[Ven Hui]

Hi,
My Subaru Forester 2008 has a problem with the oil consumption.
It consumes 1 L oil for 5000 km.
It has 40,000 km and I always use the same oil: Motul 5W40.
I do not rush my Subaru, I use it very carefully and I keep it a lot.
I use only the best quality gaz here in Canada.
Do you think it is normal for my Subaru to consume so much oil?
It is still under warranty.
I really would like to solve this problem because I love my baby!
Thank you for your help.

 

[rsay777]

If you are judging the oil level by looking at the dip stick you could be fooling yourself. The Subaru dipstick is almost impossible to get an accurate reading.

Try a search on this forum "dipstick" or "oil level" there a few threads discussing your very issue. Might be worth a look.

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

Curious, why are you using 5W-40? How often do you change the oil?

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[Ven Hui]

I use 5W40 because the dealer recommended it to me for summer time.
Isn't is good for my Forester?
If not,what should the oil be?
I change oil each 5000-6000 km.

 

[flstffxe]

5W-40 is actually well suited for Subarus in most cases.
HKS has their own 7.5W-42 weight they have developed for the EJ series engine. So a 5W-40 is not far off.

However using 1L in 5,000KM(Roughly 1qt in 3,000 miles) is not out of the norm. Subaru actually considers oil use of 1qt every 1,000 miles to be in the normal range, though I would say it is high.

If you work with the dealer they can do a oil usage study and work with Subaru to decide a direction to go if it is decided it is abnormally high.

 

[2.5x_sleeper]

It must get very hot where you live to require the higher viscosity oil. The recommeded 5W-30 is good to 100*F+! The higher viscosity could also affect your fuel economy. You might want to look over the maintenance and service section in your owners manual. :wink:

Bobby...

['07 FSXT MODding Journal] ['03 X MODding Journal]

 

[Ven Hui]

Look what I have found in Motul.ca about the oil I use. It is quite good in my case:
8100 X-Cess
5W-40

Gasoline and Diesel Engine Oil

100% Synthetic

TYPE OF USE

8100 X-Cess is specially designed for the recent and powerful Diesel and Gasoline engines.

Numerous OEM approvals make this product multipurpose across all makes and models for maximum protection and a cleaner, more efficent engine.

Especially recommended for engines experiencing mild oil consumption.

PERFORMANCES

STANDARDS
ACEA A3 / B3 / B4

APPROVALS
API SL / CF
VW 502.00 505 00
BMW ‘Long Life’
PORSCHE CAYENNE 2002
Mercedes Benz 229.3
OPEL/GM Diesel LL B-025

The ACEA B4 performance requires an outstanding detergent / dispersent power and a better viscosity increase resistance due to soot produced by Direct Injection Diesel engines (except VW Unit Injector engines that require Motul Specific 505.01 5W-40)

The MB 229.3 standard is more stringent than 229.1 in terms of ageing resistance calling for extended drain intervals managed by the on board computer; detergent / dispersant power (see above ACEA B4) and fuel economy improvement of 1.2% versus a reference 15W-40.

The OPEL/GM Diesel LL B-025 standard requires two main properties of the lubricant : high HTHS and very low volatility to drastically decrease oil consumption. Motul 8100 X-cess 5W-40 is especially recommended for OPEL 2.0 and 2.2 DTI engines (extended drain interval : computer on board).

Specification Sheet (PDF): 8100 X-Cess 5W40 TDS

Material Safety Sheet (PDF): 8100 X-Cess 5W40 MSDS

Product Application Sheet (PDF): Product Applications and Approvals

 

[stan_t]

Alot of us on here experience oil consumptions in our cars. This is pretty common on other Subaru forums as well. There is not really a clear answer, it's just accepted.. just keep checking and making sure there is enough oil in the car, you are not alone.

5w40 should be fine, I'm thinking of trying it myself.

Stan

 

[Gigsy]

5w40 is the recommended oil by Subaru UK too... though environmental conditions elsewhere in the world may not suit this oil. However, my local specialist (who are renowned and very well respected over here) recommend 10w50 which might help reduce oil consumption as it's a bit thicker and therefore shouldn't squeeze past piston rings etc as easily.

 

[fpan]

My previous WRX used to burn about 0.4lt every 5k km. I *think* 1lt is about the limit Subaru gives?

 

[downhiller]

i use 15w-40 during the summer so it doesnt break down as quick (avg temp around 85ish but high humidity) and 5w-30 during the winter so it can start after the -40 nights. did this with all my cars. but also the oil you use can cause a huge difference in running performance and how much burns off. i mainly run shell products (its what my shop uses) and run a can of seafoam every other oil change, then i put in a can or restore after the seafoam cleaning.

 

[Ven Hui]

What do you think about the Motul Oil 300 V Power 5W-40 ?
I think it could be good in my case.
The dealer told me it was a new technology, the best on the market at this moment.

 

[paulv]

What do you think about the Motul Oil 300 V Power 5W-40 ?
I think it could be good in my case.
The dealer told me it was a new technology, the best on the market at this moment.

Motul 300V 5W-40 is an excellent oil (based on what some of my friends claim via UOAs, and expensive, almost $30/2L in the US), and although it's advertised as a "racing" oil, it appears to have the correct additive package as Motul mentions that it works OK with gas engines with catalysts. It is recommended (by Motul) for engines with "medium" fuel dilution. I'm not sure if Subie engines are medium fuel dilution as the boxer engine in my Porsche is high dilution. Another oil to check out is Mobil 1 5w-40 turbo truck diesel as this oil also meets API/SM for gas vehicles. I just got a new Forester last week and haven't made a choice of which oil to use for a 7500 mile change interval, but I'll be watching the oil every week during break-in to see how it's holding up. I may go with the new Pennzoil Ultra 5w-40 although I haven't seen it around yet in that viscosity (and they state that it meets the newer GF-5 spec which becomes effective this fall).

Regards,
paul...

 

[adamh]

I have found I can burn anything up to 2L every oil change (10K miles). But I have been told running on lpg will burn more oil as its a lot more of a dry burn the petrol.

 

[adc]

Check the oil in the morning. Wipe off the dipstick and put it in once and read. I wouldn't use 40wt..in Canada unless I had a turbo. Try another oil to compare consumption.

 

[leightons]

hi have lpg on mine never used drop oil till lpg was fitted now bout 1ltr oil every 4k a fort a had problem sounds like norm