I would increase the OCI in steps with an oil analysis at each step. For example do next oil change at 7,500 miles with oil analysis to ensure oil was still good at 7,500 miles. Use the same oil and filter at each step so you are comparing apples to apples with each oil analysis.

 

i've already done that. eventually i was up to 12k miles but decided on 10k oil changes because it's easy to remember

 

Second this. I had an analysis by Blackstone and they said the oil could go much longer.

It depends on your driving habits. Towing or lots of stop and go traffic make it worse.

 

i do it all the time. do your next oil change at 10k miles and then have your oil analyzed by blackstone (email for free mailing container) to confirm that oil is fine beyond 10k miles

 

First why? Inexpensive oil change yourself, save you from engine trouble in the long run. Engine does run rougher after 6000 miles as physical limitation with oil regardless if you want to keep running it much longer.

 

Well, because of the oil analysis...

Does the engine actually "run rougher" or is that a perception?

 

As others have said, it depends on your driving style or type, annually. With the short trips that my elderly family member makes, the family's MY18, 10k would be a no-go from what I've seen. I change ours out around 3k(annually) and it's pretty dark and fouled with fuel. If your doing a majority of highway, might be a different story with a high quality oil and filter. If your going to stretch the servicing out, you might consider checking on the oil consumption periodically. Our car doesn't seem to use any, but it's changed out at low intervals and I run thicker oil(5w-30).

 

My question is time. We run the car about 4K miles a year. We change the oil every year. Should it be (time) sooner?

 

I have already written it here repeatedly that the oil change intervals for every Subaru model, including the Crosstrek, are generally 15k kilometers (9320 miles) in Europe. So you don't have to worry about extending it to 10k miles.
Although 0w-20 oil is recommended for European Subarus, all European Subaru manuals also expressly allow 5w-30 and 5w-40.
In the workshops, 0w-20 is only filled at the express request of the customer, otherwise generally 5w.30.
There is no difference between the USA and Europe when it comes to Subaru engines.
I'll repeat it again: a car model with an oil change interval of 6k miles (9600 kilometers) would be unsaleable in Europe.

 

Great info that confirms my thinking. Thank you.

 

IIRC, the guy who went over a million miles on his Crosstrek was doing oil changes every 12K. Not stop/start, though.

 

I’d love to read about that. Any link?

 

Long term testing

I really don't like the idea of using the term 'Long term testing' but noting the mileage I rack up in such a short amount of time it kinda fits. After 9 weeks and 36,000 miles, my warranty has officially expired. To date I have had no issues what so ever. I was concerned about the reviews that...

www.clubcrosstrek.com

 

@daryll40 Has your mileage exceeded Subaru's 60,000 mile powertrain warranty? If not, I would highly recommend sticking with the 6k mile/6 month OCI while your 2021 is still under the powertrain warranty.

 

problem with 10k oil changes is not weather or not the oil is still "good" at 10k miles. but if and when the engine does start burning oil. if its not being checked it has a LOT more of a chance to be ran low on oil for a long time. or say if you have an 18+ model and the high pressure fuel pump decides it wants to start to leak into the crank case.. you check the oil. its full its good. but it has fuel in it washing the motor out... just some things to think about.

 

I got into the habit of checking my oil level about every other fill up of gas with my STi. Simple to pop the hood to check the oil level while the gas is filling.

 

I have done it for years. Do a Used Oil analysis from Blackstone Labs and go from there.
Standard Oil Analysis | Blackstone Laboratories (blackstone-labs.com)

I currently have 0W-40 Oil in my '18 Forester XT (calls for 5W-30) and 5W-40 in my '22 Forester Limited (calls for 0W-20).
I will take them out to at least 12K miles if the sample pulled at 8K miles looks good.

 

dont you feel your 22 limited is restrained with 40 weight oil?

 

News FLASH! Nothing keeps you from changing your oil filtre at 3K [mile] intervals. Oil filtre life is an issue, it's by hours, not miles/kilometres. I change every 3,000 miles.

It is important to change your car’s oil filter regularly to ensure optimal performance and longevity of your vehicle. Depending on your car model, make, and driving habits, you will need to change your oil filter anywhere from every 3 months to every 12 months.

https://gearncare.com/how-long-does-an-oil-filter-last/

 

News FLASH! Nothing keeps you from changing your oil filtre at 3K [mile] intervals. Oil filtre life is an issue, it's by hours, not miles/kilometres. I change every 3,000 miles.

https://gearncare.com/how-long-does-an-oil-filter-last/

News FLASH! I’m a relatively old fart and don’t do my own service. I have no idea where the oil filter is and how to change it. I just want the least hassle/least frequent service schedule for 5-6 years then new car.

 

I remember the old days, when the common practice was to only swap out the oil filter every second oil change. How times have changed…

 

the stealership loves it when you


you mean when oil changes were done at 3k miles?

 

My brother is a long time auto mechanic who has worked on his share of Subarus and also worked for a lab that tested engine components for the domestic auto manufacturers.

I asked him the oil and oil filter question and he said to use the cheapest oil and filter possible if it allows you to change the oil more often. He said he would not go over 5,000 without the oil change. I am 7,000 in, but I think I am going to go with every 5,000 miles.

 

The worst person to get advice on oil and filters is a mechanic. I don't disagree that any oil will do as well as the best oil for 5K miles. Filters are absolutely another story. And more oil changes are not necessarily "better". A vehicle changing with a ho hum oil and crappy filter (All filters except Amsoil, and Fram Titanium/Ultra) will last no longer with a good syn oil and a good filter IMHO.

Does it make financial sense to run lots of used oil analysis and extending drains?-no. (But its what I do)

 

@daryll40 The oil filtre is to the right top side of the engine bay, totally accessible, top sider.


@Montanan the EPA is running these low oil weights for shorter warm-ups. Less emissions on startup and during high idle the immediate need to warm up the catalytic converters. Low emission standards have moved the goal posts on old skool thought, like direct injection head from throttle body and no need for a manual choke... stuff like that.

I have little trust that "emission standards" are helping out longevity. My point is, if you have worries, think filtration. I believe the oil should last 10k US but more worried about carbon build up, fast idle at startups and bowing to tail pipe emissions as moving targets under executive orders ...is tiresome. Short trips vs long commutes vs traffic stop and go.

The world is going to end. Thunberg speak. An we killed another whale with a windmill. Today.

 

Note regarding the reliability of Subarus in Germany despite the much longer oil change intervals compared to the USA and Canada:
Subarus have been known for many years to have a lower failure rate in the legally required technical inspections than many other car brands.
Subarus and their gasoline engines are also viewed as very reliable in the used car trade.
And all of this with oil change intervals of 15k kilometers...

 

... and then there are "extended-life" synthetic motor oils. AMSOIL comes to mind.

 

Post #125 here says 12K

Long term testing

I really don't like the idea of using the term 'Long term testing' but noting the mileage I rack up in such a short amount of time it kinda fits. After 9 weeks and 36,000 miles, my warranty has officially expired. To date I have had no issues what so ever. I was concerned about the reviews that...

www.clubcrosstrek.com

 

I stand corrected!

 

As in rest of Europe, UK does "extended" oil change interval. Subaru's UK representatives (Note: NOT Subaru UK, which does not exist) have stated that 12k miles/12 month oil changes are OK regardless of what it says in user manual. In my case I hit 12 months well before any mileage considerations come into effect. As in Germany, they would not attract many buyers with anything less than 10k miles.

 

He got 600K miles out of the first engine so, clearly, there's no problem with an OCI that long.

 

I think the biggest risks of running a long OCI are:
1. oil consumption which owner needs to monitor and top off oil as needed
2. oil dilution which owner needs to monitor with periodic oil analysis

If you are not willing to monitor both of the above, then stick with the 6k mile/6month OCI.

 

I think the biggest risks of running a long OCI are:
1. oil consumption which owner needs to monitor and top off oil as needed
2. oil dilution which owner needs to monitor with periodic oil analysis

If you are not willing to monitor both of the above, then stick with the 6k mile/6month OCI.

Agreed, if you're often in stop and go traffic. His situation is somewhat unique.

 

Yeah, Wolverine's situation was very unique but even he did the above monitoring.

 

@GerMorke

And speed limits much higher may we add. A buck-50 is acceptible too.

 

in the bay area we cruise at 80 on the freeway. punch it up to 85 or 90 when passing or raging

 

In Germany there is no general speed limit on the Autobahn that applies everywhere. 130 km/h is the legally recommended maximum speed, which can be exceeded with impunity if no other, lower limit is indicated by signs.
However, exceeding the recommended maximum speed can be disadvantageous in the event of an accident, as I have already described in another reply.

 

@erader
Yeah, I know and lived in Colorado, and mid-western states pushing those numbers. Try going on vacation with a mattress, or a couple of them on your roof from france heading to Portugal on holiday or driving from france to spain, taking the ferry over to Morocco visiting relatives.

As great as the USA highways are, I'd be worried about the immediate - not speed - but hours on engine oils and not miles driven. There are days you move like a snail on the coasts and in Texas even.

NY

Huston

California

 

everytime there's an oil thread i remember the time a new crosstrek owner was preparing for a 1200-mile family road trip and he started a thread announcing that he would be carrying an extra quart of oil. it got many responses. you can't make this stuff up. the fear is real