I’d recommend using motorcraft FL820S filters only. They have better anti drainback valves than the Fram filters and will help retain oil in your top end.
This is the one to use my guy. On my fxt the cartridge is slightly taller than subarus. So more filter material and its easier to take off because its longer.
Yes, it's absolutely worth it! in fact, I own one myself. I bought mine for $6,500 AUD with around 280,000 km on the odometer, and it's now at over 306,000 km and still going strong.
I use Motocraft oil filter also available there.
Use quality oil and filters, changing them often. To this end, oil pickup and baffle are sound upgrades.
My opinion… 5W-30. I drive mine year round in a cold northern state. I was always told that if you’re hard on it at all and run it into higher rpm’s sometimes the coyote likes the heavier weight.
I changed the oil/filter at 590 miles on my 25 Forester wilderness.
Motorcraft until they tripled the price. Got a bunch of Purolator Boss’s before their price went up
I'm not sure if the 2008 v6s still had plastic tensioners, but I know my 2004 4.0 did. I had to have it replaced at one point. Unfortunately with the 4.0 engine, removing timing covers with the engine still in the truck is kind of difficult and a shop might want to pull it to do this kind of work. I believe that's what they did on mine. Using motorcraft oil filters could help, but it didn't make mine go away, so I eventually had it replaced.
Stay away from Motorcraft filters, they are aweful.
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In March 2026 on PartReview, oil filter Motorcraft were overall better than OEM Subaru.
In March 2026 on PartReview, oil filter Motorcraft were overall more popular than OEM Subaru.
By vote balance, oil filter Motorcraft surpassed OEM Subaru:
By number of reviews, oil filter Motorcraft surpassed OEM Subaru:
In March 2026, according to PartReview, oil filter Motorcraft led more car-specific ratings than OEM Subaru:
Motorcraft are chosen by owners of cars such as: Ford Focus, Ford Mustang, Ford Ranger, and others.
OEM Subaru are chosen by owners of cars such as: Subaru Impreza, and others.
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Also available: comparisons of oil filter OEM Subaru with: Fram, Mann, Wix, Mobil, K&N, Bosch, OEM Toyota, OEM Volkswagen, OEM Honda, AMSOIL.
You can also see who is better among other oil filter manufacturers: Fram or Mann, Fram or Wix, Fram or Mobil, Fram or K&N, Mann or Wix.
