[Shop-talk] Oil, again

[Dave C]

Thanks for all the comments.  As Randall (and others) pointed out, it's 
just numbers, and I guess I will have to get used to it.  I checked the 
owners manual on-line and it specs 0W20 synth and nothing else 
regardless of operating temperature, but interestingly, the turbo 
version specs 5W20.  I also did a little poking around on one of the 
Forester forums and a lot of people seem to be buying their oil at Wally 
World, so I guess I'll have to check that out, too.


On 11/2/2012 7:03 PM, Randall wrote:
> Just to echo what I hope others have said, 0W20 is just numbers.  It is slightly thinner when cold than say, 5W20; and slightly thinner all the time than 5W30.  It will work fine, and perhaps save you a little bit on fuel costs.
>
> If you want to run 5W30 oil, it won't hurt anything except perhaps burn a bit more fuel.  Just be sure to still use synthetic.
>
> A little poking around on the Internet shows Mobil 1 0W20 for around $9/qt, which is only slightly higher than most synthetics (I generally have to pay around $7.50 unless I wait for a loss leader sale).
>
> Check your local Wally-mart.  Their web site doesn't list a price, but if they carry it in the 5 qt jugs it will likely be a lot cheaper than the per-quart price at other places.
>
> Randall