club.liberty.asn.au

After purchasing my car used several months ago it is coming upto an 'I' interval service (112000km). The car has been dealer serviced since new and I plan on continuing that tradition for at least the major services, but upon looking at the previous service receipt saw that the cost of oil through a dealer was $70 (for 10W30).

My question is what oil would people recommend for a naturaly aspirated 2.5i with 110000km on the clock?

That service includes gearbox/diffs oil change yes?? It cost me over $300 worth of oil: super light shockproof oil (gearbox) is pretty expensive but you get what you pay for. Pretty sure 10W30 engine oil is what it specifies in the service book; only need to change that would be with extreme environmental conditions/performance upgrades.

Others may give more specific brand names/viscosity but generally: pay for the good stuff! Lol

Also Subaru are killers with their labour costs: I found a MUCH cheaper local mechanic who does Subaru's and I buy the oil for him (order it in, found it cheaper)

Also have a think about doing your timing belt: it shouldn't be due until your NEXT service but it should be considered once over 100,000km, especially if the car has done some hard miles/unsure of it's history. All this will be very expensive through Subaru so look around! Might save you $500 labour

I have recently changed mechanics, due to location rather than workmanship. My new mechanic uses ELF Excellium 5w30 (being a GT) and the difference is night and day. I really suggest looking into it.

Yeah I'm not too familiar with prices of other oils but I was hoping to find 10W30 a little bit cheaper than $70 considering 10W40 is about $35.

As for the timing belt, that may be good idea as it would save me a little bit in terms of labour!

Sorry Randwick, I didn't see your post earlier; my only concern with the 5W30 is that would it be too thin for a motor that has done 110000km. Also, I forgot to mention that I am slowly begin to develop the dreaded tappet noise (anything to combat that will be a big plus).

I am specifically after a 10W-30 semi synthetic oil and was hoping that people could recommend some brands that sell them in 5L or at largest 20L packages (as we have several cars in my household). I have looked in both my local Autobarn and Supercheap but can't really find anything decent, they always point me towards 10W-40 Castrol Magnatec.

Cheers guys and I'm sorry for not being all that clear at the start of this post.

garbo41610 wrote:I have recently changed mechanics, due to location rather than workmanship. My new mechanic uses ELF Excellium 5w30 (being a GT) and the difference is night and day. I really suggest looking into it.

What differences are so great that you are noticing?

I currently have ULX110 10w30 oil in my GT now and its doing a great job. No unfamiliar noises. Recommended by S&J automotive.

Robbks wrote:

garbo41610 wrote:I have recently changed mechanics, due to location rather than workmanship. My new mechanic uses ELF Excellium 5w30 (being a GT) and the difference is night and day. I really suggest looking into it.

What differences are so great that you are noticing?

It tastes better.

Admittedly going off seat of the pants judgements, but, the car certainly seems to run a LOT smoother.

garbo41610 wrote:Admittedly going off seat of the pants judgements, but, the car certainly seems to run a LOT smoother.

Would you recommend this for the 2.5i N/A motor? Also, did you any of you 2010+ owners (even the earlier gens) have a 1000km oil change service? Apparently its necessary to remove any contamination? I remember Honda calling us up and doing it for our new Civic back in 2006. I might just do an oil change anyway, i've got about 2,500km on the clock.

garbo41610 wrote:Admittedly going off seat of the pants judgements, but, the car certainly seems to run a LOT smoother.

what else was done at the service...

I have my favourite oils, but for a relatively new car to run smoother and the oil being the only difference is a pretty big claim.

Also forgot to mention with your service: go for some iridium spark plugs rather then platinum. They are only a little extra and it will give you a better spark for a slightly weary engine.

The part number for my model: BKR5 EIX-11 (NGK). Might be the same but NOT sure so do your research

This is what I now order, credit to Tradewind for the tip.
http://www.gllubricants.com/index.php?p=1_5_Redline-Pricelist

I'll have definitely have a look into it Nick.

Cheers!