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Subaru XT Turbo Forester
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Comments
Well, today while visiting my dealer, we discussed this and it looks like it's not user error but a user MANUAL error. The owners manual states engine oil capacity for the 2.5L (doesn't specify turbo or not) Forester as 4.2 Qts. I fill the engine with 4.2 qts. But apparently, the turbos take a bit more - along the lines of 5 Qts. I could not get a technician to give me an ACTUAL capacity but they said to fill it up to 5 Qts. Well, THAT'S why my dipstick shows low oil! For heaven's sake! I will notify SOA, I'm shocked there hasn't already been a TSB on the owners manual about this!
Patti, do you have any clue what the actual engine oil capacity is for the '04 F-XT and if there is an upcoming owners manual update on this?
Also, what is the potential damage to my engine for having driven it for the last 1000 miles with only 4 and not 5 quarts of oil? From break-in to 2000 it's been running a quart short I guess. I suspect that risk is minimal... but still!!! :-\
... and YES, I've changed the oil TWICE in the car's first 2000 miles! ;-) Call me paranoid! -elissa
That would account for part of the discrepancy, at least.
-juice
I'm borrowing this from another forum which I cannot link. If you were to email SoA, you'd receive a response like this:
"Thank you for taking the time to contact us. We do apologize for this inconvenience. We appreciate that you brought this to our attention. The correct capacity for the engine oil for the 2004 Forester XT is 5 quarts when replacing the engine oil and filter.
The 4.2 quart capacity noted in your owner's manual is for the 2004 Forester non-turbo models when just filling up the engine oil and not replacing the filter. The capacity of the non-turbo models when replacing the filter is 4.8 quarts.
We have advised our Publications Department that this information needs to be added to future Forester owner's manuals.
Thanks for the opportunity to be of assistance. If you need any future assistance, please feel free to contact us."
Also, when I asked the SOA folks they gave me a tolerance of +/- 1 quart. Although I can't imagine ever over filling by a quart on purpose. This actually works out better for folks that have their oil changed at the dealer - the dealers service departments think everything runs on 5 quarts.
Re: priming the oil filter - its kind of a religious issue. I personally do it because it definitely reduces the time it takes to get the lube going in the engine - just watch the oil idiot light and see how much quicker it goes out. On a vertically oriented filter, I can't think of a reason not to do it. A couple of the turbo sites I checked recommended it as well. Some even go the extreme of using a pre-priming oil system that gets the oil pressure up before the engine starts to crank. Even I'm not that OCD.
BTW - last round trip to Maine - 700 miles in 3 days, avg = 24 mpg. Hoo Ray. I removed the roof racks and mpg went up 2 mpg on the highway - noise went down as well.
HTH
Larry
-juice
It is odd what Larry says: the dealers service departments think everything runs on 5 quarts
The technician today FIRST replied to the service manager that ALL 2.5L engines take 5 Qts. Then I produced the owners manual which states 4.2 capacity. To that they said "well, the turbos take closer to 5 qts"
-Frank P
If the dealer is using / sold you a white filter it will fit, but is technically not the correct filter for the car.
HTH
Larry
John
Bill - thanks for the further detail on why it's bad to overfill.
John - I don't know what spy shot you are talking about but maybe you mean the 360 degree views of the cabins that subaru shows on subaru.com?
Larry
John
That's amazing! In a really bad way! Do you have any clue as to what the consequences are (if any are even worth noting) of using the wrong filter? As the wrong filter is bigger, I imagine that filter's function of removing bits and pieces remained intact but that perhaps the increased size resulted in lower oil pressure? Do you think there is any long term wear and tear on the engine as a result? It's stories like that that make me thankful I do a lot of my own maintenance. Not that I can't screw it up too but at least I figure I'm more anal than the average mechanic. I'm giving the brakes on my husbands' Dakota a go at it this weekend so wish me luck we're still alive come Monday. ;-)
Elissa
(wrong filter)I told him the turbo takes a black, smaller filter.He was a little upset--BUT, I had the correct one put on by looking over their shoulder...
Observant Deadeye
"Your Subaru Vehicle requires an initial engine Oil & Filter change at 3,000 Miles, or 3 Months, whichever comes first"! (Page 40)
I only had 1000 Miles on my XT at the 3 Month mark. In my Area the Climate from Hell, the Severe Service Schedule is also in effect, double the Service Intervals for repeated short distance driving, extensive idling, driving in dusty conditions, driving in areas using salt or other corrosive materials, or in very cold weather, more than 50% driving in heavy city traffic during hot weather above 90 Degrees F, driving in mountainous areas, or towing a Trailer. I have yet to live in an area that doesn't qualify for this!
Did anyone notice that the subaru media site posted the new prices for all 2005 models? Good news is that the new XT will be available with the premium package (incl. leather and moonroof) also for the manual transmission version.
"The popular turbocharged Forester 2.5 XT returns with the addition of the engine immobilizer ignition key also found on the 2005 model year WRX STi. The 2.5 XT comes standard with five-speed manual transmission at an MSRP of $25,595 and with optional four-speed automatic transmission at an MSRP of $26,395. Also offered is the 2.5 XT with Premium Package that carries an MSRP of $27,295 for the five-speed manual and $28,095 for the automatic. The Premium Package includes black leather trimmed-upholstery and a power moonroof."
The dipstick for FXT is the hardest to read I've ever seen. It was suggested to me that it is easier if you read it after a longish period (other cars you can read it right after you stop).
I try to stay away from dealers, except for the "big stuff".
Bob
PS: My preliminary assessment of the mpg gain from removing MY roof rack/bike mounts/basket are that the gains will have been (disappointment) minimal. As mentioned, the reduction of wind noise, especially with the moonroof open, is very substantial. I'll keep it off except for "trips".
Zman
DaveM
b) rumor of better EPA fuel efficiency rating.
Altho' SF Bay Area leading the league in home pricing, my neighbor just put his mirror image on the block at .46 mil. I paid $90k for mine.
Still saving my Naval Reserve skins for a '05 F......best, ez...
Would anyone chose the FXT over the OBXT for reasons other than price?
In Canada the OB XT is only avail in LTD and is $5-7K more than the FXT....so I think I will end up with an 05 FXT...but what about the US market where the FXT and the OBXT are closer in price.
Maybe the FXT will pick up a few mpg for 05 somehow, the OBXT (and Leg GT) beats it with more hp (allegedly)
JP
1) Cargo area hight: my dog kennel won't squeeze into the OB but clears the FXT no problem.
2) Cargo area length: (maybe they changed this in 2005 but...) I cannot sleep comfortably in the OB's. The way the seat folds down prevents a long, flat, stretched out comfortable night's sleep in the OB. I get the best nights' sleep on the road in my Forester. Strangely enough, this is a deal-braker for me. ;-)
3) Vehicle length: the OB is much longer than the forester and barely fits in our garage. While the FXT fits in and allows me access to my tool box, work bench, washer-dryer, etc.
4) Vehicle image: A station wagon!? Ok, I'm not single anymore, but I'm still having station wagon image issues. Maybe after I have a few kids I'll be able to alter my self-perception enough to buy a true station wagon. But for now, I prefer to kid myself into thinking that my Forester is an SUV, and I'm a rough and tumble kinda girl to be driving one. :-)
5) Price: $5-7K (Canadian Dollars, I presume), while only about $3K USD is still a price difference that some would consider substantial enough.
I dont know how much difference it will make in mpg or HVN, but I found a #30Torx bit for my rechargable power screwdiver and it takes less than 1 minute to remove the crossbars.
On my very first full tank of gas, hauling four folks, a week's worth of beach gear and 4 bikes on a hitch-mounted carrier, averaging 70 mph with the AC running on an 87 degree day, gaining elevation the whole way...22 mpg.
Im getting a roofrack cargo box to put on top so the dog has more room in back on trips...Im thinking a Thule Cascade 1500 since I dont ski. Anybody have any other recommended boxes?
mark
As to choosing the FXT over the OBXT, as others have pointed out, the FXT offers more utility for carrying tall/bulky items, you can at least pretend that it's an SUV, the cabin feels bigger (greenhouse effect), and its compact dimensions make it more fun to drive. Although I haven't driven the OBXT yet, its backseat accommodations should be slightly more generous for adult passengers, it can carry longer items, the interior will be a little more upscale, and the hwy ride quieter.
-Frank P
Larry
Anyway, just for the yucks I bought the hood deflector especially made for the XT. Installation took about an hour and that was with drilling two holes into the underside of the hood. I'm hoping this will help direct some of the stones over the windshield.
The next thing I'd like to do is put something in the hood scope to protect the intercooler fins. I'm ingesting enough stuff down the scoop that the fins are really taking a beating.
Anyone have an idea of what, if anything I could use that would protect the fins without degrading the efficiency of the intercooler?
TIA
Larry
I've seen posts by owners at NASIOC that put up a mesh wire on the hood scoop.
Ken
Bad timing...
-juice
I bought a small roll (3' x 30' IIRC) of black colored aluminum screen from Menards. Cut the section I needed and slid it into place over the intercooler. You could call it a Cicada catcher if you live in an area where they are more than many.
-Brian
-Brian
So - since I had the screws and nuts anyway, I figured 6 fasteners were better than 4 and drilled the 2 extra holes.
Sorry for the confusion. Now on to the intake screen.
Larry
TIA
Larry
The IKEA instructions are better!
-juice
-Brian
Larry
-juice