2009 Subaru Forester

ateixeira · October 2009

Put Rain-X on the windshield, it makes it harder for snow and ice to "stick".

xwesx · October 2009

Absolutely. I love Rain-X. I have not applied it on the Forester yet, but I should put it in my "winterization" kit for Saturday; I can apply it when I change fluids, etc.

kurtamaxxxguy · October 2009

if you use rainX windshield washer fluid, you will eventually get build up where the wipers stop wiping (visible as grayish lines from inside the windshield). If the residue gets too high, it interferes with visibility and can make wipers chatter.

Magic erasers or Glass strippers (cleaners that polish and remove gunk from glass)
can help remove the excess residue

tinycadon · October 2009

I also use RainX and love it, but there is one thing I hate about it. When the water beads up on the windshield, and it's nightime, if you drive under a street light it will blind your vision for a split second. Other than that, it is fantastic, driving on the highway you don't even need to use the wipers if you don't want, the water beads up and the wind pushes it away.

xwesx · October 2009

I hate street lights in general for that very reason, but I have not noticed that phenomenon specifically from using Rain-X. I don't use washer fluid, etc., that is Rain-X - only the glass wax that you apply with a towel and buff. But yes, when I keep it current (apply it about once a month or so), I never need to use the wipers. Even at low speeds, the water beads up and runs off so nicely that no wipers are necessary. In fact, using the wipers just means I have to apply it more frequently because the wipers wear off the wax quicker!

ateixeira · October 2009

I don't use washer fluid, etc., that is Rain-X - only the glass wax that you apply with a towel and buff

Same here, and I've never had a problem with build up or anything like that.

The glass even stays cleaner, because nothing (water, ice, dirt) sticks on it as easily.

My tip - apply before you wash the car. Then wash, and use a squeegee to clean the glass. Mine is spotless.

robert142 · October 2009

Is there a brand name glass wax that you like? I would like to try it but could use a referral.

ateixeira · October 2009

The stuff I use is the Rain X in the yellow bottle. It's a clear liquid, not a wax.

I just don't use the stuff you put in your windshield washer reservoir. That would only really cover the swept area of the glass anyway, not to mention it would miss the side glass, the moonroof, mirrors, etc.

I even do headlights and taillights.

xwesx · October 2009

in my 2010 Forester X Premium w/ MT. Okay, so I was only traversing my yard, but I have a pretty significant ditch that runs around my house (it's built into a hill) to divert water around it. Really all I was aiming to do was to spray down the engine bay after doing some coolant adjustments, but I needed to turn the car around and had little room to do it. So, I decided to see if it was willing to do what none of my other cars ever could (including my previous three Outbacks, which couldn't deal with the approach angles).... drive perpendicularly over the ditch while going uphill! Haha; wow, did it ever! At one point, I had one tire dangling in the air (rear right) and the opposite corner's tire barely touching ground. The front left tire started spinning initially, then the traction control kicked in, stopped the spin, and the car jetted across the ravine and up the hill. It was pretty sweet, especially given the slippery surface (wet leaves on silt) and stock Yokohama Geolandar G95 tires. The approach/departure angles allowed me to then make the return trip, after having turned around, without any problems.

I was very impressed; it was too bad I did not think about it ahead of time and ask my wife to get out the video camera.

ateixeira · October 2009

Cool, can I come over and test mine on your psuedo-off-road course as well?

Party at wes' house. I'll bring a camera.

Sounds like fun, though. And your report matches up with the videos we've seen of the Forester climbing up those off road ramps with its traction control system.

ateixeira · October 2009

So I took out the wife's Forester....

Err, what I mean to say is she needed gas, and let me take it for a while.

Any how, she was getting 23.something mpg, I decided I would try to get the best mileage possible. I drove from a suburb to another suburb and back, all streets with lights, no highways.

I actually managed to get 29.7mpg in town, with traffic, lights and all. At one point I was at 30mpg but it dropped just as I pulled in the driveway.

I was using every trick in the book - slow starts, coasting to red lights, very light braking. Good timing at stop lights is crucial.

Pretty amazing what you can accomplish if you try hard.

2009 PZEV Limited (auto trans).

xwesx · October 2009

Yeah, that's what I found as well when I was traversing the Alaska Highway next to Whitehorse. Mine was close to 40 mpg, but traffic was pretty light so I was only timing the lights and mine has the manual tranny (so I could do true coasting).

xwesx · October 2009

Hahahah; my wife was pretty mad at me when I told her. She was sure that I tore up the sides of the ditch, but there was only one little spot where that front tire spun that was even out of sorts. And, there was no grass there anyway, so all I really did was move some newly fallen leaves. I don't think she would be too thrilled about me asking her to handle the video camera while I staged it, though.

My daughter (two years old today) had a great time riding in the car with me! She would say, "Whoa! Big bump!" and giggle hysterically.

volkov · October 2009

So two questions come to mind:

Do you have a drawbridge to go with that moat that surrounds your house? Sounds pretty small though. You must live in one of those "starter castles" and this one came with a "starter" moat.

What was your plan if you didn't make it? Can't help but think the DW disapproval goes much higher when trying to navigate that one. I can already see the "What were you thinking?!" look that would be on Dra's face since I would have to ask her to drive the stuck or towing vehicle.
I can still remember the communal oh $@&% from my friends and I when my friend slid backwards on a similar muddy hill in the middle of nowhere impaling the rear hitch at the bottom. Wonder that one of us wasn't crushed before we got it free.

ateixeira · October 2009

That's what a tripod is for.

You have a manual, eh? That's nice. My 98 was a manual, but my wife was commuting from MD to VA and back and insisted on a slushbox this time around.

The EPA numbers are better for the auto, but I'm convinced the manual is more efficient. Consumer Reports got 3mpg better with the stick shift!

xwesx · October 2009

Hahah, good point! However, the terrain is such that "not making it," would simply mean throwing it in reverse.

I only have a partial moat, and it is fairly small, but it really could pass for a moat (at least across the driveway) in the spring time when meltdown hits in earnest. Until the ice dam breaks at the end of the run, we can get quite a pond (about 8-12" deep) growing! It is an annual event to break out the pick axe for a chop-a-thon at some point each April. Only when we have a long stretch of cloudy-but-warm weather during April is that not necessary (because the snowpack melts evenly under those conditions).

Tripod. That's a good idea. I should probably pick one of those up one of these years.....

Ironically, I arrived at work this morning (driving my '98 Escort, as the Forester is now winterized and set up for my wife and children's use) and parked next to a 2010 paprika red Forester X Premium. Yep, it was the one from the local dealership that I tried to buy six weeks ago only to have my (very reasonable) offer rebuked. A gal that works in the building next to mine bought it over the weekend. I sure hope that extra six weeks on the lot did not lose the dealership the $200 off MSRP I had requested! :P Although, frankly, with the rugged package on it, I much prefer the looks and utility of the one I purchased. That black accent all across the bottom of the body really lends itself well to the "burnt orange" of the paprika.

djc1 · October 2009

Has anyone had a problem with water leaking through the air box through the A/C filter and into the passenger floor? It appears heavy rain hitting the windshield and draining down is bouncing into the A/C intake opening. The A/C filter is soaked when it rains heavy and drains down the windshield. I checked the drain gutters and they are not clogged. Any thoughts?

Dennis

robert142 · October 2009

thanks for this. will pick some up on the weekend.

birdboy · October 2009

I have been driving for 40 years and have had many vehicles during that time. Only twice in 40 years have I had a windshield crack. believe it or not, today a small pebble kicked up and put a small crack in my windshield. This is the third time in a one year period. Fortunately, this time they were able to repair the crack, as it was small, and I barely notice the little remaining mark.The past two times, I needed a new windshield.
Interestingly, The" Glass doctor" , freely informed me that he was seeing quite a few new Foresters in his shop this year, and some like myself, some multiple times as well.. He believes that between the height of the vehicle and the straight up windshield angle, it is more likely to break when compared to other make and models. i do not know if this is true, however I will be calling Subaru USA to make a complaint and investigation. Anyone else have multiple windshield cracks?

bikerguy3 · October 2009

Yeah, I have had very few windshield cracks in my driving experience (36 yrs), but
have had 2 rock chip incidents with my 09 Forester X Premium in the 18 months
I've owned it.

The first occurred just weeks after purchasing; the second about 2 months ago.

In both cases, I have promptly had the chip repaired, and both times the repair
was successful (ie chips have not grown into full blown cracks neccesitating a
windshield replacement.

This is especially important if you have the heated windshield, as a replacement
costs $700 +/-(?).

I don't know if the root cause of this vulnerability is the height/angle of vehicle; or the windshield glass is extra thin; or if it is just a statistical anomaly that so many of us posting here have experienced this problem...

I recommend all 09/10 Forester owners check their insurance coverage for glass breakage, and add the $0 deductible for cracked windshield replacement to your policy...

kurtamaxxxguy · October 2009

I've never had that problem in my '09 XT.

Perhaps there is a partial clog within the cowl baffling that is preventing water entering the cowl from draining properly?

samiam_68 · October 2009

Glass on the new Foresters is paper thin. That's why everyone is getting many cracked windshields.

birdboy · October 2009

thank you, actually the heated windshield was close to $900.00 the first time, and a bit less the second. This third time the crack was able to be repaired. I have $0 deductible, but honestly we all know claims are an issue especially when they are several within a short period. I have called Subusa and the issue is noted.Is there anything else I could do?

sgloon · October 2009

Juice,

I take it this is OK to use on the plastics?

bigfrank3 · October 2009

I have been driving for 44 years and have had over 55 vehicles. Counting the current 2, my wife and I have had 5 Foresters and I can tell you we have had more windshield chips in these than in all the other cars combined. No cracks though, just chips. Many I have been able to fix myself with the kits you can buy, but we have had to replace 3 windshields.

jeannefrances · October 2009

We bought an '09 Forester last January. Last week a small rock was thrown by a car coming toward us and chipped the windshield plus started a crack. Several hours later the crack was somewhere between 12-15" long. It started as a horizontal line and then made a downward turn. I've been driving for more than 30 years and this is the first vehicle I've owned that has had the windshield crack.

ateixeira · October 2009

I've had no problem, but be sure to read the label and any instructions in case they've reformulated.

ateixeira · October 2009

I've had the opposite experience.

My wife cracked the windshield on her Mazda 626 twice, but my 98 Forester lasted 9 years without a crack, and our 09 is also intact.

Keep in mind how upright the windshield is, and make sure you leave plenty of distance to the car in front.

In your case I'm not sure anything could have prevented a crack - the car was moving in the opposite direciton and must've thrown that rock like a bullet right at you. :sick:

robm2 · October 2009

My wife's '09 F-XT has had 4 chips that were repaired, and one rock that caused a crack. The crack was not impairing driver's view, and now that the snow is flying here in Canada, the crack is spreading.

With the cost to replace the heated windshield WAY UP THERE, we're going to wait until winter rock season is done, and replace it next summer. This assumes the crack doesn't go crazy and wrap back on itself and impede her view.

Hers is the most crack-prone windshield of any vehicle I've ever owned, (and that's a lot of vehicles).

birdboy · October 2009

With reasons that you can understand, the excessive cabin rattles and squeaks, most but not all , have been corrected, and now the 3 cracked windshields within a year , have taken a toll on my liking the Forseter. I now find myself paranoid when driving as to anything hitting my windshield even falling leaves. The sad thing is that all three cracks occurred on state toll roads , not off roads. does anyone know why this model seems to be prone to fast and easy cracking. Is it the angle of the windshield being almost vertical ?is it a thinner glass used? Is there anything that could be done aside from waiting for the next incident? As some of you also stated, we have been driving many years with other cars and have not experienecd this high number of cracked windshield reporting. Subaru USA was sympathetic, however when I honestly told them a small rock or pebble hit the windshield they said that this was clearly the cause and not the glass or design. I honestly do not feel that the last two cracks would have happened if it were another make vehicle. Perhaps the first one, but thats it. Please kepe reproting this issue and perhaps the quality care team will look into this as I know they must be reading these forums .
Thanks

robm2 · October 2009

Some glass companies offer a "diamond fusion" polymer coat that is applied to the windshield. At acts like Rain-X on steroids, and it greatly increases the strength of the windshield.

This coat may cost $400-$600, but they will warrantee the windshield and replace if it gets cracked for 3-4 years, depending on the service interval you choose.

I got this fusion coat on my STI, and I'm really happy with it. It's like having permanent Rain-X, and it has survived many a rock hit without cracking. We should have got it on my wife's F-XT.

When we finally replace her windshield, we'll also be getting this coat on her windshield.

jeannefrances · October 2009

That's definitely something that I'm going to be checking into! I'd rather pay the extra money now than have to keep paying for replacing windshields, especially since we do a lot of driving on dirt roads. Thanks for the suggestion.

xwesx · October 2009

Unfortunately, I really cannot comment until I experience my first chip or two. I have actually never had a Subaru windshield out-and-out crack on me. I have had probably 25-30 or more combined chips on three previous Outback windshields over about 160,000 miles, none "repaired," but none ever cracked (which was somewhat surprising given my extreme climate in Fairbanks, Alaska). So far, no chips on the Forester, but we shall see.

I doubt it has too much to do with the angle of the windshield; it certainly is not anywhere close to "near vertical."

If these are small chips in the middle area of the glass that are cracking, it probably does have something to do with the quality of glass. If the chips are at or near the edges, it is likely more bad luck than anything else; edge chips are always more likely to induce cracks.

xwesx · October 2009

Post topic, plus I installed my winter tires over the weekend.

I managed to find a set of 16" silver-painted steel wheels from a 2007 Forester on which to install the tires. I like them! They look pretty good on the car, but the smaller rim size, combined with the winter tires, makes for a much smoother ride. They are even somewhat quieter than the stock tires, though there is a subtle hum at highway speeds due to the open block design of the tires (Goodyear Ultra Grip Ice, P215/65R16).

rsholland · October 2009

The steelies look good. I prefer them to the wheel covers now used on base models.

Bob

xwesx · October 2009

So do I. They are simple (no covers) and easy to maintain. Apparently, Subaru offers an optional 16" alloy wheel for the X; it is too bad they do not make that wheel optional for the Premium as well. I would prefer that both my sets of wheels were 16" rather than having the 17" wheels for summer use.

ateixeira · October 2009

I like styled steel rims better as well.

That thing looks ready for winter.

xwesx · October 2009

Hahahahaha; yeah, dirt and all!

Oh, man. Speaking of "ready for winter," my neighbors cleared a swath between the subdivision road and their driveway, which includes a couple of steep grades, in preparation for sledding once the snow flies. The terrain is kinda rough, but I am so terribly tempted to take the Forester over it. The only thing holding me back, other than the car's only being two weeks old, is that the angle of approach is pretty dramatic and once I get down there, there is no easy way out if the car cannot make it on its own....

26cars · October 2009

Wondering if anyone out there has been on the beach with their Forester (or other Sube awd). I have taken my past SUV's (Explorers/Expedeition/Ranger) out on the beach around Cape Cod & Plymouth, MA, but they had low range (seldom needed, however). The trails are mostly firm pack to somewhat loose sand; I had my Forester on a short stretch of beach to launch kayaks a few weeks ago and it seemed ok, but I don't want to get stuck. Any input appreciated!

ateixeira · October 2009

I took my 98 Forester on the beaches of the Outer Banks, a couple of years in a row. Several times, too.

It was a hoot. Back then it only had 7.5" of ground clearance, but it's light and with tires aired down to 18psi is floated well above the sand.

I actually drove by a HD diesel pickup who has forgotten to air down his tires.

The new Forester has wider tires, more than an inch extra clearance, and much better approach and departure angles. It should be fine so long as you don't stop in soft sand or go too crazy.

Drive smoothly and definitely wash the undercarriage when you're done. Salt water causes rust, big time. All the full-time beach rigs I saw were rusty.

rich28 · October 2009

I bought an '09 Forester to replace my Dakota 4wd that I put a ton of money into after driving it up the beach in OBX 3 times, once thru deep water for a week because the roads to the house we stayed at were very flooded. I went back this year and chickened out and rented a jeep because I didn't want to ruin this car. I'm still curious as to how it will do on the beach in the deep ruts, though. Maybe I'll wait till it's older before I give it a try.

volkov · October 2009

There's a you-tube video out there somewhere of guys comparing the sand performance of a new and last gen Forester. Try searching for it. I think we may even have linked to it here.

26cars · October 2009

Interesting parallel- I traded a '99 Ranger 4x4 for my Forester, had gone all thru it except clutch which was next. At 153K it ran perfect and used no oil. Then cash-for-clunkers hit and I caved in to it- how could I turn down $4500 for a truck worth maybe $2000? A real shame to see a vehicle with life left in it go to the crusher, but I had been wanting a small SUV and would have been a fool to pass on a once-in-a lifetime deal. So far the Forester seems a good choice, though I hope it proves heavy-duty enough- I use my SUV's as they were intended, also maintain them faithfully. Time will tell. I'll post after I take it on the beach.

kurtamaxxxguy · October 2009

Yes I watched that video (but have not seen it recently and - sorry - do not remember name).
The older Forester got hung up on the sand, while the '09, with more ground clearance, did OK.
Older Foresters had Limited slip Dif's in back, '09's rely entirely on VTC.

ateixeira · October 2009

Not the same one, but this gives you a pretty good idea of how capable it is. Certainly more than 99% of owners will ever try.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki9ad5UCmwo

xwesx · October 2009

Certainly more than 99% of owners will ever try.

? Do you mean "never" try?

That sled hill next door to me that I mentioned last week gets more tempting every day. I think I am just going to have to do it before the snow flies (which is any moment now).

noey8 · October 2009

I think this is the vid you guys are referring too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yp1PkXizeQ

kurtamaxxxguy · October 2009

Yes , that is the Sand comparison video referred to earlier.

ateixeira · October 2009

I think I said it correctly - more than they'll ever attempt.

Most poeple just want to get out of the county fair grass parking lot on a rainy day without giving it a mud bath.

ateixeira · October 2009

The 2009 isn't even a turbo, the old one was. So even with a bunch less torque it easily performed better in deep sand.

Nice. :shades:

2009 Subaru Forester

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