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I usually squeejee them and then dry off the lines with newspaper. The glass is totally transparent when I'm done.
Does anyone know more about why newspaper is good for drying glass?
I actually find that I have less problems when I keep the exterior windshield temperature below freezing, which means as little "defroster" as possible. When I blast the defroster on the inside of the windshield, it makes the glass just warm enough on the outside that snow will melt, then freeze, on the glass. When that happens, you are asking a lot from the wipers to keep the screen clean.
A good low-temp washer fluid can help, as will good winter wiper blades - something without exposed metal parts. Ice builds up in there and the wiper cannot form to the window, so you get only tiny patches of wiper contacting the glass. I use Trico Neoform blades on my vehicles. They are the best I have tried and work well year-round. But, if the blades start icing up, their performance will go down as well.
The trick is to keep the water either frozen or liquid, not alternating between the two. A defroster is not going to solve the problem unless outside temperatures are real close to freezing. When you're driving, the faster you go, the higher the rate of heat loss off the glass surface.
Is this normal for Subarus?
I would describe what we "see" as greasy, that smears easily when touched. I have tried all kinds of cleaners and all kinds of paper towels, even newspaper. Nothing is great, and I usually have to clean the windshield at least 3 times to get it satisfactory for a short while. I agree that it is a real pain.
What I have found that helps is to clean and protect the dash vinyl areas including the defroster vents. I have used a couple of things for this, 303 being one, but what I find the best is the Armor All product. This is not the original one that leaves everything too shiny and gives reflections, but the one in the bottle with the black and blue label. It is offered as a cleaner but the small print says it also protects. This stops or at least slows the out-gassing.
By the way, when you see an old car with the dash all cracked and split, that is because all the plasticizer has out-gassed from the vinyl. It is put into the process for flexibility. The plasticizer is the greasy smear.
FYI, my 04 Forester never had any noticeable outgassing problems because it has a hard plastic dash. My 96 Legacy had a pretty bad problem because of soft vinyl dash, but only in hot/warm weather.
Bill
The reason is that snow from our boots collects on the floor and floor mats. As the cabin section heats up the high rise in humidity of melting snow hits the cold windows and condenses. This creates fogging. Outside air being drier keeps the humidity level lower.
Jim
Thanks for your response. Unfortunately, no the fogging occurs any time I am running the defrost/heater. We haven't had any snow in a while now.
The "fog" is not water vapor which can be wiped off. This is a greasy film, that apparently Subaru knows about, but isn't doing anything about. If I used my car every day, I would have to wash all of the windows every day in order to be safe driving the car. On trips to Denver, an hour away, it is a concern as coming back is pretty unsafe to drive due to the build up of this greasy substance on the windshield.
Worse, it is hard to wash off. The typical windex, glass plus and other alcohol base cleaners don't take it off, they just smear the film. One dealer told me they used some industrial cleaner to get it off. I don't have access to that, so I keep cleaning it with off the shelf stuff which doesn't really get it off. It gets better, but it is still and issue.
Also, now in the daytime, the dash and anything on the dash is very clearly reflected in the glass, so that is also not good for driving either.
I am also very concerned that I am breathing this stuff and injuring my health. Lately my lymphnodes in the back of my throat have swollen up and it is hard to swallow, etc. I have never had this type of "sickness", and I haven't been sick, not even a cold, for several years. I'm guessing it is related to this gaseous material that I am breathing in in the car. And it isn't a cold, as I haven't moved into the rest of the usual cold symptoms.
Is anyone else having this in their car???
My dealer's response: Never heard of a fogging problem before. I e-mailed Subaru some time back and they told me the problem was "normal" and the gasses were not hazardous (sure). My 02 Outback stopped fogging up after the first summer.
If you haven't already, I suggest a call to Subaru to at least document the problem.
Normal window cleaners such as Windex proved useless. Specialized cleaners such as Stoner Invisible Glass, or Meguiars (this one claims to have anti-haze properties) have better success.
There was a web-based report a short time ago regarding toxicity of automotive plastics, and '09 Forester received medium concern rating; big offender was Bromine in door trim and front seat. Bromine is used as part of flame retardants.
By comparison the 2007 Forester got a high concern rating and listed as one of the worst.
The improvement's a sign that perhaps Subaru took this seriously and is in progress of reducing internal emissions.
www.healthycar.org has the ratings.
If you have enclosed parking and/or heated garage, parking with all or at least front windows open will allow outgassing to occur when vehicle's not in use.
As mentioned earlier, outgassing is the plasticers gradually leaving the plastics that they are contained in. As time passes, those plastics will turn hard and brittle: unfortunately the normal aging process for plastics. Hopefully that will not occur within the vehicles' designed life span (and only Subaru has any idea what that is :surprise: ).
does your '09 have the automatic day-night mirror?
I've noticed the cable for this mirror can get pinched by the headliner, and could then apply stress to the glass. That cable proved a source for a lot of creaking noises until rerouted to a position where it stopped creaking.
The mirror itself is glued to the windshield (the rectangular plastic strut from mirror to top of windshield covers the cable but offers no support to the mirror).
That is interesting. You say you heard a pebble or something hit your windshield, but did you actually see the pebble. My thought is that the noise was the windshield cracking, not necessarily due to debris but possibly unknown pressure from a "design flaw".
And to answer another post: my rear view mirror is the "auto day/ night" feature.
They can still cover the first one by reimbursing you for your deductible and any other out of pocket expenses. Subaru would automatically assume it was a rock or some such. They just need some convincing. Also, noting the other post here, where the windshield cracked in the same place could net you the new windshield and your deductible.
Twice is not a coincidence in this case.
Is it just because it's a new model or is parts availability an issue with Subaru.?
The northwest got screwed up pretty badly by a major storm in December, and Washington has been hard hit by rain recently. I-5 was flooded for several days (again).
All of this has probably delayed some parts shipments.
Wow...im impressed! I am overeducated (doctor of pharmacy), paid cash for the car, could have easily bought a more expensive car, and plan on keeping it for many years to come.
............big brother is watching! see you in 7.3 years.........
It also costs $170 for the new "front footwell" LED lights. The dealer gave me no labor estimate (the parts are around $40), and it took them a ridiculous amount of time to figure out the proper wires to connect to. No bargin, those
The kit consists of two square tiles, each with 2 LED's, that get mounted under the front dash, only light up when the headlamps or parking light/markers are turned on, and switch off with the headlights (either manually or when key is removed).
They do not get in the way of feet or anything under the dash.
The kit does _not_ include lights for the rear footwells.
Yes, it would make more sense to offer a tilt-and-telescope option across the line. The lack of telescoping steering was one reason I ignored Subaru for so long.
Dealer - Gillman Subaru
But they are the best of a lot of worlds: AWD, good crash test scores, reasonable fuel economy.
The dealers like these packages because there tends to be more profit markup on them. The younger buyers, of course want all the stuff, and figure its just a little more payment each month.
I would like to have had the heated mirrors and wiper area, but ain't no way I am paying $4,000 more for it.
I am happy with my purchase, and I love the car.
Bill
The manufacturers quickly realized that packages were the answer, so guessed on what most people would want and put them together. This has of course hurt the ability for us, the consumer, to get exactly the vehicle we want. They try to balance the certification cost with the option packages offered to appeal to what they think we will buy as it might be "close enough".
I am sure the certification requirements have evolved to make more sense, since originally it was based on weight added, but manufacturers still want to limit choices for assembly line reasons.
Just wanted to post my results from my trip to the dealer. Essentially they did nothing since no 'codes' were in the computer, not check engine light came on, and everything operates normally except the gauge. Is this hogwash? I know others have commented on this issue; I wonder if a TSB is forthcoming?
Jopopsy
Might this characteristic generate, on occasion, erroneous fuel readings?
Thx snowbelter for mentioning about contacting Subaru. I did.
They knew all about it but wondered if all of the dealers did, however. They said it first started with the Impreza, so I assume it may have been around for a while.
So, it turns out there is something with the rubber type gasket used around the heater box. As the car is in the shop for the rear door panel paint issues and a few other warranty items that are being cover, Subaru called the dealer to ask if they knew about the heater gasket issue. The dealer didn't know, so, Subaru told them what to do, and it will be done with all the rest of the stuff. Luckily, I have a loaner while all the work is being done.
I just wish I had had the resolution before I got the continual sore throat and swollen lymphs. It is still not going away. Feels like the uvula is coated with sandpaper and that there is a sharp chunk of hard candy stuck in there, like all the time. :sick:
Hope this helps others that find the same issue.
I'll follow up after I get the car back to let you all know what happens...
I think there are some fogging issues in my '09 but have not stressed the heater enough to really be sure.
I can recommend that you don't wait too long to get the gasket replaced so you don't get "sick" like I did.
I bought my car at the end of June. If I remember right, you bought your car before I did Kurt. If so, you may have the same issue???
Thanks, and I hope that your health problem will stop.
Thanks for any feedback.
Instead, if it is the same problem (read previous posts for further descriptions), go in and see if your local dealer knows about it. If not call Subaru to get more help with it.
Subaru was GREAT!!! with me on the phone, knew exactly what I was talking about without looking anything up. They were very professional. They knew the fix right away. Subaru offered and did call my local dealer (they even asked for the name of the person I was dealing with). Then they called me back to verify what had been discussed, and what was going to happen.
Just wish "all" the dealers would have gotten this info handed down. But, I don't know if any in my area got it. I had brought the car down to the dealer that sells the most Subies in the country (where I bought it) They knew nothing about it either.
I'm pretty sure it is the material and whatever chemicals it gives off when it is heated. I don't know what material it is. They mentioned the "rubber" gasket, but if it was just plain rubber, it would not have had this problem.
So, I'm thinking there is something mixed in with the rubber. Perhaps next time I talk to SOA I will ask them.
I have owned two Subies and, with the Chase credit card, have accumulated a TON of Subaru Bucks. However, lately, I'm leaning on not getting another Subaru in the future.
Does anyone have any ideas what I can do with all these Subie bucks?
Thanks.
Clothing? Car covers? Luggage organizers?