Subaru Oil Change ?
 

My Subaru needs an oil change.

I always bring to a Sub dealer because there is a special gasket used with oil filter, that not all oil change dealers or franchises use.
Without the gasket, there can be leakage.

In the past I took car to Belknap Subaru, but don't wish to return there.
Don't ask !

Can anyone recommend a repair shop who may specialize in Subarus' or Japanese cars.

Thanks !

Are you talking about the crush washer gasket for the oil drain plug? The filter has a standard gasket that comes on the filter.

I feel your pain man, I also will no longer return. Subaru filters are an easy swap, any reputable shop should be able to handle it correctly. Not sure what you mean by special gaskets? I currently change my families oil on 3 different subarus and the only thing I notice different when I change their oil is the filters come with crush washers, which I usually change them out, there for the drain plug.

Hmmm.... thought gasket was on the filter, guess I'm wrong?

Maybe what they're referring about is the 'crush washer' ?

So are you saying a Fram, AC, Purolater, etc filter can be swapped for a Sub filter?

Thanks!

I do my own oil changes on the three Subarus in my family.

The oil filters and drain plug crush washers can be found inexpensively on Amazon. I buy the 0-20 full synthetic oil at WalMart for much less than elsewhere.

If you are concerned about the crush washers, you can buy some and give one to the shop that changes your oil. Here's a link for the washers that are appropriate for a '13 2.0 Impreza, a '13 2.5 Outback and a '14 2.5 Forester.

10 Subaru Oil Drain Plug Crush Washer Gaskets 16mm https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BR3HMEQ..._rMvOwb2XJTV2T

We have owned 3 subaru's. And before Amazon I would buy a box of filters and the washer from a dealer. I would change my own oil or bring it with me to the garage near me.

If your Subaru is newer model, I would get the oil changed at an authorized Subaru dealer. IMO that is.

My Outback is a 2011, bought a Milford Subaru as a 2yr lease-off, in 2013, now have 50k miles.

This is my first Sub, I will never buy anything else, sorry I'm a confirmed believer in the product !

Will look for Crusher gasket at dealer, and may do my own oil changes.

Thanks everyone for your feedback, greatly appreciated !

It's pretty good in the snow eh?

I also stopped dealing with Belknap. Although it's probably a hike from the Gilford side of the lake, I have been using Profile Subaru in North Conway for a while and have been happy with them. Just had an oil change done on my Outback for $28.95. From the east side of the lake it's about a 45 - 50 minute drive, same as Tilton, and I usually take the opportunity to spend the afternoon seeing the sights of North Conway. I usually prefer going to a Subaru dealer, just out of habit, but I have also used Valvoline on Union Avenue with no ill effects.

Within a few hours, three people on a lake forum post about not working with the same business--they must really be messing up. Anyone let someone know?

Sent from my XT1528 using Tapatalk

I let the managers know exactly how I felt after they installed the gaskets that seal my gas tank closed backwards.. It had an arrow saying in English this faces forward so I really thought they'd be able to handle it. I asked them to replace it (tried to charge me for a new one) and that one was installed upside down. Coming from a family of mechanics that was strikes 1-3 for me among others minor complaints.

Another take away is like 3 of us all said we have 3 Subarus.. What does that tell you?

Please don't ask for a "Crusher gasket". It's called: oil drain plug crush washer.

Subaru service
 

I service my Subarus in the past. All were the legendary Legacy GT wagons. No longer sold and used ones command a high price! Love the manual transmission!

I go by the factory manual and use AMS oil and filters. Never had a problem!

Need major service? I have great luck with Neil's in Laconia, just off 106. Otherwise I go to the Concord dealership.

We have a 2010 Outback. All routine maintenance has been done at Meineke in Rochester (across from Walmart on Rt. 11). Always done well and the people there are very friendly and trustworthy.

Just called Sub dealer....

Oil drain plug crush washer $1.20

Diameter he said was 14mm for 4 cyl Outback

6 Cyl Outback size is 18mm

Wow !!
 

My wife's subaru has its oil light going on at 5000 mi ..always need to put a quart in it.

I guess I know what the problem is now..

My wife's '13 Outback has the oil light come on at 5000 miles as well.

I believe it is due to her hyperactive right foot! :eek:

Some of them come on a set milage intervals regardless of when you changed your oil. My WRX I have the option to turn it off but on my jeep every 3500 miles it comes on and you have to reset it, changing the oil does not reset it.

Check your manual to see if yours is like that. I forget off the top of my head how to reset it but in mine it is something stupid like you put your foot on the break then turn the car into the on position and click the gas pedal and then shut the car back off and it should reset.

Same type scenario to disable your seatbelt chime for those feeling adventurous

Subaru recommends that you torque the drain plug to @32 ft/lbs.

I always torque mine to 32 ft/lbs because I'm not good at judging how tight I have it when I just use a wrench, especially when there is a crush washer involved.

Most people just go by feel with a wrench and it works OK for them.

Crush washers can usually be reused a few times but they may leak after that or even the second time.They are soft (aluminum or copper) and made to comform to the seat on the oil pan.

Can and should are two entirely different things. They shouldn't be reused. Even at 1.20 per washer (a complete rip off IMHO) why risk it?

I thought Toyota was bad and I pay about 60 cents per washer... but I usually buy a bulk bag of them. Could be a volume discount.

The manual says to check and add oil. I am more accustomed to a red "idiot" light that illuminates when you have bingo oil pressure. This "you are down a quart" light freaked me out the first time!

I have encountered two types of oil drain plug washers.

There are flat ones that, in a pinch, I would consider reusing. I don't know how that situation would arise because draining the oil seems like a fairly deliberate act requiring some level of planning.


The ones depicted in the Amazon link above have two concentric rings joined by an outer wall. Once torqued down, I would expect them to leak if used again. Reusing these is something I've never done.

The Wal-Marts in Tilton and Plymouth do oil and filter changes for $19.88 ...... plus they air up the four tires.....and check the fluids and the one in Plymouth has free coffee in the waiting room, and wifi. Last time I was there, about six weeks ago, the Tilton Wal-Mart did not have any wifi or coffee ....... come on Tilton .....let's get with it!

Plus, if you bought your tires (Goodyear Viva-3, or something) at Wal-Mart ..... they do free tire rotations .....for as long as you have the tires.

I too have seen the "$20" oil change offers. The most current Subarus require 0-20W full synthetic oil. If you read the fine print you discover that the fancy oil changes are much more.

Not only that, what kind of "techs" do you think Wal Mart employs? If you want some goon with a crescent wrench changing your oil, and using crappy cheapo Chinese made filters go for it.

I understand that 2012-2014 models burn oil. They fixed it in 2015. Not serious enough for a recall and they are trying to keep it quiet but there is a problem.

Oh.....come on.......you cannot be serious with these nasty words!


The Plymouth Walmart has never-ever goofed up one of my oil changes.....and I always check the dip stick and the tire pressures out in the parking lot.....after I pay the 19.88 and leave the tire/lube area. It's always possible for a tech to goof up.....and this has yet to happen to me at the Plymouth Walmart tire & lube.

As far as I know, this small state of New Hampshire is home to a total of 33 different Walmarts, and one distribution trucking center, and many of them sell tires & oil changes........so's while N.H. used to be called 'Cow-Hampshire' ...... now, it more accurately can be called 'Wal-Hampshire.' Just compare this to Vermont which has one half the population of New Hampshire, and has just three Walmarts. That's a big difference.

Took my 2011 Outback to Harmon Motors at the advice of a friend who has been doing business with them for years.....
Husband and wife team (Rusty&Jane),

They're very familiar with Subarus' Toyota, and other Japan, Korean cars.
They know about the oil leak issues with Subs' and was told, always replace 'crush washer' as S.O.P.

I found the service to be professional, courteous, and will return again !
They're Located in Gilford next to Wendys'.

Walmart has made a business of doing things with one thing in mind a price point. That is how they compete with everyone else by undercutting the competition. What is lost by most patrons is that you are paying a premium price for substandard merchandise.

Far as their service goes I can guarantee you anyone working in the automotive service department is neither compensated to the degree one would if they worked at a dealer or reputable independent garage, nor probably undergo the same level of scrutiny for hiring. They can't - otherwise they could not get away with an oil change for 19.99 the labor costs alone would be prohibitive. Furthermore at that price what kind of oil and filter do you think you're going to get?

When I change the oil in my vehicles it costs me on average $40 for a good quality full synthetic oil (Mobile One) and OEM filter, plus a new crush washer on the pan, and that's with me doing the labor. Else where if I had this done it would be more like twice that with labor included.

Hey it's your car do what you please, but don't fool yourself into thinking you're making out like a bandit because in the end you get what you pay for, especially if the guys working there are buying their 1000 piece "professional mechanics" tool set there for $9.99. I wouldn't let them touch my weed whacker.

Quaker State pit stop 19.88 oil change at Wal-Mart
 

Here's a review on Wal-Mart oil changes from a supposedly unbiased source:

http://www.carserviceprices.com/walm...s-and-services


And, here's a video with large mouth bass fisherman, Jimmy Houston, probably created by Quaker State:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaXVm5JVVAw

Maybe Wal-Mart considers their 19.88 pit crew oil change to be a loss leader, and a method to get you into their store. It usually takes about 20-minutes to get it done at the Plymouth Wal-Mart if you show up at 7-am, when it first opens/7-days/week. So's for 20-30-minutes, or something, u need to kill the time while inside the Wal-Mart which is a pretty good way to get you to go shopping as long as you are there.

Like, maybe pick up a can of Delmonte tropical fruit salad, or something? Sometimes, u get lucky, and they have hamburger patties that's past it's sell date, that gets marked down to about $3.65/lb........down from 5.45.

OK FLL I guess I need to inform you of a few things.

At 19.99 they are pretty much giving you that oil change at cost. Oil is bought in bulk obviously at a wholesale price so they are into that oil for about 1.50 per quart, plus filter which I have no idea what the price is on those but I would estimate that to be ~2.00 as a conservative estimate so you're looking at about $9.00 or so in parts, leaving about $11.00 in labor and or overhead. So they are not loosing money just not making any, but as you say, who isn't going to go shopping while they are there and spend more money?

As for your UNBIASED review... That "review" was copied and pasted from WalMart's website:

http://www.walmart.com/cp/Auto-Services/1087266 Scroll about half way down the page. Hmm....

Bottom line is that you like many are attracted to, no let me rephrase, cannot help themselves but to be suckered into buying something based soley on price point and Wal Mart caters to that.

Furthermore - being of the political mindset that you are, I find it interesting that you not only shop at a place that is clearly at odds with your self proclaimed philosophy, but have notoriously had a history of low wages, treating their employees poorly, circumvented the heath care law by reducing the total amount of full time employees and sources the majority of their merchandise from the sweat shops in China.

An interesting read if you even care about how Wal Mart treats their employees:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/rickunga.../#1524e996bc3d

So's what was the price? How much did you pay, and what type of oil and filter did you get ....... hundreds of inquiring minds need to know?

$36.

Changed Oil, filter, new Crush washer, checked all fluids, checked tires, the usual !

Nice folks, and they specialize and do MANY Japanese/Korean brands.

Maybe seem like a lot of $ for an oil change, but I walked away feeling they did a good job, very knowledgeable and stand behind their work.

You can go to WalMart and get a lower price for the same service, but I'm not going to trust my car to their service dept.
Just my opinion.....

.....well..... golly gee whiz .... $36 ....... that seems like a fairly low price....all things considered....and especially that is was 100% synthetic oil.


A quart of of the Walmart brand of 5-20 100% synthetic oil.....maybe named Hi-Tech brand ..... in the grey plastic bottle goes for about 4.95/qt.....and that's what I use to bring the oil back up to the dip stick's full level line.... on the road to a new 19.88 oil change.....every 5000 miles......it seems to woiks fo me's ....I tells ya.

How do you know it was synthetic oil?

That's a good question ....... because I am psychic and collected that piece of info through mental telepathy ....... ommmmmm!

I would not use Valvoline Oil change laconia, Brought my truck their once and they used the wrong oil filter.,

Valvoline
 

Not sure if they used Valvoline in Laconia or Tilton, I was car talking with two couples from the Bristol area. One has a Subaru who was told to have their transmission fluid replaced in their Imprezia with only 70,000 miles. Valvoline did a 'fluid' exchange on their transmission. 6,000 miles later the transmission froze on 93 before Concord. AAMCO in Concord claimed a combination of insufficient and improper fluids cause the bands to overheat and burn.

The other couple has a Mercedes. They had engine trouble while traveling in Mass. They had an oil change earlier that day at Valvoline. Before leaving they told the clerk Valvolilne the OBC is recording low oil pressure after the oil change. They were told the warning will go away when the oil gets a chance to fill the engine. The garage that check the car out claim there is only 4 quarts of oil in the pan when there should be 7. The oil filter was a cheap paper that literally fell apart when use.

Valvoline denied there are responsible. In the fine print on the sales receipt, your vehicle was to be inspected by them and they will repair the vehicle.

Wifey still asks me why I do my own oil changes.

I do them because I can and I know what I am putting into the engine.

I also save about $30.

Maybe it's partly due to my controlling nature but consider this:

If a shop makes errors that wreck my engine and legal action is required to get them to remedy the situation, do I want to spend my time dealing with that?

Does this no prove my point.... don't take your car to these places because the people that work there do not know what they are doing, in fact the second story is just over the top incompetence.