Subaru Outback Forums banner

3.6r using oil

58K views 89 replies 54 participants last post by  skeetjunkie  
#1 ·
I have a 2011 3.6R Limited with 30K miles. I bought it used with 23K. I have done 2 oil changes. Between both it was low on oil. For the second the dealer did a "oil consumption analysis." I had to go there every 1,200 miles and have them check and add oil. It was a pain. At the end of the analysis, they said that it used 28oz in about 3700 miles and that his is "normal." Basically I wasted my time going to the dealer and waiting for them to check the oil...

They said that the engine can use up to a quart every 1,200 miles and that is normal.

I am not excited about having a car that uses 1 quart between oil changes (at 30K), and I let the service manager know this. I am very qualified to check my oil, add oil, change oil, etc. However I don't think I should routinely have to add oil between oil changes on a relatively new car.

Do other folks out there with a 3.6r have similar experiences? I am thinking about trading the car in.
 
#2 ·
there are probably people with the same issue. my wife's new impreza burns a quart between changes. my ej25 burns none. plenty of engines do, plenty don't. it can be kinda normal, i wouldn't worry too much.
 
#3 ·
kinda interesting to actually see a number.

is it your impression 1 qt. in 1200 miles is an actual Subaru limit?

I knew a guy in the 90s that was told by Chevy they allow 1qt. in 900 miles. he was extremely unhappy. (perhaps it's a different threshold nowadays)
 
#4 ·
It's not about what is allowable oil consumption for a [new] motor, it's the fact oil is being consumed period.
I've built engines and consider myself a gear head with the best of 'em, but if my new Outback was using a measurable amount of oil like that, I'd be pissed. It's not 1970 anymore (though my 73 Lincoln's 460 doesn't use a drop either) so there shouldn't be any excuse for a new motor to use oil. That's where the OP's frustration is coming from.
 
#5 ·
Right. My 2004 H6 with 130k doesn't burn a drop as far as I can tell, and that's how it should be! On a ~2 year old car, I would think it's totally unacceptable.
 
#6 ·
did they do a compression/leakdown test?

maybe have one done by an indie mech, post the numbers. heck, maybe running some seafoam in the oil would free-up a stuck ring or ???

I wonder, does a cracked ring land leave score marks that a borescope could see?
 
#7 ·
#9 ·
Go to SOA on this one...

Burning oil may be acceptable to that dealer, but not to anyone else these days and certainly not to the next person you sell that car to. It appears they sold a car with a nagging problem that may cost big money when that oil burning clogs the emissions system and/or gets worse causing failed emissions and big money to fix it (recent experience of a buddy at work with an older car). Sounds like the oil consumption is the real reason that car was traded at 23K and it would be interesting to see the full computer service history on that one... Smells like a dealer who sold a used car that either can't or doesn't want to go to bat for you to get the problem really resolved and hopes you'll let it slide. Assuming you bought from a Subaru used car dealer, there may not be a TSB the dealer can use to justify repair. Dealers don't just have the power to get all work done at Subaru's expense so you may have to get Subaru involved to help your dealer be able to fix it. Explain this to the Service Dept Mgr (nicely) and see if you can team up to get this resolved.

In the past with Honda, I've gone to the corporate care folks, opened a case and then brought that back to the dealer to help the dealer get Honda to work the issue. Also, Subaru has "representatives" who go to dealers to sell new models and handle escalations and if you're lucky, the dealer will get one fo those involved IF the car has a clear history (serviced by Subaru since new ideally).

If nothing shakes out, then raise this to the General Manager of the dealership where you bought it and get a Subaru-backed warranty on that car at least OR the purchase price applied towards a trade of a new vehicle before that warranty expires. You bought a car under warranty. It's a serious issue that's potentially (and likely) going to cost you. You should be made right to provide peace of mind before you continue to do business there or refer friends.

If that doesn't work, mentioning that the Subaru faithful on this forum will hear about it might help (at least you'll feel better that others won't do business there). Again, if you're dealing with a Subaru dealer, I doubt it will get that far though if these steps are followed (Service Mgr->SOA->General Mgr).
 
#10 ·
Funny thought regarding the advice given about this forum..
The standard reply for every service manager when you tell them you read it on the internet is, "there is a lot of misinformation on the internet, I would not trust it".
 
#11 ·
I have a 2011 as well. I’ve yet to add any oil between oil changes; thank god it is down ¼ quart most times. I had a 1987 GL10 turbo and it used a quart every 2000 miles like clockwork. Sold it with 150,000 and still running well. Out of all the vehicles I’ve owned most have used some oil and I do believe it varies and doesn’t relate to the longevity you can expect out of the engine.

Personally, I’d rather have a vehicle that uses a little bit of oil between changes. A quart every 4000 miles is a little bit. The backyard mechanic in me thinks - if the rings and value guides are so tight they never allow any usage – do I have any ring or valve guide wear due to insufficient lube taking place?

I do think a quart every 1200 miles is too much for a new engine. I suspect that’s a “we don’t have to give you a new engine policy” and is self serving.
 
#12 ·
2011 Outback 3.6R here. I burn about a quart every 5k. Currently at 35k miles and have been assured by the dealer that's normal.

For this generation Outback they have added a yellow low oil light in addition to the red no oil light. So if the yellow light fires up just add some oil. They have also lengthened the maintenance interval to 7,500 miles so I think they are anticipating greater oil consumption between changes.

Still, this is the first new car that I have ever purchased that consumes oil at a concerning rate and have been told its normal by the dealer and this forum. And I have owned many cars and none have ever used oil anywhere near this.
 
#15 ·
Two possibilities for oil consumption, assuming that the engine is well run in:

First, it is possible to have a defective PCV valve cause oil consumption in the volumes you are experiencing, even in a brand new engine.

Second, (And this is anecdotal, not scientific) I have found that the use of Redline oil in an engine that is otherwise healthy but uses oil, can somehow scrub the rings in, or maybe free the rings from sticky ring grooves. The effect does not end when the Redline is changed out for something else. It doesn't hurt to subject the engine to some full throttle bursts as well, with or without the Redline. Good luck.
 
#17 ·
I have a 2011 3.6R Limited with 30K miles. I bought it used with 23K. I have done 2 oil changes. Between both it was low on oil. ...
What kind of engine oil are you using? Dino, Semi or Full Synthetic? What brand? Do you know anything about driving habits of your car's previous owner? Was your car mostly driven on highways or in the cities?
Any of these variables could contribute to an excessive oil consumption.
If the engine was over stressed during its break-in period then you almost guaranteed to have this effect, which cannot be corrected without rebuilding the engine. If your car engine was not abused, then try to change your oil brand to something better. I would vouch for Amsoil 5W-30 either OE or Signature series. I use it in my 3.6R OB from the very first oil change and the oil stays at the same level until the next oil change after 5K - 7K miles.
 
#18 ·
I have a 2013. I just took it in for its first oil change. I bunted about a 1/2 quart in 3500 miles. If that holds true over time tat is a quart every 7500 miles. That is basically very little oil in my opinion. I have no concerns and am quite happy with the consumption rate.

I have no idea if it is true, but I am told the boxer engines tend to burn a bit more oil than a v6 or inline engine. Probably folklore.

Switching to full synthetic this oil change.
 
#19 ·
This may or may not be of any relevance.

Try changing the oil brand that you use. My F-150 drinks Mobile1 like an alcoholic at a Christmas party drinks at an open bar. Put Penzoil in it and the bar closes. Same weight. Same type (synthetic). It's kinda weird.

My 2000 Jetta never drank a drop of Mobile1. And I intend to try it out in the 2013 OB when it needs its oil changed next month.
 
#25 ·
Fellow Subaru owners -- Oil discussions are like religious discussions on the motorcycle boards that I frequent. They are never solved, are always ongoing, and often spawn a few good threads.

I have a 2011 2.5 OB and can offer these thoughts:

1) I have 3 motorcycles -- a 2005 Victory Hammer (air - oil cooled), a 1994 Honda Dual Sport (air cooled), and a 1998 Harley EG classic (air cooled). The Victory burns 0 oil. The Harley seems to burn little, and the Honda burns a predictable amount.

2) No car I have ever bought since I graduated from college (1989) has burned a significant amount of oil, or so much so that I needed to add oil between changes. I even retired a Mazda 626 Turbo at 213K miles and gave it to my cleaning guy and it didn't burn oil.

3) Using synthetic vs. regular oils won't make a difference in oil consumption. The big advantage with synthetics is that you can stretch out your oil change interval and be more green and friendly to te environment. For my motorcycles I just change them once a year and forget about it (they are all out of warranty).

4) Things get more complicated if your vehicle is in warranty and you cannot use the extended oil change intervals allowed by synthetics.

I have no knowledge of what Subaru says, but in general, an engine that consumes more that 1Q in < 3K miles doesn't seem right to me -- just my opinion. And I would only change the oil every 5-7.5K and can promise my wife would never check the oil in between.

Regards,

MetroWestMA
 
#27 ·
I have a 2011 Outback with the 3.6R. I bought in June with 12,000 miles. I got the engine oil light after about 4000 miles after the original purchase. I assumed the non Subaru dealer I bought it at had a low level to start with so just added oil. My next oil change was at the Subaru dealership. Now between oil changes the oil light went on again. I had to add a liter (quart) to top it up. I had synthetic used at the dealership. I will be going in shortly for another oil change but I am convinced and concerned it IS using oil also. I expect the dealer to play games with me but will see. Love the car but am very concerned with this issue. I do not know the history of why it was sold with so few miles or who owned it.
 
#28 ·
gdt5:
I called Subaru and they told me that I should be happy that my car is operating normally. They won't do anything unless it burns 1 quart in 1,200 miles. I would assume I would be laying smoke screens before that ever happens.

The engine has a 60K warranty, so I am going to wait mine out until 50K miles or so and then sell it. I prefer to keep my cars to well over 100K, but not one that uses oil like this.
 
#29 ·
I don't think you will see visible oil smoke at 1200mi/qt.
Some years back, I drove a '78 camaro that consumed 1qt every 100 miles through leaky valve guide seals. No visible smoke but it did foul spark plugs.
 
#32 ·
Yes and this comes from several independent mechanics and they all say certain models exp 2.5 will use a quart a every 1000 to 1500 miles and even the 3.6R all due to having no sleeves in the cylinder wall only 3 rings. Strange but this is exceptable by Subaru. Many cars today do use oil in small amounts. So being that is why oil changes are 3000mi and to check your oil often as one mechanic has seen why he is doing so many swap outs or rebuilds on the 2.5 as many owners are not aware that it will use a quart and then run out of oil.
 
#34 ·
That's great that you got it extended but if Subaru is considering burning oil in brand new cars "Normal" then I wonder how do they explain all the cars that don't burn a drop.

I have never owned a car that burned any measurable amount of oil until it was way past 100,000, actually closer to 200,000,
I wonder how much these so called normal cars will burn when they hit 100,000 +
 
#35 ·
My 2013 3.6R with only 9300 miles just got the low oil light. I brought it to the dealer and they are chenging the oil as I type and are going to do the oil consumption test where I have to stop back at certain intervals, ugh. I have never had a low or high mileage vehicle that has consumed oil. I hope this doesn't continue and If it does, I hope Subaru stands behind it.
 
#36 ·
2012 3.6r with 22k miles .Oil changed by me every 5k with castrol 5-30-its always on sale.No oil consumption problems-oil is about 3/4 qt low at change time.Engine was broken in hard-a day of occasional runs till the rev limiter hit while using the paddle shifter.I was a ford dealer tech for many years and noticed more problems with engines treated easy.If there is a defective part in the engine its better to catch it sooner.The 3.6 holds 7 qts-if its a qt low it would hurt it.