Subaru Forester 2012 FAQs

Check out real-world situations relating to the Subaru Forester 2012 here, particularly what our experts have to say about them.

• Subaru Forester 2012: Excessive oil consumption

  The oil consumption is a result of the engine design, being horizontally opposed, and it's not limited to Subaru. Oil accumulates in the rings when it's sitting and you'll sometimes see a puff of smoke from the tailpipe on start-up. It's not something to be concerned about if you check the oil on a regular basis, as you should do on all cars. Use the Subaru recommended oil when topping it up. You'll find that in the owner's manual.

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• Subaru Forester 2012: High oil consumption?

  The oil consumption is a result of the engine design, being horizontally-opposed, and it's not limited to Subaru. Oil accumulates in the rings when it's sitting and you'll sometimes see a puff of smoke from the tailpipe on start-up. It's not something to be concerned about if you check the oil on a regular basis, as you should do on all cars. Use the Subaru recommended oil when topping it up, you'll find that in the owner's manual.

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• Does my 2012 Subaru Forester have a timing belt or timing chain?

  Subaru's EE20 diel engine is an interesting one as it was claimed to be the world's first turbo-diesel engine with Subaru's trademark boxer layout (where the cylinders run in pairs, opposed to each other (like an air-cooled Volkswagen).

  The brand has switched from timing belts to timing chains and back at various points in its engineering history, but the EE20 in your car is from the point in history where timing chains were in vogue at Subaru. As such, the timing chain should last the life of the engine and not require periodic replacement as a timing belt does.

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