subarus for the first time ever. Forester and Outback. The first thing I noticed was the oil filter is on top of the 2.5! That is awesome! Unbelievable! Someone finally did it! Unless it has a check valve in it and stays full of oil and spills all over the place when you remove it. Does it?

I dismissed the Forester due to its harsh ride. I want a smooth ride. The OB's ride is much better and the visibility is great and you get that filter on top! The OB's driving position is a little lower though, I do prefer being up higher.

I just read the press release regarding the 2013 so I may wait and get one since they say it has a smoother ride. Right now it's just $2k off sticker for a 2012 - not bad nor really great. I suspect the 2013 will be close to the same discount (but may cost more).

The oil filter on the 2010 through the 2012 outback is located under the car right in the Y of the exhaust pipes. The 2013 outback gets the new engine with the oil filter on top.

[foxrider68]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

The oil filter on the 2010 through the 2012 outback is located under the car right in the Y of the exhaust pipes. The 2013 outback gets the new engine with the oil filter on top.

Yep and I still have a burn mark on my right hand from my first oil change. I let it cool off now If the oil filter matters to you, and it should if you change it yourself, wait for the 13.

[Superdog]

Hmmm. That's kind of sad. Now that I think of it the hood that was open was the Forester. I asked the salesman if the OB had the same engine and he said it did. Guess what? He's going to be opening the hood when I go back. And if the 2013 does get the filter on top I'm definitely waiting. Thanks for the info.

[JazzJackRabbit]

Rofl, and that's why you never trust the salesman....

[subiesailor]

Originally Posted by foxrider68

Yep and I still have a burn mark on my right hand from my first oil change. I let it cool off now If the oil filter matters to you, and it should if you change it yourself, wait for the 13.

Same here you only do that once. HA HA

[Nickshu]

Originally Posted by subiesailor

The oil filter on the 2010 through the 2012 outback is located under the car right in the Y of the exhaust pipes. The 2013 outback gets the new engine with the oil filter on top.

Only the 2.5i. The 3.6R stays the same w/ oil filter on the bottom.

[mxfrank]

Oil filter on top is good. I have two more things on my oil change wish list...The first is cartridge oil filters (if they're on top, much less messy than spin on). The other thing I'd like is for the dipstick tube to point to the deepest point of the sump, so that oil can be changed with a suction tank. This is the way Mercedes are set up, and you can change the oil in fifteen minutes without getting under the car, messing up your clothes, or having to deal with a messy pan.

[immortal_suby]

The wife's old celica had the oil filter on top. Huge pain in the ass. The second you unscrewed it - oil leaked all over the place. Also remember you can't pre-fill the new filter and then put it on upside down.

[Nickshu]

So if it's on top of the engine would it drain back with the engine oil during an oil change? What I mean is would it spin off with little or no oil coming out b/c of gravity?? I would think there is a check valve but just a thought....