For those that read my earlier query concerning the "endrench" (confusion) article 10W/20 motor oil recommendation, ...this has been updated since that article to 0W/20...in fact, Subaru "branded" oil is 0W/20 or 5W/30 (both starburst approved) or 10W/50

Edited January 18, 200917 yr by Petersubaru

Thanks for posting the update!

 

Before all the arm-wavers come in to say how that's just for this or that but will grenade the motor, understand that the cams/lifters are the only place that may suffer from a thinner fluid. I say may because, from what I've seen and what my sources tell me, that's all it is: maybe. If Subie's spec'ing a 20, then it's not hurting the cams/lifters.

n00b alert!

 

 

Does the Subie setup classify itself as a 'flat tappet' type arrangement, or has the cam follower got some sort of roller deal on it?

 

The reason I ask is: The American Iron crowd (myself included) has been up in arms about the decrease in ZDDp in oils lately (which flat tappet arrangements benefit from).

 

I have been considering a drop to 5w-20. Does the above OP mean this is actually a factory recommendation?

I don't have all the info available for posting because I don't know how to tranfer the info without a lot of typeing...But some basic Subi info can be had by "googleing" 0W/20 Subaru Brand Oil...next "click" on the 3rd article down from the top of the page "Company Search Results"...next, scroll down to "Fuji Heavy In..." and click on that..then on the next page "click" onto the API and/or Starburst circle for further info...

Edited January 19, 200917 yr by Petersubaru

extremes usually aren't necessary and 5w-30 isn't blowing up engines, so this is benign. interesting, but nothing for people that don't know what this is about to worry about.

 

although at -10 my 10w30 was REAL thick this morning!

extremes usually aren't necessary and 5w-30 isn't blowing up engines, so this is benign. interesting, but nothing for people that don't know what this is about to worry about.

 

at -10 my 10w30 was REAL thick this morning. you should go check out how thick your oil is if you're in the cold again tonight. it's pretty awesome.

Subarus use finger followers. They shouldn't have a problem with the current, lower-ZDDP oils (they don't or else they'd have a problem with the std. 5W30). Note that there are other ways to protect older American (and even current stupid-tech Euro) engines other than ZDDP.

 

A 0W20 will be a synthetic oil, whether labeled as such or not. Can't reasonably make a 0W20 meet SM spec otherwise. So, it'll be a good stable oil.

Note that there are other ways to protect older American (and even current stupid-tech Euro) engines other than ZDDP.

 

Yeah, they're called roller cams....

 

Actually, I use Justice Brother's 'heavy duty vehicle' oil additive in my Oldsmobile.

 

Thanks for the Subie info!