Oil & Tires

[corey]

Oil:  I just received Subaru's winter service specials in the mail and have a question:
They offer a "Premium" oil & filter for $69.95 + tax that includes:
- Mobil 1 5W30 Synthetic
- OEM Subaru Oil filter
- all fluids, etc.
- inspection

I'm at 15000 km and this will be my 3rd oil change so I think I'll make the switch to synthetic. I figure it will only cost me an extra ~$120/year. Is $70 a reasonable deal for synthetic? I followed some of the synthetic discussions and Mobil 1 appears to be highly recommended.

Winter Tires:  Anyone (Inco, for instance) out there with a Forester who can recommend a decent winter tire. I am probably looking for an H or higher-rated tire as I would mainly be driving on dry or wet paved roads with occasional trips to the BC interior, the ski hill or even an occasional dump of snow in Vancouver. I have read about: "Crolly" using the W300 Ice Bears, Michelin Pilot Alpins, Dunlop Winter Sport M3, Nokian WR, Kumho KW11/19, Yokohama AVS, Michelin X-Ice, Bridgestone Blizzak, Dunlop Graspic, etc. Also, are all steel wheels (for the winters) created equal? The more I read, the more indecisive I get. Thanks!

[Driver]

Corey, I also got the same service offer letter from Subaru in the mail a few weeks back and I think I'll be having synthetic as well. If your dealer offers the same price on Motul Synthetics, that's even a better deal.

As for your winter tires, since you have to deal with the the occasional unplowed snow and ice (ski hill) I'd recommend the Dunlop M3. A second option is the W300, since most of your driving would be on wet or dry, plus you save a lot as this tire is cheaper in price.

For steel wheels, you'd look for "hub-centric" (OEM steelies or good substitutes) to avoid vibrations. Multi fit steel wheels are "lug-centric" and does not fit the hub perfectly like OEM. (I learned this from previous posts).  TireTrens offers hub-centric steelies.

[corey]

Motul, eh? I'll ask them about it.
Looks like I'll research the M3's and W300's a bit more. I guess I'm most concerned with braking. Any snow & ice where you are to test the W300's out?
Thanks.

[Driver]

No white stuff have landed on this side yet. I'll have more comments once it happens.

You'll see lots of rave reviews on the M3s at TireRack, but they don't have any for W300s though since they don't carry it.

[Mdxtasy]

I pay $75/oil change for the synthetic stuff.

[Drivesideways]

My last oil change was $75 for labour and 5L of synthetic as well.

[ericthejet]

I have used the Mobil 1 for the past 4 years and change my own.  Worth every penny IMO.  I sometimes push the revs and remember the extra I get from syn. fluids.  I have Michelin Alpins for my car and I just love them.  The work great in the wet and dry roads and just fine in dry snow also.  I used to sell Subies and quite a few customers ran less aggresive winters than you could purchase due to the AWD.  The Alpins do "sing" at high speeds in the wet BTW