Just picked up an 04 WRX. I am hearing different opinions on when to use synthetics. Some say wait a few oil changes and some say after the first.

 

I am wondering the same thing...

 

a million miles eh

i heard 10k but personally 1k is prolly just fine

 

I went ahead and just used normal oil on my first change. I'll let the engine break in more before I go synthetic. Thanks for all your input. Now about reflashes. Before up pipe, down pipe or after? Sorry, my first turbocharged car.

 

Get the system you want to tune with first alone on the stock unit should give you another rough 10-20hp with a proper map according to most stories.

Next add the downpipe which is by far the best gains per buck.

Catback comes in next for some minor gains

lastly uppipe and headers

Beyond this point real gains gets a lil crazy, upgraded fuel system, turbo, its madness i tell you

And please stay away from NOS or BOV's as they do not work well on this car.

 

I have no experience, but I believe you should run the car a little harder then usual before switching to synthetic. What I mean, is that since you're using dino oil to break in and stuff, and supposedly it does not protect as well as synthetic, run the car hard for a few thousand miles. Make SURE that the rings and whatnot are seated properly. I have no idea why, but my car burns oil..

My WRX being my first car, I think I babied it too much, and I simply cared too much. I must have failed to seat the rings properly because I switched to synthetic at around 5000 miles or so, and after then I began to notice my oil level dropping. I wanted the best oil for my car, but failed to realize that synthetic is too slippery, and won't let the rings seat if not done so already. So, I have a car that seemingly steadily burns oil at about 3/4 to 1 quart per oil change.. which adds up, when a quart is an additional $5

Just make sure to never use a fram/pennzoil filter... such POS's. I dont believe how they could actually put cardboard in a oil filter that sees high pressure and high temperatures.

Otherwise IMHO run your car a bit hard, let the turbo cool down properly while doing so, and then go for synthetic.

 

i started using synthetic at 3k miles

 

I have 47000kms (approx 29,000 miles) on my 2002 WRX. Is there any problem with switching to synthetic now? What is the benefit of synthetic anyways?

 

i started using synthetic at about 14k along with the oem filters.

for em, cobb seems interesting. but it might be better to get all your parts first, up/down/catback.

 

On my third oil change(4k), I went to synthetic. Mobile 1 (5w30) and I use the stock filters. No problems yet! *Knock On Wood*

 

I would wait till you have at least 6-9k miles before switching to synthetic. That is what is recommended by many true Subbie experts. As for switching with some miles, no problem as long as you have maintained the car. Use a good, high quality filter like the OEM and you will be fine.

 

I started both my cars between 5k, 10k miles. I usually do the first 2 oil changes regular then switch

 

I used a semi synthetic around 9000 miles and then went to Mobil 1 full synthetic after that.