Subaru XT Turbo Forester

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Comments

  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Based on the mileage I do, I'm changing the Mobil-1 every 6 months (spring and fall), which has been less than 5k miles.

    -Brian
  • dt63944dt63944 Member Posts: 66
    Hi, I'm just wondering which car model you're describing here. This is a discussion of the Subaru Forester XT, but the car you describe is entirely unrelated to how I'd describe my 2004 XT. I've had two other Foresters and I'd never describe either of them as being anything like the vehicle you mentioned, either. If you could clarify which make and model you're referring to, I'll make sure I don't consider it for my next one! Thanks-Dave
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    You should be "anal" about following the tire manufacturer's inflation reccomendations. Not under, not over.

    I learned a number of years ago that manufacturers frequently bias their inflation recommendations towards ride comfort at the expense of tread wear. Hence a lower recommended inflation will provide a smoother ride but will result in the outer portions of the tread wearing faster. Adding a few PSI often results in more even wear.

    Frank P.
  • killer2killer2 Member Posts: 12
    Am hearing this squeal/ticking noise coming from the left wheel area. When I first back up or take off real slow it tends to be a squeal at the start and then turns into a clicking sound. It is dependent on wheel speed but either goes away or is masked by air/engine noise after a shift into second. I took the wheel off a took a look. Couldn't notice anything out of the ordinary. Blew the caliper out while I was under there but still have the noise. The car is an '04 XT 5sp. Any thoughts? While were in the same area has anyone else noticed that the rusting/flaking of the ribs between the inner and outer rotors seems a little excessive?

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    My guess is wheel bearing. It's less common on the 03+ but not unheard of.

    -juice
  • done37done37 Member Posts: 64
    Could Also be your brake pad wear sensors.

    Don
  • dt63944dt63944 Member Posts: 66
    If you notice a change in sound while going around an off- or on- ramp, it is probably a bearing as mentioned earlier. I have an 04 XT that just had the left front replaced; it's been grinding for a long time, I finally got it taken care of with some other things, along with a left control arm. A little squeal when first moving the car in the morning is normal, particularly if you park it outside - a little rust film is normal on the rotor and that's probably what you hear. My opinion - take it in and have the front suspension and linkages checked as a precaution.
  • killer2killer2 Member Posts: 12
    It was the brake indicator making the noise. From what I've read here it seems like I did pretty good to make 46k. I'm upgrading pads to ceramic and next brake job I'll upgrade rotors as the dealer says the rotors are only good for one turning. I'd say the brakes are probably the weakest system on the XT. Hopefully the pad upgrade will make a difference. The funny part of the whole deal was to find out that an "entire" brake job is broken down into front or rear. I was quoted $150 for the entire brake job. So I asked if that was per axle or for the entire job. The reply was for the entire job. Turns out 150 is for front or rear. Shows how old I am. In the the old days per axle meant front or rear. I was wondering how they could do the entire job for 150. Now I know.

    John
  • done37done37 Member Posts: 64
    Was the $150 for new rotors as well or did they turn them. If they were able to turn them and save you money you can thank those little wear indicators for squealing! 46K is pretty good mileage for brakes, I hope to get that out of mine.

    Don
  • killer2killer2 Member Posts: 12
    $153 was for turning the front rotors and installing a set of Bendix ceramic pads. Big difference in braking! Highly recommend going ceramic. They not only give vastly improved braking but the brake guy says they're not the least bit aggressive. Can't wait to get the rears done next week. The rear pads are for some reason harder to come by.

    John
  • killer2killer2 Member Posts: 12
    Am thinking of using my old 205/55/16 snow tires this year on my '04 XT. I know the 205 is OK but is the only thing I'm doing with going to the 55 is just lowering it a small percentage? If it's all good does anyone have a suggestion where to pick up some 16" steel wheels?

    John
  • samiam_68samiam_68 Member Posts: 775
    Finally got rid of the Geolanders on my 04 FXT. Had 36K+ miles on them and they had a bit of tread left, but finally, NYC driving got the best of them with a gash in the left front tire after driving through a construction zone (a.k.a. war zone) on the FDR. The tire didn't go flat, didn't leak air, but I figured it may be dangerous to drive around with damage like that.

    Summary for the Geolanders: tough, sturdy tire, never a flat, even with driving around crater-ridden tri-state area. But, overall relatively poor handling in the dry, wet, and snow. Noisy. Average tread life.

    New tires: Yokohama Avid H4S. So far, they are definitely quieter, and dry handling is a dream - I am able to take ramps at 50 MPH that the Geolanders were totally squealing at 40. They also feel more pliant and comfortable. Will report on wet and snow performance when I get a chance.
  • fyrecherdofyrecherdo Member Posts: 7
    Hey, maybe you guys can help me...I'm getting real close to buying a 2007 forester xt/manual trans and have questions.
    - what is a decent price (Ca.)
    - is the short shifter, offered by Subaru, worth the $
    - what is the best way to do my homework considering prices (msrp/invoice)
    Thanks for any advice you can offer.
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    I use Edmunds' TMV feature for determining a realistic price. It will certainly get you in the ballpark you can pick and choose your options.

    -Frank
  • fyrecherdofyrecherdo Member Posts: 7
    Thanks for the info, Frank. Shopping for a car is almost as painful as a slow root canal.
    Richard S.
  • killer2killer2 Member Posts: 12
    No views on using a 205/55/16 size snow tire and a recommendation of where to buy steel wheels?

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I wouldn't do that. 205/55 has a lot less sidewall so you give up a lot of ground clearance. You want the opposite in the snow.

    -juice
  • done37done37 Member Posts: 64
    I agree with Juice on sidewall height. You would want a larger aspect ratio, especially since you are going with a smaller 205 as opposed to the stock 215 width.

    You can get steel wheels from most tire stores. Up in the Northwest where I am from, Les schwab would have them. Other than that Tire rack offers pretty good deals on steel rim and snow tire combos. Online at www.tirerack.com ;)

    Hope that helps

    Don
  • apawarapawar Member Posts: 14
    I was wondering how many of you guys have this. The dealer wants to charge me $100bucks for installing this + $60 for the part. I know it's easy to install but I don't have much technical know how or the facility to do it. Is there any other place that you guys can think of where I could get this installed? unless someone in the Sacramento area wants to give me a hand :P .
  • dstew1dstew1 Member Posts: 275
    I've got the rear diff protector and personally found it a pain in the neck to install... technically not that difficult, but I really had to bang that thing up in there with a dead blow hammer just to get the bolts to line up correctly.

    Sorry, don't live in the Sacramento area though so can't help you there.... good luck.

    Doug
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Pay the $100 and be happy, that's a bargain.

    I put it on myself, but I paid $80 for the part, so you'd only be saving $20. Plus I had to lower the exhaust to allow for clearance for the install.

    Pay the $100 and laugh all the way to the bank. No way, no how would I do that again to save a measly $20. I can't take my family to McDonalds for $20 any more.

    -juice
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    Juice,

    No "happy meals" anymore? ;)

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Are you kidding? My 7 year old gobbles up a Big Kids meal and still wants an extra item from the dollar menu.

    Besides, I'm generous and I let the wife super size it. :D

    -juice
  • dstew1dstew1 Member Posts: 275
    The way I read his post it looks like the dealer wants to charge him $100 just for the install, on top of $60 for the part.

    Even then, depending on your financial situation and amount of patience... it might be worth it. ;)
  • apawarapawar Member Posts: 14
    Yeah, dstew1 got it right. It's $60 + tax for the part and $100 (+tax??) for install so about $170- $180. I mean money is not a huge concern but I just wanted to know if I am being ripped of and if I could get it done at some other auto place for cheaper. My dealer told me that Subaru mentions that it will be about an hours worth of labor.

    Mark.
  • apawarapawar Member Posts: 14
    the only advantages I see for having it done at the dealer is if some warranty related issues come up later.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    It takes an hour - so in that manner the dealer is being honest.

    It's just 4 bolts IIRC, but access to one bolt requires that you lower the exhaust from the cat back. You have to undo a few exhaust hooks, use zip-ties, plus lower the exhaust with a jack (that meant I needed two jacks).

    So it was not a quick and easy job.

    Though I did do the trailer hitch at the same time...

    -juice
  • killer2killer2 Member Posts: 12
    I was thinking of going with the 205/55's because I already have them and they have a couple of winters left on them. If I've done the numbers right I'd only be losing 0.66 inches in sidewall height. You all are thinking that's too much to lose?

    John
  • done37done37 Member Posts: 64
    What a person prefers and what's realistic can be two different things. A larger aspect ratio would be preferred, but realistically if ya got 205/55's I would save the cash and use em. I could be wrong.

    Don
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    That's about 10% of the clearance you have. Your call. If you get a lot of accumulated snow, the clearance might be a big deal.

    If they clear the roads quickly, and the issue is more the residual snow on the roads, then put those on, sure.

    -juice
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    It's Thursday, so that means Subaru Crew chat time! Stop in and chat about Subarus (or all the other stuff that comes up)

    I'll also be picking your brains for dicsussion suggestions for the Subaru vehicle groups as we reorganize the forums. Your input and assistance is greatly appreciated!

    The Subaru Crew Chat is on tonight. The chat room opens at 8:45PM ET Hope to see YOU there! Check out the schedule
  • krccrkkrccrk Member Posts: 36
    For what it is worth Consumer Reports gave the Yokohama Avid H4S their worst rating for both snow traction and for ice breaking in the latest issue. It was the only H-rated tire to receive their worst rating for either.
  • krccrkkrccrk Member Posts: 36
    Just replaced the OEMs with Michelin Pilot Exalto A/S HRs. The handling is noticeably better and no more squealing. They are the 2nd highest rated performance all-season tire by CU and the highest rated by tirerack.com customers.
  • PF_FlyerPF_Flyer Member Posts: 9,372
    Be sure to check the Subaru Forester Group main page for the appropriate discussion when youare ready to post. If you have a question or issue that needs a new discussion, feel free to start one.
This discussion has been closed.

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