2000 man. outback, 230,000mi wanting 2go2 full synthetic

[TooSlick]

I see no problem switching to Royal Purple. Since this is an high mileage engine, I'd start with their 10w-40 (XPS?). The first 1-2 batches of synthetic will slowly clean out any pre existing oil deposits. So I'd change just the oil filter after 5000 miles, or even sooner if oil consumption suddenly increases. Generally by doing a couple of extra filter changes, a few thousand miles apart, you can capture the solids loosened up by the high solvency synthetic.

I'd change the first & second batches of RP after 6000-8000 miles, depending on how dirty it looks. Starting with the third fill of RP the engine should be nice and clean. You can then determine a reasonable change interval using oil analysis testing.

TS

[grossgary]

Originally Posted by snooozie

It was burning oil and all he does is topping it up and never change the oil. I took the car over

change of ownership also means change in driving style, location, habits, catching up on maintenance (PCV or other), different weight oil...can also change oil consumption...how positive are you this was 100% due to oil type?

[JohnnyPheonix]

As oil goes, I'm running Rotella-T6 5W-40 full synthetic (synthetic by US standards, anyway) and so far I'm pleased with the results. My engine threw a rod bearing at around 160k, requiring a new crankshaft. I did perhaps too much reading on the oil subject while waiting for parts to arrive, and there seemed to be good support and evidence (Blackstone lab oil analysis) to use it. And I had a bunch on hand...

After the initial two oil changes, I've been running the Rotella since. I've had no starting issues down to -30F. I use this in two Cummins (5.9 and 6.7) diesel engines, two Perkins (50hp and 99hp) diesel engines, and in both Subaru's. I will be putting it in my Honda this afternoon. Prior to using this oil, I did have starting issues, mostly with the diesels, when the weather dropped below -0F. The only car I won't run it in is our BMW 330xi. For that I use Mobile 1 0W-40 European formula which meets the LL01 standard.

Rotella T6 5W-40 is approved (SM) for gasoline engines.

The only consensus where oil is concerned is there is no consensus...

JP