Is it common for a recent model Forester to need oil periodically?

[nitroman58]

I am the original owner of a 2011 Forester with manual transmission.  My current milage is about 36,000.  This vehicle, takes synthetic 0W-20 weight oil.

Ever since I have owned this car, I have been adding oil about every 2 weeks time.  I would estimate the addition of about 200 milliliters per 2 weeks.  I mentioned this to the dealer within the first year that I bought it, but they did not see anything of note.  During the summer months, when I park the car, I get a burnt oil smell.

My last car, a Honda Accord with manual transmission also required a small addition of oil every few weeks.  The Honda lasted 12 years (130,000 miles) until it was rear ended and totaled.

Is this a normal occurrence with Subaru's or the synthetic oil?  

Would this be a reason to call Subaru of America?

There are really no performance issues, although, in warmer weather the engine "knocks" around 25 miles per hour.

Thanks

Edited December 15, 2014 by nitroman58

[TKFlight]

There was just a thread a few weeks ago about this. Some people have issues and some people don't with these newer subaru's, I think its 2010-2013 where people complain about high oil consumption. I believe the dealer has told them it is normal. When it is definitely not normal.

Edited December 15, 2014 by TKFlight

[MilesFox]

In both  my personal opinion as a Subaru enthusiast and my professional opinion as a lube technitian i would say this:

 

0w20 oil is factory filled nowadays to meet federal economy standards and now takes the place of 5w20. This is now the factory fill for the new FA engines in late model Subaru.

 

Historically, Subaru has never called for a 20 wt oil in any EA or EJ series engies where 5w30 and 10w30 are the 'all temps' weights, and 10w40, 15w40, and 20w50 for extreme duty or in markets with fixed climates. Eample: straight 40 oil for temperatures consistently 95 deg F. In these applications, a 20 wt oil would really only be appropriate for -20 deg F climates.

 

If i were to draw on my expertise in both fields, I would suggest moving to a 5w20 or perhaps a 0w30 or 5w30. Or even a 0w40 if 40 is not too much of a leap with the tolerances of a new generation engine. I use 0w40 in place of 10w40 where 10w40 calls for temps from -9 deg F in 80's and 90's model subarus.

 

Traditionally, oil consumption in historic subaru engines would be attributed to crankcase ventilation system (PCV) where there is a complec system of hoses and an 'oil separator' baffle built into the engine block. Either leaks or clogs within this system, or missing o-rings in dipstick or oil pan gasket.

 

I am not familiar with the FA engines to know its crankcase ventilation. LAte model vehicles in general have closed crankcase vent systems and extra oil capacity for emissions standards of the current day. 

 

You should probably have to expect to check and add oil at each fuel stop. In an out of shape subaru from the day with leaks or PCV problems could see to add a quart a week if not more. What i mean by this is checking the oil is a fact of life with Subaru! . Fundamentally, it is wise to check oil often and add as necessary, even though a synthetic oil has service life from 5000 mi and more. Even so with vehicles equipped with oil life monitors such as GM and 2010 and later ford and chrysler (honda, toyota, nissan)

 

Perhaps an aftermarket oil catch can can be fitted once the vehicle is outside of warranty. Same goes for using 0w30 or 5w20 to compare consumption results. This platform should be around long enough to prove their design and establish patterns and lead to corrective engineering. 

 

Until then, check oil often and add as necessary. When stayingh with 0w20 outside of the dealership or fast lubes, 0w20 is available as synthetic blend at a lesser price as it requires the refinement process of synthetic blends to achieve 0w20 where 5w20 is relative to conventional oil.  (for example ford motorcraft 0w20 synthetic blend  WSS-M2C947-A) There is nothing specific about Subaru branded synthetic oil other than that is the 'house brand' oil supplied by a japanese domestic brand.(Idiemitsu)

 

There may be some TSB's (technical service bulletins) regarding excessive oil consumption. Fill capacity should be 5.1 qts with filter. There would be room for consumption considering prior engines hold 4.2 and 4.5 qts by spec.

[nitroman58]

Thanks for the detailed reply. What does "FA engine" mean?

If I were to go to 5W-20 weight oil, what would be the advantage? Thicker viscosity?

Checking the oil level frequently is not a problem since I keep the Forester in a garage.

Is there something about a manual transmission that would cause the oil to be consumed? As I said, my last Honda had a stick, and I had to add about the same amount of oil. The Honda Civic that my wife drove did not need oil, and the 2014 Impreza does not either. They have automatic transmissions.

[MilesFox]

5w20 is less thin when cold although a 0w20 and a 5w20 are the same viscosity at temp and under load. the w number to the 20 or 'grade' is the viscosity index. example, a 0w30 flows better than 10w30 when cold but ow30 can be used in place of 10w30.

 

As far as an overall 'thicker' oil would be 30 and 40 grade, such as 0w30.

 

The ide of 5w20 is if you think the oil may be consumed before the engine is at temp, or at low rpms, or a 30 grade oil if the consumption is at temp or at highway speeds or higher rpms.

 

Anyway, this idea is employing oil viscosity theory to the parameters of a subaru engine.

 

The FA is the new generation of engine with a timing chain and an all new design. This is the only engine that calls for a 0w20 oil, or any 20 grade oil for that matter.

[idosubaru]

It's not normal - Ask Subaru they should be very aware of it, it's a widely known issue with a TSB and maybe even litigation associated with it.

Technical Service Bulletin 02-147-13R

 

Subaru replaces the piston rings i believe - if your vehicle falls within some symptomatic framework of some sort i would imagine.

[nitroman58]

Thanks for the information. I just got off the phone with Subaru of America. They said that if the engine requires more than a third of a quart for 1200 miles to give them a call. At least now, I have a parameter.