That's one of my favorite winter vacations too. The WRX is a great car for running around around in the Mojave Desert and Death Valley. Don't forget the trip to Pahrump, Nevada...whose biggest businesses are mining, Art Bell and legalized prostitution. I like to go rock climbing in the Mojave, then drive 45 minutes to Jean, Nevada where you can still get a $20 casino-hotel room for the night and get really f'd up on booze and gambling. Then I hit the desert again the next day.

If you are using convential oil like I am, then you know that your oil is looking real dark and tired at 4-5K. Even if it's synthetic it's still going to be full of acid and moisture at 4-5K. You aren't going to have have that loyal little subie doing all that speed and distance for you in desesrt on an engine full of tired oil, are you?

Just tough up, stop whining and change the oil and filter. I do the changes in my garage in less than 15 minutes.

 

Change your oil.

 

Better safe than sorry... just do it.

 

I would never go past 3k without an oil change. But thats just me, i like to change the oil in my car, i find it fun and relaxing! I want my rex to last as long as possible,(dont plan on ever selling it, maybe for an sti though) so i change it every 3k. Be nice to your suby.