2013 2.5i Legacy - first oil change (using WRX filter!)

ok so i have about 5 OEM filters left over from my 08+ WRX (part # SUB 15208AA12A)

 

i noticed the new 13' legacies use a larger OEM filter (part # SUB 15208AA15A)

 

according to rallisport, 15208AA12A filters should work

 

http://www.rallysportdirect.com/Subaru-Genuine-OEM-Oil-Filter-Most-Subaru-Models

 

anywho, did my first oil change and went ahead and used the old 12A filters as opposed to the new 15A. so far no CEL's or oil lights coming on...

 

anywho anyone want to shed some light on this? i know i should be using the new 15A filter but so far no issues. will report back if something comes up. thank god the filters in the 2013's are in the engine bay

You won't get a check engine light for using a different filter unless you are starving the engine of oil. The filters are probably very close in filtration among other specs. Long term damage, I doubt there will be any. Maybe a subaru guru will shed light on this.....

^ after much thought, i switched back to the 15A filter (oil filter in engine bay ftw ). i'm pretty sure the new FB25 engines won't have much of an issue running the EJ25 12A filters but swapped back for peace of mind.

 

yes please, subie gurus chime in on this. i didn't seem to have any issues. drove it pretty hard to test and didn't see any leakage coming from the smaller 12A filter.

You can goggle oil filter cross referance and see what you come up with for both filter numbers.

 

I did that the other day for a PL10241 for my lawn tractor and found out there are longer filters that have a great capacity. More is always better in this case.

 

If in fact the 12's are shorter then the 15's...you better off with the larger filter.

 

I'm sure other will have more engineering data, but you did the right thing by using at least the correct filter if not larger.

I always suggest running whatever is called for in the specs. The larger filter is probably better for the engine and while a smaller or different filter will technically screw on, it doesn't mean it is correct.

 

One example is on automatics, the oil filter appears to be the same as the ATF filter, however they are not the same at all.

 

As max said switching to the correct filter is a good idea.

 

This is similar to changing out your fuilds on a regular basis, for the few dollars extra it costs why risk a $20,000 car?

 

-mike

Some people use the Mazda RX-8 filter which is a bit larger than the stock Subaru filter. I use the Mazda Millenia filter on my Miata because it is also longer than the original and it is much easier to install and remove as well as holding more oil and providing more surface area for cooling.

Some people use the Mazda RX-8 filter which is a bit larger than the stock Subaru filter. I use the Mazda Millenia filter on my Miata because it is also longer than the original and it is much easier to install and remove as well as holding more oil and providing more surface area for cooling.

 

Problem with running a Mazda RX-8 filter on the Subaru is that if it is under warranty and you need to make a claim, they will try to deny the claim based on incorrect maintenance.

 

 

-Mike Paisan

 

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using the WRX filter will give you an extra 5 hp!