A quart every thousand miles seems a might too much. Not sure the metric to use on how to approach the dealer on if/how to repair. My hunch would be that dealer should look for leaks, bad gaskets, regular suspects and check spark plugs before telling you to go home. Might continually bring up the issue if I return to the dealer, seems to be a dealer's market right now, not much incentive for them to show exceptional concern.
My mom used to tell me that "Worrying isn't thinking."
Might continually bring up the issue if I return to the dealer, seems to be a dealer's market right now, not much incentive for them to show exceptional concern.
Until the tables turn and the chickens come home to roost. One of Subaru's strong points is high ranks for dealership experience. I'm not sure they want to lose that. I would say if worst comes to worst, contact SOA directly.
When you run an engine at high rpm with a low load, you have less manifold pressure, meaning less pressure (seating) of the rings. You can't do that with a CVT (unless you use the paddle shifters), but you certainly can with a manual. This is especially harmful at break-in time, but even later, running high rpms a lot with low loads (IE. not accelerating, going up hill or high speed). So a lower viscosity oil on a poorly broken in engine will use more oil.
Just to expand on my comment - The majority of complaints here (and on the Forester board) involve manual trannies. I realize that forum postings are anecdotal evidence but when you consider that manual transmissions are just a small fraction of all Crosstrek sales, the MT's stand out when it comes to excessive oil consumption. In addition, more manual transmission model years were included in Subaru's TSB and the Class Action Settlement. For example, the 2.0 FB engine TSB/Settlement involve just model year 2013 for the AT units whereas the MT units involve model years 2013, 2014 and 2015. All this leads me to believe that if you buy a Crosstrek with a manual transmission you increase the chance, although small, of having excessive oil consumption.
I was thinking this also. Also thinking that implying that the problem is due to how the MT owners are selecting the correct gear for the circumstances will also lead to a lot of strife here, LOL!
And to be fair, if that's the case, it sounds more like a case of "user error" rather than something inherently wrong with the engine.
That is way, way excessive for a 4-cylinder! In the old days, this was marginally acceptable for a V8.
Until the tables turn and the chickens come home to roost. One of Subaru's strong points is high ranks for dealership experience. I'm not sure they want to lose that. I would say if worst comes to worst, contact SOA directly.
Where can I find information on "...high ranks for dealership experience." I know Subarus have a high Consumer Report rating on reliability though. Subaru dealers in the East Bay area haven't shown me much in terms of competence or customer service. I was just about to go on Yelp to mention some problems. My problem with local dealers had me contact Subaru Corporate Customer Support but perhaps due to Covid they haven't been helpful or responsive either. Toyota seemed to show me much better dealer service and in one case Corporate customer support. Just anecdotal I guess.
Where can I find information on "...high ranks for dealership experience." I know Subarus have a high Consumer Report rating on reliability though. Subaru dealers in the East Bay area haven't shown me much in terms of competence or customer service. I was just about to go on Yelp to mention some problems. My problem with local dealers had me contact Subaru Corporate Customer Support but perhaps due to Covid they haven't been helpful or responsive either. Toyota seemed to show me much better dealer service and in one case Corporate customer support. Just anecdotal I guess.
Many CR rankings are crowd sourced. For me, the jury is still out on that, as I have written here and elsewhere, many times...
We're happy with our local dealer for service (two new Crosstreks). It helps if you give them copies of TSBs and make friends with the Service Manage! 😸
I bring Subaru Swag (trinkets, really) to the pit crew and techs and my dealer when I go in. They greatly appreciate it and treat me very well in exchange.
I bring Subaru Swag (trinkets, really) to the pit crew and techs and my dealer when I go in. They greatly appreciate it and treat me very well in exchange.
Didn't know trinkets worked, LOL! I may try pizza as we have the last service due before we're out of factory warranty and I would really like it if they swapped out the HK amp with the newer one, per the TSB...
Where can I find information on "...high ranks for dealership experience." I know Subarus have a high Consumer Report rating on reliability though. Subaru dealers in the East Bay area haven't shown me much in terms of competence or customer service. I was just about to go on Yelp to mention some problems. My problem with local dealers had me contact Subaru Corporate Customer Support but perhaps due to Covid they haven't been helpful or responsive either. Toyota seemed to show me much better dealer service and in one case Corporate customer support. Just anecdotal I guess.
Most of the anecdotes I've heard are just the opposite regarding Subaru and Toyota. So my guess is the dealership experience varies depending on dealer.
If you look at CR, Subarus aren't the most reliable cars, but they're better than average. And it depends on the model as well. It looks like the Crosstrek has generally better reliability than the Outback.
I was thinking this also. Also thinking that implying that the problem is due to how the MT owners are selecting the correct gear for the circumstances will also lead to a lot of strife here, LOL!
While it's true there is no way a human will choose the most efficient gearing all the time like a CVT can do, I really doubt small differences will make much difference in engine longevity or cause an oil burning problem. More likely these engines that have the problem are chronically lugged. In other words, if you don't really know what you're doing, there is a lot more you can do wrong with a manual than an automatic.
While it's true there is no way a human will choose the most efficient gearing all the time like a CVT can do, I really doubt small differences will make much difference in engine longevity or cause an oil burning problem. More likely these engines that have the problem are chronically lugged. In other words, if you don't really know what you're doing, there is a lot more you can do wrong with a manual than an automatic.
Yes, an MT is far less idiot proof. Lugging isn't as big a problem as in the old engines, because the ECUs now just kill the power before damage can occur. But running at high revs under low power (too low a gear all the time) is bad, too, esp for oil consumption, as the rings don't seat properly with the lower manifold pressures. And when you constantly suddenly let off the throttle at high revs in a low gear, you can almost feel that oil getting sucked past those rings.
Yes, an MT is far less idiot proof. Lugging isn't as big a problem as in the old engines, because the ECUs now just kill the power before damage can occur. But running at high revs under low power (too low a gear all the time) is bad, too, esp for oil consumption, as the rings don't seat properly with the lower manifold pressures. And when you constantly suddenly let off the throttle at high revs in a low gear, you can almost feel that oil getting sucked past those rings.
Yes, over revving is definitely not doing any good, but it's clearly possible to over rev the CVT or any automatic as well. It's not possible to lug an automatic.
So you're saying the ECU will limit output if you're in too high a gear for your speed?
As far as rings not being seated properly, what can I say other than RTFM about the proper way to break in your engine.
Yes, when you retard ignition, you reduce power. Higher hp (turbo charged) engines can produce much greater torque at lower rpms (2000), but the engine internals are strengthened to handle that. Our N/A engines have to rev high before they can produce higher torque (which translates to hp). That's why the MT may seem very gutless unless you let it rev a little higher, which is OK, as long as there is load (ie accelerating, going up a hill, etc). With the CVT it quickly shifts to allow more revs when you want power, so no gutless lugging.
Yes, when you retard ignition, you reduce power. Higher hp (turbo charged) engines can produce much greater torque at lower rpms (2000), but the engine internals are strengthened to handle that. Our N/A engines have to rev high before they can produce higher torque (which translates to hp). That's why the MT may seem very gutless unless you let it rev a little higher, which is OK, as long as there is load (ie accelerating, going up a hill, etc). With the CVT it quickly shifts to allow more revs when you want power, so no gutless lugging.
What i would like to know is why the heck would you rev the engine unless you need to as in having a load going up a hill?? This isn't a race car. I have my 1998 Acura Integra GSR for that.
What i would like to know is why the heck would you rev the engine unless you need to as in having a load going up a hill?? This isn't a race car. I have my 1998 Acura Integra GSR for that.
You shouldn't, but there are no shortages of idiots out there... I see sports cars on the streets running at higher revs all the time, very annoying with all that noise. They do it, because if they tromp it they get instant power at those revs. And they like that noise. Same with the ninja motor bikes.
If you want instant power, get an EV. At least they are quiet.,
You shouldn't, but there are no shortages of idiots out there... I see sports cars on the streets running at higher revs all the time, very annoying with all that noise. They do it, because if they tromp it they get instant power at those revs. And they like that noise. Same with the ninja motor bikes.
If you want instant power, get an EV. At least they are quiet.,
Unfortunately it's the idiots who will cry in their beer when they have premature engine problems, then go all over the internet and trash talk the car.
I rode in a friend's Tesla once. Damn, that thing is a rocket!!!
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