In most automotive discussions, an "Oil Burner" is a diesel engine... You seem to be talking about an oil-consuming gasoline engine.

 

^^^^what he said...I opened this thread expecting a post from someone in the UK or Australia...our true oil burning OB drivers...:wink2:

 

That sounds about right. My oil light starts coming on intermittently at slightly over 1/2 qt low which near that half way point between the holes on the dipstick. In 2015 they changed the point at which the light comes on. I assume they can adjust it on 2013/2014's but I never pursued it.

 

There is a Technical Service Bulletin (I don't have the # offhand) to replace a sensor. My '14 6MT also burns oil, but the last time I brought it in the dealership said it's b/c the sensor prematurely caused the light to turn on. Unfortunately I don't recall exactly what the oil level was at that time, but regardless I got the sensor replaced at around 12,000 miles. It's a special order part, and likely will require two trips (one to diagnose & another to replace, unless you can convince the dealer to just order the TSB part over the phone).

Most recently, the light came on about 2,000 miles after my most recent oil change. I'm going to wait until after 20,000 miles to see if the engine settles in more before asking for an oil consumption test, but yes, the light came on when the oil level was right at the lower hole, at which point I put the quart in. I do check it every month and probably should add it whenever it's 1/2 qt low (as I did early on) but with this TSB fix I'll probably just wait for the lower dot/light (whichever comes first) and put a full quart in.

 

The 2012 3.6 just went through a little under 1/3 quart in 2000 miles and the low oil light came on. It was between low and full on the stick, a little more towards full

 

Following my first oil change (1,500 miles) after I picked up my 2014 2.5i 6MT Outback she would burn about 3/4 to 1 quart of oil every 2,000 miles. After 6 months and many visits to the dealer Subaru was nice enough to give me a new short block. If it's consistently burning that much oil I would bring it into your dealer and have them at least check it out.

 

It sounds like TSB 11-149-14R: Reprogramming File Availability for Oil Level Detection (Dec 1, 2014) might cover this. I can't find a copy of that TSB available (for free) online, though.

From the FB25 oil ring TSB 02-157-14R Page 3 of 25:
As related information, the low oil level warning light (on models so equipped) is designed to illuminate when the engine oil level in the sump drops below approximately 4 quarts with the engine not running (engine is 1.1 quarts low on oil) and 2.4 quarts when the engine is running.

So in theory the light should come on when the oil hits the low mark on the stick and the other TSB means this may be a known problem (thanks, Deep Indigo!).

 

... is designed to illuminate when the engine oil level in the sump drops below approximately 4 quarts with the engine not running (engine is 1.1 quarts low on oil) and 2.4 quarts when the engine is running.

Interesting.
That’s 53% oil sump/reserve, and could possibly pose a problem on fast tight mountain curves.

 

I never had an oil light come on. But if I did, I would expect to hear a simultaneous death rattle from the engine..
But if I had an outback that consumed engine oil, I would check the dipstick frequently and not rely on the idiot light.

 

This thread isn't referring to the old-style "low oil pressure" idiot light that is famous for coming on just in time to let you know your engine just got toasted. These guys are referring to the 'low oil level" warning light that the newer cars are equipped with.

 

LoL, 4whl +1.
A dipstick is impossible to be accurate across all demographics, it requires users know how to use it (you have to wipe it off first). With a light/sensor, you can add a software algorithm to it (before it hits the low too-late mark).
For some folks, filling gas is maintenance.

 

LoL, 4whl +1.
A dipstick is impossible to be accurate across all demographics, it requires users know how to use it (you have to wipe it off first). With a light/sensor, you can add a software algorithm to it (before it hits the low too-late mark).
For some folks, filling gas is maintenance.

I once came upon an aquaintance of mine in the shopping center parking lot, late at night. He had an old pickup, and the hood was up. So I stopped and asked him if he needed help. No.......Just drove over for a flat spot, with a streetlight, so he could check his oil level.

Sometime later, while we were playing poker, I mentioned to him that he could put an extra mark on his dipstick so that he could read the level on his unlevel driveway. All that was necessary was checking the level in the spot he always parked it, when he knew it was full......And add a mark on the dipstick at that point. I tend to premeditate laziness.........

 

Random update - I had the TSB performed on the car as having the oil light come on every 1500 miles when it burned through half a quart was annoying, so when the light came on this last time I brought it in. The dealer installed a new oil level sensor, refilled the oil (no change, no filter, but 3 new quarts) and reprogrammed the ECU. I believe the ECU reprogramming had other, positive driveability effects on my 6MT but until I pull the new ROM and check to see how much is different I'll chalk it up to placebo.

JD