19Outback95 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 i recently picked up an 03 outback with the H6 3.0 in it. without completely knowing what oil (synthetic or regular) has been used in the past what's the preferred oil for these engines. do they tend to favor one brand over the other. the engine currently has 96k on it. on the previous outback and legacy i was running castrol gtx high mileage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheelbuilder_25 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I don't know that they prefer any particular oil. I'd lean towards a name brand in the correct grade and API rating. I don't think there's anything wrong with using Castrol GTX, everyone seems to have a favorite oil. As far as my own Subarus, I've run Mobil 1, Mobil Super 5000, and Pennzoil Platinum. The Legacy iSE seems to do well with the Pennzoil, so that's what I'm running for now. If you want to find lengthy discussions, check the forums on bobistheoilguy.com. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Outback95 Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 probably just stick with the castrol then. just the regular one though not the high mile stuff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noscoobyhere Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Subaru recommends conventional 5W30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyJagaru Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 You can run 10W30 in that car in the summer. This is what I do in my Subie. Heaver oils always lubricate better so you're best to use them when you have the opportunity in warmer climates. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
19Outback95 Posted July 29, 2014 Author Share Posted July 29, 2014 i picked it up after july 4th and they changed the oil before hand so i got a little ways to go before i have to do it.. may just go ahead and do it when i swap the snow tires on so i'm not doing it in the middle of winter with snow dripping off the front end. what's the verdict on royal purple.. i got cases of it from my other car.. it's the 5w30 variety. i didn't notice any leakage other than the drain plug so should i switch to synthetic with 96k on the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wheelbuilder_25 Posted July 29, 2014 Share Posted July 29, 2014 Synthetic shouldn't bother any car in good condition at any mileage. If it doesn't leak now, it won't hurt it any. As long as it's had regular oil changes, it should be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 You can run 10W30 in that car in the summer. This is what I do in my Subie. Heaver oils always lubricate better so you're best to use them when you have the opportunity in warmer climates. This couldn't be farther from the truth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyJagaru Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 This couldn't be farther from the truth. Thems is fightin' words! I challenge you to a funnel fight. 10W30 has fewer polymers to achieve its viscosity span than 5W30 because the base oil is thicker to begin with. The 5Wxx oils are a tradeoff that allows a lower viscosity oil to be used which helps starting when the engine is very cold. In a Boston summer, its not very cold so you don't need it. You're better off with the thicker base oil as thicker always lubricates better - think gear oil here which is typically an 80 weight oil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted July 30, 2014 Share Posted July 30, 2014 Thems is fightin' words! I challenge you to a funnel fight. 10W30 has fewer polymers to achieve its viscosity span than 5W30 because the base oil is thicker to begin with. The 5Wxx oils are a tradeoff that allows a lower viscosity oil to be used which helps starting when the engine is very cold. In a Boston summer, its not very cold so you don't need it. You're better off with the thicker base oil as thicker always lubricates better - think gear oil here which is typically an 80 weight oil. For an engine and bearing layout like we have, oil should be as thin as possible, yet thick enough to protect. It's all about clearance and flow. In this instance, with bearing clearances designed for a 5W30 oil, there is no need for a thicker oil, no matter how hot it is in Boston. Furthermore, in a multiweight xWxx oil, it's only the first "x" when it's at ambient temperature. At operating temperature, it's at "xx"...which in our discussion is the same. Cold starting(meaning below operating temperature) is where the majority of wear occurs, and that brings us back to clearance issues and what the motor is designed for. 5W30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyJagaru Posted July 31, 2014 Share Posted July 31, 2014 In theory that all sounds plausible. But I have to put some faith in the manual of my Subie where it says 10W30 is recommended for summer and 20W50 for extreme high temperatures. That tells me that there's plenty of clearance in this engine. If what you say is true, then you should be touting 0W30 oil, no? FWIW, a lot of the guys around here run 15W40 in their Subies and swear by it so I'm *pretty* sure I'm alright with 10W30. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 I'll stick with the tried and true Redline 5W30 oil that I've run in nine different Subarus, five of which were a turbo engine, and three of those seeing track duty. You're welcome to run what oil you like as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonnyJagaru Posted August 1, 2014 Share Posted August 1, 2014 So you're using a synthetic oil? Is this recommended by the manufacturer for your model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Noscoobyhere Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 5w30. We put it in EVERY SINGLE H6. We tell customers theyre wrong when they want something different. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadTrainDriver Posted August 2, 2014 Share Posted August 2, 2014 So you're using a synthetic oil? Is this recommended by the manufacturer for your model? Synthetic is, Redline specifically is not. I live dangerously, just like you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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