I will continue to buy their vehicles even with this known issue. They have the best AWD system on the market. Add in the fuel economy with the CVT, ground clearance, and top of the charts safety and they are hard to beat.
Sorry to hear about your continuing oil consumption issues. Though, I appreciate your posts and hope that you continue to update us here...
The situation seems pretty oblique. Goggling around finds plenty of oil consumption reports and, at least, two lawsuits. Though, one also finds plenty of reports from owners that say they don't have the problem.
Appears that there are at least two different attempted remedies from Subaru. Initially, change the rings, later change the short block. But no consensus on whether either of these are effective ...
At the same time, Subaru is reporting record sales...
Anyway, appreciate your posts and hope it works out for you.
Uno
I will continue to buy their vehicles even with this known issue. They have the best AWD system on the market. Add in the fuel economy with the CVT, ground clearance, and top of the charts safety and they are hard to beat.
Ok,
1) The best AWD system in the world is not necessarily made by Subaru; Porches' is pretty nice;
2) The best AWD system is worthless without an engine that'll last;
3) I recommend you put that to the test and go out and purchase a new FB series Subaru based car... then tell us how it goes for you. Or two like we did...
So far... it's not so stellar.
People with older Outbacks say they are rock solid... but folks that have upgraded to newer ones are not impressed.
SoA lets the dealers get away with overfilling the oil, so as to avoid swapping out the short blocks. We're going through that right now.
Anyone that thinks purchasing a Subaru is a good idea needs to reexamine that philosophy. Go read the Outback and Forester forums... it's not pretty.
As I figured they would to meet CAFE, they are no longer full time AWD systems, they are FWD with AWD on demand. On top of that their PTU's are over heating with even a slight amount of weight (seriously, a transmission cooler for 1200lbs?). Subaru is great for the city slicker that loves to burn extra gas now. They managed to destroy what ruggedness and capability they had.
All Subaru's (minus the BRZ) constantly power all four wheels. The amount of power sent front to back varies depending on vehicle and road conditions.
That's why you need the 3.6 with the 5 speed automatic...
ONLY burns a QT of oil in 6000 miles, with the light turning on once!
It does however, work well in crappy weather.
But the engineers must have said that's ok. Couldn't have had anything to do with Chrysler not wanting to bleed money on a crappy motor design.
Or BMW, or Toyota, or Honda, or Ford, etc. They all say the same thing.
Again, difference between saying and doing. They are trying to limit liability, but they have failed to do so. Chrysler and Ford both lost class actions for oil consumption. If people don't push, they get shafted. The fact is the 1qt every 1K does not hold up in a lawsuit. There is an understanding that you don't change your oil in burnt oil between oil changes! There's also no car that can burn that much oil and pass emissions tests.
Again, difference between saying and doing. They are trying to limit liability, but they have failed to do so. Chrysler and Ford both lost class actions for oil consumption. If people don't push, they get shafted. The fact is the 1qt every 1K does not hold up in a lawsuit. There is an understanding that you don't change your oil in burnt oil between oil changes! There's also no car that can burn that much oil and pass emissions tests.
Outback 2.5 CVT 80/20, you're not AWD anything at 80/20. That's a FWD car, which is all well and good cause that is where the traction is.
A bit of a tangent but would like to ask. My wife and I had a 2009 outback 2.5 for a few years. We primarily bought it for the AWD system and driving about 60mi round trip to work every day in Michigan. A set of snow tires on this car made it amazing in the winter.
Other then the above I found absolutely nothing impressive about the car. I couldn't understand why so many people were in love with them. There definitely isn't some huge advantage in terms of traction in bad weather with stock tires. So it can't really be the AWD system because I have to believe most people run stockish/generic tires in general. So what is it about these cars that people love so much? Guess it was lost on me.
Outback 2.5 CVT 80/20, you're not AWD anything at 80/20. That's a FWD car, which is all well and good cause that is where the traction is. But their AWD is no longer anything special. Jeep for example is pushing an AWD system that's getting just as good of reviews. They also tow 4000lbs instead of 1500, and don't overheat their PTU's when pulling that weight. Ford's newer AWD systems are doing better as well. Honda's still sucks pretty bad.
A bit of a tangent but would like to ask. My wife and I had a 2009 outback 2.5 for a few years. We primarily bought it for the AWD system and driving about 60mi round trip to work every day in Michigan. A set of snow tires on this car made it amazing in the winter.
Other then the above I found absolutely nothing impressive about the car. I couldn't understand why so many people were in love with them. There definitely isn't some huge advantage in terms of traction in bad weather with stock tires. So it can't really be the AWD system because I have to believe most people run stockish/generic tires in general. So what is it about these cars that people love so much? Guess it was lost on me.
The power split is constantly changing. It can send close to all of the power to the back if needed.
I'll trust a Jeep or Ford AWD system as soon as they are shown to perform well on a roller test.
Putting snow tires on them and destroying winter roads. That is what they are good for.
I would be very unhappy burning anywhere near 1qt per 1000 miles of oil though.
Every modern AWD CuteUV can send 100% to the back. That's nothing special. There's tons of videos of new Jeep Cherokees/Grand Cherokees/Renegades tackling terrain in AWD that Subaru can't even touch a tire to. lmgtfy.
Every modern AWD CuteUV can send 100% to the back. That's nothing special.