Hi,

Could be...

It also could be, that as I've seen w/ some Toyota and Honda models, the
original factory recommendations for multiple part numbers eventually
morph into only one or two. (Probably a function of the bean counters
more than the engineers!) In the cases I'm familiar w/, the
"supercession" number reflects the smallest of the lot, so it will fit
the tightest apps, and by extension, all others.

The last few years, I've been using mostly Wix filters. They have one of
the better websites when it comes to giving enough technical info to see
if "Filter B" can substitute for "Filter A", 'specially if you don't
mind surfing a bit. Try www.wixfilters.com and see if they have an
answer for you.

Also, though I'm not as good at keeping it up as I should be, I started
a list of filters from several mfrs for each "new" car that comes to
live at my house so I can keep track of the substitution and
supercession numbers. This is helpful in cases like my Toyota pickup
that came w/ a fairly sizeable filter, but the "current"
recommendation's for a sorta dinky one. Most aftermarket mfrs update
their book recommendations to follow factory changes, but continue to
make the older number. So, if I want the older "bigger" filter, I can
just ask for its part number, instead of specifying what vehicle it's
going on and getting the newest one.

Another thing I've found to NOT be a waste of money is to get a proper
fluted cap wrench from the dealer if I'm using the OEM filters, as it
seems too often their diameters and flute counts don't match what the
"fitzall" wrenches work best with (when something gets stuck, it's
almost a guarantee the local parts shop won't stock the wrench that fits
the OEM filter), and the engineers seem to delight in placing oil
filters where only one kind of wrench will work!

Rick

I noticed my wife's '08 Forester takes a different oil filter than my
'03's.  I wonder if they are smaller?  I change mine but have not
touched hers or bought one for her car.

I ask today because when I went to change the oil in the '03, the dealer
had put on a smaller filter that I could not remove with the clasping
type wrench I use or even a Sear's rubberized strap wrench. The oil plug
had also been put on by Hercules because it took a pipe extension on the
socket wrench to get it off.

I had pulled the plug, drained the oil and replaced plug with new washer
and when I could not remove filter, added new oil and called dealer's
service manager.  He said they only used Subaru parts but I had changed
oil before and my wrench fit any filter they had used before.  He was
kind enough to remove his filter and put mine on gratis.  That's why I'm
wondering if new '08 filter is smaller.

I was tempted to title this post "Ten miles between oil changes."  I
said he could put mine back but service record says they used new oil.

BTW, I really like the looks of the '09 Forester.

Frank