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Oil Consumption 2013 2.5

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497K views 818 replies 199 participants last post by  YeuEmMaiMai  
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#1 ·
I am creating a new thread on oil consumption. The previous one has been diluted by many folks giving obvious advice on checking engine oil often or stating that they haven't been using oil with the 3.6, etc. It just hasn't been focused or helpful. I've scoured subaru forums, legacy included, and found that there is a sizeable group of folks with abnormal engine consumption in the 2013 2.5. The most significant finding came from this legacy thread. Contributor name "Mikeyb6927", page 3, about halfway down the page. He had abnormal consumption and got lucky that the service manager disregarded SOA's response that all was "normal". He found his engine disassembled...check the pics out for yourself: http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php/2013-2-5-low-oil-indicator-198209p3.html

Personally I have added a gallon of oil in 9,000 miles on my 2013 2.5i 6spd. I had the oil changed at 5,000 miles at a Valvoline with the right type of oil. I just had the oil changed at about 9,200 at the dealer and asked for an oil consumption test. The service manager told me that I had made a mistake by having my oil changed at 5,000 because Subaru recommends 7,500. He said that may be why my oil consumption is high, because I changed the oil early. He said that the rings may not seat properly if the oil is changed before 7,500. I challenged him on this statement and he said he wasn't an engineer and didn't know. Again, this is the service manager. This does not give me confidence in the dealer or resolution of this matter. Lee's Summit Subaru btw in Missouri.

Please keep the topic focused on the problem at hand. I know that there's debate on the weight of oil recommended. Regardless, four quarts of oil in under 10,000 miles is not a weight of oil problem. Subaru's "Drive" magazine came out with an article reassuring owners that consumption was normal in these type of cars, though I think this is there way of trying to preemptively shape the problem in their favor. If you don't have an issue with high consumption, congratulations, don't post here. You got a great car. I didn't.
 
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#7 ·
I had low oil around 2k ml

I had low yellow oil light ON several times for 5-30 min on my way back trip.
it was scary at 2 AM on I5 in middle of nowhere.
the car had about 2k ml several weeks ago
I went to service dept and been told all normal and more oil was added.
I added maybe 1k ml only, so far no oil light.
I keep my eyes on it as it gets me worry.
 
#8 ·
I did my first oil change at 3600 miles - the dealership recommended it at 3000 miles (old school profit maker for them). I just completed my second oil change at 9600 miles and now have 11000 miles on the car. So far my car has used zero oil; it has remained at the full mark on the dipstick.
 
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#9 ·
Personally, I would be very un-happy if I were you.

Unfortunately most manufactures only consider 1 quart in 500 miles a defect that should be fixed. Anything else is labeled "normal."

http://www.amsoil.com/techservicesbulletin/MotorOil/TSB%20MO-2004-04-03%20Oil%20Consumption.pdf
Before we review the reasons why oil consumption occurs, it should be noted that a degree of consumption should be
anticipated in all engines. What is considered normal or acceptable, however, will vary from one engine or application
to the next. For example, Ford Motor Company considers consumption as high as one quart of oil per 1,000 miles to
be acceptable in a gasoline engine. For large diesel engines used in over the road trucking applications, many
manufacturers are not concerned until consumption reaches one gallon of oil per 10,000 miles of operation.
Click to expand...
I strongly advise you get an oil analysis done. It may give you just what you need to make the dealer do something.
 
#10 ·
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#12 ·
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#17 ·
At the dealer now. If you all recall they did an oil change to start a consumption test. 12 days later (today) I checked the oil level (both cold and after my daily commute). Both readings were 25% and 20% over full, respectively. So that leaves the dealer in two bad situations: either they were incompetent in an oil change, or they dishonestly overfilled so as to artificially create no oil loss. I don't see another option on this. I'm reserving my disposition until I hear from them in a few minutes. About ready to head across the street and buy a Toyota. This is ridiculous. 1 gallon of oil in 9000 miles.
 
#18 ·
Wow...when the last oil change was done on our Outback I checked the oil and found it was overfilled by about a quart and my partner (his car) confronted the dealer and they confessed they intentionally overfilled since these engines use oil. We don't have a consumption problem yet (like I did with my now traded-in 2011 Forester). I have read on the Forester forum of others whose dealer has done the same. Have them start the consumption test again after they drain some oil. Good luck.


Sent from AutoGuide.com App
 
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#20 ·
When I brought my 2013 OB 2.5 in for first oil change at 3000 miles, asked the service manager if I should buy a quart of oil in case it needed to be topped off before the next change at 7,500 miles. He said these car don't consume oil, but if it made me feel better, he gave me a quart at no charge and said I'm telling you, you wont need it. I check oil once a week and had 7,500 oil change yesterday. He was right, no oil consumption.
 
#23 ·
That's an odd schedule. Why at those intervals?

My dealer (and SoA) says the Outback needs no oil change until 7,5000 miles — when I asked, to doublecheck, they weren't even interested in upselling me to try to get me to do it at 3,000 or 3,750. I have about 3,400 on the odometer of my 14 Limited and intend to have the oil change at 7,5000. After that, if memory serves, the next oil change is recommended at 15K.
 
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#29 ·
2011 outback 3.6

My outback uses 1 qt 0f 5w30 Valvoline every 1500 miles. It has 50,000 miles. It doesn't smoke or leak oil so where is it going? The first two oil chages I didn"t ck the level because i had faith in Subaru cars having an 04 wrx and 06 forester that don't use any oil between changes. The third oil change receipt noted vehicle as low 1 qt upon arrival. I began robust monitoring of oil consumption. I conclude the forestated. Every 1500 miles driven a quart of oil disappears. I haven't consulted Subaru. Yet
 
#30 ·
ivanphishen said:
My outback uses 1 qt 0f 5w30 Valvoline every 1500 miles. It has 50,000 miles. It doesn't smoke or leak oil so where is it going? The first two oil chages I didn"t ck the level because i had faith in Subaru cars having an 04 wrx and 06 forester that don't use any oil between changes. The third oil change receipt noted vehicle as low 1 qt upon arrival. I began robust monitoring of oil consumption. I conclude the forestated. Every 1500 miles driven a quart of oil disappears. I haven't consulted Subaru. Yet
Click to expand...

So far this thread has been dedicated to the 2.5L engines in 2013 Outbacks and 2.0L Imprezas. Are you saying that your 3.6R 6cyl has similar issues?
 
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#31 ·
outback 3.6

yes, my 3.6 is consuming 1 qt every 1500 miles. I am a new member on forum and was looking for others with excessive oil useage in thier subarus. I didn't find post on oil consumption of 3.6 engine but did see remarks on 2.5L and thought i'd throw in the 3.6. sorry if i did the wrong thing. However the oil still disappears and I wonder where it is going.
 
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#34 ·
Hello All,
First time posting, I just registered last night. I also have a '13 Outback. 6 speed manual that is using oil. Mine has 7,900 miles and it has used approximately 2 quarts (I added Mobil1). I just had my second oil change & started the Oil Consumption test (OCT) at the dealer. So far, I have been pleased with the response from the service manager. He thinks it's "crazy" that a new engine would be using oil. However, he still answers to his manager who authorizes any warranty repairs. I will be asking for written responses to my questions, directly from the next level manager.

It puzzles me that Subaru (SoA) considers 1 Qt per 1,200 miles "acceptable". I know the percentage of cars that "use" oil is very low compared with the volume produced. So, my car is a statistical outlier. It is not supposed to happen very often, but it does happen and SoA should make good on their quality promise to me.

Even if my car "passes" the test I am going to insist we perform the two tests prescribed by the SoA test. Cylinder leakage test and Compression tests. Even if I have to pay for these (which I know they won't make me pay), I will also inspect the spark plugs for evidence of oil residue. This oil is getting in one or more cylinders and we need to find where it's going. I''l post back when I have more to share.
 
#35 ·
Service Bulletin # 02-143-13R

Bulletin Description: This bulletin provides information regarding a change made to the surface treatment applied to the oil control piston rings for 2.5L FB engines. The change was made as a result of some limited findings of unanticipated wear of these rings. Oil consumption will be higher than normal and consistent, as once this wear occurs, the condition remains until repair. Unusual swings or variations in oil consumption are not consistent with this condition and may be the result of vehicle usage rather than the condition described here. Additional information is supplied in this bulletin to assist in the assessment and determination if vehicle usage is a reason for this varied oil consumption.
 
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#36 ·
Do you know when this was published, or when the new (hopefully good) rings went into production?

It sounds like Subaru is admitting a problem, even using the word "repair". I don't see how they will be able to afford to repair every FB with the bad rings. And if people start dropping off their FBs for repair, the waiting list will probably grow to many months.

Mine started burning oil somewhere between 15K and 20K miles of easy driving. It may be that many people who aren't seeing major oil loss just haven't put enough miles on their FB.

What a cluster. Rings? How hard is it to get rings right in the 21st century?
 
#38 ·
Adding 1qt. every 1200 mi. would obviate the need for an oil change. Simply replace the filter at manufacturer intervals. That's terrible. NO car should have that sort of oil consumption. SOA has a potentially HUGE issue to address, and a serious blow to it's reputation for durability. My old car has used 1/2 qt. every 5k mi. since new.
 
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#40 ·
boxterfan67 said:
Adding 1qt. every 1200 mi. would obviate the need for an oil change. Simply replace the filter at manufacturer intervals. durability.
Click to expand...
It really does not work that way........If you had some way for only the dirty/worn part of the oil to be burned, this would work. But it actually works the other way around......Burning oil actually creates more contaminants, it doesn't dispose of them.
 
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