Is Mobile 1 the best synthetic oil to go with in a 2002 WRX? If money was not an issue what is the best engine oil to use and how often should we change it. Will I actually feel/notice a performance difference between synthetic and regular oil? Is there a real difference between regular and Subaru oil filters?Thanks.

I use Mobil 1 in my 98 RS. I only use it because I trust the name though. I'd be interested to know as well if this is the best oil for me to run.

Check out this info (http://www.kwakas.demon.co.uk/ixion/oil.html)

- Steve

I got my oil changes yesterday for the first time ( 3003 miles ) and I had a dicussion with the mechanics about synthetic vs. regular. He tried to make a point and just put synthetic in my WRX for free ... not Mobile 1 though. I'll drive around for the next few thousand miles or so then so to Mobile 1 and see if there's any difference. I don't mind spending the money but there BETTER be a real performance difference.

I've had mobile 1 for 5 oil changes with no problems ...and VERY happy with it!

The moderators of this forum may 86 you for mentioning a brand name of a product used in routine service and maintenance.:lol: It's also dangerous to ask about the "peformance" of a particular product that has to do w/ routine service and or maintenance.:lol: They're watching us out there...:eek:

*sigh*..... children....... you're not doing very much to save yourself.....

[ edit - correcting grammar as noted (2x)... thank you ]

Originally posted by kastle:
*sigh*..... children....... your not doing very much to save yourself.....
Speaking of children, "your" should be spelled "you're", which is a contraction for "you are". Sorry for being a nitpick :)

--
Richard
http://www.whitetyphoon.com/impreza/

And it's grammAr, not grammEr. :D

Mike

There is a difference from mineral based to synthetic oil. Synthetics create less internal wear, and lower operating temperature. You should also see a slight improvement in fuel mileage and hp (maybe 1-2).

There are some oils that are better than Mobil 1. Amsoil, Redline and Royal Purple to name some.

One more thing. The oil filter is very important and often overlooked. The OEM filters are good. Purolator is ok. The premium oil filters such as K&N, Mobil 1, Amsoil are an upgrade from the OEM.

Stay away from Fram. They are the worse piece of crap filters made. BTW, Fram manufactures filters and sells them under many brand names, so I suggest that you stick with one of the filters listed above.

There are some oils that are better than Mobil 1. Amsoil, Redline and Royal Purple to name some.Can you support this claim? Other than saying that AMSOIL has more ZDP....


:p

Steve
http://www.forcefed4.com

"Can you support this claim? Other than saying that AMSOIL has more ZDP...."

Do years of racing and rebuilding motors after every season qualify? ;)

Seriously though, Mobil 1 synthetics are pretty good. Dodge Vipers, newer Corvettes, and newer Porsches come from the factory prefilled with Mobil 1. My Typhoon even came from the factory prefilled with Mobil 1 10w-30. If Mobil 1 is good enough for the 450 hp Viper and the 405 hp Corvette Z06, then Mobil 1 will be good enough for your WRX.

--
Richard
http://www.whitetyphoon.com/impreza/

Notorious ~~ Not really. I've seen some "professionals" on infomercials for various car products that I wouldn't even want in my TRUNK. ;)

Steve
http://www.forcefed4.com

"Notorious ~~ Not really. I've seen some "professionals" on infomercials for various car products that I wouldn't even want in my TRUNK.

:lol: :lol: :lol: Very funny! But really, I've seen the inside of motors after a full season of abuse, and it is amazing to see find almost no wear.

For those that use Mobil 1, don't get me wrong; I think it is very good. It's just that I think that for the same price, others are better. :)

I never knew the actual oil filter would make a difference ... can I "really" tell by driving the car? I'll probably go with Mobile 1, Amsoil, Redline, or Royal Purple during my next oil change and also a nice filter ( assuming that even makes a difference ). I had my oil changed at FireStone since I trust them and also needed to barrow their lift ... so much easier to install KartBoy bushings when the car in above us standing. The installed a FireStone oil filter but I can't tell a difference. I guess I'm still relatively new to all this ... I guess I'll live and learn.

The oil filter doesn't make a difference in performance (hp), but there is a big difference from one filter to another in what particles are trapped and kept from going back into your motor. It has to do with the actual type and amount of filtering media used in the filter, and with the design of the filter. (anti-flowback valve) Cheap filters can also have weak casings, crappy internal cores and bad seams. IMHO, the better filters are worth the extra dollar.

I didn't know that ... I thought an oil filter was an oil filter but I do learn something everyday. Where can I pickup highend oil filters for my 2002 WRX? I heard Costo was cheaper for Mobile 1 5W30, can I also get them there or is there a place where I can get everything all together? Is there somewhere on the NET that I can order from which would be alot cheaper? Thanks.

Took me awhile to find it but this (http://www.frankhunt.com/FRANK/corvette/articles/oilfilterstudy/oilfilterstudy.html) is an interesting page on oil filters and their construction. I personally have always used NAPA (Wix) filters.

Ryan

If you're having a problem finding one of the better filters, use the OEM. For the best price, just buy it from one of the dealers that sell it at discount or from Sugar (I-Club vendor). :)

I went by Troncolli today to pickup some touch-up paint for my red WRX. I asked for Lisa ( Sugar ) and she was standing right there ... I found that kinda ammusing since I said something like ... umm I heard around you on I-Club ... it was cool though.

I am curious as to why I never hear mention of Castrol Syntec
in discussions of synth oil. Is there something inferior with it
versus Mobil1. I have used Syntec 5-50 with no issues.

SubaruStu

I like Amsoil.

Roger

Oil and filters from different companies are usually make a little differently from each other. Other labels are just that labels on the same product.

For instance, the Subaru OEM oil filter is the Puralator oil filter.

Synthetic oils like Mobil 1 and Redline are also formulated differently for different purposes. Mobil 1 is formulated to behave in a manner close to that of regular dino oils. It is still far better than regular dino oil, but it contains all the same additives and detergents that go into regular dino oil. Redline oils have less detergents and more of the other additives in different ratios than Mobil 1. Both are far superior to regular dino oil, but are setup with different purposes in mind.

If you are still not sure, write to both companies and ask their technical staff about the differences.

[Mobil 1]... contains all the same additives and detergents that go into regular dino oil Really, eh? http://www.i-club.com/forums/images/icons/icon8.gif

I'm interested in reading/hearing your supporting argument for this. :rolleyes:

"For instance, the Subaru OEM oil filter is the Puralator oil filter"

Not true. The USDM Subaru OEM oil filter is made by Purolator to Subaru's specifications, but is much better that the regular Purolator oil filter. If you want to check for yourself, open one of each after they've been used. ;)

Mobil1
All motor oils contain additives that provide extra protection against wear, corrosion and engine deposits. These additives are dispersed in mineral oil carriers that are mixed in small amounts into the synthetic oil. The carrier oils amount to a very small percentage of the finished motor oil.

Redline
Reducing friction is a goal of engine lubricants, but the detergents used in most motor oils compete with the friction reducers for the metal surface. So if you want the lowest friction, use an oil formulated for the lowest friction. Red Line manufactures Racing Oils which contin few detergents, so no compromise has to mbe made.

I couldn't find the emails which suggested to me that Redline used less detergents than Mobil1. I use both (alternately never mixed) and they are about the same. The only observation that stands out is that the engine oil stayed cleaner longer after having run a 3000 miles set on Redline. :)

As for the Puralator and Subaru OEM filter. Side by side new, I thought they were close to the same. *shrug* I'm more interested right now in trying to find and open a PL14460.. If anyone would stock the thing.

More information on oil filters and who makes what filters for which company can be found here.
http://www.dorianyeager.com/oilfilterstudy1.html

Revision,

I've opened up a Purolator PL14460 "pureone" filter. Constructed the same, except the media seems to be a bit
thicker, I can get some pix up if anyone is interested. Visual comparison with the regular Purolator's looks like it's still cellulose but I can't claim with any certainty that they didn't mix in synthetic fibers. It still lacks the internal backplate gasket the OEM Subaru Purolator has but the block gasket while still flat is of the better 'internally lubricated' variety.

This is my filter of choice at the moment except for the fact they are super-hard to find (partsamerica.com)

change your oil and oil filter every 3000 miles, and the difference between synthetic and regular oil is very small. Go beyond that, synthetic is much better than regular oil.

Originally posted by SubaruStu
I am curious as to why I never hear mention of Castrol Syntec
in discussions of synth oil. Is there something inferior with it
versus Mobil1. I have used Syntec 5-50 with no issues.


Syntec isn't really synthetic these days. They're now using a specially refined petroleum base stock. No doubt it's superior to conventional petroleum-based oils, but it's not in the same league as the true synthetics.

-Dave

Originally posted by jk147
change your oil and oil filter every 3000 miles, and the difference between synthetic and regular oil is very small. Go beyond that, synthetic is much better than regular oil.

Actually, there's a huge difference between petro-based oils and synthetics: petro-based oils are much thicker than synthetics until they reach operating temperatures. Since most engine wear occurs during the warmup period, synthetics are far superior even on similar oil change cycles.

-Dave

Do you guys think it's too late for me to switch over to synthetics at 30K miles? Another word, will I get oil leaks if I switch over to synthetics at 30K miles?

--
Richard
http://www.whitetyphoon.com/impreza/

Originally posted by Richard L.
Do you guys think it's too late for me to switch over to synthetics at 30K miles? Another word, will I get oil leaks if I switch over to synthetics at 30K miles?


No, it's never too late to switch to a synthetic.

Leaking was only a problem for the earliest synthetics (over 20 years ago). Modern synthetics contain an additive that swells seals just like petro oils.

-Dave

I happened to drop by Walmart last week and saw Mobile 1 oil filters for like $9 or $10 as compared to regular for like $3 I think. Is there a place to get them cheap along with the oil, either Mobile 1 or Redline?