[weewaywoo]

I've got a quick question about oil changes on the B9: do you fill to the High mark on the dipstick, or do you fill to the midpoint between the High and Low marks?

What's got me a bit confused are the Subaru service manual instructions that are posted (thanks Peaty!) on scoobymods.com. Under the "Replacement" instructions, it states that you should aim to fill up to the midpoint between the High and Low marks; however, under the "Inspection" instructions, it states that "if the engine oil is below the L line, add oil to bring the level up to the F line. To prevent overfilling the engine oil, do not add oil above the F line when the engine is cold." When I drained the pan and replaced the oil filter, it took 6.2 quarts for the dipstick to register halfway between the High and Low marks on the dipstick. I am now wondering if I should top the oil off or just leave it alone. Thanks!

P.S. I too found my first oil change to be a real "treat"! Even after reading Peaty's and shootist's posts and pre-emptively making a funnel out of tinfoil, I still managed to make a bit of a mess; I really want to know what those Subaru engineers were thinking when they designed the drain hole in the shroud! I am ordering a Fumoto valve ASAP so that my next oil change will be the last messy one (I hope...)

 

[[email protected]]

whatever the manual says, thats how much i would fill it up to.

 

[weewaywoo]

Ed,

I've learned to not always trust Subaru's owner's manuals for these things; on nasioc.com, there was a long thread about the "proper" amount of oil to pour for various Subaru vehicles (Foresters, Forester XT, STI, etc.); people obtained emails from SOA stating that owner manuals for affected models contained incorrect numbers.

For the Tribeca, the owner's manual states 5.8 quarts is a guideline, and that the dipstick is the final reference. Nonetheless, if I fill the crankcase to the point where the oil reaches the "F" mark, I'll probably be using 6.5 or more quarts. I'm just a bit nervous that I'll be exceeding the guideline numbers by 3/4 of a quart or more.

Thanks!

 

[SGsynthetic]

Ed,

I've learned to not always trust Subaru's owner's manuals for these things; on nasioc.com, there was a long thread about the "proper" amount of oil to pour for various Subaru vehicles (Foresters, Forester XT, STI, etc.); people obtained emails from SOA stating that owner manuals for affected models contained incorrect numbers.

For the Tribeca, the owner's manual states 5.8 quarts is a guideline, and that the dipstick is the final reference. Nonetheless, if I fill the crankcase to the point where the oil reaches the "F" mark, I'll probably be using 6.5 or more quarts. I'm just a bit nervous that I'll be exceeding the guideline numbers by 3/4 of a quart or more.

Thanks!

Did my first B9 oil change last weekend, adding the Fumoto drain valve to help make it easier next time. I removed the splash pan plastic entirely in order to avoid the mess, it really wasn't that difficult, but next time won't have to with the new valve. Anyway, I found that it required more than 6 quarts as well. This was a surprise, fortunately I had the additional oil on hand. Ended up using about 6.5 qts, using the dipstick as the guide for filling.

 

[[email protected]]

Ed,

I've learned to not always trust Subaru's owner's manuals for these things; on nasioc.com, there was a long thread about the "proper" amount of oil to pour for various Subaru vehicles (Foresters, Forester XT, STI, etc.); people obtained emails from SOA stating that owner manuals for affected models contained incorrect numbers.

For the Tribeca, the owner's manual states 5.8 quarts is a guideline, and that the dipstick is the final reference. Nonetheless, if I fill the crankcase to the point where the oil reaches the "F" mark, I'll probably be using 6.5 or more quarts. I'm just a bit nervous that I'll be exceeding the guideline numbers by 3/4 of a quart or more.

Thanks!

i dont change oil myself anymore, i just let the dealership take care of that now.

 

[Peaty]

The service manual states 6 quarts with the oil filter. That's what I always use.

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6167

Checking the oil level on all the subaru's I've owned has always been a pain. I don't like the way the dipstick is set up. I find it best to wait till the AM when the motor has been sitting a very long time and is stone cold. Then I just pull out the stick and read it. I then double check by wiping it off and checking again. have a look here too:

http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2691

 

[hawker800mech]

I check mine a few minutes after shutdown. At that point I like to keep it in the middle of low and full. If it's cold, I would keep it close to full.

 

[SGsynthetic]

I checked the oil when it was completely cold, and it was over by about 1/4 qt so I opened the Fumoto valve, drained 8oz, and all is well. Thanks Peaty for the Fumoto valve recommendation - what a great device. It sure will make oil changes easy as it drains in a very clean stream right through the middle of the hole in the splash pan. If you change your own oil this is a must-have accessory, otherwise you'll have to pull the splash pan to avoid a mess when changing oil. I also ordered the safety clip to keep it from getting bumped to the open position, which is very highly unlikely in normal on-road use, but for a buck it is cheap insurance.

 

[thebluedream]

Did my first B9 oil change last weekend, adding the Fumoto drain valve to help make it easier next time. I removed the splash pan plastic entirely in order to avoid the mess, it really wasn't that difficult, but next time won't have to with the new valve. Anyway, I found that it required more than 6 quarts as well. This was a surprise, fortunately I had the additional oil on hand. Ended up using about 6.5 qts, using the dipstick as the guide for filling.

yea u guys are right, I also ended up using almost 7 quarts of oil.

 

[b727plumber]

mls64,

Which FumotoValve do you have? The one with the nipple or without?

Also, do you need an extension?

Does anyone with an '08 Tribeca have one installed yet?

Thanks!

 

[SGsynthetic]

I have the standard valve. Works great.

 

[Peaty]

I have the valve on my 06 and it works great, I see no need for the nipple but it won't hurt

 

[b727plumber]

Thanks guys! I'll order a standard one and give it a try.

 

[Bill_S]

Which valve did you use - the base valve or with the nipple. The nipple one appeals as you can add a tube and direct the oil into a bottle - just shut the valve off to change the bottle (would use a winshield washer bottle). What do you think.

Bill

 

[b727plumber]

Bill,

I put on one without the nipple, but I think one with the nipple would fit just fine with the oil cover in place.

I like your idea about attaching a tube and filling plastic jugs for disposal. I ended up draining it into a large pan and then transferred into a jug to take to the parts store. Mostly, just a PITA!!

Let me know if it works well for you - If it works great, I'll just order a new one and offer mine on eBay or something.

 

[Subarulinks]

Just performed the first oil change with the Fumoto valve w/ nipple. It sits about 1/2" above the plastic pan. Just push a bit on the pan to expose the valve. Despite the bad angle for front hand access, the oil filter is easier than many other vehicles!

There was no need for using the jack! Highly recommend the Fumoto valve, thanks for the tip.

 

[Abaton6]

i don't change oil myself anymore, i just let the dealership take care of that now.

My dealership charges $50.00 to change the oil! And they always seem to find other things they would be happy to take care of for me. They charge way too much, and they're way too picky. They failed my state inspection because one of my wipers left a small streak, and my front window tinting was one shade too dark.

 

[Abaton6]

I like the idea of the valve, but I use the Gold Plug in all of my cars. It has a powerful magnet at the tip, inside the pan. You'd be suprised at the amount of filings it picks up. Nice to get them out of the oil.