Subaru Forester Owners Forum banner

2014+ Forester XT Oil Filter (merged thread)

('14-'18) 
115K views 252 replies 70 participants last post by  Kevin 
#1 ·
Hi guys do you all plan to stick with the OE Subaru oil filters? Reason I ask is because of the experience with my 06 sti. On that car, Subaru initially used the black (royki ?sp) Japanese oil filters and at some point switched to cheaper blue Fram filters. Those in the community knew those filters were inferior due to the profound interest of certain forum members that performed their own scientific studies and dissections of these filters and came to the conclusion the black ones were better. It was known the black ones were same OE filters for the Mazda rx8 and were easily obtainable from Mazda dealers. Of course certain folks thought others were better and so forth so they chose whatever filter they saw fit. Does anyone have any info on the quality on out stock filters? I haven't had a chance to check if its the same filter used in other models.


Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App
 
#4 ·
Thanks for the 1st link.

Yep I am going to go with the roki rx8 filters . Found em for $6.56 online

2009 Mazda RX-8 Parts - Mazda Parts Center - Call (800) 650-4896 for up to 30% Off on Genuine Mazda Parts and Accessories

I hope this wouldn't potentially cause any issue with warranty.

Sent from AutoGuide.com Free App

Will using these black RX8 filters on the 2014 F-XT pose a problem with Subaru if something happens? Will they say...Warranty Voided because you have a non-Subaru part on the car......
 
#6 ·
Has this been verified by Tokyo Roki....or are we saying it is the exact filter because with all else being equal...it looks the same inside out, has the same bypass pressure and is made by the same company.....

I will not be using the blue filter after the one the stealership put on with the complimentary first oil change.....I have use the Purolator synthetic filter in the past on my previous vehicles (of which one was a 2012 Outback 4cyl) without a problem....however...this increased bypass pressure business bothers me....so if I could use this Mazda filter (while I am in warranty without fear of being denied any warranty claim on the engine or turbo in case something happens and they see a large neon MAZDA sign on the oil filter and decide to say.....sorry...your problem.....) I will be a happy camper.....
 
#11 ·
#19 ·
I have the mobil 1 m1-110 oil filter for my xt when I took it in for an oil change last week. Should I switch it out? If so what oil filter would you folks recommend for my xt 2014 which I can get at walmart or my local auto parts store. I live far away from a subaru dealership, I would have to order a subaru filter online if I go that route.
 
#21 ·
No..don't switch it out. Just change it when you change oil. That filter has a synthetic media and probably won't go on bypass that quickly. I would go with the OEM filter. Another possibility is the WIX. Also (I believe) the Carquest and Napa Gold are also WIX..don't quote me though.
 
#22 ·
thanks for the replies. so i'm still good driving with the mobil1 m1-110 oil filter until i change my oil? i'm a pretty light driver, average 8k miles a year. I definitely want this car to last me at least 15 years. So i've been browsing and reading various posts in this forum to help with that.
 
#23 ·
Dealer fitted oil filter 15208AA130 on 2014 XT

I just got my XT 2014 back from a 7,500 service. Similar to some other posters, the invoice I received stated 15208AA15A as the oil filter. However, the actual filter fitted is 15208AA130. I was concerned at first given the discrepancy and called the dealer. They insisted that the filter I have is ok and that there's no difference. Whether that's generally true or not, research online seems to suggest that this filter is compatible and others are using this filter too.

Someone confirmed that the factory filter is 15208AA160 and that the 15208AA130 is essentially equivalent.

Anyone else experienced anything like this or have advice? For those who have had oil changes, what filter was installed?

Thanks!
 
#24 ·
I just got my XT 2014 back from a 7,500 service. Similar to some other posters, the invoice I received stated 15208AA15A as the oil filter. However, the actual filter fitted is 15208AA130. I was concerned at first given the discrepancy and called the dealer. They insisted that the filter I have is ok and that there's no difference. Whether that's generally true or not, research online seems to suggest that this filter is compatible and others are using this filter too.

Someone confirmed that the factory filter is 15208AA160 and that the 15208AA130 is essentially equivalent.

Anyone else experienced anything like this or have advice? For those who have had oil changes, what filter was installed?

Thanks!
Dealer said the blue filter is no longer in production and replace with the black one. I did try to search the old AA160 in Ebay seems like it is indeed discontinue and cannot be found online anymore.

Edit: NVM, spot some now on ebay.
 
#26 ·
Someone confirmed that the factory filter is 15208AA160 and that the 15208AA130 is essentially equivalent.
That may have been me in a PM exchange with the OP. Here's a link to one of my source documents. Additionally, our 2012 Forester's OM (page 11-12) lists both the -130 and the -160 as suitable filters for the FB25 engine, which to me states that the two are operationally similar.

The Black is no longer available, the blue is the replacement.
The -130 and the -160 filters are the "black" ones made in Japan by Tokyo Roki. The -15 is the blue one made in North America (Canada?) by Honeywell (Fram?). It's fitted to the FB25 engines in the new Legacy's and Outbacks made in Indiana, and it now appears to the standard maintenance filter for the FB25 and FA20DIT engines.

For those interested in the black filters, try Jackie at Annapolis Subaru, a site supporting vendor, or try an internet search using the complete part numbers:

p/n 15208AA130
p/n 15208AA160​

HTH,
Jim / crewzer
 
#31 ·
I know! =( I've been meaning to report back.

Have you had any luck in the states? I saw a thread with someone stating the Mazda OEM for rx8 is the same, which is still being used. Heck, even though it says mazda on it I may just use it, knowing that its a legit Tokyo Roki. What shame Subaru did this. They tease us with supplying it from factory then discontinued it. smh
 
#35 ·
Good to know! I will try at my local dealers.

I bought 6 of Mazda Oil Filter N3R1-14-302 in US and 6 of Tokyo Roki 15208AA100 in Japan (this is what dealers in Japan put on FA20DIT). I am planning to start first with .AA100 in the middle of February.
So can you confirm that the Mazda one is basically the same as the aa100?

Interesting!

I've had zero problems ordering and receiving the -130 online. I have a pack of 12 new filters on the way... I'll post a picture when they arrive.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer
Where did you buy from?
 
#34 ·
This isn't correct! All online sellers are advertising the BLACK Tokyo Roki, but actually they are selling the BLUE replacement.
Interesting!

I've had zero problems ordering and receiving the -130 online. I have a pack of 12 new filters on the way... I'll post a picture when they arrive.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer
 
#36 ·
I too have been having no luck finding the black "unicorn" TR filters.....Just when I thought I had found a place online that had them (they show the picture of the black filter) I find out that after I inquire to make sure.....they have the blue filter instead.....quite frankly....I am getting pretty darn tired of looking and I likely will go with the Purolator synthetic filter on my next oil change......ran them on my outback without any problem.....the alternative would be the WIX filter(57712).....haven't decided yet......

I just don't get why something as simple as an oil filter can turn out to be such a pain in the a$$ to replace......like I said before....never EVER EVER had this problem with any other cars I have ever owned.......

Interestingly enough....I didn't even know about the 23psi bypass issue when I started using the Purolator synthetic filter on my 2012 outback (ran it for around 5k)......in fact the car ran smoother and the oil stayed clean longer than with the stock blue Fram filter........
 
#37 ·
Where did you buy from?
My recent online purchases of -130 filters have been from two sources:

My latest order for a case of 12 filters + drain plugs is due late Friday afternoon. :cool:

I just don't get why something as simple as an oil filter can turn out to be such a pain in the a$$ to replace
Some of us went through this same issue several years ago in the U.S. when Subaru replaced the black -100 filter for the EJ25 engine with the blue -12A model.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer
 
#38 ·
My recent online purchases of -130 filters have been from two sources:

My latest order for a case of 12 filters + drain plugs is due late Friday afternoon. :cool:



Some of us went through this same issue several years ago in the U.S. when Subaru replaced the black -100 filter for the EJ25 engine with the blue -12A model.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer

Jim,

If I buy the case of 130's from the above link at Subaruonlineparts.....your saying it will be the black filter for sure.....
 
#42 ·
#44 ·
The black -130 and -160 filters are made by Tokyo Roki in Japan. They're generally considered to be high quality filters. IIRC, the -130 filter is the only one approved for use on the BRZ' FA20 engine.

The -15A is made in Canada by Honeywell, which also makes Fram filters. Rightly or wrongly, there's a lot of dislike for this filter brand.

It also appears to me that the -15A is about the same size as the -160. The -130 is larger than the -160 (more volume and filter area), so that's my preference.

HTH,
Jim / crewzer
 
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top