Oil consumption on 05 LegacyGt

[Paul]

I just changed the oil in my 2005 Legacy GT Turbo at 7500 miles and was
surprised
that only 2.5 qts was drained out, indicating that over 2 quarts were used
in the preceding 4000 miles.
That would be excessive oil consumption in most cars including other Subarus
like Outback and WRX.
Is this normal for the new model Legacys?

 

[Jim Stewart]

I just changed the oil in my 2005 Legacy GT Turbo at 7500 miles and was
surprised
that only 2.5 qts was drained out, indicating that over 2 quarts were used
in the preceding 4000 miles.
That would be excessive oil consumption in most cars including other Subarus
like Outback and WRX.
Is this normal for the new model Legacys?

How do you know that it was at the
full mark when you took delivery?

Check it every fillup for 1000 miles
then let us know.

 

[Carl 1 Lucky Texan]

I just changed the oil in my 2005 Legacy GT Turbo at 7500 miles and was
surprised
that only 2.5 qts was drained out, indicating that over 2 quarts were used
in the preceding 4000 miles.
That would be excessive oil consumption in most cars including other Subarus
like Outback and WRX.
Is this normal for the new model Legacys?

You will have difficulty getting any adjustment from Subaru unless
they find a specific problem causing oil oss or it is worse than a quart
in 1,000 or so. Assuming 1/2 liter is in the filter and some left in the
pan, plus not knowing if

 

[Edward Hayes]

As written I assume that this is the first oil change and you never
have checked it before 7,500 miles? My Forester owners monstrance
guide states that the first oil change is to be preformed at 3,000
miles. Normally one checks their oil level every 1,000 miles or so,
especially with a new vehicle. You have done no damage since the low
oil pressure warning light was not on. You have NO complaints yet.
Read the manuals & guides that came with your vehicle.

 

[paul]

It was changed by the dealer at 3000 miles and at that time was overfilled,
so there is no doubt that in the folllowing 4000 miles it used around 2 qts

 

[MD]

2 quarts seems to be a lot but I have heard of the turbo using up some oil,
especially if you are revving high a lot of times. Perhaps check into
using synthetic to see if that will help.

 

[k. ote]

It was changed by the dealer at 3000 miles and at that time was
overfilled, so there is no doubt that in the folllowing 4000 miles it used
around 2 qts

Did someone forget the washer? That one that supposed to be crushed in each
time the oil is changed?

 

[Rick Courtright]

Is this normal for the new model Legacys?

Hi,

Your car has only 7500+ miles, right? If I read that part right, I
wouldn't think 2 qts/4000 miles to be excessive: some engines take 10k
or more miles for the rings to seat properly.

I'd suggest checking the oil more frequently than 1x/1000 mi, like maybe
once a week, and watch to see if the consumption rate's relatively
linear, or starts off slowly then builds up somewhat quickly. If the
latter's the case, I'd think an oil change in the general time frame of
the increase in consumption is warranted. I've always had more rapid
consumption after a couple of thousand miles than right after a change.

Please keep us posted on "progress" with this car!

Rick

 

[Dino]

We had a similar experience with our '05 2.5i and it had me worried. It
went through a lot of oil in the first 5K miles, but has been getting better
and better with break-in. It has 12K now and oil consumption has
drastically been reduced. I understand this is normal for Subaru break-in.

 

[Phil]

I used about a litre (quart +) in the first couple of thousand kilometres
but have used very little since on my 05 Outback. Going on 25k klms now. I
think it must be a Subaru thing judging by the replies.

phil

 

[Zelidar]

I second Dino_nospam statement on a H6 engine. Now no longer an issue
for my car. Seems to be the way modern Subaru engines are designed,
turbo or not.

See also my previous related post.

 

[Sheldon]

I just changed the oil in my 2005 Legacy GT Turbo at 7500 miles and was
surprised
that only 2.5 qts was drained out, indicating that over 2 quarts were used
in the preceding 4000 miles.
That would be excessive oil consumption in most cars including other
Subarus like Outback and WRX.
Is this normal for the new model Legacys?

Some new cars will use more oil until they are fully broken in, and some
cars will normally use some oil normally. I hope my new/used outback
doesn't use much oil (my old Loyale burned about two quarts between oil
changes). My Porsche uses no oil, but they say it's normal for a 911 to
burn a quart every 1000 miles. I'd check it often and give it some time.