That is strange... Mine always takes a full 5 quarts.
Did you try adding some more oil to see if there was any change?
If your previous oil changes read normal on the dipstick, maybe you used a different type of oil filter this time around that has a higher capacity than previous filters?

 

The manual is wrong. It takes 4.8 quarts with a filter change. I just put the whole 5 in.

 

I did. But I had to leave for work. I borrowed a buddy's car to get there, not wanting to blow the engine. I'll check it when I get home. Hopefully it's because I didn't add enough. I've seen people say that they add 5 quarts instead of the 4.2. Ever heard of this?

 

I've seen people say that they add 5 quarts instead of the 4.2. Ever heard of this?

. I just put the whole 5 in.

Are you positive you didn't miscount? It happens. Maybe you only put in 3.2 quarts.

Go check the number of empty containers.

 

There have been times when the dipstick simply and inexplicably reads weirdly low. Peaty has described this situation as the 'teflon dipstick'. It struck me just recently when the shop told me that there was no oil showing on it, right after I'd done an oil change. They 'topped it off'. I checked later and it read one topoff above the line.

I do always give the engine a brief run after an oil change, to check for leaks and to ensure that the oil gets fully distributed around. Had you done that, or did it just sit after the change?

 

I just basically did the oil change and moved it back into the garage. I'll let it warm up when I get back home and see if that helps. I was thinking that the oil didn't really have the chance to get through the engine and filter.

I'll also check to make sure that I didn't under-fill it either.

Thanks for your help. I'll let you know what I find when I get home in a couple of hours.

 

When I change the oil, I add 4 quarts, then check the dipstick. I add 1/4 quart at a time until reading is at an acceptable level. Using Mobil oil filters, I get about 4.25 quarts into my '05. Pretty sure the oil registers immediately upon fill. Can check immediately after fill, then check a week later when engine is cool and oil level registers the same.

 

Thanks for the information everyone. I'll add the full 5 quarts. Sure didn't want to ruin my Forester. It's been the best vehicle that I've owned for Colorado. I'll let you know what I find when I get home. :icon_biggrin:

 

thank you, Subaru for such wonderful documentation.

And the correction still hasn't made it into the owners manuals 10 years later.

 

I don't mean to be that internet guy, but personally I don't think it is wise to fill to capacity then check. Just finished my oil change 10 minutes ago and ended with 4.5 quarts of Mobil 1. Reading on the dipstick was just slightly higher than the full mark.

Then again, my other car has 8.8 qts capacity, so I need to scrimp wherever possible, haha! On special, home oil changes for both vehicles cost over a hundred bucks for your average synthetic w/acceptable filter.

As always, make sure car is on level surface when checking oil level.

 

^This isn't necessarily helpful for the OP's problem, but sometimes the dipstick isn't the best gauge of "full" for an engine. I would trust SOA and fill it to 4.8 regardless of dipstick reading. I'd be more inclined to think there would be differences off the line with the dipstick measurement than there would be with the actual capacity of the engine.

On the other hand, maybe you're just not getting everything out during the change for some reason?

 

Either way, at this point OP should add oil in small increments to get reading to 'full'. Next time he can heed the owners manual or fill based on dipstick.

 

on 1 4runner I had crossover between coolant and oil. I forget which one was getting low, musta been the coolant. the oil turned coffee colored

 

Greetings all,

Would this apply to all years NA 2.5's?

 

Welcome to the board.
The 2.5 "EJ" NA engines made through 2010 (for Forester) take just under 5 quarts (I dump in 5) The new "FB" takes another 1/2 quart. On both; the dipsticks require a bit of patience.