fastfrank

Hi all,
got a MY03 WRX with 2800miles on now. Checking the oil level I notice the its around the low marking. Would I be right in thinking my car is using oil? Is it because the engine is still new?

Are these cars fuzzy about how level they are in order to get a correct reading or is it time to top up?

Chow

:Mike:

To ask a silly question, have you checked it before?
It could have always been at that level...

fastfrank

good point, i'll keep tabs on it.... the dealer charged me for 4.5l of oil so I hope it put that much in!

:Mike:

They probably charge a standard amount for oil in a service, and mark it as a standard amount of oil used. I doubt very much that they measured it going in.
So the chances are it was just left a little low when they filled it. So long as it's above the min mark on the dipstick it shouldn't be a problem anyway

lucky_strike

My 02 WRX used a bit of oil upto around 4000 miles, not much but I did think at the time it was more than I expected from a new car.

Now everything is run in and bedded in (just had its 10000 mile service) it hasn't needed a drop.

Cheers,
Richard.

fastfrank

popped into the scooby dealer yesterday and pointed out that the oil level was low. They replied "Yes, we only fill to the low mark because they eat it if you fill the the high mark". He also said it would throw excess oil into the turbo if you put too much oil in causing performance problems. My reaction to this was 'well I'd like some hard evidence (ie. Subaru UK) to convince me otherwise'.

SO I rang Subaru technical UK and they gave the same reason for the oil level.

Conclusion: Its OK if your oil level is LOW as long as it says like that! Pitty the owners manual doesn't reflect this!