Oil filter OEM Subaru or OEM Mazda

I have 234k miles on my 2016 Outback and I usually use Napa or O’Reilly house brand oil and either a Subaru or WIX filter.

Mazda recommends their oem filters on skyactive motors. Its because they dont have the flaps that keeps oil pressurized. Any wisdom says you dont need it but go ahead and buy them online as I paid $5 per.

In terms of filter and oil, I have an NA and I personally like to buy the OE filters from Mazda and for oil I just use the oil recommended in the owners manual, id assume the ND uses different oil so I’d say just check that.

YES! My 2012 Skyactiv is at 233K miles, and has always had the Mazda Moly 0W-20 (with the exception where I was able to get the Idemitsu version, which is the same stuff, but without Mazda's markup. Sucks that it isn't available anymore. ) and I'm not about to chance running a different oil.

Always run a Mazda filter too. The quality seems better than most.

I use OEM Mazda filter. Synthetic oil, Kirkland brand or Castrol since i think thats who makes the Mazda oil.

Also get a good Putolator or Subaru brand oil filter that is rated for the higher Subaru oil pressure so that it is filtering more often and not blowing open the internal filter bypass because Clean oil will make the engine last longer.

Wait until you change the filter on a Subaru where the filter is upside down.

I personally do an old and filter every 6-7000 km. I do it so frequently because, 1) I do it myself, so cost is down and I make sure the job is done right. 2) the sky active engines are known for carbon buildup, so more frequent oil changes should help. 3) Longevity, I want to see 300,000 or more on the dash one day.

The Miata is pretty easy to work on. But ironically, one of the simplest jobs is a major PITA, changing the oil filter The thing is buried underneath the intake manifold.

I swapped in a new Subaru OEM oil filter on my 2016 MT. After a short 1.5 miles drive, thin smoke escaped from beneath the hood, and a pool of oil gathered. Oil was literally burbling up from beneath the oil filter and spilling out. I immediately turned off the engine. I will not be using anymore of the junk OEM oil filters.