I've got 3200 miles on my 3 week old Premium and haven't had any oil loss.

I did do a change @ 1000 miles -- but not loss of oil before the change or after.

I did run the mill in a tad stronger than the manual. FYI :29:

 

I have had 3xH6 engines and none has ever required any oil between changes (4-7,500 mi, depending on conditions). However, I think I have read here about some who have seen some oil consumption, I am not sure if using synthetic rather than conventional may have something to do with it.

The H6 is Subaru's most reliable engine in the "current era," hands down (mid-90s to now). The current H6 debuted on the Tribeca in 2008. The current 2.5 debuted on the Foz in 2011 and the OB in 2013. It was supposedly revised for 2015, presumably at least in part in order to eliminate teething issues like the oil consumption some engines have. The current H4 should not have the head gasket issues that plagued the previous H4, particularly those of the late 90s, early 2000s. Still, we know more about the H6, obviously, than the revised H4 of the 2015.

Many people here have strong feelings about which engine is the better choice, with H6 owners typically steadfast behind the 3.6. I chose it in 2012 in part due to its known reliability and I have never wished I had chosen the H4. Now, the turbocharged H4 of the Forester is an H4 I would not hesitate to buy!

Long story short, if you want maximum value from your 2015 OB, the Premium H4 is probably your best bet. If you want the most capability, comfort, and reliability an OB can offer, certainly the Limited H6.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Are you running synthetic or conventional in your 3.6?

pete

 

At 102 K on my 2.5 liter (05 Baja) I have absolutely zero oil consumption...

 

Conventional on all three.

Jogosub,
The op is asking about the FB engine...

 

I am new to forum - want to buy a 2015 OUtback 4 cyl Premium model. Is the engine in the Outback differenent thatn the 4cyl in the 2015 Forester ? I know of someone with a new Forester with oil consumptions issues. Very nervous about buying .

 

Same engine. The key difference is that Subaru updated their manufacturing technique sometime in 2013 to address the problem for both cars. I don't know exactly how successful they were but I feel like I'm reading many fewer reports of oil consumption these days. It's certainly not like it was back when the 2011 forester came out, and they're selling these things like hotcakes.

 

Proper break in when the engine is new can have a big impact on oil consumption.


Follow the procedure in the owners manual and oil consumption will most likely not be a problem.


My 2012 3.6R has never had to have oil added between oil changes. I use Mobile 1 fully synthetic oil. Oil is cheap compared to a replacement engine or having to replace the car early due to engine problems. I expect to get over 200,000 from my outback.

 

My 2012 3.6R has never had to have oil added between oil changes. I use Mobile 1 fully synthetic oil. Oil is cheap compared to a replacement engine or having to replace the car early due to engine problems. I expect to get over 200,000 from my outback.

Same with my 2013 3.6L Outback. Zero oil consumption on Mobil 1 5W-30, OEM Oil Filter and a 5K OCI due to short trips and etc in severe conditions.

 

1000k on my 2015 3.6 and no noticeable oil consumption.

 

A million?

:surprise:

 

Its an older thread as I'm guessing the OP has made his choice by now but for what I's worth, I have two Outbacks....an 07 2.5 liter and a '14 2.5 liter. Different engines for sure. Both were purchased new.

I have about 56k miles on the '07; and it has never burned an appreciable amount of oil; has never needed to add oil between oil changes. It got its first oil change at about 1000 miles and then roughly every 2.5 to 3k miles since then. Yes this is rather conservative however my wife has a very short commute to work, all stop and go and the car dosent get a chance to warm up fully. This is harsh service.

I've had the '14 for about a year now, purchased in Nov. of 2013. currently has 14k miles.
first oil change at 1k miles. Second at around 4000 miles. We were on a road trip, oil level was fine before we left. After about 350 miles of highway driving, the oil level warning comes on. I checked the oil ans sure enough, it showed low. Only oil available to me at the time was 10-30 mineral based conventional oil, so the car got another oil change early at 4000 miles when I got home. Since then I carry a quart of the 0W-20 synthetic subaru oil, and the car has generally needed a sip or two of oil every 1500 to 2000 miles; and I'm settling in on a 6k mile oil change regimin.

certainly higher than expected but I'm not going to loose any sleep over it. I like my car and if it needs a little oil, so be it. the 6 speed manual was not an option on the 6 cyl. engine so I stayed with the 4. I simply prefer manuals.

 

The problem with excessive oil consumption is 0W20 oil use. If Subaru allows us to use 5W30, the problem will be over. When the car's warranty will be over, I'll switch of 5W30 synthetic, for sure !

 

There has been few if any reports of oil consumption with the 2015 2.5l in the Outback even with 0W20.

 

Conventional on all three.

 

My new 2015 Outback 3.6 consumed 3 quarts of oil in the first 3500 miles of operation. The service tech at my local Subaru dealer told me yesterday (when I was in for an oil change because of being 3 quarts low) that the rings on the Subaru Boxer engines are loosely fitted to increase gas mileage and that causes the engines to consume oil on long drives. I first noticed that my oil was down right after I returned from a 650 mile trip to the mountains over the holiday season.

 

We have a little over 8k on our 2.5 and had the oil consumption test completed yesterday. No consumption on our rig.
We had an emergency a couple months ago when a dealer in Eugene, OR. - not naming names - checked our oil, then neglected to put the oil cap back on the engine.

 

To my shame I did not notice the driving tips in the manual where they recommend staying below 4,000 RPM for the first 1,000 miles. I know I've exceeded this here and there, though I've been fairly cautious with the car in general.

Am I asking for trouble later on? What is the potential impact of exceeding that RPM too early?

 

I have owned a 2011 3.6l, since February 2012 (American vehicle from Washington, DC).

Rarely do I get to an oil change without noticeable consumption of oil (1/2 liter).

I have been using synthetic oil for the last two years and it does not seem to make a difference.

SUBARU has provided a 6.7 liter oil pan/supply of oil, to reduce the impact of oil consumption.

Also, the oil level sensor/indicator has always been prone to misreading's, especially following oil changes. When I check the oil level, it is fine... eventually the indicator goes off. Same problem occurs if a use Synthetic or Regular Oil, do it myself, at the Dealer or a an Oil change specialist shop. This oil sensor issue has been discussed on previous forums.