Bought mine!!!!

[Blair Baucom]

I checked the list and it appears Subaru changed the recommendation after
the 2003 model year.

2004, 2005, & 2006 all have the recommendation below.

Blair

From Subaru's own web page:

Your Subaru vehicle (except H6 Models) requires an initial engine oil and
filter change at 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever occurs first. Subaru
H6 engine model vehicles will require an initial 3,000 mile/3 month oil
change, as a part of its regular maintenance schedule. We suggest that you
schedule an appointment for this service and any other necessary
adjustments at your local Subaru dealer. Locate your local dealer by going
to the upper right corner of subaru.com and input your city, state or zip
code.


http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp?navid=SCHEDULE_2005

Also other model years are linked on left of page.

Blair

the FIRST oil change is at 3k miles or 3months;
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_maintenance.html


Carl

On my 2005 U.S. Forester, Maintenance Booklet says 7,500 miles/12,000 km
or 7.5 months.

For severe driving conditions 3,750 miles/6,000 km or 3 3/4 months.

For 3.0L it says 3,000 miles/4,800 km or 3 months.

Blair

"Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]v[etaphoid" <"The
Young Ones"@wrbike.com> wrote in message

Both on my User manuals (Forester and Outback 04 models) say the
recommended changes are at 12,500 kms or every 6 months, starting from
the day of first use.

I have no idea here the 3,000 miles number comes from and would
appreciate it you could advise me accordingly.

TIA

Edward Hayes wrote:

Read the manual. It is much more correct than some self appointed
expert. I believe Subaru still recommends that the first oil & filter
change be preformed at 3,000 miles. An email to Subarus Tech.
department also said 3,000 miles and NOT before 1,000 miles. I split
the difference at ~2,200 miles and now at 104,000 on my Forester and
it runs as new with any oil consumption issues. Your manual is your
friend. Ed

 

[Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]]

Hi Carl, with due respect I'm following what in my Owners manual.

cheers

the FIRST oil change is at 3k miles or 3months;
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_maintenance.html

Carl

On my 2005 U.S. Forester, Maintenance Booklet says 7,500 miles/12,000 km or
7.5 months.

For severe driving conditions 3,750 miles/6,000 km or 3 3/4 months.

For 3.0L it says 3,000 miles/4,800 km or 3 months.

Blair

"Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]v[etaphoid" <"The Young
Ones"@wrbike.com> wrote in message

Both on my User manuals (Forester and Outback 04 models) say the
recommended changes are at 12,500 kms or every 6 months, starting from
the day of first use.

I have no idea here the 3,000 miles number comes from and would
appreciate it you could advise me accordingly.

TIA

Edward Hayes wrote:

Read the manual. It is much more correct than some self appointed
expert. I believe Subaru still recommends that the first oil & filter
change be preformed at 3,000 miles. An email to Subarus Tech.
department also said 3,000 miles and NOT before 1,000 miles. I split
the difference at ~2,200 miles and now at 104,000 on my Forester and
it runs as new with any oil consumption issues. Your manual is your
friend. Ed

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I checked the list and it appears Subaru changed the recommendation after
the 2003 model year.

2004, 2005, & 2006 all have the recommendation below.

Blair

From Subaru's own web page:

Your Subaru vehicle (except H6 Models) requires an initial engine oil and
filter change at 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever occurs first. Subaru
H6 engine model vehicles will require an initial 3,000 mile/3 month oil
change, as a part of its regular maintenance schedule. We suggest that you
schedule an appointment for this service and any other necessary
adjustments at your local Subaru dealer. Locate your local dealer by going
to the upper right corner of subaru.com and input your city, state or zip
code.


http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp?navid=SCHEDULE_2005

Also other model years are linked on left of page.

Blair

the FIRST oil change is at 3k miles or 3months;
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_maintenance.html


Carl



Blair Baucom wrote:


On my 2005 U.S. Forester, Maintenance Booklet says 7,500 miles/12,000 km
or 7.5 months.

For severe driving conditions 3,750 miles/6,000 km or 3 3/4 months.

For 3.0L it says 3,000 miles/4,800 km or 3 months.

Blair

"Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]v[etaphoid" <"The
Young Ones"@wrbike.com> wrote in message


Both on my User manuals (Forester and Outback 04 models) say the
recommended changes are at 12,500 kms or every 6 months, starting from
the day of first use.

I have no idea here the 3,000 miles number comes from and would
appreciate it you could advise me accordingly.

TIA

Edward Hayes wrote:


Read the manual. It is much more correct than some self appointed
expert. I believe Subaru still recommends that the first oil & filter
change be preformed at 3,000 miles. An email to Subarus Tech.
department also said 3,000 miles and NOT before 1,000 miles. I split
the difference at ~2,200 miles and now at 104,000 on my Forester and
it runs as new with any oil consumption issues. Your manual is your
friend. Ed

meh - On page 42 of my 2006 Warranty and Maintenance Booklet
(MSA5M0601W) it appears the 3 month 3K column contains an R in
parentheses. (R) which seems to make performing that service
'recommended' but I suppose not mandatory. The only other occurrence of
the () are for inspecting fuel system lines and connections and front
and rear wheel bearing lubricant.

Carl

 

[Blair Baucom]

I checked the list and it appears Subaru changed the recommendation after
the 2003 model year.

2004, 2005, & 2006 all have the recommendation below.

Blair

From Subaru's own web page:

Your Subaru vehicle (except H6 Models) requires an initial engine oil and
filter change at 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever occurs first.
Subaru H6 engine model vehicles will require an initial 3,000 mile/3
month oil change, as a part of its regular maintenance schedule. We
suggest that you schedule an appointment for this service and any other
necessary adjustments at your local Subaru dealer. Locate your local
dealer by going to the upper right corner of subaru.com and input your
city, state or zip code.


http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp?navid=SCHEDULE_2005

Also other model years are linked on left of page.

Blair


the FIRST oil change is at 3k miles or 3months;
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_maintenance.html


Carl



Blair Baucom wrote:


On my 2005 U.S. Forester, Maintenance Booklet says 7,500 miles/12,000
km or 7.5 months.

For severe driving conditions 3,750 miles/6,000 km or 3 3/4 months.

For 3.0L it says 3,000 miles/4,800 km or 3 months.

Blair

"Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]v[etaphoid" <"The
Young Ones"@wrbike.com> wrote in message


Both on my User manuals (Forester and Outback 04 models) say the
recommended changes are at 12,500 kms or every 6 months, starting from
the day of first use.

I have no idea here the 3,000 miles number comes from and would
appreciate it you could advise me accordingly.

TIA

Edward Hayes wrote:


Read the manual. It is much more correct than some self appointed
expert. I believe Subaru still recommends that the first oil & filter
change be preformed at 3,000 miles. An email to Subarus Tech.
department also said 3,000 miles and NOT before 1,000 miles. I split
the difference at ~2,200 miles and now at 104,000 on my Forester and
it runs as new with any oil consumption issues. Your manual is your
friend. Ed

meh - On page 42 of my 2006 Warranty and Maintenance Booklet (MSA5M0601W)
it appears the 3 month 3K column contains an R in parentheses. (R) which
seems to make performing that service 'recommended' but I suppose not
mandatory. The only other occurrence of the () are for inspecting fuel
system lines and connections and front and rear wheel bearing lubricant.

Carl

On the left it says "(Only 3.0L)" so I assume (R) references this as opposed
to at the bottom where it says "(I) or (R) Recommended service for safe
vehicle operation." due to the statement on the Subaru webpage:

"Your Subaru vehicle (except H6 Models) requires an initial engine oil and
filter change at 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever occurs first. Subaru
H6 engine model vehicles will require an initial 3,000 mile/3 month oil
change, as a part of its regular maintenance schedule."

Just so it is clear, these are maximum recommended intervals and I see no
reason that changing the oil at 3,000 miles would cause any problems
especially if you are using the severe driving conditions recommendations
which says 3,750 miles. If you plan on doing 3,000 mile intervals, I would
do it at 3,000, 6,000, 9,000 miles and so on. I personally change mine at
5,000 mile intervals as my commute is 125 miles one way twice a week.

Blair

 

[Ron N.]

Please read your manual and don't listen to fables

So what's the downside of changing oil more frequently than
required by the owners manual (other than cost)? I changed
the oil very frequently when my Celica GTS was new, and the
original 2.2R engine in it now has over 325k miles on it
(without a ring job).

I asked the Subaru salesguy about engine break-in on my new
2006 Legacy SE, and he specifically said not to do the first
oil change before at least the first 1000 miles. Not sure why...
But hopefully I'll get a good bit of milage out of that Subaru
boxer 4 engine as well.


IMHO. YMMV.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

So what's the downside of changing oil more frequently than
required by the owners manual (other than cost)? I changed
the oil very frequently when my Celica GTS was new, and the
original 2.2R engine in it now has over 325k miles on it
(without a ring job).

I asked the Subaru salesguy about engine break-in on my new
2006 Legacy SE, and he specifically said not to do the first
oil change before at least the first 1000 miles. Not sure why...
But hopefully I'll get a good bit of milage out of that Subaru
boxer 4 engine as well.


IMHO. YMMV.

This goes back to a 'theory' that the factory puts in a 'special
break-in oil' . No one seems to know and most folks just do what the
manual says. That should prevent warranty issues. Those folks who claim
oil analysis shows elevated molybdenum in the factory oil say it points
to it being 'special'. Critics of that idea say the moly is from an
assembly grease that just dilutes into the oil at first start has is
insignificant. Some other makes of cars are known to ship from the
factory with 'normal' or 'normal but synthetic' oils.
You might enjoy info and the forums at www.bobistheoilguy.com .

Carl

 

[Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]]

meh????

I checked the list and it appears Subaru changed the recommendation after
the 2003 model year.

2004, 2005, & 2006 all have the recommendation below.

Blair

From Subaru's own web page:

Your Subaru vehicle (except H6 Models) requires an initial engine oil and
filter change at 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever occurs first. Subaru
H6 engine model vehicles will require an initial 3,000 mile/3 month oil
change, as a part of its regular maintenance schedule. We suggest that you
schedule an appointment for this service and any other necessary
adjustments at your local Subaru dealer. Locate your local dealer by going
to the upper right corner of subaru.com and input your city, state or zip
code.


http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp?navid=SCHEDULE_2005

Also other model years are linked on left of page.

Blair


the FIRST oil change is at 3k miles or 3months;
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_maintenance.html


Carl



Blair Baucom wrote:


On my 2005 U.S. Forester, Maintenance Booklet says 7,500 miles/12,000 km
or 7.5 months.

For severe driving conditions 3,750 miles/6,000 km or 3 3/4 months.

For 3.0L it says 3,000 miles/4,800 km or 3 months.

Blair

"Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]v[etaphoid" <"The
Young Ones"@wrbike.com> wrote in message


Both on my User manuals (Forester and Outback 04 models) say the
recommended changes are at 12,500 kms or every 6 months, starting from
the day of first use.

I have no idea here the 3,000 miles number comes from and would
appreciate it you could advise me accordingly.

TIA

Edward Hayes wrote:


Read the manual. It is much more correct than some self appointed
expert. I believe Subaru still recommends that the first oil & filter
change be preformed at 3,000 miles. An email to Subarus Tech.
department also said 3,000 miles and NOT before 1,000 miles. I split
the difference at ~2,200 miles and now at 104,000 on my Forester and
it runs as new with any oil consumption issues. Your manual is your
friend. Ed

meh - On page 42 of my 2006 Warranty and Maintenance Booklet
(MSA5M0601W) it appears the 3 month 3K column contains an R in
parentheses. (R) which seems to make performing that service
'recommended' but I suppose not mandatory. The only other occurrence of
the () are for inspecting fuel system lines and connections and front
and rear wheel bearing lubricant.

Carl

 

[Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]]

Thank you for selectively editing my post.

To answer your questions

1 Cost as you have already identified

2 The stupid waste of a precious resource

3 Your comments about a Toyota are irrelevant as is your post.

4 Subaru sales guys are just that, sales guys

5 Your cryptic and childish abbreviations demonstrate your mind set.

Hope this helps!

 

[Michael Pardee]

So what's the downside of changing oil more frequently than
required by the owners manual (other than cost)?

Some oil pans suffer wear every time the oil is changed, causing the drain
plug threads in the pan to wear out even when the plugs are threaded in
carefully and torqued properly. That's a big problem with Hondas, even to
the extent that NAPA carries single and double oversize drain plugs. I
presume there is a thriving business in replacing Honda oil drain pans.

Dunno about Subarus.

Mike

 

[Ron N.]

wingman25 wrote:
....

This is my first time ever getting a brand new car out of a dealership.


It's a silver 2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Special Edition. It's not out yet
so i only can guess how it really looks like combining a standard 2.5i
with some features from a limited.

Congratulations. I just bought a new 2006 2.5i SE a couple weeks ago,
and, so far, am quite happy with my purchase.

PS: Very confused about paint protection, rust protection and extended
warranty though...

Make sure to read the reviews on these items before agreeing to
purchase any of them. These items are sometimes used to hide an
extra high markup which is pure profit for the dealer out of your
pocket. An extended warranty, at a fair price, might be considered
similar to buying a kind of insurance. Note that insurance is usually
quite profitable for the insurance companies, averaged over a large
pool of customers. But for any single customer, insurance helps
share the risk of an individual case of bad luck. It's your decision
whether to self insure (betting you'll do average or better in your
repair needs), or to buy insurance to cover any potential worse than
average luck in the future.


IMHO. YMMV.

 

[Ron N.]

Thank you for selectively editing my post.

I try to edit down to that to which I am replying, although I sometime
over or under edit. But I've only been replying to usenet posts for
nearly 2 decades now.

To answer your questions

1 Cost as you have already identified

2 The stupid waste of a precious resource

Interesting you bring that up, given that in terms of "wasting"
fossil fuels, the Subaru looked to consume more petrocarbons than
almost all of the other alternative vehicles I was evaluating.
This was almost the only negative point I found in my personal
pre-purchase comparisons. Hopefully, in terms of overall safety
over a much wider range of driving conditions, this was was a
worthwhile trade-off compared to wasting far less precious
resources.


IMHO. YMMV.

 

[KLS]

I try to edit down to that to which I am replying, although I sometime
over or under edit. But I've only been replying to usenet posts for
nearly 2 decades now.

Ron. You newbie, you tyro, you naif, you! What were you thinking.

Keep up the excellent work. Your post made me realize that I've
been reading Usenet since 1990. What a concept. And I'm the better
person for it!

 

[Edward Hayes]

Manual for my 2000 Forester 2.5L is very clear when I look at the
maintenance schedule. The first oil/filter change is 3,000 miles.
AFTER the first oil/filter change then it goes to 7,500 or 3,750
depending on your driving conditions.
"Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]v[etaphoid" <"The
Young Ones"@wrbike.com> wrote in message

meh????

I checked the list and it appears Subaru changed the
recommendation after
the 2003 model year.

2004, 2005, & 2006 all have the recommendation below.

Blair


From Subaru's own web page:

Your Subaru vehicle (except H6 Models) requires an initial engine
oil and
filter change at 7,500 miles or 7.5 months, whichever occurs
first. Subaru
H6 engine model vehicles will require an initial 3,000 mile/3
month oil
change, as a part of its regular maintenance schedule. We suggest
that you
schedule an appointment for this service and any other necessary
adjustments at your local Subaru dealer. Locate your local dealer
by going
to the upper right corner of subaru.com and input your city,
state or zip
code.


http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/index.jsp?navid=SCHEDULE_2005

Also other model years are linked on left of page.

Blair


the FIRST oil change is at 3k miles or 3months;
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/subaru_maintenance.html


Carl



Blair Baucom wrote:


On my 2005 U.S. Forester, Maintenance Booklet says 7,500
miles/12,000 km
or 7.5 months.

For severe driving conditions 3,750 miles/6,000 km or 3 3/4
months.

For 3.0L it says 3,000 miles/4,800 km or 3 months.

Blair

"Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]v[etaphoid"
<"The
Young Ones"@wrbike.com> wrote in message


Both on my User manuals (Forester and Outback 04 models) say
the
recommended changes are at 12,500 kms or every 6 months,
starting from
the day of first use.

I have no idea here the 3,000 miles number comes from and
would
appreciate it you could advise me accordingly.

TIA

Edward Hayes wrote:


Read the manual. It is much more correct than some self
appointed
expert. I believe Subaru still recommends that the first oil
& filter
change be preformed at 3,000 miles. An email to Subarus Tech.
department also said 3,000 miles and NOT before 1,000 miles.
I split
the difference at ~2,200 miles and now at 104,000 on my
Forester and
it runs as new with any oil consumption issues. Your manual
is your
friend. Ed

meh - On page 42 of my 2006 Warranty and Maintenance Booklet
(MSA5M0601W) it appears the 3 month 3K column contains an R in
parentheses. (R) which seems to make performing that service
'recommended' but I suppose not mandatory. The only other
occurrence of
the () are for inspecting fuel system lines and connections and
front
and rear wheel bearing lubricant.

Carl

 

[dnoyeB]

I am so excited! Well i haven't bought it - just leased it (hoping the
application goes through!!).

This is my first time ever getting a brand new car out of a dealership.


It's a silver 2006 Subaru Legacy 2.5i Special Edition. It's not out yet
so i only can guess how it really looks like combining a standard 2.5i
with some features from a limited.

I am not sure about most car owners here but i am really excited to get
a brand new car. I leased so as to reduce my monthly payments but i
will buy at the end of the lease most probably if all goes well for the
next 48 months. I pick it up in 3 weeks.

Gary
Toronto Canada.

PS: Very confused about paint protection, rust protection and extended
warranty though...

Thats too bad. Its all downhill from here! (Read: You can't get a
better car, you are not spoiled.)

--
Thank you,



"Then said I, Wisdom [is] better than strength: nevertheless the poor
man's wisdom [is] despised, and his words are not heard." Ecclesiastes 9:16

 

[ric_man]

The extended warranty, however, is purely subjective. There have been
a handful of threads regarding the extended warranty in this NG.
They've never been my bag. There are a few people in this NG who
really like them though. What I've gotten out of their discussions
(hopefully they'll wigh in) is that the extended warranty is
negotiable. Otherwise, purely subjective.

Extended warranties are being given out "free" for a limited time in
Australia... I'd say they'd definately be negotiable when purchasing the
car.

Keep in mind, if they're giving out "free" extended warranties, then the
company must have some faith in the product...

....Ric

 

[Body Roll]

2 The stupid waste of a precious resource

Suppose your car lasts 200k instead of 300k miles and then ends up on a
local junk yard.
How much precious resources would be wasted

1. Building a replacement

2. Contaminating the environment with all the cancerogens floating in
side the 200k mile car

???

Or you want to claim that the junkards treat all the hazardous waste
properly?

Having said that I have no clue what happens to the used motor oil that
I leave for the
harzardous waste company to pick up. Do they somehow recycle it?

Doing dyno changes myself every 4k now and planning to switch to
SuperTech 5w30 synthetic at 7.5k intervals.

 

[Monique Y. Mudama]

Keep in mind, if they're giving out "free" extended warranties, then
the company must have some faith in the product...

Or simply building the cost of the warranty into the price of the car
....

 

[Monique Y. Mudama]

Make sure to read the reviews on these items before agreeing to
purchase any of them. These items are sometimes used to hide an
extra high markup which is pure profit for the dealer out of your
pocket. An extended warranty, at a fair price, might be considered
similar to buying a kind of insurance. Note that insurance is
usually quite profitable for the insurance companies, averaged over
a large pool of customers. But for any single customer, insurance
helps share the risk of an individual case of bad luck. It's your
decision whether to self insure (betting you'll do average or better
in your repair needs), or to buy insurance to cover any potential
worse than average luck in the future.

You can always do what I do regarding pet insurance. I don't buy an
insurance policy, but I set aside some amount every month in case of a
vet emergency.

It's not as good as warranty if things go really wrong, but by
definition that's a small percentage of car buyers (otherwise the
insurance would be priced higher). So odds are that by doing this,
worst case you spend as much as you would have if you'd paid for a
warranty, and best case you come out ahead.

Then again, warranty prices are probably based on how much it costs
*them* to repair it, not how much it would have cost you, so that may
change the math considerably ...

The default 36K/3Y warranty has been pretty handy for me because I've had
a lot of rattle and plastic pieces falling off type problems. In one
instance the dealership had my car for about a week. Never mechanical
problems, just aesthetic (but extremely annoying). I'd imagine that
would have been pretty damaging to my finances without the warranty.

Unfortunately, I have about 6K left and it's only been two years =/

Anyone have opinions on GAP insurance? I got it for my car, and it
seemed like a reasonable idea as long as your loan is underwater ...

 

[Tony Burns (permanent dismisser of Andy, AJS and ]]

What happens in Australia is totally different in the USA.

The Subaru 5 year warranty in Australia is a no charge extra 2 years
unlimited kilometres added to the original Subaru 3 years unlimited
kilometres making a total of 5 years.

In the USA some dealers will offer an extended warranty for an extra
charge with different conditions attached. The customer has to work out
the value proposition.

It comparing apples and oranges.

 

[wingman25]

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences and responding. I left
this post unattended for a few days and look what someone started A
whole debate on oil changes... it's good though to keeping your
opinions flowing in.

You know what i did with my Honda? I could 'feel' when it needed a
change and then i gave it one. I knew just when it was time - i didn't
ever keep a track of it but i know i never went over 5K. That's
probably the reason why the engine now purrs better in it than when i
bought it did 2 years ago. I honestly wouldn't want to sell it - after
all the work i put into it myself to keep it running like new. But i
guess i need a four door now. Moving in with folks and planning to find
an Indian wife soon.

Now having said that - i love my cars so much that you shouldn't be
surprized if i tell i might actually plan on sleeping in the car or
with it in the garage for the first few weeks!

Still haven't picked it up. I was talking to the dealer today about how
many kms would i expect on it and he said around 50kms - on asking him
how - he responded the mechanics drive it to test it. Really? 50kms of
testing?

Not taking the warranty - cannot afford it. Neither the paint
protection. I might get a 3M film installed to prevent stone chips (but
not from the dealer).