Recently, Consumer Reports released a result of its annual survey of car owners. One of the unexpected results was that some newer cars (2010-2014) consumed as much as a quart of oil per month – such consumption would be considered normal in cars that had over 100,000 miles, but newer cars should not be anywhere near that figure.
Following BMWs, Subarus, and Audis were most likely to experience this problem:
- BMW 5, 6, and 7 Series and X5
- Subaru Outback, Legacy, Forester and Impreza
- Audi A3, A4, A5, A6 and Q5
Audi spokesman Bradley Stertz, according to AP, said that "a class action lawsuit against Audi over oil consumption by the 2.0-Liter turbocharged four-cylinder engines is close to being settled without the company admitting liability or wrongdoing." Affected models include: 2009 A4, 2010 A4 and A5, and 2011 A4, A5 and Q5. Those companies may in the end admit liability – or not, but if you drive one of these cars, do check the oil regularly, and keep an extra quart in the trunk, just in case. Remember, you are responsible for your vehicle weather or not it is burning oil. Running the engine out of oil will cause extensive and expensive damage to your vehicle, and will void any warranty implied or expressed in any further settlements regarding oil consumption.