2013 Outback update

"Highlander-Datsuns are Forever" (jamesbowland)
12/17/2018 at 12:37 • Filed to: None

1 qt oil used in 3,250 miles. This is almost exactly 30,000 miles after they replaced the short block exactly two years ago (December of 2016) due to burning the required 1 qt of oil in 1,000 miles.

We will see. Probably time to unload this car while it is still in presentable condition.

DISCUSSION (37)

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 12:45

Any car that uses over 1/2 qt between 3k mile oil changes has issues IMO.

My 20+ yo Mopars with 200k+ only use about 1/2 qt every 3k, most of which is seeping out of the valve covers.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/17/2018 at 12:49

Subaru has learned that running a virtual 2 stroke is very efficient.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/17/2018 at 12:51

In some very high performance cars it is normal to use 1 qt in 1,000 miles, but I’m talking Corvette Z06, Porsche GT3, BMW M3/M5 level. This is a stock 2.5L 4 cylinder car that puts out a paltry 171 HP at 5600 rpm.

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/17/2018 at 12:52

My Dodge is really the most reliable out of all my vehicles and it is an 86 that is barely maintained.

The 2018 Forte has been ok, but has only like 3,000 miles on it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever
12/17/2018 at 12:54

How close are you to trading it in on a Jeep Wrangler?

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 12:56

I think one year out. I renew my mortgage in December 2019 and want to have m oney in my account/no loans before that

Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 13:00

Dump it now, because these go from 1qt/3000 to 1qt/100 in nothing flat. Fuck Subaru and fuck Toyota, who does the same shit.

If your engine is burning oil, the design was defective from day one, full stop.

The Ghost of Oppo > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 13:00

That’s a big pupper

gettingoldercarguy > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 13:02

Try renewable lubricants for oil. Works very well for eliminating oil consumption. Can get it from Amazon prime

Mid Engine > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 13:32

This is why I’ll never buy a Su ba ru new or used: t he y know it’s an issue, deny it’s a pro blem, and have not come up with a solution. Not the kind of company that will get any of my hard earned money.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/17/2018 at 13:34

Yes.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > The Ghost of Oppo
12/17/2018 at 13:34

Alaskan Husky, probably a husky/grey hound mix.

shop-teacher > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 13:44

I’m very unimpressed by the reliability of Subaru engines. To the point where they’re joining the ranks of brands I try to steer people away from. It’s now Subaru and anything made by FCA.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > shop-teacher
12/17/2018 at 13:51

My mom wanted a forester, I talker her down and she got a Mazda CX5. She loves the Mazda and it’s a way better car than the Forester.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/17/2018 at 13:53

They know the design was defective, and have admitted so in a class action law suit that has extended my warranty to 8yrs /100,000 miles. As long as they are going to replace the engine for free every 30,000 miles I’ll keep driving it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Spamfeller Loves Nazi Clicks
12/17/2018 at 13:53

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Mid Engine
12/17/2018 at 13:53

They know it’s a problem, there was this huge class action law suite and all. My warranty was extended to 8/100,000

shop-teacher > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 13:54

I test drove a CX-5 and a Forester XT back to back four years ago . I was very excited to test drive the turbo XT. Then I actuall y drove it, and I hated it. The CX-5 may be slower, but it’s a WAY better vehicle. I’m so glad I bought the CX-5.

fintail > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/17/2018 at 14:19

Here’s a fun entry from the owner’s manual in the fintail:

Kinja'd!!!

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 15:01

I’ m going through about a quart every 5000 on the cruiser , but its leaking not burning. I still can’t believe Subaru thought their wimpy low weight rings would be worth the extra .5 mpg on the combined cycle.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
12/17/2018 at 15:05

I don’t know what kind of sorcery they used buy the MPG’s in the outback are darn impressive. I frequently get close to 30 mpg’s while my old impreza was in the low 20's.

HammerheadFistpunch > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 15:06

super light weight rings and super light weight oil.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > HammerheadFistpunch
12/17/2018 at 15:08

I should switch to 20-50 and see what happens.

wafflesnfalafel > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 15:21

that sucks... keeping a close eye on it in ours, ( haven’t seen an issue yet though it’s newer .) That’s a 2013 2.5 with autotrans? Basically company schedule for oil changes? Dealership oil?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > wafflesnfalafel
12/17/2018 at 15:24

It’s a 2013, with a 6 speed manual. All dealership oil, so straight 20. Changes every 6 months so 5,000 miles or so. If I was doing it on my own I’d probably use 5/30.

wafflesnfalafel > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 15:31

ok, thx much - the 0w20 they spec now for the NA motors is just like water... Crossing my fingers...

punkgoose17 > HammerheadFistpunch
12/17/2018 at 16:17

I understand. At my former employer they said the friction from the rings was about 30% of the internal energy losses of most engines, and by far the biggest factor for internal losses.

punkgoose17 > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 16:24

If they increased the oil weight, that would have to be a recall on every engine. They would need to redo the EPA ratings, and the new lower ratings would likely yield another class action suit.

I wonder if their is a TSB that specs a heavier oil to reduce consumption because obviously the low weight oil is not protecting the engine from internal wear if consumption is increasing?

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > punkgoose17
12/17/2018 at 16:53

If I still have the car and it is out of warranty I’ll switch to 5-30. As long as Subaru is paying to replace my engine every 35k I’ll tow the party line.

DipodomysDeserti > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/17/2018 at 17:25

Present day Mopar needs some of you magic. The 3.8L in the ‘07-11 Wranglers are pretty notorious for oil consumption at well under 100k miles.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/17/2018 at 23:48

I had a coworker with an audi say he has to add a q uart every 800-1000 miles and another with a subaru say @700, meanwhile the rest of us were like

Kinja'd!!!

“um i have to add a 1/2 a quart to my boring malibu like every 5k miles”

I know a couple folks that have walked away from some terrible accidents in subarus, but damn do they like to suck oil

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > gmporschenut also a fan of hondas
12/17/2018 at 23:52

They really screwed up the last generation of na motors in the quest for fuel efficiency.

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/18/2018 at 05:45

like audi, got to make up the awd pena lty somewhere

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > DipodomysDeserti
12/18/2018 at 07:02

Something about the 3.8L in the Wranglers, they’ve never seemed to fair well. Then again, look at most Wrangler owners, probably a good sign as to why they’re going to hell in 100k.

DipodomysDeserti > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
12/18/2018 at 09:16

Very true. Do have any experience turbocharging the 3.8? Mine could use a little more ooomph when travelling at high elevation.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > DipodomysDeserti
12/18/2018 at 10:13

I know guys have added boost to them. Some have turbocharged them, some have supercharged them, either way has had great results.

They can generally handle 6 lbs of boost on stock internals, stock ecm, and stock fuel. Some guys have gotten as high as 10 lbs, but that’s maxing out the stock setup. Seems 6 lbs is good for 300 hp/325 ft-lbs in most cases.

Honestly before digging into boost, I would do some simple intake/exhaust mods. Mopar V6s take very well to better intake and exhaust as they were both very restrictive from factory.

TurboDodge and TurboMopar forums are good resources for adding boost to the V6s.

godwinaustin > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
12/18/2018 at 19:52

Can’t say I’ve heard much of anything good about those Subaru 2.5s