('11+) Now its my oil light!!! 2012 impreza

[gregorz4]

Well im back to the Oil Consumption forums, which I was hoping to really really avoid. I had an oil consumption problem, got a new short block installed my car after waiting for it for over a month and a half...and after driving it for just over 3 weeks and 5500km I can say that my oil consumption problem is back!!! F!!!!!! I went to Subaru with the Oil light still on, they checked it and it was .6 of a liter low after 5500km of driving. They gave me the same old routine of "its normal for it to burn .6 in that amount of kms. Has anyone had their oil light come on during the break in period and then it never returned?

* Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

[gregorz4]

Originally Posted by sportyimpreza

Hi 79letour, I'm brand-new here..and a brand-new Subaru 'convert' let's say. I'm following your post as it's just like what I'm going through, however, I have not been to the dealer yet. I'm in Canada - Ontario (north of Toronto) and I do mainly highway driving, no major accelaration etc...and when I read your commentary, this is what the dealer said to me from the Maple dealership. In fact, my light comes on only when I am driving then it resets itself. The service mgr said to top it up! and well, I've had to do a bit from time to time, but it's a new vehicle I picked it up in December 2012! light came on as i was driving. Anyway, I curious too..I think it could be a bad sensor.

Hey Im from the Toronto Area as well...South of it anyway...Ive had an oil consumption problem from the start...got a new engine...problem has returned.
I never top up my oil...every time the light comes on I make sure to go to Subaru so they add the oil in themselves so they can document it. I guess I got a new short block because my 12 impreza was burning over a liter of oil with just 900-1000km of driving. They say it could be a faulty oil monitoring sensor but if it is...then why the F don\t they just change it to one that isn't faulty?
Well hopefully if this is going to be a reoccurring problem...again...I hope they give me another hopefully new short block.

[flyboy1100]

Originally Posted by gregorz4

Well im back to the Oil Consumption forums, which I was hoping to really really avoid. I had an oil consumption problem, got a new short block installed my car after waiting for it for over a month and a half...and after driving it for just over 3 weeks and 5500km I can say that my oil consumption problem is back!!! F!!!!!! I went to Subaru with the Oil light still on, they checked it and it was .6 of a liter low after 5500km of driving. They gave me the same old routine of "its normal for it to burn .6 in that amount of kms. Has anyone had their oil light come on during the break in period and then it never returned?

That still needs to be broke in, right? In my experience so far break in lasts through 10k (16k km).

[gregorz4]

Originally Posted by flyboy1100

That still needs to be broke in, right? In my experience so far break in lasts through 10k (16k km).

Did your impreza burn oil during the break in period (or at all) to the point where your oil light came in but then never came back after the "break in period"

[aeoporta]

yes, i qualify for severe service and my light did come on at 3,600 miles during the intial break in period. I posted about this already, my car never came with a full engine of oil and the light came on when on an incline which is expected. After i got to a level service oil level was still above the lower dot, I added a half a liter/qt, so far no consumption on new oil fill. Oil level is monitored weekly during my normal sunday maintenance. I wouldn't worry about the light durng break in, cars consume oil during break in and then will stop level off to a normal ratio once fully broken in. I agree with flyboy1100 10k figure however some will not as the last time I suggested a car needing a good 10k to break in I had more than enough ppl going postal on me about it. According to the manual it can take up to 7k to fully break in vehicle.

[79letour]

Basically you will be given all sorts of reasons why it burns oil.
Subaru says it takes several thousand miles to break in the car, but if you already had an oil burner you'd think they woukd make DAMN SURE the replacement one was perfect!
Keep watching your oil level, and keep taking that thing to the dealer when you get oil lights, man.
Good luck, thanks for keeping us posted!!

[flyboy1100]

Originally Posted by gregorz4

Did your impreza burn oil during the break in period (or at all) to the point where your oil light came in but then never came back after the "break in period"

No, never seen the light.

I didn't understand why they gave you a short block rather than as long block. They problem is probably in the heads/pistons or valves

[79letour]

Apparently the fb's in the Legacy are just as likely to burn oil as ours...

http://legacygt.com/forums/showthrea...r-198209.html?

[79letour]

Originally Posted by flyboy1100

No, never seen the light.

I didn't understand why they gave you a short block rather than as long block. They problem is probably in the heads/pistons or valves

Based on peoples posts, and the pics of a torn-down fb20 provided by an aussie tech, I think the oil control rings dont work properly.

[aeoporta]

It's prob not burning oil, but in fact may have been left 3/4 qrt low out of factory, but of course, they won't admit to that. Unless you ck the oil regularly and noticed its decline??

I agree with this, as my car came with less than a full 5.3qts of oil from factory

I feel the OP's pain. At around 2800mi is when I first checked the oil in my legacy, and noticed the oil level was either slightly above or below the low mark on the dipstick (I don't remember which). My legacy now has 120k and runs perfect still, but I regularly consume 1-2 quarts of oil every 5,000mi. It's incredibly obnoxious that I have to constantly wonder what my oil level is, but I love the car soo I deal with it.

hmmmm i am good with this also. I never go past 5k for oci, ever.
if i burnt 1 to 2 qts wouldn't be the end of the world. On the main nyc commuter car, eventhough oil consumption is negligible since its on severe service. The oil has already broken down by the time 4k hits and you can hear the engine is markedly louder.

I believe each individual should evaluate:
First: does my driving style or conditions qualify me for severe service
Second: what type of oci will I use that won't compromise my engine

borrowed the below from a dealership brochure, use whatever part is relevant to your
individual situation.

THIS SCHEDULE is to assist local owners in car maintenance. Following it will help protect you from major breakdown due to lack of maintenance and extend the life of major components. The recommendations are made from factory suggestions and local repair experience.

SEVERE SERVICE - When most trips are less than ten miles or outside temperatures remain below freezing. When most trips include extended idling or frequent low speed operation ... When towing a trailer or driving rough or muddy roads. When operating in areas with road salt or other corrosive materials.


Lube / Oil & Filter Change: Severe service - Every 3,750 miles or 3 months
Why? The oil and filter collects contaminants that will damage your engine if they are not removed regularly.

Battery: Every 7,500 miles or 12 months
Why? Battery terminals will corrode, causing a poor connection between the battery post and cable. An improper charge to the battery and a no start condition will result.

Cooling System: Every 45,000 / 75,000 / 105,000 miles
Why? The cooling system service prevents corrosion, which causes the cooling system to malfunction or fail.

Rotate Tires: Every 7,500 miles or 12 months
Why? To obtain maximum tire mileage and performance.

Transmission: Every 15,000 miles or 12 months
Why? The transmission oil collects contaminants that can damage your transmission.

Valve Adjustment: Every 15,000 miles or 12 months (most engines)
Why? Proper valve clearance is critical to maintain engine performance and fuel economy.

Air Filter: Every 30,000 miles or 24 months
Why? The air filter will become dirty, restricting air flow. This causes a loss of fuel economy and engine performance.

Spark Plug: Every 30,000 miles or 24 months (except platinum) - Every 105,000 miles or 84 months (platinum plug models)
Why? Spark plug electrodes will corrode and cause a loss of fuel economy and engine performance if not replaced.

Brake Fluid Replacement: Every 30,000 miles or 36 months
Why? Brake fluid is a hydroscopic fluid, which absorbs moisture and will lead to premature failure of various brake system components.

Brake Inspection (Front / Rear): Every 7,500 miles or 6 months
Why? Brake linings need to be checked for cracking, glazing, contamination and wear.

Timing Belt Replacement: Every 90,000 miles or 72 months (1996 and older) - Every 105,000 miles or 84 months (1997 and newer)
Why? Belts will wear and/or crack. This will result in belt breakage and engine damage.

Parking Brake Adjustment: Every 7,500 miles or 6 months
Why? Brake linings wear and cables will stretch causing the brake to malfunction.

Component Performance: Every 15,000 miles or 12 months
Why? Preventative maintenance / safety; all fluid levels, brake hoses and lines, exhaust system, suspension components, driveshaft boots, fuel lines & connections, cooling system hoses & connections, tie rod ends, steering gear box & boots.

Remember OCI, and total cost of ownership might keep your car alive until warranty is up but after that you might be SOL

http://www.tuffy.com/maintenance-e-a...onditions.html

[jsteg]

Originally Posted by aeoporta

I agree with this, as my car came with less than a full 5.3qts of oil from factory

hmmmm i am good with this also. I never go past 5k for oci, ever.
if i burnt 1 to 2 qts wouldn't be the end of the world. On the main nyc commuter car, eventhough oil consumption is negligible since its on severe service. The oil has already broken down by the time 4k hits and you can hear the engine is markedly louder.

I believe each individual should evaluate:
First: does my driving style or conditions qualify me for severe service
Second: what type of oci will I use that won't compromise my engine

borrowed the below from a dealership brochure, use whatever part is relevant to your
individual situation.

Remember OCI, and total cost of ownership might keep your car alive until warranty is up but after that you might be SOL

http://www.tuffy.com/maintenance-e-a...onditions.html

I think they mean hygroscopic when referring to the brake fluid. I think it's funny when they can't even spell or use the right word when trying to "educate" the consumer. It's also funny that they make no mention of iridium spark plugs, which I believe we have in our fb20 motors (I may be wrong though).

[79letour]

So your point is tht you are ok with the car burning oil?
Its got a 7500 oci. It cant make it without constant monitoring/top off's.
Why are you loyalists so not understanding why we have a problem with this?

[79letour]

Originally Posted by jsteg

I think they mean hygroscopic when referring to the brake fluid. I think it's funny when they can't even spell or use the right word when trying to "educate" the consumer. It's also funny that they make no mention of iridium spark plugs, which I believe we have in our fb20 motors (I may be wrong though).

Just like how soa press releases and announcements call the boxer "subaru's new inline boxer engine" lol

our fb's have regular copper plugs. replacement is every 40k iirc.

[aeoporta]

wasn't a subaru dealership thats why no specific mention of spark plugs, just something to use as a rubric, there are parts that I would adjust or add to for example:
personally i disregard the battery one, I change those every 3 yrs,
tires I change every 3yrs or 30k based on type of tire I get tread depth should be getting low by then not unsafe low but why risk it.

trans fluid every year or 10 to 15k
brake fluid every 2 yrs
cabin air filter every 12k
engine air filter for nyc car, every 20 to 24k, for non nyc car every 30k (cleaned both use k&n)
30k service: coolant change, throttle body clean, maf clean, spark plugs, brake fluid,
transmission fluid, oil change ......

[aeoporta]

Originally Posted by 79letour

So your point is tht you are ok with the car burning oil?
Its got a 7500 oci. It cant make it without constant monitoring/top off's.
Why are you loyalists so not understanding why we have a problem with this?

my point is everyone should stop obsessing about the 7.5k oci it is simply a recommendation not something that is set in stone. A car can do 7.5 and the manual says you may need to top off the oil. My opinion is that everyone should determine their own oci and not stick with 7.5, quite frankly if you live in hot florida I would put you in the severe service category, heat destroys engines, batteries etc. The same for if you lived in arizona. I personally believe the obssession with the 7.5k oci does more damage than good.

The manual for the car is a guideline, it is up to YOU the consumer to evaluate and choice the best options for your needs.

I am not being a fanboy just saying that people need to be careful when choosing their intervals and what services they
opt to perform on their vehicles

[79letour]

If twenty miles from disney is SEVERE, why not tell us?
I asked for soa to define severe and their response never mentioned heat. None of the conditions they ga e applied to my car.
What about australia?
Or the oil burners in Canada?
They hyped this car way too much. People are having a hard time getting the good mpg's, people are having to put a quart or more in every couple thousand miles.
Subaru, and other manufacturers don't want to give us any assurance of build quality, and have deftly maneuvered their way around lemon laws with language in the manual.
Anyone that thinks their brand new car is ok to burn oil from day one is an idiot.
If it were normal, why doesnt every, or even MOST, owners say "yeah mine burns oil"?
Its not supposed to, and thanks to spotty qc, some of us got stuck with cars that arent as "good".

[aeoporta]

I will sum up this thread as follows:

diatribe: A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.

common sense: sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.


If i need to tell someone that burning heat and humidity along with freezing cold qualifies you for severe service then seriously see common sense above. Florida has such oppresive heat it literally burns the paint off cars, you should see my aunts camry.
I am not arguing as to wether or not your car burns oil I am simply stating that your OCI is a bit unrealistic, no amount of UOA or supposition is going to pay the bill when your engine blows up. Australia is also hot as balls based on where you are located, outback like the deserts of the US are severe. Canada is cold, common sense says yes I am on severe service and I should also use some sort of synthetic trans fluid so that my car shifts a little better, one with a low pour point. It is your responsiblity to take ownership of your vehicle and use common sense practices when maintaing this machine. With any endeavour there will always be risk but sticking to a 7.5k oci is to put it simply, NUTS.

So far I see plenty of owners who say yes my car burns X amount of oil in X amount of time. Your car burns more than then norm no one faults you for that, after you do the normal jumps through the subaru system, your situation will be rectified. Hysteria and diatribes won't get you anywhere, alienating others won't get you anywhere, personal attacks won't get you anywhere.

[auskip07]

Wow valve adjustment? HAHA Does any manufacturer use adjustable valves anymore?

Either way if you are using a qt every 3k i think you are pretty good. Some are luckier others not so much.

[aeoporta]

lol, yeah its a honda brochure, and yep varies by your model year. adjust those valves kids

[79letour]

Originally Posted by aeoporta

I will sum up this thread as follows:

diatribe: A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something.

common sense: sound and prudent judgment based on a simple perception of the situation or facts.


If i need to tell someone that burning heat and humidity along with freezing cold qualifies you for severe service then seriously see common sense above. Florida has such oppresive heat it literally burns the paint off cars, you should see my aunts camry.
I am not arguing as to wether or not your car burns oil I am simply stating that your OCI is a bit unrealistic, no amount of UOA or supposition is going to pay the bill when your engine blows up. Australia is also hot as balls based on where you are located, outback like the deserts of the US are severe. Canada is cold, common sense says yes I am on severe service and I should also use some sort of synthetic trans fluid so that my car shifts a little better, one with a low pour point. It is your responsiblity to take ownership of your vehicle and use common sense practices when maintaing this machine. With any endeavour there will always be risk but sticking to a 7.5k oci is to put it simply, NUTS.

So far I see plenty of owners who say yes my car burns X amount of oil in X amount of time. Your car burns more than then norm no one faults you for that, after you do the normal jumps through the subaru system, your situation will be rectified. Hysteria and diatribes won't get you anywhere, alienating others won't get you anywhere, personal attacks won't get you anywhere.

My first car still has the paint I put on it in 1995. Hasn't burned off yet...
It also will go 2000 miles without burning a quart.
I'm not understanding why you're here telling us to take better care of our cars.
If EVERYWHERE they sell the car is SEVERE, by your standards everywhere is, then why say to go 7500?
I cant even do a 3000 mile interval on 100% synthetic without losing at least a quart...

[79letour]

Man, every time I post a link substantiating widespead oil loss with fb's, someone comes in to "play lawyer" on soa's behalf.

[gregorz4]

Originally Posted by 79letour

My first car still has the paint I put on it in 1995. Hasn't burned off yet...
It also will go 2000 miles without burning a quart.
I'm not understanding why you're here telling us to take better care of our cars.
If EVERYWHERE they sell the car is SEVERE, by your standards everywhere is, then why say to go 7500?
I cant even do a 3000 mile interval on 100% synthetic without losing at least a quart...

I think the people on these forums that say its normal for a car to consume oil either work for Subaru or have been brainwashed to think its normal.

[gregorz4]

If a 2012 Impreza (A) burns zero oil, and a different 2012 impreza (B) burns 1 quart/ litre every 2000 km then how can that be considered normal. If one does something that the other doesn't, I would think there is something wrong with one of those cars.

[79letour]

"please refer to your trusted source concearning severe driving"
After several emails and phone calls thats all I could get out of em. Thats their whole response...
I had asked them for an example of somewhere in North America that doesnt count as severe.

[aeoporta]

note I never said everywhere is severe service I said florida is severe service, ontario is severe service. Places were a car is subjected to severe temperatures and extreme weather conditions will qualify for severe service. In this thread you have had many report of their cars using .5 in 6k, my own post indicates ~.3qt in 4.5k and so on.

What I find amusig is the fact that you believe that subaru 1qt in 1.2k is proposterous yet you don't seem to have much of an issue with the oci being 7.5k


If you can name a car that does not have any reports of oil consumption I would love to know what car this is. As I said above your car consumes oil that falls outside the amount that most are reporting therefore you have an issue, however 7.5k oci is penny wise pound foolish. I would advise anyone with an oil consumption issue to keep a level head, refrain from attacks either on the company or on anyone commenting on the issue, and approach soa as one cohesive unit. Hysteria will not accelerate resolution of this problem.