Oil Filter Question 2011 & 2013 OB

Papa Smurf said:

I purchased a second OB earlier this year and its time to change oil. My question is on the 2011 I have this little (short) filter and on the 2013 it looks like the same filter just a little longer (taller).

Since i change my own oil every other oil change (every 7500 miles the dealer does it for free) which filter should I buy?

I purchase oil filters normally in a 10 or 12 pack. So the question is can I use the longer oil filter on both cars?

If so do you think there would be a warranty issue on the 2011 using the longer filter?

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Oil filters and oil changes can be done by consumers without any effect on your warranty. Just keep meticulous records of your changes. You can use any filter that fits your application and/or commercially sold. Some of them are tall, some short - some have more holes than others. If you change oil frequently it does not really matter, what brand or shape you use - unless you have turbo or some special engine that requires a very specific oil filter with very specific rate of flow/filtration. I use NAPA oil and air filters, including cabin filters.

bump, anyone else ?

Papa Smurf said:

I purchased a second OB earlier this year and its time to change oil. My question is on the 2011 I have this little (short) filter and on the 2013 it looks like the same filter just a little longer (taller).

Since i change my own oil every other oil change (every 7500 miles the dealer does it for free) which filter should I buy?

I purchase oil filters normally in a 10 or 12 pack. So the question is can I use the longer oil filter on both cars?

If so do you think there would be a warranty issue on the 2011 using the longer filter?

Click to expand...

Your 2011 has the older EJ25 engine which uses 5W-30 oil and 15208AA12A Honeywell sourced filter and your 2013 has the newer FB25 engine which uses 0W-20 oil and 15208AA160 Tokyo Roki filter. I would assume lubrication of the two engines are different, and, be careful about it. So, unless, I cannot verify that these two filters are technically the same as far as all the filter parameters such as bypass valve, porosity of filter material etc are concerned, I would not interchange them and use the one that manufacturer specified.

All above is true. However, like oil change frequency, the same applies to oil filters (in my opinion). In EU they go 1 year (or 15000 km) oil change frequency while here they go for 3000 miles. In 40-some years driving (new cars under warranty) I never had an issue with the oil filter and/or related warranty. Like someone else mentioned on these pages, it's a scam by the oil industry to generate extra revenues....LOL

Got my answer from Subaru as follows:

Thank you for getting back to us with the VINS for your Subaru Outbacks.
The engines in the 2011 and 2013 Outback 2.5i models are different. The oil filters for these two different engines and models are not applicable to the other engine/model. The oil filter for your 2011 Outback is not recommened for your 2013 Outback. The parts and part numbers are different.

Papa Smurf said:

Got my answer from Subaru as follows:

Thank you for getting back to us with the VINS for your Subaru Outbacks.
The engines in the 2011 and 2013 Outback 2.5i models are different. The oil filters for these two different engines and models are not applicable to the other engine/model. The oil filter for your 2011 Outback is not recommened for your 2013 Outback. The parts and part numbers are different.

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That confirms what I mentioned before.

Someone could say that different oil filters are a scam. Then, you should be able to fit any oil filter in any car. By the design of one filter it may simply not fit another. I wonder if 2013 filter will even fit in 2011 engine. Not to mention that the two filters may have different operating conditions.