That's not too bad for oil usage. Clasically the 'break in' was pretty much for the rings to seat properly in the cylinder sleeves. Modern machining methods are much more precise but some breakin is still needed. So during that period more oil than normal may be getting past the rings and being burned. Of course there are lots of other places oil can be going too.

 

Nothing to worry about. Just keep an eye on it. Mine used about 1/3 qt for the first 3 oil changes, at 1000, 3000, and 5000. Then it stopped completely. Switch to synthetic at 7500-10000, and you'll be fine.

 

Oil/BreakIn

What kind of oil are you using? Hopefully, not synthetic.

 

mine used a bit like yers for awhile. i changed to mobil 1 at 5,000 miles and its eally not been an issue. at high speeds, most engines will use a bit but even if its a bit between oil changes under normal use i wouldn't worry.

george

 

Re: Oil/BreakIn

What kind of oil are you using? Hopefully, not synthetic.

From time to time I see people mentioning not to use synthetic oil during break-in. What is the logic behind it? I know that many car manufacturers use synthetic oil from day 1 (Porsche, Corvettes, BMW, and Mercedes). What is different between these manufacturers and Subaru? My first oil change is coming up (@3k mi) and I'm planning to use Mobil 1 5-w-30.

I also noticed that my car burned some oil during break-in. It went from a full mark to a low mark in 2,000 miles.

 

Not all engines are alike. It is extreemly important to seat the piston rings for a long engine life. If the engine was not designed to use synthetic from the factory, you use dino oil untill the 2nd oil change. Soobies can take 10,000 miles or more for the rings to seat.

Not all piston rings are alike, thats why some engines can use synthetic right away. Notice the ones mentioned are not your run of the bill avg joe cars.

nipper

 

Interesting. One thing for sure, Subaru doesn't not mention anything about the use of synthetics in the owner manuals.

Other Subaru oil oddities:
- the H6 requires the first oil change at 3k miles, while the 2.5i doesn't
- the XT requires an oil changer interval of 3.75k miles (the shortest interval I've seen...why not just recommend the use of synthetics)?
- someone said the XT doesn't like synthetics. Again this is not mentioned in the manual.

Here's a thread on another forum on this topic.

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1299

 

Interesting. One thing for sure, Subaru doesn't not mention anything about the use of synthetics in the owner manuals.

Other Subaru oil oddities:
- the H6 requires the first oil change at 3k miles, while the 2.5i doesn't
- the XT requires an oil changer interval of 3.75k miles (the shortest interval I've seen...why not just recommend the use of synthetics)?
- someone said the XT doesn't like synthetics. Again this is not mentioned in the manual.

Here's a thread on another forum on this topic.

http://www.legacygt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1299

Synthetics are too slippery. The chrome rings are very hard and need that friction to break in the engine. Now if you want to use synthetics, go right ahead, its your money. Just dont come back to us with poor gas mileage, a clogged converter, or oil consumption issues. These rings need friction ot break in they way that they are designeed. Soobys can take up to 10,000 miles to seat. Then you get a nice long 200-300 miles out of the car.

nipper

 

What kind of oil are you using? Hopefully, not synthetic.

I am using what ever came in the car from the factory. The car just turned 3,000 miles and I have my free 3k check-up scheduled tomorrow at the Subaru dealer and they will change it and use whatever they are required to use.
Nipper, thanks for all the great info. I will probably start doing my own oil changes after this one, so starting around 6k. What type of oil should I be using? I usually used Mobil 1 in the past, but it sounds like I should be using something different?
Thanks.

 

Our's hasn't used any oil so far , very surprised , as most engines use some oil during break in .

 

lomita:

I've change 3 Subaru's to synthetic @ 3K w/ no issues. What's the problem w/ changing to synthetic?

Regards,
~Button

 

nipper:

I've changed early to synthetic & NEVER had any issues! I'm getting excellent gas mileage 26.5 mixed driving & never experience ANY of those symptons,

Synthetics are too slippery. The chrome rings are very hard and need that friction to break in the engine. Now if you want to use synthetics, go right ahead, its your money. Just dont come back to us with poor gas mileage, a clogged converter, or oil consumption issues. These rings need friction ot break in they way that they are designeed. Soobys can take up to 10,000 miles to seat. Then you get a nice long 200-300 miles out of the car.

, you describe.

Moverover, I've followed the same break-in proceedure w/ 3 Subaru's: 1st oil change @ 500 mile w/ regular oil & @ 3K full synthetic. No problems.

Regards,
~Button

 

I feel you achieve the same thing either by using regular oil for 3000 miles or 10,000 miles before you switch to synthetic. It just takes longer got the rings to break-in if you start sooner. However, the end result is the same according to my experience with new cars.

 

I wouldn't change to synthetic at 3000, but that's me. I DID change my oil with premium dyno at 1000, 3000, 5000, and at 7500 started the synthetic regimen. I am now on schedule with factory recommendations every 7500 miles. I'd never leave dyno in for 7500 miles, but I'm perfectly OK with leaving synthetic in for 7500 miles. My car doesn't use a drop of oil in 7500 miles. So I guess it worked !

I would think, with no scientific evidence, mind you, that 3000 is too soon to be sure that the rings have seated properly. There's absolutely zero risk using dyno for the first 7500 miles, and changing it more frequently than recommended, BUT, in my opinion, there IS a risk to changing to synthetic at 3000 miles. Why chance it ???

In actuality, there;s probably very close to zero risk leaving the original oil in for 7500 miles, and THEN changing to synthetic. Today's oils are far better than the oils of 15 years ago. I like to change all my new car's oil at 1, 3, and 5K just to get any possible machining debris out of the engine, and if you do it yourself, which I do, it's a very minimal investment. I really do think my regimen is excessive, but it sure can't hurt, and it makes me feel good.

REVHIGH !!!!!

 

I feel you achieve the same thing either by using regular oil for 3000 miles or 10,000 miles before you switch to synthetic. It just takes longer got the rings to break-in if you start sooner. However, the end result is the same according to my experience with new cars.

I don't completely agree with you on this. I'm not sure that the rings will seat at all with synthetic, and I'd worry more about a hard glaze forming, and preventing complete seating, even if you went back to standard oil. You could end up with a car that used oil forever. WHy risk it ??

Keep in mind that the high end engines that have been mentioned above may use different ring material, AND that they are typically 'run-in' at the factory on dynos before being installed in the car. Really large volume mass production engines are not produced this way.

Just my opinions ...

 

i know when to duck, and this is one of those times. But in all honesty, we have engines here that are capable of going 300,000 miles with the subaru recomnded break in, that alone tells me they are on to something. Secondly, why use expensive synthetic oil while the engine is using oil during break in?


nipper


Now can we go back to talking religon, since its much safer

 

Some Additional Points

The above posts have done a more than reasonable job explaining about how friction is needed to help achieve seating of the rings. Synthetic oil may impare the process because it reduces the friction too much.

The point is, if an engine is having trouble with rings not seating while running synthetic oil, a good direction to go in for a potential fix would be to drain the synthetic and replace with non-synthetic oil. This would help to increase the friction for seating purposes between the rings and cylinder wall.

In order for the ring to breach the oil film, and allow the seating to take place with the cylinder wall, you might try running the engine harder than you have been. More throttle will help load and expand the ring to make contact with the cylinder wall,hence aiding the seating process. The point is, you could be babying the engine too much.

Once the seating process has occured, the oil consumption should drop off considerably.

One last point. If the cylinder wall didn't get a good scratch prior to assembly, the rings may never seat properly, no matter how long the engine runs.