Just checking to make sure the car gets the right treatment, i did search and found nothing.

The WRX just hit 74k miles 3k miles ago it had its oil changed, time for a new filter and oil change this time around.

Here's my question, i went to AutoZone to get my 10W-30 Full Synthetic 5qts of it (should be enough) anyway. I figured i'd ask if they sell the filter too - They gave me a K&N Oil filter. (The best one they had)

Will this work just as well if not better than the OEM filter?
Its a "K&N Performance Gold Oil Filter"
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/images/t_18774.jpg

First time doing my own oil change, but after reading in the Subaru manual how easy it is - I'm not paying anyone to do that.

One last question - I also asked him for power steering fluid, he tried to give me "Automatic Transmission fluid" I said "Uh....Ill wait off on that"
He then got defensive and told me how thats what his daddy with the 69 Nova uses and then told him "I don't drive a 69 nova"

I can reference the manual but what kind of fluid do i use for power steering?

I can reference the manual but what kind of fluid do i use for power steering?

Um, automatic transmission fluid. ;)
Specifically Dexron III or better.

yes the kn is a good filter. But i use the stock filter. the reason why is you are suppose to change the washer that goes on the oil plug everytime you change your oil. so that is why i use the stock and my buddy works at parts for subaru. as for the ps fluid use what subaru calls for in the manual and also you are using the wrong oil use 5w 20 or 5w 30 snytech i use 5w 20 in the winter and 5w 30 in the summer Castrol oil that is.

The shop owner of the shop that installs my parts actually recommends this oil for our socal weather.

So I go with his word. Thanks for looking out though.

Just checking to make sure the car gets the right treatment, i did search and found nothing.

The WRX just hit 74k miles 3k miles ago it had its oil changed, time for a new filter and oil change this time around.

Here's my question, i went to AutoZone to get my 10W-30 Full Synthetic 5qts of it (should be enough) anyway. I figured i'd ask if they sell the filter too - They gave me a K&N Oil filter. (The best one they had)

Will this work just as well if not better than the OEM filter?
Its a "K&N Performance Gold Oil Filter"
http://www.extremepsi.com/store/images/t_18774.jpg

First time doing my own oil change, but after reading in the Subaru manual how easy it is - I'm not paying anyone to do that.

One last question - I also asked him for power steering fluid, he tried to give me "Automatic Transmission fluid" I said "Uh....Ill wait off on that"
He then got defensive and told me how thats what his daddy with the 69 Nova uses and then told him "I don't drive a 69 nova"

I can reference the manual but what kind of fluid do i use for power steering?

Being a previous manager of a lube shop I might know a little about this subject. The oil filter should work just as well as OEM. Just make sure you inspect it for damage to the filter and gasket before replacing it. And just because it's K&N doesn't mean the oil filter will last longer either. As far as for the power steering fluid a standard ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) is used on Subarus with a stock power steering system. Your WRX should only hold 4.8 qts so the 5 you got is plenty. One last thing, before you drain the oil, make sure its the oil pan and not the tranny. I can't count the number of times I've seen someone drain the tranny instead of the oil pan. You probably want to pick up a crushable gasket for the drain plug as well. They have a tendancy for small drips after one use. Good luck and welcome to the DIY club!:banana: :banana: :banana:

Being a previous manager of a lube shop I might know a little about this subject. The oil filter should work just as well as OEM. Just make sure you inspect it for damage to the filter and gasket before replacing it. And just because it's K&N doesn't mean the oil filter will last longer either. As far as for the power steering fluid a standard ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) is used on Subarus with a stock power steering system. Your WRX should only hold 4.8 qts so the 5 you got is plenty. One last thing, before you drain the oil, make sure its the oil pan and not the tranny. I can't count the number of times I've seen someone drain the tranny instead of the oil pan. You probably want to pick up a crushable gasket for the drain plug as well. They have a tendancy for small drips after one use. Good luck and welcome to the DIY club!:banana: :banana: :banana:

Thanks very much for this informative post - Im not sure what a crushable gasket is - Is it like a rubber washer? Home depot or AutoZone? What size?

Any specific Automatic Tranny Fuild you recommend?

Being a previous manager of a lube shop I might know a little about this subject. The oil filter should work just as well as OEM. Just make sure you inspect it for damage to the filter and gasket before replacing it. And just because it's K&N doesn't mean the oil filter will last longer either. As far as for the power steering fluid a standard ATF (Automatic Transmission Fluid) is used on Subarus with a stock power steering system. Your WRX should only hold 4.8 qts so the 5 you got is plenty. One last thing, before you drain the oil, make sure its the oil pan and not the tranny. I can't count the number of times I've seen someone drain the tranny instead of the oil pan. You probably want to pick up a crushable gasket for the drain plug as well. They have a tendancy for small drips after one use. Good luck and welcome to the DIY club!:banana: :banana: :banana:
Yes, the fun of taking a car to a lube "shop". Took my car to one of those hell holes for a radiator "flush" and will never let any moron that spills about 1 liter of coolant on my radiator get near my car. :mad: :furious: :D NEVER AGAIN

Auto Zone will definately have it. A crushable gasket is an aluminum or copper gasket that forms to the pan and drain plug when proper torque is applied. Preferably aluminum. I can't recall the exact size, sorry. Just ask the counter guy. They have all kinds of reference materials they can look in. As for the power steering. I usually just use a Pennzoil/Quaker State Dextron III.

a. Post in the right damn forum and quit clogging this one!
b. Read the damn stickys in the right damn forum and quit clogging the right forum with questions that have been asked 9000 times
c. Open up your damn driver's manual....it tells you all the types and amounts of fluids you need....quick clogging the forums with stuff that is in your glove compartment.

I picked up a case of those K&N filters a year or so ago. I think they are as good quality as OEM filter and perhaps designed for higher flow but i dont see how they would last longer. the bolt on the bottom is usefull if you dont like filter wrenches or your hands i guess..,

Yes, the fun of taking a car to a lube "shop". Took my car to one of those hell holes for a radiator "flush" and will never let any moron that spills about 1 liter of coolant on my radiator get near my car. :mad: :furious: :D NEVER AGAIN

Sorry that happened to you. But not everyone is incompetant. Sometimes people in those jobs, i.e. me, actually have a brain between their ears. :p

Sometimes but it`s very rare. That`s why now I do everything myself including turbo, injectors and everything else that doesn`t need a mad scientist to figure out. When I joined this forum in 03` I would have never thought of doing a turbo swap all by myself. Now, it`s a piece of cake.

a. Post in the right damn forum and quit clogging this one!
b. Read the damn stickys in the right damn forum and quit clogging the right forum with questions that have been asked 9000 times
c. Open up your damn driver's manual....it tells you all the types and amounts of fluids you need....quick clogging the forums with stuff that is in your glove compartment.

someones got there panties in a bunch :lol: God forbid someone ask a question about a filter that hasnt been asked before.


I was asking if my filter was okay to use, you stupid manifesto doesn't mention jack **** about the K&N filter, i said i searched - Then i figured id mention my oil questions and stuff - this is useful to me i learn a lot.

Don't front. Sorry about wrong forums though, thanks for the move. You're a pal.


Thanks for the help everyone!

Hey hey hey. A little bit more respect for the elderly.

a. Post in the right damn forum and quit clogging this one!
b. Read the damn stickys in the right damn forum and quit clogging the right forum with questions that have been asked 9000 times
c. Open up your damn driver's manual....it tells you all the types and amounts of fluids you need....quick clogging the forums with stuff that is in your glove compartment.

OMG, Uni, you're channeling Uncle Scotty!

OMG, Uni, you're channeling Uncle Scotty!

i actually though it was US until i went back and doublechecked the name...


anyway, 10-30, good oil, that is perfectly fine to use. I'd rather use that then 5-30. Just change oil on a decent schedule and your car will be happy. besides, lots of subys like to drink 5-30 like coolaid.