2013 Subaru Forester Oil Consumption

[JimClark]

Dear Friends,

I purchased this base model used 2 years ago in Altoona PA with 35K miles, 4-speed auto. It's now at 73K miles. It has passed 2 oil consumption tests at 54K and 65K miles. Most of the miles are road miles. I use Suby 0W-20 as recommended by the dealer

Oil consumption last summer, 70-80 mph with AC was 1 qt per 500 miles. This winter it has been 1 qt per 1200-1600 miles.

Do you think i have an oil consumption problem?Which oil(s) would you recommend? The car runs like a scalded rat. Thank you for your responses.

 

[Charlie2015]

I would recommend Maxlife 0w20 or Mobil 1 high mileage 0w20. If you are out of warranty and comfortable with it, then move up in viscosity and see if it slows oil usage.

 

[JohnnyJohnson]

I would try some Mobil 1 Extended Performance High Mileage 5w30 oil in it. If that doesn't cure it get rid of it. Oh and change the PVC if haven't already not clean replace.

 

[walterjay]

Those engines are known for using oil. If it were my car I would try Maxlife 5-30

 

[Virtus_Probi]

Originally Posted by JimClark
Dear Friends,
I purchased this base model used 2 years ago in Altoona PA with 35K miles, 4-speed auto. It's now at 73K miles. It has passed 2 oil consumption tests at 54K and 65K miles. Most of the miles are road miles. I use Suby 0W-20 as recommended by the dealer
Oil consumption last summer, 70-80 mph with AC was 1 qt per 500 miles. This winter it has been 1 qt per 1200-1600 miles.
Do you think i have an oil consumption problem?Which oil(s) would you recommend? The car runs like a scalded rat. Thank you for your responses.

Is this a Forester XT?

 

[MoneyJohn]

Try Castrol edge, Some on forester forum claim that this oil reduces consumption. Don't ask me why and how. I don't have this issue but have read this a few times there.

 

[Starman2112]

Originally Posted by JimClark
Dear Friends,

I purchased this base model used 2 years ago in Altoona PA with 35K miles, 4-speed auto. It's now at 73K miles. It has passed 2 oil consumption tests at 54K and 65K miles. Most of the miles are road miles. I use Suby 0W-20 as recommended by the dealer

Oil consumption last summer, 70-80 mph with AC was 1 qt per 500 miles. This winter it has been 1 qt per 1200-1600 miles.

Do you think i have an oil consumption problem?Which oil(s) would you recommend? The car runs like a scalded rat. Thank you for your responses.


Subaru will tell you it's normal, but I think don't think so. And there's no brand/viscosity of oil that's going to fix it.

 

[benjy]

the big difference in consumption in the heat indicates the 0-20 is NOT the right choice, not too bad in the cold though. 5 or 10 W 30 fake synthetic in winter + a 5 or 10 W 40 fake synthetic in the summer may help. i top up my oil using 1.8 T in the summer with 15-50 + see lower consumption + more vacuum on the gauge. i use Redline as its 300 tq + 275 hp @ 25 lb boost + only a 4.25 qt sump! i also live in Pa

 

[double vanos]

One quart per 500 miles? That's approaching 2 stroke levels. Agree with everyone here, time for a different oil / weight.

 

[mattd]

From what I understand Subaru has replaced lots of shortblocks for this exact reason in that generation of engines

 

[Chris142]

I would try a 10w30.

 

[das_peikko]

I would also recommend 10w30. Don't let the numbers play tricks on your mind.

10W-30 is not that thick, but it is thicker than 0W-20.

 

[wemay]

I don't know of any oil that will cure 1qt/500 mile consumption but, I would start with 10w30 to at least rule it out before a more expensive fix is plan B.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted by Virtus_Probi
Originally Posted by JimClark
Dear Friends,
I purchased this base model used 2 years ago in Altoona PA with 35K miles, 4-speed auto. It's now at 73K miles. It has passed 2 oil consumption tests at 54K and 65K miles. Most of the miles are road miles. I use Suby 0W-20 as recommended by the dealer
Oil consumption last summer, 70-80 mph with AC was 1 qt per 500 miles. This winter it has been 1 qt per 1200-1600 miles.
Do you think i have an oil consumption problem?Which oil(s) would you recommend? The car runs like a scalded rat. Thank you for your responses.

Is this a Forester XT?


Given he said "base model" I am going to assume his butt dyno is just way out of calibration

 

[JimClark]

Mattd, Copy. Lots of complaints on other forums that rebuilds will also consume lots of oil. Maybe it's not the fix, eh?

 

[JimClark]

Dear Friends,

My being pretty dumb about cars, I'm confused from the replies about oil brands and "weights," winter vs summer, syn vs conv, fake syn, el cheapo, etc.

My 2013 Forester has 74,000 miles, and is still under 100K miles extended warranty until Feb 2021, per the class action.

SOA will reimburse my Suby 0W-20 purchases, so maybe I should stay with that until out of warranty.

Also, in June I'm going to repeat the oil consumption test in Florida and see how it goes.

Forester forums suggest rebuilds will start to consume oil, too. So maybe it's not the final fix. Newer forums suggest the new cars have an oil consumption issue. I talked to a man whose 2019 Forester is consuming oil. The sales mgr offered gratis oil and filter changes to 100K miles here in central PA. Maybe it's time Subaru came out with a new engine.

Thank you,
Jack Altoona PA

 

[emg]

Based on the posts I've seen online over the last couple of years, oil consumption is rare on the newer Foresters, and almost non-existent on newer CVT models. Most of the problems were cured by 2014, but there's apparently something which can cause higher oil consumption when driving a manual (most likely the consistently higher RPMs).

Unfortunately that doesn't help you with a 2013, but a new short block may cut the consumption significantly even if you are driving a manual.

 

[JimClark]

Thank you. My 2013 Forester has a 4-speed auto. Nice transmission. 74K miles. Good runner. I want to keep it if I can control the oil consumption. My warranty goes to 100K miles, and I have already passed 2 oil consumption tests. I'll schedule my next test when I travel to Florida this summer. SOA will reimburse my Suby 0W-20 use, so why Not? I'd like to have this car a few more years, until the Honda Passport becomes available on the used car not.

Sincerely,
Jim

 

[LeakySeals]

T6 5w40. The Subaru oil of choice in every enthusiast forum.

 

[JimClark]

Thank you. I'll check it out.