Dealer supplied oil filter for 2023 Forester Premium

[Falcon5]

Hi all,
After seeing horrific videos of the blue Subaru oil filters provided by dealers with paper endcaps, I bought a filter from the dealer who sold us our new 2023 Forester. The filter I received does NOT have the paper endcaps. The endcaps are metal with neatly applied glue. To be honest it looks like a Walmart Supertech filter. Those are actually decent filters and this one appears ok too. Not top notch Wix quality but good enough for me to be comfortable with until the warranty expires.

 

[KimDaniel]

Falcon,
FYI... my Walmart sells genuine Subaru filters for about $10 each. It's the Subaru marked ones, not the blank ones from SOA

 

[Falcon5]

Falcon,
FYI... my Walmart sells genuine Subaru filters for about $10 each. It's the Subaru marked ones, not the blank ones from SOA

Kim,
The filters sold at Walmart are the filters with paper end caps I’m fairly certain. I may buy one and cut it open.
The unmarked blue filters at the dealer are actually decent filters…at least the one I bought and cut open is. I unmarked dealer supplied filters have metal end caps and I think are manufactured by Purolator…not Fram.

I’ve bought several of the black OEM Japanese filters online actually. And these are what I’ll use.

 

[Falcon5]

Falcon,
FYI... my Walmart sells genuine Subaru filters for about $10 each. It's the Subaru marked ones, not the blank ones from SOA

Kim,
The 15208AA15A Subaru OEM filters are in fact Fram garbage. I bought one at Walmart today and cut it open. See the pics.

 

[KimDaniel]

Wow! How could Subaru put their well respected brand name on such inferior filters.

Thanks for the cut-open test. I did replace the original filter at 500 miles with dealer acquired SOA blue filter. I will be taking the Subaru blue filters back to Walmart.

I have used Bosch filters for my other vehicles. Which do you recommend for Outback 2.5 L now that you have cut open a few?

 

[Falcon5]

I’ve ordered the black Japanese OEM Subaru filters online actually. The same filter that ships with new Subarus built in Japan. I like Wix or NAPA Gold filters too however, the unmarked blue dealer supplied filters are ok.

 

[kw7pd4]

Wow! How could Subaru put their well respected brand name on such inferior filters.

Thanks for the cut-open test. I did replace the original filter at 500 miles with dealer acquired SOA blue filter. I will be taking the Subaru blue filters back to Walmart.

I have used Bosch filters for my other vehicles. Which do you recommend for Outback 2.5 L now that you have cut open a few?

Subaru is no different than any other automaker. They are all about the almighty dollar. I have been told that AC Delco is making the new 15A replacement filters. Also ran across one brand called Baufon (new SOA version) which some guy on youtube cut open and appears to be remarkably well made. Had I known Fram made the 15A filters I would have never used them regardless what Subaru says. Last oil change on my wife's Forester, the dealer installed a white filter that only says "Auto filter" on it. They don't care. They even use crappy Quaker State oil also. Dealers and auto makers are systematically ripping people off and too many blindly follow their advice and all they care about is the money. I have a 2020 Legacy with less than 27k on it. Right rear strut started leaking so the dealer wants near $1100 to change both rear struts when a local tire and alignment shop well respected wants 595. $189 each for the struts when KYB is the only company that makes them and makes them for Subaru OEM and can be purchased for $45 each. Tell me that isn't a ripoff. I am going to change to Pennzoil and some proven brand of filter. Point is, go with major brands that are proven and to hell with the dealers / makers. Rant over. Thank you for reading.

 

[Falcon5]

Subaru is no different than any other automaker. They are all about the almighty dollar. I have been told that AC Delco is making the new 15A replacement filters. Also ran across one brand called Baufon (new SOA version) which some guy on youtube cut open and appears to be remarkably well made. Had I known Fram made the 15A filters I would have never used them regardless what Subaru says. Last oil change on my wife's Forester, the dealer installed a white filter that only says "Auto filter" on it. They don't care. They even use crappy Quaker State oil also. Dealers and auto makers are systematically ripping people off and too many blindly follow their advice and all they care about is the money. I have a 2020 Legacy with less than 27k on it. Right rear strut started leaking so the dealer wants near $1100 to change both rear struts when a local tire and alignment shop well respected wants 595. $189 each for the struts when KYB is the only company that makes them and makes them for Subaru OEM and can be purchased for $45 each. Tell me that isn't a ripoff. I am going to change to Pennzoil and some proven brand of filter. Point is, go with major brands that are proven and to hell with the dealers / makers. Rant over. Thank you for reading.

There is nothing wrong with Quaker State motor oil. The oil is produced by Shell Oil (SOPUS). Same with Pennzoil.

Quaker State - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If you want to learn how different oil brands/weights compare, check this site, The Petroleum Quality Institute. This site also lists the source manufacturer of each oil they test.

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

pqia.org

Once our new Forester is out of warranty, I'll switch to Wix/NAPA filters.

 

[kw7pd4]

There is nothing wrong with Quaker State motor oil. The oil is produced by Shell Oil (SOPUS). Same with Pennzoil.

Quaker State - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If you want to learn how different oil brands/weights compare, check this site, The Petroleum Quality Institute. This site also lists the source manufacturer of each oil they test.

The Petroleum Quality Institute of America

pqia.org

Once our new Forester is out of warranty, I'll switch to Wix/NAPA filters.

Maybe so. I was a mechanic for many years and most engines I ran across that had large amounts of sludge had been using QS oil so I swore off it. We used it where I once worked but finally got rid of it for Castrol. Admittedly, that was a long time ago. There are a lot of really good oils available anyway to pay ridiculous prices for a carmakers brand that they have nothing to do with producing. Anyway, just frustrated over my dealer's way of doing business.

 

[Falcon5]

Maybe so. I was a mechanic for many years and most engines I ran across that had large amounts of sludge had been using QS oil so I swore off it. We used it where I once worked but finally got rid of it for Castrol. Admittedly, that was a long time ago. There are a lot of really good oils available anyway to pay ridiculous prices for a carmakers brand that they have nothing to do with producing. Anyway, just frustrated over my dealer's way of doing business.

I completely understand your frustration. I too remember when Quaker State was problematic because of the high paraffin content in its oil. As you posted, that was a long time ago. I'm an old aircraft mechanic (30 years) and do all of the maintenance on our vehicles. The 2023 Forester is our first Subaru and I was shocked at the garbage oil filters with the Subaru name on them. I searched and found the OEM Japanese filters online but will end up going with Wix or NAPA Gold filters eventually.

 

[kw7pd4]

I completely understand your frustration. I too remember when Quaker State was problematic because of the high paraffin content in its oil. As you posted, that was a long time ago. I'm an old aircraft mechanic (30 years) and do all of the maintenance on our vehicles. The 2023 Forester is our first Subaru and I was shocked at the garbage oil filters with the Subaru name on them. I searched and found the OEM Japanese filters online but will end up going with Wix or NAPA Gold filters eventually.

Cool. I was a hydraulic specialist on F4s for four years. Served all over SEA back in the 60s. It's hard to beat Subaru for the most part. But I had a 2016 Santa Fe Sport I would put up against them. It's a shame as dependable and reliable as Subarus are supposed to be, that they don't put longer warranties on them. If others can put 100k and 10 year warranties on their cars, Subaru sure should. But that's another subject. Nice 'talking' to you.

 

[Falcon5]

Cool. I was a hydraulic specialist on F4s for four years. Served all over SEA back in the 60s. It's hard to beat Subaru for the most part. But I had a 2016 Santa Fe Sport I would put up against them. It's a shame as dependable and reliable as Subarus are supposed to be, that they don't put longer warranties on them. If others can put 100k and 10 year warranties on their cars, Subaru sure should. But that's another subject. Nice 'talking' to you.

I worked F4E models for a short while. I was an engine mechanic. I was at Holloman AFB when the transition to F-15's occurred. 5 years on F-15s then 17 years on various models of F-16s. Retired from the USAF and worked a defense contract as maintenance QA on T-38's and T-6A Texan II aircraft. Finally, worked commercial aircraft as an A&P mechanic on Airbus A319/320 passenger jets, mostly engine work. Just retired from a southern city after a second career in a utilities infrastructure maintenance leadership position. 43 years in maintenance.