Baja engine oil?
Moderator: mikenmel08
Baja engine oil?
Just got a 2003 baja manual tran just want some opinions on what oil to run on.
Re: Baja engine oil?
This would be a good place to do some research.
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub ... um_summary
These forums have a lot of info on brand specific oils. Also there are many opinions on synthetic vs. conventional.
If you've never done so I'd recommend at least a baseline Used Oil Analysis (UOA).
http://www.blackstone-labs.com
They will perform the analysis and make recommendations based on the results. For example this is the commentary on my last analysis:
MARK: This run was a little longer than the last and we're still seeing some extra iron in the oil. Keep in
mind that universal averages are based on about 5,000 miles of oil use, so after just 3,000 miles, it really
should be closer to average (if not below). At least aluminum looks much better, showing healthy wear at
the pistons. Maybe your engine simply makes a bit more iron than average, and that's fine. Not all engines
wear exactly alike due to variations in operation. The oil held up well and no contamination was found.
Check back next time to see how iron trends.
Here is a copy of a letter from Subaru of America regarding use of synthetic oil that was found in a forum:
Thank you for contacting us.
As for the use of synthetic oil in your vehicle, this is your decision. Our Technical Services Department advised that if you do decide to use synthetic oil, that you always use it because your engine will become accustomed to it. The same goes if you decide to use 'regular' oil.
We recommend that you first change the oil in your Subaru at 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. We STRONGLY recommend that you at least wait until the break-in period of 1,000 miles is surpassed.
The break-in period of the engine requires that a given amount of friction exists between components. The piston rings need to rub against the cylinder wall to break-in or finely tune the machine mating between the two metal parts. To properly seat all mechanical components, a certain amount of friction is required between the metal parts. Since synthetic oil has a lower friction rating than regular oil, we recommend that Subaru owners wait until after the 1,000 mile break-in period to switch to synthetic engine oil.
Synthetic engine oils can be used in our engines if the user follows
the engine oil recommendations prescribed in the Owner's Manual. Subaru has not tested the compatibility of all synthetic oils with engine seals, but the petroleum industry does adhere to standards for the refining process that meet Subaru requirements. Subaru does not guarantee the performance of any brand of any engine oil.
Engine Oil Guidelines: - only use engine oil that meets or exceeds the API classification designated in the Owner's Manual for the vehicle - only use engine oil that meets the VISCOSITY requirements for the ambient temperatures under which the vehicle will be operated as outlined in the Owner's Manual - THE ENGINE OIL MUST BE CHANGED AT THE INTERVALS SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE BOOKLET FOR THE VEHICLE. SOME SYNTHETIC OIL REFINERS RECOMMEND EXTENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. SUBARU
DOES NOT RECOMMEND ANY DEVIATION FROM THE SPECIFIED INTERVALS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
If we can be of any other assistance, please let us know.
Hope this helps to get you started....
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/forums/ub ... um_summary
These forums have a lot of info on brand specific oils. Also there are many opinions on synthetic vs. conventional.
If you've never done so I'd recommend at least a baseline Used Oil Analysis (UOA).
http://www.blackstone-labs.com
They will perform the analysis and make recommendations based on the results. For example this is the commentary on my last analysis:
MARK: This run was a little longer than the last and we're still seeing some extra iron in the oil. Keep in
mind that universal averages are based on about 5,000 miles of oil use, so after just 3,000 miles, it really
should be closer to average (if not below). At least aluminum looks much better, showing healthy wear at
the pistons. Maybe your engine simply makes a bit more iron than average, and that's fine. Not all engines
wear exactly alike due to variations in operation. The oil held up well and no contamination was found.
Check back next time to see how iron trends.
Here is a copy of a letter from Subaru of America regarding use of synthetic oil that was found in a forum:
Thank you for contacting us.
As for the use of synthetic oil in your vehicle, this is your decision. Our Technical Services Department advised that if you do decide to use synthetic oil, that you always use it because your engine will become accustomed to it. The same goes if you decide to use 'regular' oil.
We recommend that you first change the oil in your Subaru at 3,000 miles or 3 months, whichever comes first. We STRONGLY recommend that you at least wait until the break-in period of 1,000 miles is surpassed.
The break-in period of the engine requires that a given amount of friction exists between components. The piston rings need to rub against the cylinder wall to break-in or finely tune the machine mating between the two metal parts. To properly seat all mechanical components, a certain amount of friction is required between the metal parts. Since synthetic oil has a lower friction rating than regular oil, we recommend that Subaru owners wait until after the 1,000 mile break-in period to switch to synthetic engine oil.
Synthetic engine oils can be used in our engines if the user follows
the engine oil recommendations prescribed in the Owner's Manual. Subaru has not tested the compatibility of all synthetic oils with engine seals, but the petroleum industry does adhere to standards for the refining process that meet Subaru requirements. Subaru does not guarantee the performance of any brand of any engine oil.
Engine Oil Guidelines: - only use engine oil that meets or exceeds the API classification designated in the Owner's Manual for the vehicle - only use engine oil that meets the VISCOSITY requirements for the ambient temperatures under which the vehicle will be operated as outlined in the Owner's Manual - THE ENGINE OIL MUST BE CHANGED AT THE INTERVALS SPECIFIED IN THE WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE BOOKLET FOR THE VEHICLE. SOME SYNTHETIC OIL REFINERS RECOMMEND EXTENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVALS. SUBARU
DOES NOT RECOMMEND ANY DEVIATION FROM THE SPECIFIED INTERVALS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
If we can be of any other assistance, please let us know.
Hope this helps to get you started....
Re: Baja engine oil?
I run Mobil1 or Motul Htech depending the availability. I only use mineral based oil replace every 3k kms including the filter.