3rd excessive oil consumption 2012 Subaru Forester
Asked by jbush56 Nov 23, 2019 at 11:47 AM about the 2012 Subaru Forester
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
Excessive oil consumption 4/18/2016 miles 82018
Replace short block 5/27/2016 miles 84841 warranty 1 year Subaru in Rapid
City, SD
9/9/2017 oil leak noted at regular oil change Subaru in St Cloud, MN They
quoted $22-2500 for evaluation and repair. Dealers DO NOT honor each
other's work, plus it is 3 1/2 months past warranty.
10/10/2017 Subaru in Rapid City says timing cover leak and right side can
carrier leaking. Past warranty. After much negotiation, we pay labor only.
Again 1 year warranty.
11/18/2019 on a fluke, checked oil when changing headlight. LOW. Not due
for oil change for another 2,000 miles.
Are there more people experiencing this? Where do we turn to stop this
madness?
8 Answers
Check your oil more often. If it needs a quart or two between changes it is not the end of the world.
On my invoices both dealers have always used "OW-20Synthetic Oil" ~ would you explain why changing oil types might help?
TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 5 years ago
Thicker viscosity both when cold and at temp reduces consumption through loose rings. Again, use 5w30 synth is you have no consumption worries, or 10w40 if consumption is an issue, down to 0F.
Thanks. I have always had the oil changed at dealerships. You'd think they'd advise me with this info. Neither one has ever said anything.
TheSubaruGuruBoston answered 5 years ago
SOA does NOT allow dealerships to stray from their guidelines, even though 5w30 is Subaru's own international spec for viscosity!
