First oil change for 2008 Outback?

It used to be that the oil should be changed at 1,000 miles. But today, machining tolerances, metals, and engine building technologies are much better and that's why the first oil change is at 3,000. Remember when a 100,000 mile engine was rare? Now, it's when many engines get their first tune up. Synthetic oils are especially beneficial in cold climates. Either way, you should stick with the regular oil for the first 6 to 10,000 miles.

I drive a 2006 Outback 2.5i..... its a great car, goes thru 3.5 feet of snow with the stock all-season tires, gets 36K miles a year on it. It has been trouble free. My manual also says to change it first at 3000 then every 7500 after that... But in my opinion, you should use a non synthetic oil every 1000 miles until 3000, then you should use a good synthetic like Royal Purple or Mobil 1 and then change the oil every 3000 miles after the engine break-in. Also, check your oil every 1000 miles, because the boxer layout of the engine is designed to use a tiny bit of oil during normal use. But your Subaru will last you forever if you change the oil every 3000. All of mine have in the past. I once had a 92' legacy with 320K miles on it

Many still do the first one early. Today the mfrs have taken steps to reduce the necessity of doing so. So if you follow their schedule it should be alright.

Now the choice of synthetic or conventional oil is upto you for the most part. Quite a few mfrs have already gone to synthetics so using it is not a question, just the mileage to change it. Using synthetic and changing every 3000 miles is basically a gross waste of money unless you are extremely hard on the motor. So your choice as to which is better. If you change the oil every 3000-5000 miles then conventional is ok so long as it is within mfrs specs. If you want longer between changes (high mileage driver like me) then synthetics are a better choice.

Normal intervals of 3000 miles are fine. The engines are broken in before installing. Quality conventional oil will be cheaper in the long run. Synthetic just lets you run the same oil for longer, you still have to change the filter.

The first oil change is a balance of wanting to remove all new-engine metal particles from your engine as soon as possible, but not so soon as to leave some in there. Change it when you like. I would suggest making your first two at 2k and 4k.

Unless you have the turbocharged XT, you won't see any practical advantage to synthetic, unless you want to wait longer between oil changes. The only benefit of synthetic oil is that it is more resistant to thermal breakdown of it's viscosity. It doesn't lube any better under normal operating.

Yep, do it at 3,000. Lots of crap and filings from the first miles while breaking in a new car. Best bet is to clean it out.

But it may really be too soon at 1,000. At 1,000 you can finally use cruise control since you need not be as concerned about having to vary the speed.

I just bought an Impreza 2008 and I can be overly consclentious about this stuff. I am waiting to 3,000.

Check with your dealer about the oil. Because of the boxer engine configuration, I think they specifiy what you should use.

first oil change 1,000 recommended, also avoid synthetics during the break in period, 3-9,000 miles

here IN THE APPALACHIAN MOUNTAIN,S THE SUBARU DEALER WANT,S YOU TO CHANGE IT EVERY 3000 MILE,S. THAT WAY IT KEEP,S YOUR WARREN TY IN GOOD STANDING.