Is your car an oil guzzler?

Consumer Reports identifies newer cars that need more oil

If your car seems to be burning oil and you have to top off your oil frequently, you have company. Consumer Reports' latest auto survey covering almost 500,000 newer cars has identified several popular engines that burn quite a bit of oil.

Consumer Reports has listed 30 cars with model years 2010 to 2014 as top oil burners. The worst are the BMW 5, 6, and 7 Series and X5; the Porsche Panamera and Cayenne; and the Audi A3, A4, A5, A6, Q5, and S4. You can get the complete list on ConsumerReports.org.

Consumer Reports' auto experts say that it's normal for cars to burn a little bit of oil as they age and get closer to 100,000 miles. But for an almost new car that's still under its warranty, you shouldn't have to be topping off the oil between changes.

Audi, BMW, and Subaru say that oil consumption is a normal part of a car's operation. But Consumer Reports finds that 98 percent of owners of newer cars don't have to add oil between oil changes.

Subaru, Audi and Toyota are subject to class-action suits regarding the problem of oil consumption. And Honda recently issued a warranty extension to cover the problem. For 2008 to 2011 Accords and 2010 to 2011 CR-V four-cylinder engines, the warranty is extended to eight years or 125,000 miles. And Toyota amended its powertrain warranty on its four cylinder 2AZ-FE engines, to 10 years or 150,000 miles.

Consumer Reports believes that any engine that burns oil, if it's still under the manufacturer's powertrain warranty, needs to be repaired or replaced.

If your car requires oil frequently, Consumer Reports says to take your oil receipts to your dealer and ask for a fix. 


About the Author:

Marilyn Moritz is an award-winning journalist dedicated to digging up information that can make people’s lives a little bit better. As KSAT’S 12 On Your Side Consumer reporter, she focuses on exposing scams and dangerous products and helping people save money.