Ok, so i am at 15k miles on my 2k2 RS.

Trying to make an appt at the dealership for my oil change, when I see they have no coupons online for $5 off (i either goto the rockville or springfield one since i moved to VA).

Now is it worth it to pay about 2x as much to get the oil done at the dealership as opposed to a grease and go/jiffy lube?

I dont get the mobil one, and this prolly sounds dumb, so what oil do they usually change it with. It is 10w-30 or something, and what brand?

sorry for sounding dumb, but I dont know, and I think I should!


dan

Never, ever, ever, ever go to a quick change place. They know nothing about your car and I've seen them drain the wrong thing and fill it with oil. Its worth the cost to keep your $18k + car working right. Trust me.

There is no easier car to change the oil on than a Subaru. DIY!

jiffy lube is 2x as expensive as my dealer. so, I do it at the dealer.

dealer charges $30, how much do the quick places charge?

I could do it myself, but dont really have the time right now, and its a litlte cold for me outside (no garage).

when i get it done at the dealer, can they at least vaccum the car out liek the quick places do, or are they going to charge $ for that?

also, how much is a rinsedown (carwash) at the dealer. My car is salty as hell and needs to be hosed down.


thanks

dan

I bet the dealer would wash it for you without charging. Word of caution though...they will never do as good a job as you could do yourself. But if you don't have anyplace to change the oil you might not have anywhere to wash it either. Bummer.

I will never let another pair of human hands wash my car, I just don't trust other people to wash and dry it properly and not leave swirl marks.

If you know how to operate a ratchet and a combo monkey wrench, do it yourself. The oil filter is on the dead bottom center of the engine, exactly next to the oil pan. The only other thing you will need it to jack the car up enough to get the oil pan under the car. Also, the dealership would probably let you bring your own oil.

Words of caution:
1. The quick lube places will use a air tool to tighten the oil drain bolt. The factory spec is ~27 ft lbs or torque. The air tool may put over 50 on the thing.
2. The factory filter threads onto the oil filter hookup screw 6.5 rotationd before the oring on the filter seats. Every other filter I have seen is less than 3 rotations. And, the Mobil1 filter is less than 1 rotation, which I feel is not stable.

Originally posted by daytontp

2. The factory filter threads onto the oil filter hookup screw 6.5 rotationd before the oring on the filter seats. Every other filter I have seen is less than 3 rotations. And, the Mobil1 filter is less than 1 rotation, which I feel is not stable.

I had my first oil change done at the dealer, when I did the second one myself, the filter I took off was Valvoline, not Subaru. Just because they're a dealer doesn't mean they use Subaru filters.

bahboy20:
The worry at jiffy-type places is twofold:
1) They are clueless and will leave something off or put it back on tooooooooo tight!
2) Their oil filters are often VERY poor quality.

Of these two worries, number 2 is more serious, because you'll never find out until 10k miles down the road (or 100k if you're lucky) that your engine's been damaged. The oil they use is good enough.
Have the oil changed at a dealer and make sure they use Subaru OEM oil filters (specify it). Pretty much any 5w30 or 10w30 oil will be good enough. Keep your receipts; that way, if anything goes wrong down the line, you have proof that the work was done at the dealer, so they did it, or should at least have noticed it.
(having a real mechanic look at the underside of the car at least once a year is also a good reason to have a dealer/mechanic do it at least once a year).
If you really want to save $20, do the oil change yourself, but use the Subaru OEM oil filter and Subaru OEM drain plug crush washer.

Originally posted by daytontp

Words of caution:
1. The quick lube places will use a air tool to tighten the oil drain bolt. The factory spec is ~27 ft lbs or torque. The air tool may put over 50 on the thing.


Good post. I don't want to look like I'm nitpicking, but I think the drain bolt torque spec is 33 ft-lbs.

Originally posted by bahboy20
Ok, so i am at 15k miles on my 2k2 RS.

Trying to make an appt at the dealership for my oil change, when I see they have no coupons online for $5 off (i either goto the rockville or springfield one since i moved to VA).

Now is it worth it to pay about 2x as much to get the oil done at the dealership as opposed to a grease and go/jiffy lube?

I dont get the mobil one, and this prolly sounds dumb, so what oil do they usually change it with. It is 10w-30 or something, and what brand?

sorry for sounding dumb, but I dont know, and I think I should!

Originally posted by bahboy20
dealer charges $30, how much do the quick places charge?

I could do it myself, but dont really have the time right now, and its a litlte cold for me outside (no garage).

when i get it done at the dealer, can they at least vaccum the car out liek the quick places do, or are they going to charge $ for that?

also, how much is a rinsedown (carwash) at the dealer. My car is salty as hell and needs to be hosed down.

....sounds like you should be making some calls to the dealer and the local Jiffy Lube. I'm sure they give you an answer to most of your questions.

Now....as far as recommendations go, I would rather go to the dealer for a few bucks more vs. a "quick lube". Think of it this way. The Subaru techs work on these cars all day long. The "Jiffy Lubers" don't. There are good points in this thread as to why (not to mention the crush washer which Jiffy Lube may forget to replace). I'd prefer to take my chances with the dealer. Check on the appropriate regional forum if you're unsure how reputable the dealer is. Others may be able to give you their personal experience.

Regards,
Kean

The OEM oil filter is made by Puralator. The one that is one the car when it ships is Blue and the one you buy at the dealer is White. They both have valves in them, to prevent backflow. Which for a WRX is pointless. Because for the oil to leave the filter after the engine is turned off, the oil would have to defy the laws of gravity. Unless there is pressure behind the oil.

The reason your dealer used a Valvoline filter was cost and making them more money. If you buy an actual white OEM filter at the dealer it will cost you $9 plus $.50 for the crush washer. The valvoline filter is likely to be a lot less and they can make more money off you.

Do your subby a favor. Put in nice and good quality oil for once.
Poor subby.:(
You know they wouldn't use such good quality oil.

i go to the dealer, cheaper than jiffy lube (for equal grade oil), they know the car so if they screw something up, it's still under warranty, and the number one reason i have it changed, it's worth my time.

how is it worth my time. i have to go to the store to buy the oil and filter, have to drive home and wait for it to cool a bit. then have to change the oil. then have to find a container to put oil in, then have to drive to the freaking recycling center to dispose of the oil. :monkey: that! i pay about 8 bucks more at the dealer than i would if i changed it myself and it saves me so much hassle. i know which is more valuable to me - my time!

Well, for me, taking it to the dealer may be a problem. THey may forget to reconnect the Oil Temp wire on my drain plug. Being that it is not a Subaru part, then they may not care as much.

And you somehow think Jiffy Lube monkies will care? :rolleyes:

Do it yourself. You don't have to jack the car up at all. Takes 10 minutes if you stop for five minutes to have a beer. It is EASIER than vacuuming your car.

But it isn't this big of a deal. Pick one and go. There's very little in it between Jiffy prices and dealer pricing.

I was not inferging I take my car to Jiffy Lube, I do it myself. And, if you are curious, it cost me about $38 in Mobil1 oil (I buy a 6 pack case) and an OEM filter.

dayton,

Mobil 1 is only $4/quart at Walmart all the time (local auto parts store occasionally run coupons for the same price). PureOne filters (the premium Purolators) run about $6 each in most stores.
If you want to save money on the OEM filter and crush washer, just order 4-6 at a time mail order through one of the discount Subaru parts places online.
I actually avoided BOTH the dealer and the jiffy places by finding a local Subaru-only independent shop. All their guys spent at least 10 years each in a dealership, so they know their stuff, but they're not stuck with dealership overhead/sales quotas, etc.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with Jiffy Lube, I used to work there. It just costs an arm and a leg!
You should be able to get your oil changed some place for no more than 19.99. 10W30 is fine and the oil filters are all about the same, until you get into the AMSoil and ones like that.
Bottom line: Change your oil on time, every time and your car will be fine.

Well, the Wal-Mart around the corner from me is more expensive per Quart of Mobil1 SuperSyn than the AutoZone down the road from me. I believe WalMart charges $4.96 and AutoZone is about $4.55 to $4.59. At least that was the price the last time I looked. The only way for me to save money at WalMart is to buy the 5 quart jugs for $17.95, but I have yet to see a 10w30 SuperSyn bottle there. They usually have 5w30. Also, my local WalMart charges more for a 6 pack case $29.96, than you can buy 6 individual quarts for. The AutoZone down the road from me charges $28.99 for a 6 pack case.

Also, I use Mobil1 SuperSyn because my car has a Turbo in it. Consider what the turbo bearing temps can get up to. The exhaust gas can go above 1000 degree F, and no oil made can withstand those temps. Granted the WRX's turbo is liquid cooled, but I pay the extra money for better oil for safe of mind.

Also, I do not feel there is enough difference between AimsOil (or other premium oils) and Mobil1 to pay the extra $2 to $4 a quart.

Just DIY. I'm assuming that this is as easy on a RS as it is on a WRX. I don't even have to jack up my car. The oil filter is easily reachable (unlike on Honda's that I am used to). The drain plug is an easy reach. I can't think of an easier car in which to change the oil.

The Purolator filter is identical to the Subaru one. Purolator even makes the OEM Subaru filter. It has exactly the same machining marks on the filter. I would be very surprised if they weren't made at the same factory.

With the money that you save by doing it yourself, use a good oil like Mobil 1. Who knows what junk Jiffy Lube is going to throw into your car.

10W30 is fine and the oil filters are all about the same, until you get into the AMSoil and ones like that.
10w30 IS fine, but Subaru recommends 5w30. All the oil filters are NOT about the same (see the many oil filter disassembly studies online), and the quicky oil change places (and many other places) usually use the cheapest ones (and most poorly constructed ones).
Spending $6 per oil change on a filter instead of $2.50 seems fine to me; as noted, if you want to keep the costs down, buy a half dozen or more at a time from an online source.
dayton: sorry, I just assumed that all Walmarts had the same prices for Mobil1. Mine also charges more for the 6-case than for 6 quarts singly! We don't have the 5-quart jugs, sadly, but I usually use 5w30, not 10w30, and at my local store, it's the 5w30 that's always out...

Here's what I usually do... swing by the parts department at the dealer and pick up an OEM filter and washer. Swing by Wal-mart and pick up 4 liters of Mobil-1. Swing done to the local quickie change place, sit in the drive through, hand the stuff to the attendant, tell them to use it, sit in my car for 10 min while they do it, pay them $10 and I'm good to go.

There's a couple of reasons I avoid the dealer:

- I have to book an appointment to get it done, drop my car off, find something to do for an hour or two and come back and pick it up. Big hassle.

- Not sure how fond they would be to me supplying my own oil.

The quickie places are convenient, and I can actually see them doing all the work. Plus the one I go to is recommended and I've been going to them for the past couple of years and have no complaints.

Uncle Ben, at 4 liters you are shorting your engine a liter of oil. I know that 1 liter does not equal to 1 quart. But I am pretty sure that 4 liters does not equal 5 quarts. I think 1 quart = 32 fl oz and 1 liter = 33.8 fl oz.

As far as 5w30 being the recommended oil. If you look in the manual, it depends on the climate where you live and use of the car. And, 15w50 and/or 20w50 can be used, based on the table in the owners manual. I can also vouch for the FACT that 5w30 Mobil1 will heat up much faster than 10w30 in my WRX in the same climate. The oil temps fluctuate more, where 10w30 appears to stay a more consistant temp. Not that the 5w30 oil overheats, because it doesn't. It just appears to heat up faster. Also, I used 15w50 Mobil1 in my car at a Porsche Driver's Ed event at CMP in Kershaw SC, in April 2002. The ambient temps outside were 82 to 88 degree F, and my oil never went above 220 degree F. And, this is with the stock oil cooling system. And, I have never really like the sound of an engine running 5w30 oil. I have owned a 1987 Accord and a 2000 Civic before my WRX. Both of which I ran 10w30, and experimented with 5w30 in each of them. The 5w30 just did not sound right to me. Maybe that is the way it is supposed to sound, but I did not like it. Being that 5w30 and 10w30 run the same weight when they are hot, I do not worry about it.

The prices I quoted on my local WalMart were the prices when Mobil1 SuperSyn just came on the merket. WalMart may be selling it cheaper now, but I try to stay away from my local WalMart. Being my WRX was attacked by a half dozen raw eggs one night. Not wanting to bother with security and the cops, while the raw eggs ate through my paint, I drove home and washed my car. Which this was about 1:00 AM in the morning. You ever washed your car when it was dark outside. It is a pain in the butt.

Originally posted by Julian
And you somehow think Jiffy Lube monkies will care? :rolleyes:


I don't think there's much difference between the Jiffylube monkies and the Subaru "dealer" monkies around here. The 3 or so times I've had the oil changed at the dealer (3 different dealers) everything was overtorqued too (except for the last time). I usually change my own oil though. Only reason I'd take my car in to the dealer would be for the major mileage services. speaking off.. my OBS is about due for it's 30k service.

Need I show you this to prove why you should use synthetic oil. Read everything on the original post. Those 2 pictures are worth over 2,000 words.

http://forums.stangnet.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=181031

Since my car it 2000 miles ive been bringing it to a place called good lube. Nothing has gone wrong with my car, They do a fine job. I also switched to synthetic at 2000 nothing wrong yet currently at 22500.

I used to change my own oil but have been going to Jiffy Lube for years now and am very happy with their service.

Most of my points have already been made, but most important for me is that my life is so full I spent 2 weeks trying to get to the dealer with my brand new WRX wagon and just couldn't schedule a time that worked for me. So I went to the same Jiffy lube shop that has been doing my cars for years and got it done in 15 minutes on my way to do six other things.

As for quality of their work, I have been to crappy Jiffy Lubes and good ones, and the one near my house seems to be very well run. I actually trust them more than the dealer because they do so many oil changes, and they have division of duties - a whole swarm of people descend on my car and get it done in 15 minutes. I use their synthetic oil, and their filter, which I figure if I change frequently enough won't make any difference over amsoil or Mobil 1 and an OEM filter.

The dealers I have been to seem to pick the most junior lowlife on their staff to do oil changes. I don't trust one person bopping around my car in a non-systematic way more than a group of 5 technicians, each of whom has just one job to focus on. Plus, you can watch them in Jiffy Lube, they do vacuum your car and wash the windows and check all the fluids, they do set my tire pressure to the amount I say, and in the one I go to currently they have always got the oil level exact in 4 diffenent cars I have brought there.

So, as with most things where there are many differing opinions, the right answer is the one that works for you.