Oil Brands: What are you running?

TRU-BOOST

DylanJZA said:
I'd recommend anyone curious about this to go watch the Project Farm oil series on Youtube. All modern synthetics basically protect to similar levels all things being equal as long as they meet the certs, but that does not mean there aren't superior oils, especially when you factor in cost. His testing isn't the end all be all, and he doesn't test all oils, but his testing did match up fairly well with UOAs/results available on BITOG and elsewhere so...

Even I enjoyed that series..!! There are a lot of factors that arent covered, but educational and entertaining (to us nerds) none the less. Lol

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chrisz5z

· #42 · 9 d ago

TessaSeveride said:
Looks like the Subaru and Toyota literature differ here.

Yep the manuals for the twins recommend different things for each region

Here's the American BRZ owners manual

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Whitekeeper

· #43 · 9 d ago

chrisz5z said:
Yep the manuals for the twins recommend different things for each region

One reason for this is the GPF in European models. If you use oil that produces big amounts of ash when burned the particulate filter gets clogged up and has to be replaced.
So you should definitely not simply use US spec oil in EU models. At least as long as you don't do a GPF delete ;-)

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chrisz5z

· #44 · 9 d ago

2

Whitekeeper said:
One reason for this is the GPF in European models. If you use oil that produces big amounts of ash when burned the particulate filter gets clogged up and has to be replaced.
So you should definitely not simply use US spec oil in EU models. At least as long as you don't do a GPF delete ;-)

Yea each region has their own regulations, but I do find it funny how Toyota & Subaru list different selections of oil weights even while they are in the same region. In Japan, Toyota recommends 0w20, Subaru just lists weights with no recommendation.

Example:
GR86

Translation:

"Recommendation:

Toyota genuine motor oil SP 0W-20 API SP/RC, ILSAC GF-6A, SAE 0W-20

Fits:

Toyota Genuine Motor Oil SP 5W-30 API SP/RC, ILSAC GF-6A, SAE 5W-30"

Translation of lower paragraph:

" - Specified engine oil

API standard SP/RC or ILSAC standard use oil that matches. 0W-20 has excellent fuel efficiency, do your best to use 0W-20. If difficult to find, 5W-30 can be used. It should be noted that ILSAC regulations ILSAC for qualified oil cans CERTIFICATION (Irsac certification) mark is attached."

BRZ

Translation:

1: The amount of engine oil is a guideline when replacing. To check the oil level, place the car on a level surface, stop the engine before starting the engine or after warming up the engine, and wait at least 5 minutes before checking the oil level with a level gauge. To check the oil level, look at both sides of the level gauge and check the lower side of the oil level.

2: ECO 0W-20 is the most fuel-saving oil among the designated brands in the table above.

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TessaSeveride

· #45 · 9 d ago (Edited)

Went through all the manuals and looks like the the US manual recommendation for the BRZ is:
API SN Plus Resource Conserving or ILSAC GF-5
0W-20 recommended
5W-30 CONVENTIONAL as a top-off in between oil changes

Australian recommendation is:
API SN Plus Resource Conserving or ILSAC GF-5 or ACEA A3 or ACEA A5
0W-20 recommended (although ACEA A3 or A5 can't be a 20 grade, so the recommendation would default to 30 grade or higher)
5W-20, 0W-30, or 5W-30 as a top-off in between changes

Japanese recommendation is:
SN or "ECO" (I'm guessing ECO is a Japan specific marketing term or possibly a certification) in 0W-20 or 5W-30 or
"ZERO" (Again, I'm guessing this is some sort of marketing term or certification in Japan) in 0W-30

Looks like Subaru alone lists anything from a 0W-20 all the way to a 5W-30 as approved oils for the FA24D. Just depends on personal preference what you choose.

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cvx5832gr86

· #46 · 9 d ago

I just use the 6qt box M1 5w-30 at Costco. Great oil, inexpensive at $33 and I don't have anything to store and combine for the next oil change.

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RacingIsLife

· #47 · 9 d ago

I bought a shit ton of Kirkland (Costco) 5W30 to run in my '23 BRZ. I've always ran it without issue in my '15 Forester XT, and when on sale, it's $17 for five quarts or something cheap like that. I will be tracking extensively and plan to change the oil every 4 track hours or so.

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TRU-BOOST

· #48 · 9 d ago

Kirkland\Supertech\Amazon Basics are better than most people give them credit for. For what its worth they may.... or may not..... But definitely may be nearly identical.

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EVASIVE TRUENO

· #49 · 8 d ago

Motul 8100 0W-20 for my first two oil changes (1k & 3k) however just yesterday did an oil change at 6,050 and switched to Motul 8100 5W-20 and will probably stay running that every 3,000 miles.

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itsthemetho

· #50 · 8 d ago

unrealpatrik said:
Buying oil for new japanese and american cars in Europe is a nightmare. I was able to find only one decently priced 5w-20 oil from Petro Canada that meets the ILSAC GF6.

You could consider the "equivalent euro" specification ACEA C6 in some viscosity like 0W-20. There isn't much of a difference between them and many oils are certified/compliant with both ACEA C6 and API SP/ILSAC GF-6A.

Liquid Moly is available in Europe and they make multiple compliant oils.

Thankfully in Australia you can get European or American/Japanese oils. The only problem nowadays is the crazy amount of oil standards, meaning auto stores can't stock them all. This is becoming an issue with older cars running thicker 40-60 viscosity oils, as they become less common.

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KahnBB6

· #51 · 8 d ago

Forgive me if this has been addressed in an earlier post but for the FA24D am I correct in understanding that if a 5W-30 oil is used Subaru's engineers prefer a conventional rather than synthetic? Or in practice is there no issue with running a 5W-30 synthetic?

I've long used Mobil1 synthetic oil in my Toyotas. It is very easy to source Mobil1 oil almost anywhere on short notice.

Would Idemitsu 5W-30 oil be considered a better choice for these engines since it's the OEM replacement oil for all Subarus?

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Kushkaki

· #52 · 8 d ago

KahnBB6 said:
Would Idemitsu 5W-30 oil be considered a better choice for these engines since it's the OEM replacement oil for all Subarus?

This is my line of thinking and why I use Idemitsu, gives me a bit extra piece of mind. Could be wrong though. Kinda curious about what TB has to say about it

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TessaSeveride

· #53 · 7 d ago (Edited)

KahnBB6 said:
Forgive me if this has been addressed in an earlier post but for the FA24D am I correct in understanding that if a 5W-30 oil is used Subaru's engineers prefer a conventional rather than synthetic? Or in practice is there no issue with running a 5W-30 synthetic?

Not quite. 5W-30 Conventional is mentioned in the US manual only as a top-off in between changes. Conventional is not mentioned anywhere else in any manual I could find.

KahnBB6 said:
I've long used Mobil1 synthetic oil in my Toyotas. It is very easy to source Mobil1 oil almost anywhere on short notice.

If it meets the spec you are looking for, Mobil1 would work well.

KahnBB6 said:
Would Idemitsu 5W-30 oil be considered a better choice for these engines since it's the OEM replacement oil for all Subarus?

Nothing makes Idemitsu special compared to a similar oil with the same specification/approvals. There are oils out there with more manufacturer approvals in similar grades.

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TRU-BOOST

· #54 · 7 d ago (Edited)

There is no logical reason to say using a 5w30 conventional would be preferred over a synthetic. I read that as "if you really have to use it, conventional will do"
Idemitsu is decent. Not worth chasing it down over most bigger names IMO.

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chrisz5z

· #55 · 7 d ago

formulaBRZ said:
For those of you who do your own oil changes, what oil brand have you been using?

Deciding myself between Valvoline, Pennzoil, or Mobil1. It probably doesn't matter, but just curious what others favor for this platform.

0-981 miles	0w20	OEM
981-5901 miles	5w20	Pennsoil Ultra Platinum
5901-11,200 miles	5w30	Pennzoil Ultra Platinum
11,200-16,408 miles	5w20	Castrol Edge
16,408-current(~18,000) miles	5w30	Pennzoil Ultra Platinum

Wanted to give Castrol Edge a try, had over a quart of consumption during the interval. Have had zero consumption with the Pennzoil during all it's intervals.

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DylanJZA

· #56 · 7 d ago

PUP is perhaps the best oil you can buy before jumping to stuff like Motul, Amsoil, Redline etc. At least from all the stuff I've seen (UOA ans otherwise) ... Great noack scores too and it's $32/gal too which is excellent.

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EVASIVE TRUENO

· #57 · 7 d ago

chrisz5z said:
0-981 miles 0w20 OEM
981-5901 miles 5w20 Pennsoil Ultra Platinum
5901-11,200 miles 5w30 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum
11,200-16,408 miles 5w20 Castrol Edge
16,408-current(~18,000) miles 5w30 Pennzoil Ultra Platinum

Wanted to give Castrol Edge a try, had over a quart of consumption during the interval. Have had zero consumption with the Pennzoil during all it's intervals.

Pennzoil is really great stuff. IIRC you can get 6 quarts of it for right about $30 at walmart, which is like half what I pay for Motul lol. I just like Motul because RACECAR

But seriously, I ran Pennzoil on my last two twins and due to how cheap it was, I really didn't feel bad just changing the oil every 3,000 miles. Cheapest insurance you can have for your motor anyways, especially if you actually drive it like it's made to be driven. I still change my oil every 3,000 - 3,500 but with motul costing almost $60 for a 5L it hurtssss hahaha. Thankfully I don't drive this twin as much as my last two though. I just hit 6,200 miles yesterday after almost a full year of ownership (July 15th!)

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TRU-BOOST

· #58 · 7 d ago

Edge lasts extremely long without degrading, but does tend to vanish from the dipstick on turbo vehicles and those that rev high. The regular Pennzoil platinum is known for similar. If Pennzoil is your brand of choice the ultra platinum is the way to go for sure.

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EVASIVE TRUENO

· #59 · 7 d ago

TRU-BOOST said:
Edge lasts extremely long without degrading, but does tend to vanish from the dipstick on turbo vehicles and those that rev high. The regular Pennzoil platinum is known for similar. If Pennzoil is your brand of choice the ultra platinum is the way to go for sure.

Curious your opinion on Motul 8100. I don't really have an affinity to any particular brand, at the same time motul is a household name for subaru guys

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TRU-BOOST

· #60 · 7 d ago

EVASIVE TRUENO said:
Curious your opinion on Motul 8100. I don't really have an affinity to any particular brand, at the same time motul is a household name for subaru guys

I have nothing against it. But I certainly don't understand the fascination with motul. Not a customer of my company but from other UOAs and SDS and product specs I see it isnt anything super human. I have said before, you really have to go out of your way to find BAD oil these day. Most of it comes down to meeting the specs and brand preferences. Some are better than others, but in the scheme of things its minimal if the certifications match.

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