What fluids to use in your Subaru
Registered User
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 40
From: new york
I use Amsoil in WRX for engine oil, 5W 30 series 3000. Series 2000 75/90 for the rear. and Dino for the 5 speed trans. Don't forget the power streering 
I use Amsoil Dextron III compatable auto trans fluid... As well as the Amsoil air filter...
I use Amsoil Dextron III compatable auto trans fluid... As well as the Amsoil air filter...
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 139
From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by supertek75
I just noticed today that my coolant is running low. Can I just go to a Subaru dealership and purchase a jug of their coolant solution and pour it directly into the coolant tank, or do I have to do a whole flush of my system and pour in the Subaru coolant solutin + the jug of distilled water and possibly the bottle of Redline Water Weter? I know that this is totally a noob's question, but how else are noobs to learn if they don't ask.
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Originally Posted by Tinkerbelbarbie
Any one have any comments on using amsoil? I've always preferred it in my sports cars but now I have a new Baja and don't know what to do with it (except maybe sell it).
Thanks!
Thanks!
Yeah, I use AMSoil in the engine, tranny, & rear diff. Using their typical 5W30 in the engine, & the tranny/diff has their GL-5 rated oil. I gotta say it's great for the rear diff, but it doesn't work so great for the tranny. I forget who pointed it out first, but like a lot of synthetic oils, the AMSoil is 'too slick' for the syncros.
I'm looking forward to switching to some Redline 75W90NS, but I'm having trouble finding it. I'd be willing to use the MT90, but the whole GL-4/GL-5 thing has me a little nervous. Can anyone here comment on wtf GL4 & 5 actually mean? I'm assuming since it's GL4 rated, it should not go in our GL5 only trannies...
Thanks
-Chris!
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From: Newark / Alameda
Car Info: (2005 OBP STi - RIP), 2008 BMW M3
Originally Posted by ScoobyEnthused
Does anyone know the price for each jug of coolant that can be purchased from the dealerships?
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Factory tranny oil
>Others will say to simply use the factory fluid, but nobody seems to have a certain
>grasp on exactly what it is or where to get it.
On the subject of factory fluids... my 05 STi was delivered with the tranny oil showing just above the 'L' mark on the dipstick (didn't notice until the day after I bought it). I'd rather not jump to a new oil so soon. Is there any oil I'd be safe in using to top it off?
I'm presuming the factory oil is 75W90 dino oil, but I've searched and can't find a satisfactory answer. Any ideas? Has anyone tried calling Subaru for this information?
Also, does anyone know how much oil you have to add to get from the 'L' mark to the 'F' mark?
Thanks for any help!
>grasp on exactly what it is or where to get it.
On the subject of factory fluids... my 05 STi was delivered with the tranny oil showing just above the 'L' mark on the dipstick (didn't notice until the day after I bought it). I'd rather not jump to a new oil so soon. Is there any oil I'd be safe in using to top it off?
I'm presuming the factory oil is 75W90 dino oil, but I've searched and can't find a satisfactory answer. Any ideas? Has anyone tried calling Subaru for this information?
Also, does anyone know how much oil you have to add to get from the 'L' mark to the 'F' mark?
Thanks for any help!
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Sorry, I should have mentioned that. I've spoken with two dealers, who knew nothing about the factory fluids. They offered to top it off with pennzoil brand gear oil, but I don't think mixing oils in a new tranny is a great idea.
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 279
From: Brownsville, Texas
Car Info: 2005 STi
Originally Posted by meilers
Thanks for the excellent post. However, I'd like to add the following:
Be VERY CAREFUL what engine coolant you use -- it must be completely safe for ALUMINUM ENGINES specifically. There are a few low-cost brands out there (Peak, for one) that contain silicates which can degrade an aluminum radiator and even cause engine block wear. Both my dealer and their lead shop mechanic said WRX models in particular should use the factory Subaru fluid (which they sell in gallong jugs as well) and nothing else, because of this danger. Normally I would be skeptical, but the mechanic pointed out that they could actually make more money selling a brand-name fluid to customers -- they would just rather take the loss and avoid replacing radiators under warranty
For the record, I run factory subaru coolant (which is premixed 50/50 with water) + 1 jug of distilled ionized water + 1 bottle of Redline Water Wetter.
Be VERY CAREFUL what engine coolant you use -- it must be completely safe for ALUMINUM ENGINES specifically. There are a few low-cost brands out there (Peak, for one) that contain silicates which can degrade an aluminum radiator and even cause engine block wear. Both my dealer and their lead shop mechanic said WRX models in particular should use the factory Subaru fluid (which they sell in gallong jugs as well) and nothing else, because of this danger. Normally I would be skeptical, but the mechanic pointed out that they could actually make more money selling a brand-name fluid to customers -- they would just rather take the loss and avoid replacing radiators under warranty
For the record, I run factory subaru coolant (which is premixed 50/50 with water) + 1 jug of distilled ionized water + 1 bottle of Redline Water Wetter.
can i just put the subaru coolant and redline water wetter. Or do i need to put distilled ionized water? --- is this the normal "distilled water that u can buy at wal-mart?
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From: Reno, NV
Car Info: 1993/2000/2001 GF4 mostly red
Originally Posted by _sti_05
can i just put the subaru coolant and redline water wetter. Or do i need to put distilled ionized water? --- is this the normal "distilled water that u can buy at wal-mart?
how much water with the coolant? i thought the coolant was premixed?
is it hard to bleed the radiator when replacing coolant? or do we just fill and keep an eye on the levels?
same about bleeding the brake fluid?
is it hard to bleed the radiator when replacing coolant? or do we just fill and keep an eye on the levels?
same about bleeding the brake fluid?
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,023
From: Phoenix, AZ
Car Info: Subaru Impreza WRX 2002
Don't add water at all unless you live in a place which rarely goes below freezing. I wouldn't dilute the OEM or aftermarket coolant more than 1/4th if there is the SLIGHTEST chance that you'd be exposed to below-freezing temps for more than 8-10 hours. There is no radiator on earth (even the new plastic ones) that would survive even a partial freeze.