Anyone else’s dealership tell them it’s “normal” to have to add a litre of oil between oil changes on their 2018 forester that has less than 60,000 km on it??? This is my 4th Forester and I never had to add oil to my ‘99, ‘01 or ‘05 foresters that had substantially more kilometres on them… 🤨 Anyone else experiencing this “normal” thing? Or to have to add coolant often which is now CLEARLY leaking profusely to the point I don’t feel safe driving it and am getting it trailered 2 hours to the dealership… Seems all fishy as now it’s up to 75,000 km and warranty’s almost up. Pretty sure they’re hoping it lasts until then and it’s my problem. I’m also a girl so this isn’t helping me any as they talk to me like I’m a girl and know nothing…
2018 - Burning oil - dealership says it's normal?
newspapertaxies
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Hi all,
You probably don't need any further comment regarding this thread however I could not help but notice that there seems to be a significant amount of distrust of dealerships. Something which over in OZ has not become a problem yet! We have a 2019 I-s (Premium) Forester with 20,000 klms on the odometer (12,500 miles in your language) and to date has not used any oil or coolant between services. I believe that the Subaru is assembled/manufactured in the USA (Correct me if wrong) Australian delivered models come from Japan. I wonder if this is relevant? Earlier comments from what appears to be mainly USA owners is certainly worrying. Whether our driving conditions are more user friendly for the vehicle may have some relevance?
You probably don't need any further comment regarding this thread however I could not help but notice that there seems to be a significant amount of distrust of dealerships. Something which over in OZ has not become a problem yet! We have a 2019 I-s (Premium) Forester with 20,000 klms on the odometer (12,500 miles in your language) and to date has not used any oil or coolant between services. I believe that the Subaru is assembled/manufactured in the USA (Correct me if wrong) Australian delivered models come from Japan. I wonder if this is relevant? Earlier comments from what appears to be mainly USA owners is certainly worrying. Whether our driving conditions are more user friendly for the vehicle may have some relevance?
Hi Kenmar - the only US built Subaru models are the Ascent, the (edit Outback) Impreza, Legacy and Outback.. Forester and Crosstrek come from Gunma, Japan, no matter where you live.
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My experience with Subaru is once you buy one, they don't give a crap about you. Why should they?
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@Thomas Albert What model do you have?
@newspapertaxies
Same for me! I put 6 qts of oil in my 2018 Forrester, automatic over 24,000 miles. I do NOT accept this is normal. I had the oil consumption test done. But the dealership said it was "normal" usage. I might be a female, but I am not stupid. This is NOT NORMAL! Subaru has a class action law suit for this, but it is on older model vehicle's. Very frustrating!
Same for me! I put 6 qts of oil in my 2018 Forrester, automatic over 24,000 miles. I do NOT accept this is normal. I had the oil consumption test done. But the dealership said it was "normal" usage. I might be a female, but I am not stupid. This is NOT NORMAL! Subaru has a class action law suit for this, but it is on older model vehicle's. Very frustrating!
Actually, the 6 quarts in 24K is in the normal range (~ 1/3 qt per 1,200 miles) and doesn't indicate a problem..
The oil consumption lawsuit is long gone. The dealer isn't going to do anything, so you can kick and scream or -
You might want to try a heavier weight oil, but probably not at the dealership. Find a good, well rated independent shop.
My car was one of the "problem" years and it doesn't use oil since I switched over to 10-30 from the 0-20.
The oil consumption lawsuit is long gone. The dealer isn't going to do anything, so you can kick and scream or -
You might want to try a heavier weight oil, but probably not at the dealership. Find a good, well rated independent shop.
My car was one of the "problem" years and it doesn't use oil since I switched over to 10-30 from the 0-20.
@newspapertaxies
My 2015 forester burns 0 oil. The dealer is full of beans! I use Ow 20 Mobil 1 along with the Mobil 1 filter. I only change oil once a year.
My 2015 forester burns 0 oil. The dealer is full of beans! I use Ow 20 Mobil 1 along with the Mobil 1 filter. I only change oil once a year.
@newspapertaxies
My husband said to have the dealership look into a leaking head gasket. Have the dealer check for both antifreeze in the oil and oil in the antifreeze. Also, I would contact Subaru corporate directly about this issue with your dealership! Subaru does not put up with type of response. You can find the contact info in your owners manual. I have a 2017 Forester and have had no problem with the vehicle.
My husband said to have the dealership look into a leaking head gasket. Have the dealer check for both antifreeze in the oil and oil in the antifreeze. Also, I would contact Subaru corporate directly about this issue with your dealership! Subaru does not put up with type of response. You can find the contact info in your owners manual. I have a 2017 Forester and have had no problem with the vehicle.
^ - Highly unlikely.
Since the car had the consumption test, according to the OP, even a myopic tech might have noticed what would be one of several a highly obvious situations.
Neither Subaru nor any other manufacturer is going to replace an engine with the oil use indicated.
The response from Subaru will be the same as the response from the dealer.
That's because SoA establishes the criteria, and they would be the ones paying for the new engine, or in this case, not.
There is no warranty requirement that a car uses absolutely no oil, regardless of whether some cars of the same model don't.
Since the car had the consumption test, according to the OP, even a myopic tech might have noticed what would be one of several a highly obvious situations.
Neither Subaru nor any other manufacturer is going to replace an engine with the oil use indicated.
The response from Subaru will be the same as the response from the dealer.
That's because SoA establishes the criteria, and they would be the ones paying for the new engine, or in this case, not.
There is no warranty requirement that a car uses absolutely no oil, regardless of whether some cars of the same model don't.
From 2015, not sure if this has been updated.
Note the propensity for certain car brands to waste (burn) oil.
Excessive Oil Consumption Isn't Normal - Consumer Reports
Excessive oil consumption isn't normal, Consumer Reports says. Automakers say adding oil between scheduled changes is acceptable. It's not.
www.consumerreports.org
Note the propensity for certain car brands to waste (burn) oil.
Here's an update.
www.consumerreports.org
When I read the statement from Subaru I nearly gave myself a hernia laughing. Such BS.
Some Newer Cars Can Burn Lots of Oil - Consumer Reports
Some newer cars can burn lots of oil, a Consumer Reports investigation has found. Here's how to identify the problem in newer cars and what to do about it.
When I read the statement from Subaru I nearly gave myself a hernia laughing. Such BS.
At least Subaru responded to CR unlike BMW.
6 year old articles about oil consumption don't change a thing.
Slight oil use isn't going to mean the dealer or SoA is going to do anything because they won't.
Find another windmill.
Slight oil use isn't going to mean the dealer or SoA is going to do anything because they won't.
Find another windmill.
Yeah, give them credit for that I guess...
Maybe read on before commenting next time.
Please follow your own advice.
The article isn't current.
The Subaru statement :
"However, if an owner feels they are using more oil than they should be, they should contact their retailer, who will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis and can perform a consumption test to determine what actions should be taken."
The reply sounds reasonable to me. How that is BS defies logic.
And gee - That's what happened to the poster above.
The six quarts in 24,000 miles noted in this thread isn't excessive, and no one is going to replace an engine under warranty for oil use unless that usage IS excessive in the case of Subaru. If you have a BMW, any amount of oil use is considered acceptable. Now THAT is BS.
The article isn't current.
The Subaru statement :
"However, if an owner feels they are using more oil than they should be, they should contact their retailer, who will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis and can perform a consumption test to determine what actions should be taken."
The reply sounds reasonable to me. How that is BS defies logic.
And gee - That's what happened to the poster above.
The six quarts in 24,000 miles noted in this thread isn't excessive, and no one is going to replace an engine under warranty for oil use unless that usage IS excessive in the case of Subaru. If you have a BMW, any amount of oil use is considered acceptable. Now THAT is BS.
Read a little closer. The 2021 update is pretty current in my book. The 2015 article was just to provide history. Yes, his car was a 2015. Not trying to argue, just relating my experience with different engine types.
I whole heartedly agree with your BMW statement. The one that I owned, a '99 323, with an I-6, didn't burn oil. Not sure why they would think that way.
A good quality 4 cycle internal combustion engine burns very little oil. I understand why an O- configured motor might use a little, as I am also a pilot and am familiar with horizontally opposed -4 and -6 air cooled engines used in most light aircraft today. Those are almost never run faster than 23-2400 RPM as the speed is limited by the SSTS of the propeller, and they use 20W-50 oil in most cases. But gravity does take its toll, especially during initial start and warmup, if tolerances aren't tight. OTOH, Our 2014 forester burns nothing - same horizontally opposed configuration. Our Acura burns nothing. Our 2020 Legacy burned nothing. Our 2003 Acura burned nothing. My 1999 BMW burned nothing. I had a Mazda RX-7 many years ago that burned a little due to the rotary engine design. You're kidding yourself if you think oil burn above a trace (a subjective number apparently) is normal. Well, maybe in the case of some manufacturers with less than adequate quality control. Properly machined parts in the piston travel area only need enough for lubrication along the cylinder walls, nothing more. Yes, some of that will burn along with the fuel/air mixture. Any other oil in the cylinder is cause for concern. Six quarts/24k miles for a four cylinder engine? Even in an O- configuration? not even close to "normal."
Unfortunate that a double standard exists here. The Consumers Union writer got an engine replacement when the oil burning was verified, but the average Joe, the OP, you, or I, get the shaft.
ForesterMama -
There was nothing updated in the article other than the date from the original text and the stats page showing decreased oil use over time.
I read it several years ago. Apparently you didn't.
The "expert" without any stated qualifications to comment had a vehicle that was qualified under the terms of the class action settlement that burned "several quarts" in "several thousand miles".
That would also fail the oil consumption test that the member reported above and would qualify for a short block replacement, while the CU author as well as the poster would not qualify for that repair with the reported oil use of 6 quarts in 24K.
Therefore your comment..
As far as oil use in a Subaru boxer - Unlike steady, relatively low speed RPM's experienced in an aviation application, a vehicle motor goes through constant significant RPM variations (especially in a non-CVT transmission equipped vehicle).
High demand, and high heat (you don't get that much at 30,000 feet now, do you) with high RPM's and an oil that is close to water in viscosity gets used.
I use a heavier weight oil in the high temp summer months or when I go on long high speed trips and have no oil usage, and my car is a "problem" year... But it isn't.
Using the recommended 0-20 in the same situation is not the case. It drinks like a fish.
I'm not the only one on the forum with this experience.
There was nothing updated in the article other than the date from the original text and the stats page showing decreased oil use over time.
I read it several years ago. Apparently you didn't.
The "expert" without any stated qualifications to comment had a vehicle that was qualified under the terms of the class action settlement that burned "several quarts" in "several thousand miles".
That would also fail the oil consumption test that the member reported above and would qualify for a short block replacement, while the CU author as well as the poster would not qualify for that repair with the reported oil use of 6 quarts in 24K.
Therefore your comment..
is totally off base and an invalid characterization of Subaru's stated policy. Hope they don't sue you for libel. They might if you repeat that untrue inflammatory statement.
As far as oil use in a Subaru boxer - Unlike steady, relatively low speed RPM's experienced in an aviation application, a vehicle motor goes through constant significant RPM variations (especially in a non-CVT transmission equipped vehicle).
High demand, and high heat (you don't get that much at 30,000 feet now, do you) with high RPM's and an oil that is close to water in viscosity gets used.
I use a heavier weight oil in the high temp summer months or when I go on long high speed trips and have no oil usage, and my car is a "problem" year... But it isn't.
Using the recommended 0-20 in the same situation is not the case. It drinks like a fish.
I'm not the only one on the forum with this experience.
You believe what you want to believe.
My last oil change was 5/10
So in service all, not to mention very hot, summer.
Currently 4,500 miles on the oil.
0w-20
No measurable oil consumption
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
So in service all, not to mention very hot, summer.
Currently 4,500 miles on the oil.
0w-20
No measurable oil consumption
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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