Best Filter and Oil?

[Birdy]

My SVX has 175,000 just replaced sensors, head gasket recently. I live in high altitude in Denver Colorado so its startin to get cold too. Looking for the best oil and filter for our SVX. Also what type of oil should i use here. I am not really that car savvy.. (I will be by the time i am done with the SVX lol) Feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks
Dave

[Huskymaniac]

Originally Posted by Birdy

My SVX has 175,000 just replaced sensors, head gasket recently. I live in high altitude in Denver Colorado so its startin to get cold too. Looking for the best oil and filter for our SVX. Also what type of oil should i use here. I am not really that car savvy.. (I will be by the time i am done with the SVX lol) Feedback is much appreciated.
Thanks
Dave

There is a ton of information on this in multiple threads. You really need to use the search function. But I will go ahead and repeat what I have said in the past.

I like that we can buy oversized filters. There are tight passages in the bearings and anything to help oil flow and pressure is a good thing. Also, it enables you to comfortably go longer between oil changes. The best one out there is the Bosch Premium which is a rebadged Purolator Plus. It is a very high efficiency filter and will keep your engine free of even the smallest particles.

On oil, if you use an oversized filter you can go with a synthetic oil and make it cost effective by extending the oil change interval. With the mileage you have, I would suggest a high mileage oil. There are two synthetic oils which offer high mileage products and they are Mobil 1 and Valvoline. The Mobil 1 has been rated higher. There are opinions out there that M1 is bad for Subaru engines but I don't think that is true for two reasons. First, years ago M1 was thinner than most oils. It has changed and is now thicker. As such, it stnds up to high RPMs and high heat better than M1 of many years ago. Second, High Mileage M1 is even thicker than standard M1. That is true to the point where you, in CO, can probaby run 5W30 year round.

And don't forget the air filter. For filtration, AC Delco has tested out as the best. That air filter plus the Bosch Premium oil filter should keep your engine nice and clean.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by Huskymaniac

There is a ton of information on this in multiple threads. You really need to use the search function. But I will go ahead and repeat what I have said in the past.

A lot of us are more comfortable with more than one opinion Tony... so we can compare ideas and make a determination on our best course of action. I for am one of those people and that applies to every endeavor in my life.

I have used some of your suggestions and information for major decisions for my personal maintenance and repair decisions so don't take this personally!

Keith

[dcarrb]

It's my belief that folks spend way too much time worrying about this. Unless you're racing or otherwise subjecting the vehicle to extreme abuse, simply follow the manufacturer's recommendations and get on down the road. You'll get as many testimonials as there are brands on the shelf.

dcb

[92snowmachine]

nice to see another svxer in denver. i run the purolator oil filters and use the castrol full synthetic. the purolator filter because you can buy a rebadged one for a couple bucks and the castrol because the svx seems to like it. when using mobil 1 i was having a small amount of oil smoke at start up which i don't get with the castrol. feel free to pm me if you have any issues or need help. i'm a mechanic during the day and have a 3 car oversized garage to play in when i come home.

[kwren]

Originally Posted by dcarrb

It's my belief that folks spend way too much time worrying about this. Unless you're racing or otherwise subjecting the vehicle to extreme abuse, simply follow the manufacturer's recommendations and get on down the road. You'll get as many testimonials as there are brands on the shelf.

dcb

I totally agree. In today's world you could probably buy a new Subaru and drive it 200,000 miles with no oil changes, and the origional engine without even changing the oil... With an occasional filter replacement to keep the oil in good condition.

Keith

[svxcess]

/

Some of the exotic car collectors in my area are quite particular on how they handle oil changes. Most of the ones I have talked to do the following, a little strange, but they believe in it and said their club never had engine failures.

Start off with a new oil filter and an engine filled with fresh synthetic oil

After 4,000 miles, they just change the filter and REPLACE the missing quart.

After another 4,000 miles, the filter and ALL of the oil was changed and they start all over again.

They swear by this method of getting the best protection at the cheapest price. The oil gets a fresh shot of additives halfway through and they spend the extra bucks on the best oil filters out there; some using even dual-filter setups (which replaces even more oil by this method.)

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