Subarunet Message
May 27, 2014
Subject: FB Engine Oil Consumption
Attention Dealer Principals, General Managers, Fixed Operations Directors, Service Managers
This message is to provide our retailers with an update on FB engine oil consumption. First of all, we
appreciate the work that our retailers have been doing to work with a small number of customers who
may have experienced excess oil consumption in their vehicles. We have issued several service bulletins
on the subject, and we continue to work diligently with FHI to fully understand this issue and to develop
appropriate repair procedures to alleviate the problem.
In that regard, we are immediately simplifying the oil consumption test for all customers that have a
complaint, no matter what the VIN may be, utilizing the procedure announced on March 20, 2014 in
service bulletins 02‐143‐13R, 02‐144‐13R, 02‐145‐13R and 02‐147‐13R This test only requires one
subsequent measurement as soon as any of the following occur: after 1200 miles have elapsed, when
the low engine oil level warning lamp illuminates, or when the customer determines that the engine oil
level has dropped to the add mark. This will significantly reduce the inconvenience to the customer and
the time required for retailers. This updated test form will be issued as the Consolidated Oil
Consumption Test Form and may be found on Subarunet in the Service \ Forms area. This updated form
includes a description of the proper way to check engine oil level which you may want to use in
discussions with consumers.
In order to help your service advisors with their consumer conversations, we have provided a link to a
copy of the Drive Magazine article titled “Engine Oil, Maintenance and Warnings” from the Fall edition
which explains the importance of checking all fluid levels. This article has been very well received, and it
is an effective educational tool. It may be accessed immediately on the web using the following link to
Subaru .com: http://drive.subaru.com/fall13_modes.aspx. We will be shipping copies to all retailers for
distribution to customers on their service drives. In June, we will also be shipping retailers an additional
two posters which include similar content matter. More copies of both the Drive article and the poster
will be made available through an MSA part number.
If retailers do encounter vehicles with excess oil consumption, outside the VIN range published in
Service Bulletins 02‐143‐13R, 02‐144‐13R, 02‐145‐13R or 02‐147‐13R, we ask that a Quality Monitoring
Report be completed and filed as soon as the customer presents you with a concern. The data from
your QMRs and oil consumption test forms are critical to provide Fuji Heavy Industries, specific
information which they can use for their detailed analysis to determine the actual field situation and
measure the success of the previous countermeasures as outlined in the bulletins. Retailers should
consult with their Field Service Engineers to assist with this process.
We do sincerely appreciate your understanding and assistance.
Gary Palanjian
Vice President – Parts & Service

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Fall 2013: Modes of Operation: Engine Oil, Maintenance, and Warnings

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IN THIS ARTICLE
Che cking Fluid and Tire s
Engine Oil Consumption
Warning Lights
ONLINE EXCLUSIVES
How to Che ck Oil Le v e l
Finding the Corre ct Oil

BY SUBARU ENGINEERING

Re comme nde d Se rv ice
Inte rv als
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