Conventional Oil only lasts 3K miles and Synthetic lasts 7.5K?

[rico567]

Back to the real question behind what perpetuates the myth of "change every 3K." And the question is always "Cui bono?" or "who benefits?" The question has been around at least long enough that its original expression is in Latin (that's a couple thousand years, for those of you who missed that day in history class). Answer: the dealers and oil change shops & auto parts stores. The manufacturers have no dog in the fight, as they don't profit from oil changes. As a rule of thumb, put in what the manual says, as often as it says.

Now, that being said, if you really want to know what YOUR engine in YOUR specific car needs, do a UOA. Only way. Get on line and tell Blackstone Labs in Fort Wayne that you want a UOA kit, and have your oil TESTED. I mean, what do you do if you want to find out whether or not your toes rotting and falling off are diabetes? You go pee in a cup and have your urine tested. Only way. Same thing with your car, if you want to find out what's going on in your engine after 5K, or 10K, or whatever, then do a UOA. Please.

It is, however, interesting to note that if you buy basically the same car in Europe, the OCIs in the manual can be far longer than in the U.S....sometimes 25-30K kilometers. And I draw no conclusions from that, nor do I recommend such intervals. If anyone can't be bothered to test their oil (I did!), then follow your manual.

And, yeah, synthetics are better. Go to BITOG and READ ABOUT IT. I suggest starting with "Motor Oil University," which cleared up some misconceptions I had about oil.

[jogosub]

I use synthetic with viscosity requirements listed in users manual every 3000 K. I drive less than 5 miles daily and that would fall into "severe condition" category chart.

[canubaru]

similar read.

Since we have not had a good religon discussion lately. lets talk religon - Motor Oil - Ultimate Subaru Message Board

[I call her Sheila]

Originally Posted by AWDFTW

He has no clue what he is talking about.

Au contraire (hey, I saw Latin in the thread, I can use French), he knows exactly what he's talking about. And he's got some holiday shopping coming up toot sweet that he needs cash for!

[Squash]

The bigger question is are you still under warranty and do you still want to have the piece of mind that you are still covered in the event there is an engine mechanical problem. The dealer and soa could easily point to non compliance with service requirements. Then you will be arguing forever. Is this that important to you?

[jobjohnny]

Originally Posted by Squash

The bigger question is are you still under warranty and do you still want to have the piece of mind that you are still covered in the event there is an engine mechanical problem. The dealer and soa could easily point to non compliance with service requirements. Then you will be arguing forever. Is this that important to you?

I can't see how the dealer and SOA could cry non-compliance since synthetic is not required..it's only recommended.

[spdjnky]

Subaru Drive Performance Magazine : dp92_bits: Motorsports photo contest; 2012 Impreza; Subaru Rally support Program; Enthusiast Meets; Conventional vs. Synthetic Motor Oil; Subaru Vehicle Oil Specifications and Intervals

Subaru Drive : spr11 What Makes a Subaru: Synthetic Motor Oil

[jobjohnny]

I sent an email to the Service Manager. Our names have been changed to protect the innocent. :-) His reply is below my email:

MY EMAIL:
Dear Steve,

If you recall, I brought in my 2011 Outback 2.5i for the ECM recall yesterday. (VIN: 4S4BRXXXXXXXXXX) and you mentioned that I can go 7,500 miles between oil changes with only synthetic engine oil and conventional oil should be changed more frequently. I looked through my owners manual last night and I didn't see this mentioned. Can you please forward me some documentation where it states this? It was 5,000 miles since my last oil change with conventional oil and I don't drive the car under severe conditions. I want to make sure that I take good care of my Subaru since I plan on having it for a long time.

Thank you,

Daniel Craig

HIS REPLY:
Hello Bond,
I looked into your maintenance question.
Your vehicle requires conventional oil.
Most conventional oil vehicles require oil changes every 3,750 miles.
Your vehicle, through Subaru standards, requires oil changes every 7500 miles.
Technically you can change oil every 7500 miles but we still recommend conventional oil changes sooner.
You would not void your warranty by waiting 7500 miles.
The choice is yours.
Not many vehicles fall into this “gray” area.

Steve

[Looby]

OTOH, Soobie of Germany sez 15,000 km (= 9320 miles):

[jobjohnny]

Originally Posted by Looby

OTOH, Soobie of Germany sez 15,000 km (= 9320 miles):

Wow! That's crazy!