GEN Y HITCH BALL MOUNT

Sweeney said:
If you want to get really serious about it, and its best to do this over time --- get a baseline when the car is new then do your analysis as necessary...

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I have used them and they are fast, and give a great report. Taking the sample is SUPER easy and not at all messy, if you have a dipstick. Just run a plastic tube down and the pump siphons the fluid right from the case. Things like transfer cases and differentials are 'sealed' -- so you have to pull a fill plug to get to it...not terrible, but not as easy either.
Click to expand...
I've seriously considered doing an ' Oil Analysis '.. I watch a lot of ' The Motor Oil Geeks ' Videos...;)

Based on my past experiences, along with my ' OCD ' topic research habits.. Every Vehicles Owners manual has some information regarding " Harsh Conditions-Severe Conditions / Heavy Use / Extreme - High Heat Climates " exceptions, to their regular/normal recommended Maintenance Schedules.

I decided to change the ' Oils & Fluids ' More Frequently, as recommended under the ' Subaru's 2023 Owner's Manual: ' Severe Driving Conditions', along with using a thicker Viscosity Motor Oil ( Changed @ 3,500 miles: 5w-30 or 5w-40 ) in Hot Weather Conditions.

EXAMPLE: 2023 SUBARU's OWNERS MANUAL: Page # 458
View attachment 1743527113182.png
QUOTE: ".... HOWEVER, IN HOT WEATHER, OIL OF A HIGHER VISCOSITY IS REQUIRED TO PROPERLY LUBRICATE THE ENGINE '.. :oops:

0W-8 Motor Oil: Too THIN to Trust? Let's Find Out! The Motor Oil Geek​

The Motor Oil Geek.
 
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For the Record: I'm one of those guys that believes in " SLOWLY BREAKING IN AN ENGINE "... ;)

I was easy on the Speeds, No long Drives & I changed the " SYNTHETIC OIL & FILTER " at the first " 1,000 Miles ", then again @ every " 3 Months " ( Under 3,000 miles ), for the first " YEAR "...:cool:

SUBARU MAINTENANCE GUIDE
OIl & Filter Changes: 6 months or 6, 000 miles, whichever comes first.:rolleyes:

I now change the ' Oil & Filter ' every ' 3,500 Miles ' and use ' 5w-30 ' Synthetic Motor Oils, for everyday driving, based on my local Ambient Temperatures & Driving Conditions.

SUBARU's OWNERS MANUAL: Page #457
View attachment 1744918930323.png
QUOTE: ' The engine oil and oil filter must be changed more frequently than listed in the maintenance schedule when driving on dusty roads, when short trips are frequently made, or when driving in extremely cold weather. '

They completely ignored / overlooked mentioning " EXTREME HEAT CONDITIONS ( Ambient Temperatures / TOWING ), which put additional stress on both the Engine & Transmission ( CVT ) Components.

I had to completely & thoroughly read the ' Subaru's Owners Manual ' to locate information.

Unfortunately, SUBARU USA was a bit deceptive by stipulating a set of recommendations in their Owner manual, and then another set of " CRITERIA " on different page/portion of their " OWNERS MANUAL ".... o_O
 
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Just sharing additional info...;)

ENGINE LIFE EXPECTANCY CHART vs OIL TEMPERATURE
View attachment 1744921709077.png
BASELINE- Approx Temps: 230 + / 250 + HOT

I will use the above info & average a baseline based on my " Personal Past Experiences - ( 30 + yrs ) TOWING ": Boat / U-Hail Type Trailers / & Teardrop Campers.

View attachment 1744921896300.png

View attachment 1744921931042.png

I'm also going to use some printed " DOCUMENTED DATA ", to use as a Guideline.
View attachment 1744922035308.png
 
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Just an ' FYI ".
Here's an interesting aftermarket product.
Subaru CVT Transmission Pan Billet Aluminum
View attachment 1745219698492.png


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Subaru CVT Transmission Pan Billet Aluminum

Introducing the latest innovation from ADF: the CVT Billet Transmission Pan for Subaru vehicles. Engineered to revolutionize your driving experience, this advanced pan sets a new standard in transmission performance and longevity. Enhanced Heat Dissipation: The ADF Billet Subaru CVT Transmission...
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I added a similar ' MAG-HYTEC Transmission Cooler Pan ' to my ' GMC TAHOE ".
 
TheDogHouse said:
I do Blackstone Lab samples on every other engine oil and each change of differential, and MT gear oils.
I am looking for making metal and/or oil breaking down in severe use.
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I've not used Blackstone, I use JG -- but I think regardless you'll have insights.

I don't know about Subaru -- but sadly -- a Toyota (a major stakeholder in Subaru) are "sealing" their transmissions making it difficult for a professional home-owner to pull the samples. You need to get under the car and remove the inspection and fill cover instead of simply putting a tube down the dipstick. Not impossible but more of an hour job instead of 5 minutes. More of the s#!tification of cars today :(
 
Sweeney said:
I've not used Blackstone, I use JG -- but I think regardless you'll have insights.

I don't know about Subaru -- but sadly -- a Toyota (a major stakeholder in Subaru) are "sealing" their transmissions making it difficult for a professional home-owner to pull the samples. You need to get under the car and remove the inspection and fill cover instead of simply putting a tube down the dipstick. Not impossible but more of an hour job instead of 5 minutes. More of the s#!tification of cars today :(
Click to expand...
Ford did the same to the SUVs claiming sealing the trans for "lifetime" - needs no service.

Why they got the nickname "Exploders" after awhile.
 
Interesting insights on ' MOTOR OIL VISCOSITY ', which applies toooo allllll Motor Vehicles....o_O

STOP Following OEM Oil Advice (GM Recall Proves Why)
The Motor Oil Geek
Posted 16 hours ago.


P.S.: ' I ' don't live in ' ALASKA '..Soooo, there is ' NO ' logical or rational reason for me to be using any ' OW ' Oils...:eek:
 
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Just sharing additional information & issues with using ' Ultra Thin Viscosity Motor Oils ' in your Motor Vehicles....o_O

General Motors knew about V8 engine problems for years before giant recall, lawsuit claims
USA TODAY
Charles Singh , USA TODAY NETWORK
Sun, May 4, 2025 at 9:36 AM PDT

As of May 1, American automaker General Motors, which has a manufacturing plant in Tennessee, has recalled nearly 600,000 full-size SUVs and trucks (721,000 globally). This is the largest recall of 2025 in terms of affected vehicles. While mass recalls are big news, there's much more to this story than meets the eye.

The recall itself is cause for concern, but its timing has been even more troubling for some consumers who have long complained of engine issues, including a lawsuit filed months ago..................'

'................The lawsuit goes on to claim that vehicles equipped with the L87 V8 engine share a "common defect regarding the bearings in their engines which are prone to, and have experienced failure, resulting in breaching of the engine block by the connecting rod and/or engine seizure." ...'

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General Motors knew about V8 engine problems for years before giant recall, lawsuit claims

General Motors is recalling nearly 600,000 trucks and SUVs over an engine defect. Some owners have complained about the issues since 2023.
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