2016 Subaru Forester Displaying "oil pressure warning light" while stopped in traffic

[BI0728]

Hello. Towards the end of a 1,200 mile trip, my 2016 Subaru Forester began displaying the above message (only while stopped, not while driving). It was slightly low on oil and oil was added. It continued to display the message with no problems with the performance of the vehicle. I had it checked out by my (trusted) mechanic and he said he exhausted all the "simple" fixes, he dropped the pan and found brass and babbitt material in the bottom of the pan and no other problems. He feels the way to correct the situation is to rebuild or replace the engine. Has anyone had an issue like this?

 

[bmart]

If you get to the oil light in a Subaru...it is probably a goner. Engines are cheap. Sadly, this is likely a user problem for something oil related (quality or level of oil, hard accel on cold oil/engine, etc. Temp needle in car is coolant, not oil.)

 

[Raymond3006]

How many tanks of Gasoline did you buy , .... without EVER checking your Oil-Level ... ?????

Seems like at least 2-WHOLE-GENERATIONS of "drivers" ( abusers - !) have come and gone W/O ever lifting their Engine-Hood at any gas Station !! I have not seen A SINGLE ONE LIFTED in over TEN-YEARS ... !!!! That is one way to keep your local Vehicle Mechanic from leaving town .... !!!!

Guess it is time for the Chickens To Come Home To ROOST , and dump heavy loads while THERE ... !!!

 

[bmart]

Yes, but in fairness, those pads used to be level, but they aren't any more. You really want a level pad or a garage floor to check fluids, and when the car isn't hot.

 

[Raymond3006]

Yes, but in fairness, those pads used to be level, but they aren't any more. You really want a level pad or a garage floor to check fluids, and when the car isn't hot.

Making it a RELIGION , are we ... ???
Forgot to tell us that the Engine should be allowed to sit over-night to get an even more accurate READING ... !!!

 

[bmart]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but it has to be level.

 

[Raymond3006]

I'm not sure what you're asking, but it has to be level.

I have NEVER been to a Gasoline Station that was NOT level enough for checking Oil Dip-Sticks Accurately at the Pumps ...

I am not sure why you insinuate that Filling Stations ARE NOT ON THE LEVEL .... Pricing Problems ... ???

 

[bmart]

They're not even close. The centers are usually close, as as you go to the sides, they're built for runoff. Same for filling, more fuel will go in my car if the surface is lower on the left. Just basic physics.

 

[rclark]

If it looks level, it is level enough for a quick check. If oil is low, it will be obvious. No need to be 'exact'.
That said, I change mine out every 3000 miles even though the manual says it could go longer. It is the way I've always done it in all of my vehicles and has never let me down.

 

[bmart]

Subarus are sensitive to oil level....good luck!

 

[Raymond3006]

Subarus are sensitive to oil level....good luck!

Guess that I will never check the Dip-Stick , unless I have brought my Carpenter's Level , and checked the Bubble for perfect centering - so I will just drive till the smoke runs out the back like a Diesel Truck .... !!!!

Next thing , I need to make sure that I have the right Engine points verified AS-LEVEL Points , to be able to check "LEVEL" ; those Engines are so Hard to check the Engine Block for exact Level-ness ! What IF my Frame is not certified as LEVEL ; what IF the Engine Mounts are ..... not copacetic ... : this is getting out of HAND !

Carpenters use a Forward-Backwards technique to assure "perfect" Level ; guess that I will have to move the vehicle to and from the same spot , reversing the Front-Back-Bumpers, and averaging the Readings to be sure of a Reliable Reading .... !

 

[bmart]

Ha ha! You wouldn't be the first. Not sure about other brands, but if that oil light comes on, the damage is likely already done in a Subaru. Not an excellent design.

If you're genuinely curious, test it on various surfaces that aren't flat and you'll see.

 

[Raymond3006]

" ... surfaces that are not flat ... " !
Why would I waste my time doing an ignorant thing that I KNOW will FAIL ..... ????????????????????

 

[bmart]

Are you smoking something beyond the norm today? lol You're a riot.

 

[Raymond3006]

Ha ha! You wouldn't be the first. Not sure about other brands, but if that oil light comes on, the damage is likely already done in a Subaru. Not an excellent design.

If you're genuinely curious, test it on various surfaces that aren't flat and you'll see.

Just trying to SAY , that One-Mans-Level ..... is apparently another's Slippery-Slope ;
like I said earlier , I have never seen a gas-station whose pump area is NOT "Level" .... enough to properly read a Dip-Stick , unless the Operator is also a Dip-tick !!!!!

 

[bmart]

They're your engines!

 

[keith3267]

Has your mechanic changed the oil filter since you started having this problem? Are you (or your mechanic) using the correct oil filter?

 

[Mark Monte]

Dang it, The problem is that the oil is too darn thin!
Replacing an engine is NOT cheap!
I would recommend you use a different type of oil, not the 0W-20 that is the original fill in the United States. Everywhere else, such as in Europe, the recommended oil is 5W-30. This super-thin oil, 0W-20, is used in order to achieve fuel economy, but not motor longevity!
Extremely thin oil is recommended in engines that use variable valve technology, but this is due to the computer "brain" uses oil pressure via a solenoid to advance or retard the camshaft and, thus, valve timing, so the oil must be clean.
I asked Bing A.I. and it admits this! It is probably too late, but many owners of "newer" cars go with option #3:
I quote:

Oil Specifications​

1. Viscosity: The ideal viscosity rating for the 2016 Subaru Forester is 0W-20. This oil is designed to provide excellent cold-start performance and maintain effective lubrication at high temperatures.
   
   2
2. Synthetic vs. Conventional: Subaru recommends using synthetic oil due to its superior lubrication properties, better resistance to breakdown, and enhanced performance in various driving conditions. Synthetic oils help keep the engine cleaner and provide better protection against wear.
   
   3
3. Alternative Viscosity: While 0W-20 is the preferred oil, 5W-30 can be used if 0W-20 is unavailable. However, it is important to note that using the recommended oil type is crucial for maintaining engine efficiency and longevity.
   https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3166...tZG9lcy1hLTIwMTYtc3ViYXJ1LWZvcmVzdGVyLXRha2Uv
   https://www.bing.com/ck/a?!&&p=3166...tZG9lcy1hLTIwMTYtc3ViYXJ1LWZvcmVzdGVyLXRha2Uv

 

[bmart]

This guy and the editing are a riot.

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