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Comments
I had my Mobil1 analyzed at 5,700 miles and it still had life left in it.
Even with conventional oil 3,000 miles is overkill. The manual calls for 3,750 for severe service.
-Dennis
For the service I just had ($100), I figure the oil change would be $25, the additive would be $5 (Jiffy Lube has this too - just stuff to add to the "standard" oil - who knows if it does anything), tire rotation $50 (not sure how much this would cost if I went to a garage to have it done - but I think rotating the tires is a good idea, and without a hydrolic jack and air wrench of my own, it would take me quite a while to rotate my own tires!). That's about $80 right there, and then they did a 100 point checkup (or something like that) of my car - which I thought was important since it's never been looked over since I bought it. A bit of piece of mind, that's all.
In the future I will likely do stuff ala cart - oil change, coolant flush, etc.
Interestingly, they also perform free alignment checks but had no data on the 2003/4 WRX...without the specs they couldn't check my car that day. I'm finding more and more places that have no record of the WRX in their files (AMEX and Allstate insurance, Big O,...)
Brian
B
They have been advertising on the radio like crazy down here and the commercials are kind of cute (little old lady comes in and wants to play Bingo, which they have to explain they don't do there - they sell tires). I've heard it so many times I'll never forget what they are (they are a tire store) even though I have never been in one. I suspect they are like Just Tires or Discount Tires or others like that, but as I said, I've never been in one!
I know some of you don't check the other Subaru boards here, so I'm posting this news.
My WRX was stolen from Sears in Watchung this week. It's the 3rd wagon in the past few weeks and the 5th WRX.
Another WRX in Bloomfield was stolen today.
-Dennis
A friend of mine had his stolen a few weeks ago and he had lo-jack, auto-lock and a club.
If they want it, they'll take it.
-Dennis
Also are the cars being stripped or stolen for fun?
The cars are being stolen for fun. A WRX and STi were stolen this past Friday. Both the other WRX guy and myself were able to track EZ Pass electrontic toll activity. They're just cruising around in our cars.
Time for an old school Subie.
-Dennis
-mike
Don't they install engine immobilizer on all US WRX now?
Not related question - does anybody know what is WRX load capacity - people + cargo? And what is turbo Foresters?
thanks for the heads up.
-juice
By the way, don't rely on the security system to protect things inside your WRX. Someone broke the drivers side window of my WRX with a large rock, and stole my radar detector. The alarm didn't go off. The car was in my driveway, locked and armed and I was asleep about 50 ft from the car. Apparently the impact of the rock wasn't enough shock to set it off.
Old part: 15208AA060
New part: 15208AA080
Doesn't the oil get hotter in the turbocharger than in the oil filter? That's one of the reasons to use synthetic oil in the WRX, so the oil doesn't coke. I've used Mobil 1 5W30 since 7K miles.
BTW, can WRX have anything in the tow (like a jet watercraft or a snowmobile x2)?
-Dennis
I walked back about 40 minutes later to get the car, just as the mechaninc was parking it. I thought "that oil change sure took a long time!" I paid my $10 and got in the car. As I pulled away, I was careful to take it easy as the new oil heated up. Well, when I looked at the temp gauge it was fully warmed up. I think the mechanic (a young guy) took my car for a "test drive" after changing the oil!!!
I know the WRX is a cool car, but I never thought that they would be such a target for joyriders! Between thiefs and mechanics, I'll have to change my way of thinking and start getting uptight about the safety of my WRX!
Unbelievable!
-jim
After endlessly searching his computer for the right part number, I got a filter, went home and changed the oil. The new filter matched the old one, but they were both the "old" part number...I didn't get the new part I guess.
Thanks for the clarification; next time I'll make sure I get the other part!
Brian
Do you have an oil temp gauge? The gauge in the main binnacle is for coolant temp not oil temp.
There's no reason the coolant temp wouldn't stay at the normal operating level after an oil change.
I still think it's suspicious...
Anyhow, if you already bought the oil and filter, why not just buy a pair of ramps (~$17 @ walmart) and do it yourself!
-mike
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=418624&
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=43- 0542
I'll just check the odo before I drop her off next time so I won't have to be so paranoid. I swear that guy had a guilty / happy look on his face!
-jim
-Colin
But nah, you have wagon experience and are qualified to post here. Heck, more than I am!
Yeah, where is it still $10? My dealer wants $20, plus a $2 "Environmental Fee". Ridiculous, it's $22, I mean, c'mon!
-juice
Ken
Now that I have the trailer I just backup on the trailer, and let the nose overhang, and bango, it's done easily.
-mike
Is the engine oil not circulating fast enough? Too thick? Opinions?
Oh, and while I'm at it - has anyone else experienced warmer air from the vents than the outside temp, even with the temp control on the coldest (a/c off)? It's most noticeable when it's like 60 degrees outside, but the air coming through the vents (on the fresh setting, not recirculate) is like 75 degrees. I have to either roll down the windows or put on the a/c to cool the interior down - and when it's 60 degrees and rainy, I feel pretty stupid running my a/c. And this comes from someone who doesn't like cold temps - ie, I like warmer air, but this is too warm even for my likings.
Anyone else experience this? Does the engine just run too hot to provide air to the cabin at the same temp as the outside air?
-jim
If you have to bring a car in for body work/mechanical work, would you rather have them just do the work, without testing it?
Bring it to the attention to the shop owner, and listen to them explain it. I don't think it is unreasonable for them to put a few miles on the car after they do some work on it. I'd rather have them find out something's not fixed right, than for myself to find out.
I hope you take your complaint to that particular shop.
I made no such assertion. It was a long time ago, and was dealt with then. The last two mechanics including the current one (the Subaru dealer I purchased the car from) are the absolute models of professional gentlemen.
When I walked onto the lot to pick up the car, the mechanic was just parking it after the 45 minute oil change. He had a look on his face when I saw him like "oh no, he caught me!." I was struck by it. He then acted all sheepish while I was paying. When I got in the car and saw the temp gauge was warmed up, my mind put together this very vivid scenario of the mechanic hooting out loud as he got air over the crest of a hill in my WRX. You know, the Ferris Bueller thing.
I have no evidence to support my conclusion - it's just me being suspicious. Boy, owning a WRX sure makes you paranoid. It's like being married to a supermodel!
How we all must suffer...
-jim
-juice
This is done be reaching through an open, (or broken) window and unlocking the door without the key.
Many factory alarms operate like this. Thieves probably know this. If they just want something from inside the car, they can break the window and reach in and grab it. If they don't open the doors, the alarm will not go off.
They know exactly how the factory alarm works. My owner's manual was missing when I got my car back.
-Dennis
which shuts the alarm off after breaking in.
-Dave
Most of these crimes are crimes of opportunity. You want to make it just inconvenient enough for them to skip you car and find an easier target. Park in a well lit area. Don't leave valuables (including aftermarket stereo equipement, CD's, aftermarket performance parts, etc...) visible in your car. Put an aftermarket alarm system sticker in your window whether you have one or not. Tinting the windows will make it harder to see in and will add inconvenience because the window won't shatter.
Sure there are pros that can get past any defense, but the majority of these guys are morons looking for an easy mark. Making it just inconvenient enough for them to think twice will send 90% of these guys off to find an easier mark.
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/resale_values/