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Comments
BTW - you get what you pay for: the indexing is poor, there aren't any manual to manual live links, and in general its a PITA to use. But better than paying for the paper manual set, IMO.
HTH
Larry
Mobil1 is on the thinner side of 30 weights. I'm using German Castrol Syntec 0W30, which is thicker at operating temp than Mobil 1 10W30.
-Dennis
Fuel economy - it's dropped about 1 mpg with my new ZE-512's, I've got almost 4000 miles on them to date. I can live with that, better traction plus quieter on the highway.
Elissa: if you remove that intake, since you'll probably be changing the air filter at the same time, then access should be easier.
But you can't even see the spark plug wires in that pic, where are they?
-juice
FWIW, I run 5w-30 M1 in our MPV during the summer and 0w-20 M1 in the winter. The MPV is one of the engines requiring 5w-20.
-Brian
Here I was just in Germany two weeks ago and didn't think to buy any Syntec!
Ed
Ha! No spark plug wires in the H6 or XT models! Each plug has it's own ignition coil installed right on top of it with connector wires attached to those (if I'm correct). Check the link to other photos that I attached to that previous post on the spark plugs.
Elissa
I have none of the above. And a word about Synthetic Oil and Blends, the only reason I am using 5W/30 Saab Turbo Blend is to extend the time between Oil changes under Severe' conditions (per the Service Manager), and because my Factory Mechanic insisted. Over 15 Months with the XT, and only 8300 very hard driven Miles. It still looks brand new and I might be selling it.
I still like to try to do as much as I can myself, though.
-juice
Mark
The slot is just to keep the wood from sliding off. The wood is there to spread the weight distribution just a little. If I jack at the front one, I can actually get both wheels off the ground at the same time.
It's even easier if the car is facing a slight down hill (slight).
I haven't rotated my tires in a while but next time I do I'll see if I can get some pics.
To jack both rear tires off the ground just use the rear diffy. For both front I've used the front cross member.
-juice
-Brian
-juice
Elissa
Mark
I guess they changed the structure more than I thought for MY2003.
-juice
The dealer replaced the molding on my 03 Forester after they mangled it. You would think the dealer would have a lift that would properly raise the car w/o risking damage. That and every time they lift it I have to touch up the paint along the bottom. The problem is those edges stick down so low and are very visible from the side of the car. And with the Cayenne Red you can really tell when the paint's been hammered.
I like the colored lower cladding, but I think this is a case where I'd be better served by the basic gray cladding.
Larry
Design points so they fit the lifts easily.
-juice
But I agree - the solution is to make the jacking areas larger and more tolerant of mis-positioning.
Larry
Ken
There are probably too many factors in oil blending (base stocks, viscosity improvers, type of synthetic, etc.) to have an absolute descriptor.
German Castrol Syntec 0W30 is actually thicker at start up and operating temp than any of the M1 30 weights. M1 0W30 is slightly thicker at operating temp than their 5 or 10W30.
Here's a good web site by Advance Auto parts that explains the API's minimum and maximum viscosity requirements for each oil weight:
http://www.advanceautoparts.com/english/youcan/html/ccr/ccr200101- - - - - - 01ov.html
"...Fortunately, today's additive packages have improved oil's shear-resistance. However, oils with the same rating from different manufacturers can exhibit different viscosity ratings in an operating engine, depending on the shear stability of their viscosity-modifying additives...
SAE 30 is SAE 30 no matter what the "W" prefix number is: 0W, 5W or 10W. This viscosity in centistokes (cSt) @ 100 degrees C is with the minimum of 9.3 cSt and a maximum of 12.5 cSt. ..."
-Dennis
-Sales woman said moonroof has lifetime warranty. Is this correct? She seems a little unknowledgeable as she also said that premium was only needed for first 1000 mi, and I haven't heard that from anyone else (wrong, no?)
-Anyone have the security system upgrade? This will save us on insurance. What does it include? Will it go off randomly? (I hate that...)
-Will the black leather get hot? Especially in a black vehicle? Or should I stay away from black exterior... (Color choices are annoyingly limited though and the black really appeals to me. I can handle the grey, but it seems so practical...) Can I get a custom fit winshield sunblock thing somewhere?
-The accessory speaker and subwoofer upgrades...are these already included in the XT premium? Or if not, worth it? Im thinking I should go elsewhere for $300.
-What do I need to purchase to haul cargo (luggage/duffle bags) on top? Safely and in a waterproof fashion?
Thank you so much! Right now I'm driving a 97 Saturn SL2 that is dying a slow death despite only 75k and I'm very much looking forward to this car!
Ken
Turbos force-feed compressed air into cylinders, which makes knocks more likely. Subaru recommends premium octane. You can use regular if necessary, but you should plan on using premium fuel on a regular basis.
I had my windows tinted, it cost me $170 to do 7 windows (all but the windshielf). I'd recommend that. Black paint does show dirt easily, but if you like it and are willing to keep it clean it's one of the more attractive colors.
The speaker upgrades are pre-wired, so if you decide to do this later it's a piece of cake.
I have a Samsonite soft top carrier, and while it's water resistant it's not water proof. It once sat overnight in the rain and the rain did soak through.
Subaru re-sells Yakima equipment, so anything Yakima has in the catalog with bolt on with the available clamps.
Or try one of those Sears X-Cargo, the new black ones look good.
-juice
-Dennis
i have the security system upgrade on my XT, it is simply an alarm added on. the price subaru charges is good for what you get and is not a bad add-on as far as options go. i like it, it's never gone off randomly and gives me peace of mind in the cities. although if you travel into NYC I think you have to disable it by law.
i have the black interior with a silver body and it gets far more hot than my previous forester's gray interior. i have the black cloth though. i got a $10 windshield shade and tinted windows. they both help. black body will definitely get more hot and show scratches, water marks, dirt more. my husband has a black CR-V and washes it incessantly, i rarely wash my XT and when parked side by side, mine always looks much cleaner.
sound system upgrade is included in the XT: 7 speakers, tweeter kit, 6disk cd changer. If you're an audiophile, it's worth it no matter what car you get. it sounds real nice compared to the 4 speakers in my other forester.
don't know about cargo.
congrats on your decision and good luck! you'd better be prepared for the higher cost of fuel and getting 19-23 mpg with the XT though, though it IS fun.
elissa
After 13,600 mi om mine--LOVE it.. The power is
amazing.... You will be the envy of your car friends !!!
Deadeye
You can spend $300 for a Thule or Yakima box, ,$130 at Sears, and everything in between. I planned to buy a roof top box but before I could make up my mind I went on three long vacation trips and discovered that I can load as much luggage in the back of a Forester as my family of 4 wants for a week, even on vacation to the beach, and then load 4 bikes on a hitch- mount bike rack and the surf boards on the roof rack! Of course, I'm no longer hauling play pens and strollers, which would definitely be a factor.
The premium audio that comes with the XTPP is not Bose, but it is plenty good enough for a middle-aged rock and roller playing Rolling Stones way too loud. Plus, the Bose in my Audi didnt have weather band! Good luck!
Mark
So we don't have the take the port-a-crib, the baby bath tub, and we can even get away with a smaller stroller nowadays.
-juice
So I need to buck up and buy a snowboard attachment for the roof rack. I was leaning towards Yakima but I have a few hundred Subaru bucks saved up and figured I might as well use them. Any opinions on the OEM Snowboard attachment? I think I read once it's just a Yakima Rack that's been rebranded with Subaru logos.
Anyone have the Subaru rack? Thoughts? Anyone have other racks they love? Thanks!
-juice
Owen aka 'Treeman'
Subaru bucks...Is that from the 3% back credit card? Can you use them on acessories too? I was relieved to hear you can use it for service since I found out about the card just before going to buy the car (won't help us there). Of course I'm not planning to need a lot of service in the near future either...
A recent study showed that silver is the most visible color, while black, forest green, and other dark colors are the least visible. I can't remember who did the study, though. NHTSA?
I don't know how much that concerns you, but I thought I'd point it out.
Also, I can't believe that dealers ask you to come back with your husband!!! That's so obnoxious! I've never had that happen to me, but I would be totally p.o.'d if it did (and I would never give that dealer my business).
I do have a snowboard bag and did the one seat down in the back last year. Gets kinda crowded tho since I take my dog boarding with me. With two person's gear and the dog it works out, but I'm thinking I want to graduate to a rack for those longer trips.
-juice
Well I went home all right, but didn't come back with him or otherwise... it's happened several places but was worst at a Honda dealership that also loaded on tons of overpriced accessories I refused to pay for. They didn't have a single woman working in the place, and I don't care if I buy from a male or female, but the whole place just felt like a "boys club" and they kept shuffling me around and assumed I knew nothing about cars or buying cars. I respect that they know from experience that these major purchases are "couple decisions" but I also doubt that they send men home to ask for their wives' approval. Sorry, off topic.
***Thanks to everyone for your helpful replies.***
It has since completed 3 cross-country trips, and now has about 12-14,000 miles on it, including quite a bit of hard rain and moderate snow.
It has never leaked a drop.
It is very solidly constructed yet lightweight, and has excellent aerodynamics - I have not noticed any real increase in wind noise (equivalent to just having the crossbars on), and only a slight increase in sensitivity to crosswinds.
It's quite stable even at high speeds and bombing down dirt & gravel roads while playing WRC!
I think the size and shape suit the Forester nicely, and it's also fairly deep/tall, so it handles large objects like suitcases well.
Highly recommended.
I actually find if anything I stand a pretty good chance in auto negotiations because the sales people might assume a woman doesn't come in as prepared or decisive as a man. They learn too late that's not the case.
:P Elissa
elissa
Took a trip out to the mountains. Amazing on the highway, forced induction doing it's thing, grades just dont exist, gearchanges optional, great audio, heated seats, fuel guage not moving much so wife happy, dog digging the big screen view in the rear window, sun shining....perfect day.
On the way home, dusk but not quiet fully dark, rolling two-lane highway in the foothills, cruising the speed limit, about 100 km/h...suddenly a large four-legged fur-clad shape appears out from the ditch about 200 yards ahead and starts walking across. Nothing coming towards us so I brake and aim for the far edge of the opposite lane. At last nanosecond I realise it's not working, so stomp on the brakes, crank hard to the right and pray. Have time to think about self, wife and injustice of event on first day of long dreamed about new car. Furry shape passes along left of the car folding the mirror on way past. Stop and check for damage. Nothing. No fuss from the XT, a little body roll, but no dramatics. This could easily have been a rollover, likely would have been in any other "SUV". We could equally have had that deer on our laps. Note to self, always aim from where they have come from, not where they are going to...
Of course we got our first stone chip in the windshield five minutes later. If that's some kind of karma, I'll take it.
Other than that, pretty much all good. Driving the XT in the city needs some getting used to. I have driven stick all my life, but getting the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts smooth takes some focus. Also around town I am short-shifting just as the car comes on boost as I dont need to rip around parking lots and intersections that fast. I cant imagine what a pain the WRX may be if you add in the lag that the FXT doesnt have.
Also getting used to the white, tint helps a lot.
JP
Since I myself own an 04 XT M/T, I can say that the A/T is almost as fast as the M/T. Always plenty of power, and the A/T seems to be in the right gear 99% of the time. The average MPG also seems identical between the A/T and the M/T.
Glad to hear you avoided the ditch and the deer. Your experience proves my belief that the safest car you can own is the one that enables you not to get in an accident, or over the side of a cliff, etc.
I hope your next 250,000KM are marked only by unspeakably fun driving experiences!
Mark
In a similar vein, I lent the WRX to a friend two weekends ago while I was out of town. (He had flown in and had no car) and he took a rock on the lower windshielf which progressed to a full 3' crack within 4 days, before I could repair the chip. I don't blame him, because I know he's a sensible driver, but I was pissed the moment it cracked.
Nicholas
-juice