[KillerBlackBird]

Alright, I have a few questions to ask before the time arrives on what filter to use. I have made the decision I will go with full synthetic for the first oil change as I usually do with the past new cars I have owned and have had no problems.

1. What oil filter fits the '08s??? Part numbers???
2. What filter seems to be the most used? Amsoil? OEM?
3. I have always used Mobil 1; is Amsoil that much better? Motul seems like a hassle to obtain.
4. I plan to run the OEM oil and filter until 3,000 miles then switch to synthetic, any direct concerns with this such as engine failure if its not done before 3,000 miles?
5. The 4.2 quarts required in the owners manual; is that with or without the filter?
6. Any other tips when changing oil or preforming basic maintenance??? This is my first Subaru and first turbo car and I plan on doing my basic service myself as I always have done. The service department makes me nervous.

I was hoping the owners manual would be a bit more descriptive as far as part numbers but no such luck. I have 50 pages on how to use a seatbelt but nothing on what oil filter to use.

[dakine01]

I just had my oil changed at the dealer on Sat. (at 3K), he said the "normal" break in for this engine is 10,000 and that's probably the best time to switch over. I'm pretty happy with the service dept at my dealer, they also have a good performance shop as well, so they know the STi pretty well.

[jrdriller]

I recently switched to synthetic after 10k miles (some old, old posts ie 02/03 on other boards recommend this). On my last car (feb 03 wrx) I used the standard oil and had no problems related to it and the car had 135k+ when I bought my new car.

oil filters and their respective pro/cons was quite a topic a few years ago so you might want to search around some of the older sites (wrxfanatics, etc

[KillerBlackBird]

Originally Posted by dakine01

I just had my oil changed at the dealer on Sat. (at 3K), he said the "normal" break in for this engine is 10,000 and that's probably the best time to switch over. I'm pretty happy with the service dept at my dealer, they also have a good performance shop as well, so they know the STi pretty well.

10,000, that sounds about right for everything to be "normally" worn in. I still think I'm going to use synthetic at 3K and just run the oil and filter that came in it until then. I have been keeping notes on my break in period and I have been trying to give it a good mix of city and highway driving in all 3 SI-Drive modes and basically leaving the differential in auto. Shifts have been made no higher than 4,000 RPM and when I am on the highway I keep it under 65 and keep varying the speed every few minutes. I think this is the best as it lets the engine see different types of everyday driving.

I bought the first and only 08 STi on the local dealers lot last Thursday here. They weren't sure if they would get another in or not. The salesman didn't even know that the projectors were adjustable from inside the car...I had to show him that.

[dakine01]

That's pretty much how I did my break in.
Seriously, the service guys at my dealer should have been selling this car (the sales people knew jack). If I walked into that dealer shopping an Evo and an STi, I would have been probably be driving an Evo. I did tons of research and decided the STi was for me.

[JDH]

Can anyone confirm/deny that Subaru does NOT recommend synthetic oils for the STi? That is what Im hearing from my dealer. I change my own oil so they aren't trying to milk me for extra changes...

[jrdriller]

Originally Posted by JDH

Can anyone confirm/deny that Subaru does NOT recommend synthetic oils for the STi? That is what Im hearing from my dealer. I change my own oil so they aren't trying to milk me for extra changes...

I use the dealer's service guys to change the oil. they offer regular or sythetic (extra charge). the only thing that Subaru require from a warranty point of view is that the service intervals are maintained and that the synthetic is equivalent wt/gd as recommended in the manual

[blindfold]

since its the same engine with minor differences, why can't you use everything 04-07s did?

[twigg107]

Originally Posted by JDH

Can anyone confirm/deny that Subaru does NOT recommend synthetic oils for the STi? That is what Im hearing from my dealer. I change my own oil so they aren't trying to milk me for extra changes...

read the manual.... it tells you what kind of synthetic oil to use. I just did my 3k oil change and now running full synthetic.

[TarmacST1]

i use MOTUL 5w30 on street, wrc oil on track with k&n filter and a filter MAG. runs perrrrfect

[DrPhyzx]

Originally Posted by KillerBlackBird

Alright, I have a few questions to ask before the time arrives on what filter to use. I have made the decision I will go with full synthetic for the first oil change as I usually do with the past new cars I have owned and have had no problems.

1. What oil filter fits the '08s??? Part numbers???
2. What filter seems to be the most used? Amsoil? OEM?
3. I have always used Mobil 1; is Amsoil that much better? Motul seems like a hassle to obtain.
4. I plan to run the OEM oil and filter until 3,000 miles then switch to synthetic, any direct concerns with this such as engine failure if its not done before 3,000 miles?
5. The 4.2 quarts required in the owners manual; is that with or without the filter?
6. Any other tips when changing oil or preforming basic maintenance??? This is my first Subaru and first turbo car and I plan on doing my basic service myself as I always have done. The service department makes me nervous.

I was hoping the owners manual would be a bit more descriptive as far as part numbers but no such luck. I have 50 pages on how to use a seatbelt but nothing on what oil filter to use.

For hard parts (e.g. filter) I would stick with OEM. Dealer and some others have told me the STI doesn't like Mobil 1 (uses significant amounts). So, although I have run it exclusively for years (both cars and bikes) I'm going to take the expert advice and run Red Line 5W30, which is some seriously high-end stuff engineering-wise (even compared to M1). I found it online for $95/case with free shipping and it's on the way now.

[jrdriller]

my dealer offers Mobil 1 as an alternative to the regular oil

[Turninconcepts.com]

I have always used Subaru filters and will continue to for all Subaru oil changes. I run Castrol 5w30 for the street and 5w40 or 50 for the track.

I changed my oil at 1000 miles using regular dino oil. Changed again at 4000 using synthetic. Now I pretty much change it out before events which is every 1000-2000 miles.

Be careful running Motul oil as many do not have any detergents and are not designed for long life street engines.

I would also not use Mobil 1 for many reasons stated on the board which I have found to be true.

Tony

[kts262]

The same oil filter that fits the 04-07 STi and any of the 2.5L turbos should work. Ask the parts person @ your dealership.

Most people use the OEM filter since many of the dealers on here and NASIOC have specials on them and they are pretty cheap. I think I paid like $50 for a dozen of them a few months ago. I don't know what the Amsoil filter looks like inside but if you want to compare the OEM one to several other brands WolfPlayer did the work for you: bescaredracing.com - /sti/oil/filters/compare/

After seeing that I would never even consider anything but the OEM filter.

Subaru's info on oil: IMPORTANT: Information on Subaru Motor Oil - NASIOC

A lot of people on here have had trouble with Mobil 1, especially 5w30. Others have used it and not had a problem. It does appear to be much thinner than many other 5w30s on the market. I used it and my car consumed a lot of oil. It was much better on Motul. I currently use regular dino oil.

[KillerBlackBird]

Alright, well that helps me a lot. I think I will use the Subaru OEM filter and Amsoil 5W-30 every 3,000. In my previous vehicle ('07 Sierra Denali) the engine would suck up over a quart of oil between changes with Mobil 1, so that makes sense. I expect the engine to eat a little but not over a quart in a truck where nothing is being "raced"...