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Old 03-01-2012, 11:38 AM   #1
Oceanguy
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Default OC interval and the first oil change on 2012 Impreza 2.0

Good day all,
Forgive my ignorance here as I am a new subie owner. When picking up our 2012 Impreza the sales person described the recommended 1st oil change at 3,000 miles. Looking at the owner's manual, it specifically states the 3,000 mile change is not required. I called the dealership and they said they still recommended the first one at 3,000. I asked why because it differs from the manual... Their response is "It's better early than late...and, we suggest the second at the 7500 mark" I wanted to know what current owners were planning on doing with their first change. FYI - this is a Cali spec PZEV. All comments welcomed!
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Old 03-01-2012, 01:32 PM   #2
ccramerusc
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Default me too

I just picked up my 2012 a couple weeks ago and noticed the same discrepancy. I just ordered a few filters off Amazon and will be doing the changes at home. I haven't decided when to do my first one. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.
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Old 03-01-2012, 01:36 PM   #3
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The discrepancy is due to the dealer trying to make more money off of you. Also, you don't need to get your oil changed at the dealer. Of course their reasoning of "better early than late" is true, and I've been guilty of excessive oil changes, so I can't fault them on that. Some people like to get one early oil change on a new car, but I don't feel it's necessary. I'd go with the manual on this one, unless your driving falls into the "severe service" category, in which case, you should follow the severe service schedule.
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Old 03-01-2012, 01:55 PM   #4
tornado542
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my dealer gave me a free oil change when I leased my 2011 sport premium. I dont wanna waste it so I will wait untill 7500 since its a lease anyways.
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Old 03-01-2012, 08:43 PM   #5
SubyDoWhreRU
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I got 2 years/24000 miles of free oil changes/tire rotations from my dealer just for buying a new subaru (this dealer does it with all of their new Subarus) so as long as they are paying I will change it as often as they will let me!

Edit: The dealer put one of those clear oil change stickers on the top left side of my windshield that says it needs to be changed at 3,750 miles.
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Old 03-01-2012, 10:21 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ccramerusc View Post
I just picked up my 2012 a couple weeks ago and noticed the same discrepancy. I just ordered a few filters off Amazon and will be doing the changes at home. I haven't decided when to do my first one. I'll be interested to hear what others have to say.
What filters did you buy? You know the 2011 Forester and 2012 Impreza & Forester non-turbos take a totally different filter than the older and turbo models, right?
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Old 03-02-2012, 09:50 AM   #7
Oceanguy
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My first OC is free of charge from the dealership so it is more a question as to when should I do it - I plan to do all the rest myself... which leads me to the next question (and again, please forgive me as I am new to the subie world). I drive a VW TDI with 10k OCIs and it requires specific 505.01 oil. It was learned, or at least a consensus was reached that cam damage can occur if the 5w30 was used instead of 5w40. I was lucky in that I always used the 5w40 because of my own belief the 40 would be better. So, 0w20 is "recommended". I have read enough of the banter to not want to start a back and forth of using what is recommended versus using something "better"... However, I tend to believe the Amsoil opinion that 0w20 is not as good for the extended service life as say a 0w30 and I will likely go with a 0w30 (http://www.smartsynthetics.com/articles/5w20oil.htm) at the risk of losing a MPG or 2... I believe, as I did with my TDI, that the 30 will offer better long term engine protection. I recognize this is an apples to oranges comparison as the TDI has a completely different design. Time will tell here. I will wait for my first OC to be at 7,000 and go every 7,000 thereafter (I like even numbers). As to the filters - wow - there is a lot of info on people cutting them open and evaluating them.
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Old 03-02-2012, 09:21 PM   #8
Alairmore
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SubyDoWhreRU
I got 2 years/24000 miles of free oil changes/tire rotations from my dealer just for buying a new subaru (this dealer does it with all of their new Subarus) so as long as they are paying I will change it as often as they will let me!

Edit: The dealer put one of those clear oil change stickers on the top left side of my windshield that says it needs to be changed at 3,750 miles.
Did you buy yours at Franks Subaru in irvine? That's where I got mine and they gave me the same deal 2 year/24000 miles and they said my 30k mile service is included. =)
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Old 03-02-2012, 09:24 PM   #9
CosmoTheCat
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One of the reasons for the 0-w20 is the way the variable cam timing works. If you start throwing codes or experiencing issues with the engine, put the right oil in and see if it doesn't clear up.
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Old 03-03-2012, 01:08 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oceanguy View Post
I believe, as I did with my TDI, that the 30 will offer better long term engine protection. .
You should spend some time at bobistheoilguy.com, and read some posts discussing this issue.

The bottom line is that you do NOT want to run 30w in this engine. It was *designed* to run 0w-20.

RE: the TDI cams, I ran M1 0w-40, changed at 5k, and still blew up the camshaft, and then the whole engine in my A4. It's just a bad design...
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Old 03-03-2012, 03:58 PM   #11
Oceanguy
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I have spent some time on bobistheoilguy - maybe more is needed... However, with that said, I won't for a minute believe an engine was *designed* around an oil - especially when the manual specificlly states other viscosities can be used if no synthetic is available - it does not void the warranty as it is stated. 0w20 is for fuel efficiency and not *maximum* engine protection otherwise a longer OCI could be recommended. My 2004 Chrysler T&C has a 7500 mile OCI and doesn't require synthetic. As to your 5k OCI in a diesel designed for a 10k OCI is not a good thing as far as protection goes - you will find that info on bobistheoilguy as well as the TDIclub (http://forums.tdiclub.com/showthread.php?t=306043)... My TDI is over 185k and cam is still fine - 10k OCI religiously. This specific 2.0 in the subie is a new engine so I am not going to find long term results (nor do I expect them). I haven't made any decision yet as I have 13,000 miles before I get my hands dirty. Still in my research mode and Amsoil and my rep have a pretty good track record with this recommendation in other 0w20 recommended vehicles - I was going by a recommendation of a mechanic that was a Toyota master tech and now has an independent shop and is an Amsoil rep. He doesn't care which one I choose - just prefers I get the oil from him...
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Old 03-04-2012, 05:22 PM   #12
ccramerusc
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CosmoTheCat View Post
What filters did you buy? You know the 2011 Forester and 2012 Impreza & Forester non-turbos take a totally different filter than the older and turbo models, right?
I ordered K&N PS1008 filters. I hope they are the right ones. Now you're making me second guess myself...
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Old 03-04-2012, 09:03 PM   #13
PAO56
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my first oil change was on the dealership...so did it at 3300 miles.....I saw a slight increase in MPGs at the oil change.....will do the next at 7500 and then follow OEM schedule after that....have over 6600 miles on mine now.....and mileage creeps up each month on average....working mid 30.xx right now consistently per tank......
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Old 03-04-2012, 09:46 PM   #14
CosmoTheCat
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ccramerusc View Post
I ordered K&N PS1008 filters. I hope they are the right ones. Now you're making me second guess myself...

Quote:
K&N PS-1008 fits the following:
2012 SUBARU OUTBACK 2.5L H4 F/I - All
2012 SUBARU LEGACY 2.5L H4 F/I - All
2012 SUBARU IMPREZA WRX 2.5L H4 F/I - All
2012 SUBARU IMPREZA 2.0L H4 F/I - All
2012 SUBARU FORESTER 2.5L H4 F/I - Turbo
No. This filter is not the right one for you.

It says it is, but it's not. If Subaru felt that the EJ series filters were appropriate for the FB motors, they'd OE the cheap Honeywell blue filters. They don't. FB motors get black Tokyo Roki (iirc) filters similar to the H6, except designed to be installed upside down.


The 2011-12 Forester & 2012 Impreza, all non-turbos, have a 2.5 or 2.0 liter FB motor - the BRZ will have a version of this as well. According to K&N's website, the 2011 Forester non-turbo specs a HP/PS-1004 filter, not the 1008 that the turbos use.

Then again, they say that the 1004 also fits a bunch of Honda power equipment and Onan generators, as well as the H6. Also not exactly right.


I would not use an aftermarket filter until the aftermarket figures out what kind of filter should be used.

Subaru offers 4 different oil filters currently.

1) EJ series engines get the blue Honeywell filters.
2) H6 engines get a black Tokyo Roki filter. It is short and big around, and if you set it on a table with the hole on the bottom, the writing will be upside down.
3) FB filter #1 - tall and skinny, also Tokyo Roki black filter, if you set it on a table with the hole on bottom, the writing will be correctly oriented.
4) FB filter #2 - short and fat, also Tokyo Roki black filter, same as #3 regarding the writing.

Last edited by CosmoTheCat; 03-04-2012 at 09:56 PM.
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Old 03-04-2012, 11:47 PM   #15
li312
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Default OC Intervals from Official Subaru Documentation

Hi Lads,

I found the following.

In the Official 2012 Subaru Impreza Quick Reference Guide that comes with the car:

Quote:
Engine Oil
Use only the following oils:
  • ILSAC GF-4 or GF-5, which can be identified with the ILSAC certiication mark (Starburst mark).
  • Or API classification SN or SM with the words "ENERGY CONSERVING".
  • Use 0W 20 synthetic, replacement interval 7,500 miles; no requirement at the first 3,000 miles.

Engine Oil Capacity
5.3 US qt (5.0 liters, 4.4 Imp qt)
The only other significant thing I found is this in the Owner's Manual for the 2012 Impreza:

Quote:
If the oil consumption rate seems abnormally high after the break-in period, for example more than 1 quart per 1,200 miles or 1 liter per 2,000 kilometers, contact your SUBARU dealer.

Last edited by li312; 03-05-2012 at 02:11 PM.
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Old 03-05-2012, 08:51 AM   #16
Furiousd1983
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PAO56 View Post
my first oil change was on the dealership...so did it at 3300 miles.....I saw a slight increase in MPGs at the oil change.....will do the next at 7500 and then follow OEM schedule after that....have over 6600 miles on mine now.....and mileage creeps up each month on average....working mid 30.xx right now consistently per tank......
That's the exact schedule I'm going to follow
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Old 03-06-2012, 06:13 PM   #17
sennett0r
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Default

i have a related question. i have a 2011 wrx and got 2 free oil changes from the dealership when i purchased the car.

i went in for my 1st oil change at around 2750, and the interval on the sticker they put on the windshield said 7500 miles. So i was due for another oil change at around 10k miles.

However, i felt uncomfortable driving that much on the same oil so I went in with about 7300 miles on my car and got my 7500 mile service done.

This time, the sticker on the windshield has a 3000 mile interval and my next oil change is scheduled for 10,300 miles.

Why is it different? or is this a tactic dealerships use to try to make more money?

Am I ok going 6-7000 miles on the oem synthetic oil if i don't drive too crazy?
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Old 03-06-2012, 07:41 PM   #18
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With a turbo, keep the interval shorter. 5,000 max, if you do all hwy driving. If it's hot where you live, 3000-3500.
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Old 03-06-2012, 10:50 PM   #19
CosmoTheCat
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Socal, FL, desert states... they're all schedule B due to high temps. 3000-3750 mile OCI even with synthetic.
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Old 04-01-2012, 08:09 PM   #20
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What is the general consensus about the 7,500 oil change interval? I am a dino oil type of guy and I change it every 3k religiously. I feel very uneasy with going that long even though it's synthetic. What do you think?
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Old 04-01-2012, 09:02 PM   #21
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I'll be following the maintenance guide to the letter. I did my first oil change at 3000 (a bit early) and will continue on the 7.5k, 15k, 22.5k, etc. schedule.
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Old 04-01-2012, 10:03 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ST Eye View Post
What is the general consensus about the 7,500 oil change interval? I am a dino oil type of guy and I change it every 3k religiously. I feel very uneasy with going that long even though it's synthetic. What do you think?
my opinion....3K oil change is a waste of $$ and resources.....OEM schedule is 7500 with synthetic....should have no problems following that schedule.....I use Syn in all my vehicles....and change between 5-7.5K and have never had a problem.....04 Chevy with 215K, 09 Cad CTS with 39K and the Impreza which rolled over 9k this weekend.....also have a 11 Outback with dino with a 7.5k interval and it just rolled 20K........
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Old 04-02-2012, 08:22 AM   #23
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I did one at 1100. My dealer juat did one at 3750. Next is 7500.
I change the factory fill early on anything with an engine. Just my 2¢
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Old 04-02-2012, 07:23 PM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ST Eye View Post
What is the general consensus about the 7,500 oil change interval? I am a dino oil type of guy and I change it every 3k religiously. I feel very uneasy with going that long even though it's synthetic. What do you think?
The Audi A4 before mine was plagued with turbo coking, so I changed at 5000, instead of 7500. Very easy hwy miles, and mostly babied. STILL had the engine blow up... (This may be more of a design issue than an oil issue, but I was using M1 0w-40, which is said to shear faster than some oils, but is also said to be a very good oil).

I'm changing my Imp's oil at 5000, too. I've been using the Subie Idemitsu oil, which is supposed to be a very good oil.

I guess my rambling means that it's easier and cheaper to be conservative with oil changes... like an insurance policy. The amount most of us would save is very small in comparison to insurance, gas, maybe even carwashes.
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Old 04-02-2012, 08:18 PM   #25
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I swear as soon as I dumped all my factory fluids (engine, transaxle, rear diff) and filled it with Amsoil I've seen a little boost in mpg's. Ymmv
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