Tech Tips June 2014 (TIPS 0614)

TECH TIPS JUNE 2014

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

02 TOO MUCH OIL IN THE ENGINE REVISITED

How much is too much? What can happen if you put too much oil in an engine? If you've ever seen an engine that had way too much oil added, you'd say a lot can happen and all of it is very bad and expensive. What if it's just a little over full, say by half a quart? Shouldn't hurt anything..right? Excess will just burn off...right? Wrong. What if we told you that an engine just half a quart over full could result in a drivability concern? It can.

You may want to check the engine oil level when the engine is cold. In addition, we have received reports outlining CVT operational issues listed (but not limited to) the conditions below. These have also been found to be a result of an over-filled crankcase:

If the engine oil level is over-full, drain the excess oil to the full mark on the dipstick then see if the conditions are corrected. Conditions like these will generally be most noticeable when accelerating up a grade. If you are monitoring the ECM using the SSMIII, you may also notice knocking correction occurring at the same time you experience the surging sensation. We are aware of concerns like this occurring in the field following both dealer and aftermarket oil changes. If the oil level is found to be over-filled, always make sure to check the oil level in the front differential to rule out an accidental draining. Always confirm the engine oil level is correct following any service. What if the car is new? What if the mileage isn't near the scheduled service interval? Don't discount the possibility of someone adding oil to an engine between services. After all, if it's down half a quart why not just add the whole quart. It's only a little over full. What could it hurt? Now you know. It could hurt drivability.

12 WHITISH DISCOLORATION/DEPOSITS ON FRONT DOOR PANELS, 2012MY AND LATER IMPREZA AND XV CROSSTREK® MODELS

If you receive a customer concern of a whitish discoloration found on the front interior door trim panels, it is most likely a by-product of the scratch prevention agent used in the front door trim material. If the vehicle has been in storage for a period of time or unused with all the windows closed, a lack of air circulation in the cabin can cause deposits to form on the front door trim panel surfaces in the areas shown in the photo below.

Use a clean detailing cloth wet with plain water to remove the deposits. After the surface dries, confirm all the deposits have been removed. Should any deposits remain, repeat the process again. Make sure the cloth is wet as using a dry cloth can damage the surface of the trim panel.

01 2015MY LEGACY AND OUTBACK TRANSIT FUSE INFORMATION

In the very near future, your dealership will start to receive the first shipments of the all-new 2015MY Legacy and Outback models. As part of the Pre-Delivery Inspection procedure, the transit fuse will need to be relocated to the back-up power fuse location in the Main Fuse Box (M/B), under the hood as shown in the illustrations below.