Subarunet - Announcements

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The Oil Consumption Test has been revised
TO:

SDC EST CEN WST

FROM:

Subaru of America, Inc.

DEPARTMENT: Service
DATE:

04/01/2014

CATEGORY:

Parts/Service

The Oil Consumption Test revised 03/14 has been posted on Subarunet and in the Claims Policies
and Procedures Manual. The test must be completed before performing any internal engine repairs
for oil consumption. This testing applies to vehicles outside of the range of Service Bulletins: 02143-13R, 02-144-13R and 02-145-13R. Several important changes have been made to the form
and it is recommended that you read the form in its entirety.
This revised form should not be confused with the NEW FB Engine Oil Control Ring TSB Oil
Consumption Test which must be used exclusively in conjunction with Service Bulletins: 02-14313R, 02-144-13R and 02-145-13R.
The revised Oil Consumption Test form can be found on Subarunet>Service >Forms or in Section
17.12 of the Claims Policies and Procedures Manual.

https://www.subarunet.com/home/announcements/viewAnnouncement.do?id... 5/6/2014

17.12 Oil Consumption Test

Page 1

Oil Consumption Test
This test must be completed before performing any internal repairs.
Owner’s Name:__________________________________________________________________________
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN):__________________________________________________________
Engine Type and size (i.e. EJ 2.5 SOHC):_________________ Engine Number:________________________
Techline Case Number:_______________________________ Repair Order No:________________________
Repair Order Date:_______________________________ Repair Order Mileage:________________________
Dealer Number, Name and Contact Person:____________________________________________________
This test is used to determine the rate of oil consumption and is required as supporting documentation for subsequent
engine repairs after determining there are no external leaks and the PCV system is operating correctly.
Note: The vehicle odometer must show more than 1000 miles before performing this test. Break-in period combined with
some driving patterns may result in a low oil level or the low oil level lamp illuminating prior to the first service interval. This
alone is not an indication of unusual oil consumption. If over 5000 miles have passed since new or the last oil change
and low oil level lamp illuminates, consumption should be considered normal. If between 3600 and 5000 miles, vehicle
driving conditions must be reviewed and documented as these are known to be a significant contributing factor for oil
consumption. Understanding the vehicle driving conditions is particularly important if the oil consumption seems to vary
greatly between inspections. If the vehicle is used for towing a trailer or under other severe driving conditions, consumption
of up to 1 quart per 1200 miles may be expected and may not indicate a need for any repair. Refer to the applicable
Warranty and Maintenance Booklet found in the Owner Information Kit for details on what is considered severe driving
conditions for each vehicle.
REQUIRED INFORMATION TO INITIATE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST- COMPLETE ALL QUESTIONS

YES

NO

UNSURE

ADDED*

Customer checked oil level and found it low? How much?
Customer reports that low oil level lamp illuminated?
Customer added oil at that time? How much?
Technician found low oil level lamp illuminated?
Technician inspected and found oil level low? How much?
ONCE YOU HAVE COMPLETED THIS SECTION AND FOUND UNUSUAL OIL CONSUMPTION, FAX THIS FORM TO 856-488-3199 AND BEGIN TEST
*1 quart = 1.0 qt = 32 fluid ounces (fl oz), 0.5 qt = 16 fl oz, 0.1qt = 3.2 fl oz. Indicate the unit of measurement and do not round any values up or down.
Precision is required.

Begin the test by changing the oil and filter. The oil level must be confirmed as full before the vehicle leaves.
Oil and Filter Change**

Date:

Mileage:

Instruct the owner on how to check the oil level. It should be checked regularly for example, when refueling. The engine
must be off at least five minutes and the vehicle parked on a level surface while checking. To complete the test, the
customer must return twice consecutively. Each time the customer must return as soon as any of the following occur: The
oil level is one (1) quart low (at or below lower hole in dipstick), The low oil level warning lamp illuminates (if applicable) or
After 1,200 miles have elapsed. Whichever occurs first. At which point the dealer technician will determine the amount of
oil lost and top up the oil to the full mark before proceeding.
The owner should not add any oil to the vehicle unless there will be a delay in returning to the dealer for inspection, in
which case the specified grade of oil should be added to bring the level back up to the full mark (upper hole in dipstick).
The date, mileage, and amount of oil added must be noted by the customer or the test may have to be started over
including a fresh oil and filter change.**
**O
wner’s responsibility or reimbursed by SOA if a warranty repair is started as a result. Dealer may also cover as goodwill (PAR) at their discretion.
Contact SOA Claims Team with any questions regarding claim submission.

Continued on next page

Subaru Policies & Procedures - Revised 03/14

17.12 Oil Consumption Test

Page 2

Oil Consumption Test

NOTE: When the technician checks the oil level at each inspection, the oil level must be adjusted back to full and the oil
added at that time recorded in the chart below. Do not allow the test to continue without adding oil as operating the engine
low on oil will increase the rate of consumption and make for an erroneous result.
#

DATE

MILEAGE

OIL LEVEL

OIL ADDED*

MILES DRIVEN

OIL CONS/MILES

1
2
TOTAL
The oil usage must be checked two(2) times.
*1 quart = 1.0 qt = 32 fluid ounces (fl oz), 0.5 qt = 16 fl oz, 0.1qt = 3.2 fl oz. Indicate the unit of measurement and do not round any values up or down.
Precision is required.

Do not change the oil/filter again during the test period.
Consumption rate determined: ________________________ per ________________________ miles
[Oil Consumed every 3600* Miles = (Total OIL ADDED ÷ Total MILES DRIVEN) x 3600*]
*Note: If the vehicle is used for trailer towing or other severe usage, substitute 1200 miles for 3600 miles in this
calculation. Refer to the applicable Warranty Maintenance Booklet in the Owner Information Kit for details on what is
considered severe driving conditions.
Use the following chart to review the consumption test results and determine any next steps.

NORMAL
DRIVING
CONDITIONS

SEVERE
DRIVING
CONDITIONS

OIL CONSUMED

MILEAGE STANDARD

NEXT STEP(S)

More than 1 quart

3600†

"Perform Cylinder Leakage and Compression Testing. Contact
Techline to review results. Techline will advise on next steps."

1/2 to 1 quart

3600†

"Contact Techline before proceeding with Cylinder Leakage
and Compression testing to review results. Techline will
advise if further testing is required."

Less than 1/2 quart

3600†

"No repairs required. Normal Consumption."

OIL CONSUMED

MILEAGE STANDARD

NEXT STEP(S)

1 quart or more

1200†

"Perform Cylinder Leakage and Compression Testing. Contact Techline
to review results. Techline will advise on next steps."

Less than 1 quart

1200†

"No repairs required. Normal Consumption."

†Refer to the applicable Warranty and Maintenance Booklet in the Owner Information Kit (OIK) for details on what is considered severe driving conditions.

Note: DPSM prior authorization may be required for claim purposes. Please refer to the Claims Policies and Procedures
Manual on Subarunet for a list of prior authorization requirements.
Cylinder Leakage (percentage %)
Cylinder #1______________ #2_____________#3____________ #4_____________ #5_____________#6_____________
Leakage (I - Intake, E - Exhaust, C - Crankcase) Indicate Flow of Leakage - for example air is flowing into crankcase, indicate with a “C”
Cylinder #1______________ #2_____________#3____________ #4_____________ #5_____________#6_____________
Compression Test - Dry
Cylinder #1______________ #2_____________#3____________ #4_____________ #5_____________#6_____________
Compression Test - Wet
Cylinder #1______________ #2_____________#3____________ #4_____________ #5_____________#6_____________
IMPORTANT: Please fax this form to (856) 488-3199 when completed. This fax is for quality assurance purposes only. You
will NOT receive any response from this fax. If you need assistance, please contact SOA’s Techline. Fax a copy of all related
documents including this form to Techline at (856)-254-1423 before calling. Always attach a copy to the customer’s service
file or the repair order hard copy for your records.

Subaru Policies & Procedures - Revised 03/14