Holy crap! I just went online today, hoping to order a few more Subaru OEM oil filters since my personal supply has dwindled down to two (I like to have a few extras on hand), and I discovered that Subaru of America, Inc. has recently announced that they are no longer offering the black filters I have been using (#15208AA100). So, I did a little research and I thought I'd share what I found out:
The first oil filters being used were black in color, part number 15208AA100 (made in Japan). Then, for whatever reason, SOA switched to white filters, part number 15208AA09A (made in USA). After some time, many people reported having leakage issues with the white filters (#15208AA09A), so SOA switched back to the black ones (#15208AA100). Now, SOA has once again discontinued usng the black filters (#15208AA100) and replaced them with blue filters (#15208AA12A). After reading about the failure of the white ones, I am extremely apprehensive about switching from the black ones to the blue ones.
New Oil Filter 15208AA12A
FROM: Subaru of America, Inc.
DEPARTMENT: Parts
DATE: 10/22/2008
Quote:
SIA with the approval of FHI has changed their oil filter supplier for the 4 cylinder applications. As a result of this, we will be able to take advantage of this change on replacement service parts cost. The old number 15208AA100 (black in color) will be superseded to the new number 15208AA12A (blue in color) and will have a minimum order quantity of 12 (one case). The supersession is mutual so either filter can be used.
The new filter will be available on 10/22/08
My gut is in a knot right now. Do I search high and low and try to stockpile as many of the black filters as I can find, no matter the cost? Do I ignore my gut feeling and break down and buy a case of the new blue filters? What to do...
The first oil filters being used were black in color, part number 15208AA100 (made in Japan). Then, for whatever reason, SOA switched to white filters, part number 15208AA09A (made in USA). After some time, many people reported having leakage issues with the white filters (#15208AA09A), so SOA switched back to the black ones (#15208AA100). Now, SOA has once again discontinued usng the black filters (#15208AA100) and replaced them with blue filters (#15208AA12A). After reading about the failure of the white ones, I am extremely apprehensive about switching from the black ones to the blue ones.
New Oil Filter 15208AA12A
FROM: Subaru of America, Inc.
DEPARTMENT: Parts
DATE: 10/22/2008
Quote:
SIA with the approval of FHI has changed their oil filter supplier for the 4 cylinder applications. As a result of this, we will be able to take advantage of this change on replacement service parts cost. The old number 15208AA100 (black in color) will be superseded to the new number 15208AA12A (blue in color) and will have a minimum order quantity of 12 (one case). The supersession is mutual so either filter can be used.
The new filter will be available on 10/22/08
My gut is in a knot right now. Do I search high and low and try to stockpile as many of the black filters as I can find, no matter the cost? Do I ignore my gut feeling and break down and buy a case of the new blue filters? What to do...
