Warning to 03 owners oil use
05 March 2004, 10:45 AM
#1
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Warning to 03 owners oil use
Popped the bonnet yesterday to refill the waterbottle and checked the oil at the same time and was shocked to find the dipstick not even registering.
This was 7000 miles after the first 1000 service.
I wasnt far from my dealer so i popped in to check what oil to get and they said no problems we'll top it up for you.
It was then filled with just over 2 litres of oil till it registered on the dipstick
I was fed the usual "they all do that sir" line or words to that effect and informed that the new engine does "use" oil.
Yes I thought but it would have been nice to have been informed of that before i drove off in my brand new car last august.
Yes i KNOW the pedants and the pompous will inform me i should always check the oil and make no assumptions blah blah blah.........
but no matter how many times i checked my old MY 99 it NEVER used a drop of oil and going from no oil use to 1 litre every 3500 seems a little excessive
Next service though i will check the oil afterwards to be sure it wasnt just the mechanic fecking up.
This was 7000 miles after the first 1000 service.
I wasnt far from my dealer so i popped in to check what oil to get and they said no problems we'll top it up for you.
It was then filled with just over 2 litres of oil till it registered on the dipstick
I was fed the usual "they all do that sir" line or words to that effect and informed that the new engine does "use" oil.
Yes I thought but it would have been nice to have been informed of that before i drove off in my brand new car last august.
Yes i KNOW the pedants and the pompous will inform me i should always check the oil and make no assumptions blah blah blah.........
but no matter how many times i checked my old MY 99 it NEVER used a drop of oil and going from no oil use to 1 litre every 3500 seems a little excessive
Next service though i will check the oil afterwards to be sure it wasnt just the mechanic fecking up.
Last edited by mattstant; 05 March 2004 at 10:46 AM.
05 March 2004, 10:47 AM
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Had to put 1/2 litre of oil in my MY03 STI at 8500 miles. It was just at the min level, and it took 1/2 litre to take it upto mid way between min and max.
I always check it about 15 mins after a drive. (when I do check it!)
I always check it about 15 mins after a drive. (when I do check it!)
05 March 2004, 11:26 AM
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Well I know they use Oil until about 10,000 miles - but yours seems to be a bit unusual!
Mine used 2.5 litres up to 10,000 service and then not a drop since (now 18,000 miles).
Mine used 2.5 litres up to 10,000 service and then not a drop since (now 18,000 miles).
05 March 2004, 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by MadMark
Well I know they use Oil until about 10,000 miles - but yours seems to be a bit unusual!
Mine used 2.5 litres up to 10,000 service and then not a drop since (now 18,000 miles).
Mine used 2.5 litres up to 10,000 service and then not a drop since (now 18,000 miles).
05 March 2004, 12:02 PM
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Mmmm.
Don't worry my MY03 the same and it's now done 20,000 miles.
Like you I was suprised beacuse my 2 previous Impreza Turbo's didn't use a drop.
Keep a good eye on it etc... My old man (bit of a car 'know it all') checked the user guide and just had to point out that it states 'check the oil level every time you fill up with fuel'!!! I think that's Subaru's idea of a joke...can you imagine how offen that would actually be (well for me at least a 22,000 mile a year man!)!
Hey ho
Tim
Like you I was suprised beacuse my 2 previous Impreza Turbo's didn't use a drop.
Keep a good eye on it etc... My old man (bit of a car 'know it all') checked the user guide and just had to point out that it states 'check the oil level every time you fill up with fuel'!!! I think that's Subaru's idea of a joke...can you imagine how offen that would actually be (well for me at least a 22,000 mile a year man!)!
Hey ho
Tim
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05 March 2004, 01:18 PM
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I have had an 01 WRX and now an Sti 8. I noticed that I had to put oil in on the WRX b4 the 10, 000 but not after that really.
I shall check the Sti later, but I was wondering what you guys were putting in yours?
Oil that is?
Cheers,
andy
I shall check the Sti later, but I was wondering what you guys were putting in yours?
Oil that is?
Cheers,
andy
05 March 2004, 02:32 PM
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My MY03 STi doesn't seem to use dramatic amounts - if at all...
But then again, it's only done 8K and I did have the oil/filter changed at 1K, 3.5K and 7.5K....
Shades
But then again, it's only done 8K and I did have the oil/filter changed at 1K, 3.5K and 7.5K....
Shades
05 March 2004, 05:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Jza
Thats weird... my MY01 WRX PPP hasnt consumed a drop in 3 years!!!!
Jza
Jza
05 March 2004, 05:40 PM
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Originally Posted by mattstant
Popped the bonnet yesterday to refill the waterbottle and checked the oil at the same time and was shocked to find the dipstick not even registering.
This was 7000 miles after the first 1000 service.
This was 7000 miles after the first 1000 service.
05 March 2004, 05:47 PM
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Mattastant,
I've experienced a similar thing on my MY03 WRX PPP, it seems to consume oil at a fair rate.
Approx 3 litres since 1000 mile service (now at 8,000).
Greasemonkey - of course we ALL check it every few days :-)
I've experienced a similar thing on my MY03 WRX PPP, it seems to consume oil at a fair rate.
Approx 3 litres since 1000 mile service (now at 8,000).
Greasemonkey - of course we ALL check it every few days :-)
05 March 2004, 05:59 PM
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Mine consumes a bit, not an excessive amount though. You should not need to be told to check the oil regularly on a new engine.
Speak to an M5 owner, apparently 1 litre per thousand miles is still acceptable.
Speak to an M5 owner, apparently 1 litre per thousand miles is still acceptable.
05 March 2004, 06:23 PM
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mine has only used a bit upto 10k service (half a litre) - doesn't seems to use any now!
Did you run it in carefully, it's very tempting to give them a bit too much welly early on in their life - also at the 1k mark they are not run in IMO it's more like 7.5k to 10k!
Some people also do the opposite and don't work the engine at all or go on long runs - not good either when running in.
Did you run it in carefully, it's very tempting to give them a bit too much welly early on in their life - also at the 1k mark they are not run in IMO it's more like 7.5k to 10k!
Some people also do the opposite and don't work the engine at all or go on long runs - not good either when running in.
05 March 2004, 08:05 PM
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Hi,
I think you'll find in most cases it uses the oil down to the MIN level and never goes much below that. Remember below MIN you have between 3.5 - 4 Litres of oil so there should be no harm in damaging your engine (famous last words). It can be quite easy to assume that your car is using 'loads' of oil but its only using the litre between MIN and MAX.
On one occasion I checked my oil and also found no trace of oil on the dipstick. I added about 100-200ml of oil and I got the level back which proves my above point.
I spoke to Subaru UK and my local dealer and they both said that the oil should only be filled to the MIN mark or just above because otherwise it just gets sucked through the seals and can cause turbo performance issues. Thats why it can appear as if you're always topping it up!
Incidentally, since my 10,000mile service my oil consumption seems to have settled down.
Best overall advice.... keep an eye on it and experiment as I have. If things get worse speak to Subaru UK Technical and get them on the case.
Cheers
Frank
I think you'll find in most cases it uses the oil down to the MIN level and never goes much below that. Remember below MIN you have between 3.5 - 4 Litres of oil so there should be no harm in damaging your engine (famous last words). It can be quite easy to assume that your car is using 'loads' of oil but its only using the litre between MIN and MAX.
On one occasion I checked my oil and also found no trace of oil on the dipstick. I added about 100-200ml of oil and I got the level back which proves my above point.
I spoke to Subaru UK and my local dealer and they both said that the oil should only be filled to the MIN mark or just above because otherwise it just gets sucked through the seals and can cause turbo performance issues. Thats why it can appear as if you're always topping it up!
Incidentally, since my 10,000mile service my oil consumption seems to have settled down.
Best overall advice.... keep an eye on it and experiment as I have. If things get worse speak to Subaru UK Technical and get them on the case.
Cheers
Frank
Last edited by fastfrank; 05 March 2004 at 08:06 PM.
05 March 2004, 08:33 PM
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Interesting, mine is on 8600 miles and I regularly check it.
But it hasn't used a drop!!!!
Am I the odd one out? Perhaps I should be the one worrying!!!!!!
Dan MY03 STi
But it hasn't used a drop!!!!
Am I the odd one out? Perhaps I should be the one worrying!!!!!!
Dan MY03 STi
05 March 2004, 09:05 PM
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I have mine serviced every 4000 miles so little chance for the oil to degrade or burn up.
Not noticed any problem (WRX 03) with mine. It is fuel it burns up!
Not noticed any problem (WRX 03) with mine. It is fuel it burns up!
06 March 2004, 01:07 AM
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Anyone of you has knowlendge of the MY03 Sti Oil capacity?
I asked before but here are many MY03 owners so maybe someone knows...
By the moment at 8000 km I just have done the second oil and filter change and both times the Subaru dealer used 5.3l of oil and I´m afraid that its overfilled.
Quite difficult to me to read the dopstick specially whem warm. On cold despite of the oil spots I think that the level after the service is in the last mark...
any advice welkome
Cheers
I asked before but here are many MY03 owners so maybe someone knows...
By the moment at 8000 km I just have done the second oil and filter change and both times the Subaru dealer used 5.3l of oil and I´m afraid that its overfilled.
Quite difficult to me to read the dopstick specially whem warm. On cold despite of the oil spots I think that the level after the service is in the last mark...
any advice welkome
Cheers
06 March 2004, 10:15 AM
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Count yourselves very lucky,the new MAZDA RX 8 uses a litre every 1000 miles,i'm amazed how Top Gear can give it the coupe of the year award when it costs you a fortune in oil.
This WILL not stop as it does on the Subaru when its bedded in,Mazda have engineered it this way to avoid engine rebuilds every 60,000 Miles due to the rotor tips wearing out.
Zippy
This WILL not stop as it does on the Subaru when its bedded in,Mazda have engineered it this way to avoid engine rebuilds every 60,000 Miles due to the rotor tips wearing out.
Zippy
06 March 2004, 12:09 PM
#28
A just a little note to those who think cars don't use oil.....
Just bear in mind after 6K+ miles it's not all "oil" in your sump, unburnt petrol being one thing that replaces it over time and make it seem its still at the "max" level. Especially applies to car that have done short jouneys and lots of cold starts.
- An incentive to change it more often
Just bear in mind after 6K+ miles it's not all "oil" in your sump, unburnt petrol being one thing that replaces it over time and make it seem its still at the "max" level. Especially applies to car that have done short jouneys and lots of cold starts.
- An incentive to change it more often
