what grade oil for 1990 Legacy?

Z

Zack

ANy recommendations on the proper grade of engine oil (regular, not
synthetic) for a high-mileage 1990 Legacy? A dealer I used to go to
(and trusted) recommended 5W30 year-round, but my current dealer is
saying 10W30. Any advice appreciated!

Thanks,
Zack
 
Zack said:
ANy recommendations on the proper grade of engine oil (regular, not
synthetic) for a high-mileage 1990 Legacy? A dealer I used to go to
(and trusted) recommended 5W30 year-round, but my current dealer is
saying 10W30. Any advice appreciated!

Personally, I don't believe you can go
wrong with either. I suspect it will
run a little quieter with the 10W30 though.
 
Zack said:
(and trusted) recommended 5W30 year-round, but my current dealer is
saying 10W30. Any advice appreciated!

In 1990, Subaru recommended against continuous highway use when running
5W-30 in the Loyale series. I imagine that recommendation would have
applied to the Legacy, too. 10W-30 was the "standard" recommendation
(per my owners manual) with 10W-40 and 20W-50 suggested in hotter
climates. My engine runs what I consider dangerously "low" oil pressure
in the summer (100 deg F and above around here) with 10W-30, so I run
20W-50. You didn't say what defines "high mileage." Mine has 354k miles.

Rick
 
My engine runs what I consider dangerously "low" oil pressure
in the summer (100 deg F and above around here) with 10W-30, so I run
20W-50. You didn't say what defines "high mileage." Mine has 354k miles.

Sorry - meant to include that info. I've got 155,000 miles on mine,
engine is in excellent condition, and I live in NYC (so it certainly
gets hot, but we're not talking Texas).

Zack
 
Zack said:
Sorry - meant to include that info. I've got 155,000 miles on mine,
engine is in excellent condition, and I live in NYC (so it certainly
gets hot, but we're not talking Texas).

Ok, in that case, I'd start with 10W-30 and if oil pressure is lower
than normal, go up a grade to 10W-40, then 20W-50 if required. For fuel
economy's sake, you want your oil thin, for engine protection you may
need it thicker, so it's gonna be a compromise: I'll sacrifice a tiny
bit of fuel economy for seeing that needle where it belongs any day,
though! (Voice of experience--I hate rebuilding engines in the
summer--and I'm not too fond of it other times any more, either!)

Rick
 

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