The spec for our 2014 XV is a full-synthetic 0W-20. I'm not trying to start a "which oil is better" debate here (those threads irritate me), but I've seen that Subaru specifies the Castrol synthetic as acceptable. Is there something about the Castrol which should push me to use it or will any synthetic be fine? I've always used Pennzoil products in our family's Subarus, but will switch to Castrol if need be for our XV.

 

Also, I've used Purolator oil filters on all our Subies. Any reason I can't continue that trend in the XV? This will be the first time I've done the oil on the XV since we bought it. The dealer had a special going at time of purchase for free oil changes the first year of ownership and the year is up. Thanks for the help and input!

I also don't want to get embroiled in a 'which oil is the best' dialog.  That said here's my perspective and one interesting thing I've just observed.  I bought a new Crosstrek early this year, wanted to get started right and keep on top of the maintenance schedule. I've been a life-long fan of Castrol and used it in just about every vehicle I've owned going back almost 50 years now (my where DOES the time go???).

 

A FWIW aside: As a hobby I maintain a couple vintage Volvo's and Irv Gordon who's logged a documented 3 million miles on a 1966 Volvo with only one major engine overhaul by strictly sticking to the factory maintenance schedule exclusively uses Castrol GTX. A regular oil not a synthetic but I think that's an interesting data point. 

 

 So I stocked up on Castrol synthetic.   But my dealer also offered to do the first oil change for free. So at just under 5000 miles I took the Crosstrek to them.  At that point it had settled into giving me average mileage (according to the built in display) in the range of 30.5 - 31 MPG.  I happen to know that the dealer uses oil from the Northland company, a bulk vendor as do many dealers and shops in the Midwest.  Since then the displayed mileage has dropped a bit to around 29.5 MPG.  

 

While that doesn't present you with a definitive answer I think it's interesting.  Personally I'm going with Castrol.  

My buddy who's a service manager at a Soob dealership said any old kind of 0/20 would do.  It's easy enough to stop in at the dealer and grab a couple of filters from the parts dept.

synthetic oil only comes from a couple different bottlers... I think you will find that the Castrol Syntec and Penzoil Platinum are pretty much the same

Exactly what I was hoping to hear. Thanks for the replies!