Seems like most of the cars mentioned in this thread are 2018s or 2019s. Has anyone experienced oil burning on more recent model years? More importantly, is there any evidence that Subaru has addressed/fixed this issue in any way?
My 2021 MT started using more as I passed 25k miles on 0w20 oil. Was adding qt at about 3k miles. I switched to 5w30 and now adding approx1/2 qt. every 3k miles. Changing oil at 6k. Most miles are highway and even in 6th gear, I'm running around 3k rpm. My wife's cvt outback is under 2k rpm at highway speeds and uses no oil between changes. IMO 5th and 6th are too close together, I believe a lower 6th gear ratio to bring highway rpm down would reduce oil consumption. I'm still on free dealer oil changes, so once that's over, I'll probably switch to 0w40 or 5w40.
From what I gather through this thread, engine failures seem to be pretty uncommon with the Crosstreks, but I know that most are CVTs. What's the consensus with the newer generation 2.0 engines and the 6MT--is there any correlation between oil burning and engine issues? Beyond possibly needing to add oil, which admittedly isn't ideal, is there anything serious to worry about? I know previous generation Imprezas (and presumably Crosstreks?) had chronic issues with oil burning, and I recall there were also issues with head gaskets, but I won't pretend to know if there was a direct correlation.
I don't think there are any 2.0 MT engine mechanical issues other than using more oil because of higher rpm at cruising speeds. The high differential gear ratios are probably designed for the CVT transmissions, which can drop to a much lower rpm at cruising speeds. One of the posters in this thread mentioned low-load high rpm operation having negative effects. If I were an engine, I would prefer not to run at 3000 rpm on the highway. Going to 5w30 cut the amount of oil I add in half. Not a big deal for me to add some oil between changes. As I said, once I've used up my free dealer oil changes, I'll probably go to a higher viscosity oil like 0w40 or 5w40. Porsche water-cooled boxer owners use 0w40 or 5w40. Air cooled porsche owners often use 20w50 motorcycle oil. I think the watery 0w20 oil Subaru specifies is for slightly better mileage. I'm getting 30mpg now with the 5w30, which is OK for me.
I don't think there are any 2.0 MT engine mechanical issues other than using more oil because of higher rpm at cruising speeds. The high differential gear ratios are probably designed for the CVT transmissions, which can drop to a much lower rpm at cruising speeds. One of the posters in this thread mentioned low-load high rpm operation having negative effects. If I were an engine, I would prefer not to run at 3000 rpm on the highway. Going to 5w30 cut the amount of oil I add in half. Not a big deal for me to add some oil between changes. As I said, once I've used up my free dealer oil changes, I'll probably go to a higher viscosity oil like 0w40 or 5w40. Porsche water-cooled boxer owners use 0w40 or 5w40. Air cooled porsche owners often use 20w50 motorcycle oil. I think the watery 0w20 oil Subaru specifies is for slightly better mileage. I'm getting 30mpg now with the 5w30, which is OK for me.
4-cylinder engines have been running at 3000+ rpms on the highway for a long time without burning oil. Heck, my 97 Outback used to run at 3500 rpms on the highway.
4-cylinder engines have been running at 3000+ rpms on the highway for a long time without burning oil. Heck, my 97 Outback used to run at 3500 rpms on the highway.
Yeah, my Triumph Spitfire didn't use oil at steady 3k rpm either on straight 30 weight oil. I'll bet none of these older cars were running 0w20 oil.
When I switched my 2021 2.0 MT to 5w30, consumption dropped significantly. My hunch is 0w20 is too thin for modern MT higher mileage Subaru's that spend a lot of time on the highway.
My dad’s 67 nova 3 speed ran 4200rpm on the interstate.
best interstatevehicle I’ve owned for low rpm cruising was my 2016 CVT 1.8L Corolla, at 72mph rpm we’re about 1,650. In the Crosstrek CVT it’s about 2250.
I have 2019 Crosstrek, manual transmission. I work from home, and most of my trips are over 25 miles and are not major highways and in fact I just passed 50,000K which by my calculation is that this is average mileage usage. I burn at least a quart of oil 1000 miles before every oil change triggering the low oil light on at about 5000 miles since last oil change. I've been through 3 consumption tests after oil change with the dealer. The consumption never occurs in the first 1200 miles. It always occurs after 2400 miles, and then it occurs fairly quickly. Subaru Service has been useless and won't even drain my engine to confirm how much was actually consumed in the last two months. And FYI it is a manual transmission, but again, I'm not commuting daily and most of my use is more than a 25 mile trip and very little highway use. It started at 33,000 and has been predictable since. Pretty bummed that my car is less than three years old and I have to carry a quart of oil around with me. . If anyone has any suggestion of how to "handle" this with Subaru Customer Advocacy Department I'd be most thankful. There is no advocacy going on for me at all.
So you are consuming 1 quart of oil in 5,000 miles? FWIW, Subaru in a 2018 TSB revision defined excessive oil consumption as 1/3 quart within 1,200 miles (=1 quart within 3,600 miles):
If mine was using 1 qt every 1000 miles it would already be at the dealer. They have a way to measure oil loss and have good guidelines for engine replacement.
A six speed is not an option, wife cannot drive a manual. She likes my Crosstrek. But yesterday I put 700 miles on mine. 75 mph was 1800 rpm.
I had a ‘69 Chevelle convertible SS396 with 410 rear end. It ran at 4000 rpm back when speed limits were 55 mph. Slung out a quart every 500 miles.
So you are consuming 1 quart of oil in 5,000 miles? FWIW, Subaru in a 2018 TSB revision defined excessive oil consumption as 1/3 quart within 1,200 miles (=1 quart within 3,600 miles):
The TSB also states: View attachment 312422
Question. With your manual transmission do you have a habit of downshifting or engine braking? That practice can lead to oil consumption.
At least a quart in 5000 miles, which is 1000 miles before the 6000 mile service recommendation. The problem with the 1/3 of a quart 1200 miles is referring to the first 1200 miles after service. My car has been to the dealer multiple times since this low oil warning started at 33,000 miles. Also they changed all of the documentation to add oil consumption as an index item after the oil consumption class action lawsuit. My beef is why should I have to carry a quart of oil in my car to top it off every 5000 miles. I didn't buy a new car to do have to be a part time mechanic. Not to mention there is no easy way to tell how low it is and how much oil to add so one can easily over fill their car. In addition when the low oil light goes on, I have vapors registering on the dipstick way below the the safe level marks. My latest conversation with the Subaru Customer Advocacy Department was that Subaru recommends checking your oil levels after every other gas fillip. Uhuh, yeah sure. I have had four Subarus in 20 plus years. NEVER have I had to check the oil levels before 125,000 miles. I have always driven it, filled it up with gas and done my services as scheduled. I find that I have to the on the role of being vigilant to not blow my engine from 33,000 miles on for the rest of it's life a MASSIVE disappointment. Also I have been driving a manual transmission, and well for nearly 40 years. I work from home and do very little commuting. This is all about Subaru avoiding future class action lawsuits in my opinion.
Don't blame Subaru; blame the government's aggressive CAFE standards that automakers are trying to achieve via Direct Injection engines, Auto Stop/Start and other annoyances.
Modern day oil consumption is not unique to Subaru. Look at BMW for example:
Don't blame Subaru; blame the government's aggressive CAFE standards that automakers are trying to achieve via Direct Injection engines, Auto Stop/Start and other annoyances.
Modern day oil consumption is not unique to Subaru. Look at BMW for example: View attachment 312435
source: Some Newer Cars Can Burn Lots of Oil
Love how Toyota isn’t on the list. I’ve had three Toyotas and seven in my family… never once had a drop of oil leaking or a hint of being low between changes. Toyota may not have the best performance or fuel economy but thier engines are bulletproof. Hoping my 2.0 boxer is the same.
The dipstick is calibrated so that there is a 1.1 qt difference between the full and low mark on your engine oil dipstick. From your owner's manual:
So if your dipstick is dry you can safely add a full quart and then look at the dipstick again. If it is still dry (let's hope not) add another quart. Once the oil level reaches a point between the low and full marks, top off accordingly. If it is halfway between the low and full marks, add just a half quart. Make sure your car is level when checking the engine oil and the best time to check it is several minutes after you turn the engine off.
Love how Toyota isn’t on the list. I’ve had three Toyotas and seven in my family… never once had a drop of oil leaking or a hint of being low between changes. Toyota may not have the best performance or fuel economy but thier engines are bulletproof. Hoping my 2.0 boxer is the same.
Funny how people have differing opinions on this. Checking the oil at every other gas stop is just routine for me. And I say this as someone who’s never owned a car that burned oil before.
If I had to add a quart of oil between oil changes I honestly wouldn’t care. What’s it cost? Maybe ten bucks and two minutes of my time?
Maybe I’m just used to aviation where it’s almost routine to add a quart of oil every morning.
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