Subaru Forrester oil warning light

The "oil light" is an indicator of oil pressure (not oil level) and it has to be near zero before it comes on. By then your engine is ruined. It's the operator who has to check oil level. If the oil level runs low, that's what causing low oil pressure damage. To be loosing that much oil, you might be burning a lot because it's the wrong weight oil, or you have massive leaks. For now, check oil level every time you fill up with gas. You won't hate Subarus until the head gaskets start to fail.

Apparently you never check the oil until it is too late. Make a habit of checking the oil level weekly.

Yup, that dipstick is there for a reason.

I have a 2014 forester 2.5i with 58K. Coming back from Houston a few weeks ago, the oil light came on. Doing about 75 -80 on I-10. I slowed down and it intermittently came on and off but I didn't stop, so I pulled off at the next exit. The oil had about 4K of the 7500 usual since changed. The oil level was down to the bottom dot but was rising. I walked over to Walmart and back which took about 10 minutes and pulled the dip stick and the level was between the two dots. I put 1/2 of the quart to fill it all the way up. The light never came back on in the final 125 miles of the trip. So I'm thinking the oil issue is starting on this thing. Surprised I got the light but didn't smoke the engine.

So, I'm wondering how I could get a light with 4.5 quarts in it. I'm wondering if the 0-20 is too low for hard hot driving.

You might be onto something with the viscosity question. Go with the recommended oil and consider the temperature where you live. I always thought 0w-20 was for the North Pole. And I believe that once the engine is warmed up, it doesn't really matter the outside temperature. I would run SAE 5w-30 in all kinds of weather in all kinds engines and not worry. That 0w-20 would not build much oil pressure in a hot engine even if it was 5 quarts full....it's thin as water even cold.

Have you ever tried to read that crappy dipstick? Try get a accurate reading from it, yeah not happening. My daughter lost her engine after the dealer over tightened the oil filter causing it to leak. Is it so hard to install a low oil level warning light that most makes have. No!! it is not.

I have a Subaru forester 2013, oil light never came on and it started knocking. Pulled over to check, there was no oil in it at. This is bull, just purchased from dealer at that.

I also have a 2015 Subaru Forester with 132,000 km and despite regular oil changes, it has been low on a few occasions and almost run dry on two. At no time have I had a check oil light come on. The first time I encountered low oil, I was at approximately 50,000 km. I have had a number of vehicles and the only one prior to the Forester that had oil issues was a 10 year old Chevy Chevette. For a company with Subaru's reputation for high quality vehicles, this isn't acceptable and is likely to loose them their reputation.