Why does Subaru Forester's oil come out black?

Question

I have a 2001 Subaru Forester. I change the oil every 3000 miles even though I use a full synthetic. I do the same with my Toyota Corolla. The used oil from the Corolla (85,000 miles) is always clear amber, and looks good enough to re-use. The used oil from the Sube is dark, nearly opaque, nearly black. It's been that way since day one. The car has only 45,000 miles on it. The mechanic explains the difference by saying that "Subarus just burn that way." The car runs excellently, but I wonder if something is wrong. BTW, the air filter is changed every year.

Answer 1

As a former Subaru owner, I call tell you that by nature, they burn fuel richer than a Toyota. It is they way the engine was engineered by Subaru to maximize horsepower in a small boxer engine. Some of the blow-by gases comes in contact with the oil in that is circulating through the engine, and the carbon in these blow-by gases causes the oil to look black when draining it during a oil change. As for the oil...........You are wasting your money.............I recommend Castrol GTX 20W50 (especially if you drive in heavy traffic or the vehicle is subject to heavy use.)

Answer 2

Black Subaru Forester

Answer 3

I have a 2003 Forester with 63000 miles on it. The oil was amber for the first 6000 miles. After that it went black. This is due to dirt that comes in contact with the oil. Don't listen to people saying you are wasting your money changing oil every 3000 miles. I always have, always do, and always will. Oil is cheaper than a new engine. I don't use synthetic, I just use Pennzoil 10w-40 in the summer and 5w-30 in the winter with a Fram oil filter.

Subaru engines burn very clean. I know of a guy who had his oil tested and they said he could safely run his oil and filter 7000 miles. If you are really concerned about it, you can try different oil filters. Make sure you change the filter with the oil or it does no good to change the oil.

Subaru's do burn quite rich, especially in the 3500 - 5000 range. 5000 to redline they lean back out. This extra rich mixture does get into the oil and takes with it carbon. Think of it as cleaning your pistons off and head out. This does dilute the oil since gas does no lubrication. In fact, it does quite the opposite and removes lubrication as well as cleans.

Your engine should stay clean and run for many years to come. Keep changing the oil and filter every 3000 miles and the engine may outlast you, and your great-grandchildren.

Answer 4

First of all I think your wasting your money by changing synthethic every 3000 it should be 6000. Anyways Subaru Boxer engines are known to combust at a higher rate than normal 4 cylinders especially with Turbo and AWD. The engine is just burning oil quicker than a ULEV Corolla or a normal 4-cylinder.

Answer 5

5w and 10w is the winter freezing rating. Now that we are mostly out of winter they would mean nothing. When the car is at warm operating temp, they are both 30 weight oil. But why do you want to change? You should stick to factory recommendation ALWAYS when it come to oil. They have ENGINEERS who tested all these cars for all the different oils. Good Luck...

Answer 6

if your using full synthetic your wasting your money changing your oil every 3000 miles

as for the oil thats the difference between a good engine and well built engine, the oil turns black for several reasons but one of them is blow-by or how much unburnt and burnt fuel gets into the crankcase

Answer 7

You are wasting your money changing the oil so often.
READ THE MANUAL.
It is highly unlikely that either car recommends oil changes that often.
Usually, they say 7500 miles. VERY FEW people actually qualify for "extreme conditions", unlike what the service stations claim.