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Comments
Steve, Host
DaveM
Don
Virtually every service-station industrial air tank would have a bottom bleed valve, although whether or not the attendants ever drain off the water is open to question.
John
Confused Deadeye5 sends
HTH
Larry
Actually no, I rotate them myself every 7500 miles, torqued to spec!
-juice
Anyone know exactly what causes the fluid to darken in the first place?
TIA
Larry
-Frank P.
tidester, host
My Miata has a hydraulic clutch that uses brake fluid. Eventually I got a leaky slave cylinder, and the clutch would fail entirely. When I bled the system the fluid was very dark, brownish. The new stuff is almost yellow, much more clear.
I wonder if the slave cylinder would have lasted longer had I bled the system.
-juice
Ballistic-I bet you can't beat that!
In fairness it's been so cold here, my mileage is way off too.
-juice
Not even close. Mine runs in an amazingly tight band - all of my fillups have been between mid-18 and mid-22, except for one fill in the low 23. Overall average now stands at about 20.2.
-juice
I checked my mileage seasonally. I lose about 2 mpg in the winter, when it's coldest. I lose about 1 mpg in the summer, when the A/C is on most of the time. Fall and Spring are where I get the best mileage.
-juice
Although I did see a power bleeder somewhere for about $125 I think - it actually used the air from the spare as a low pressure source.
Anyone know if you have to do anything special to bleed the ABS pump, or does fluid just flow through that normally? I was thinking of things like disabling the pump by pulling the fuse, etc.
Larry
John
If you want to really make it enjoyable, do it my way: Take the car out and drive it to full operating temperature. Then immediately change the oil and filter, while hot. This ensures that anything circulating will be kept in suspension and won't have time to settle out. It also ensures at least a square inch or two of burned skin and a choice word or two.
But you won't need the kerosene heater.
If only your FXT could show appreciation!
Seriously, though -- do you do anything to prevent burns?
Ken
-Frank P.
My wife went to the local dealership to get a new blade today. The one they sold her (which when I called to complain was told was the right one for Forresters since they hadn't changed since 03) obviously wasn't the right part.
It didn't even come close to fitting on the plastic slot piece on the back arm.
Anyone know the part number for the rear blade or equivalent that I could use at a Kragens since my dealership again failed to impress me?
thanks,
Michael
-juice
Michael
BTW - the right length on the 03's and 04's is 15 inches.
HTH
Larry
Larry
Thanks,
John
There is a local San Francisco Bay Area guy who's posted, elsewhere, a picture of the body damage done to his car by another dealer when he left it for an oil change. OUCH. No thanks, I'll do my own (PS: my Miata oil "wrench" works perfectly on the FXT filter).
Yes, those plastic "screws" and the cover on the filter baffled me too. Fortunately there is a site where an FXT owner has put up instructions so I was prepared (a bit). They are easy to remove. I suppose the cover keeps everything nice and clean. As the filter is recessed it doesn't need the protection of the cover so maybe it's overkill. Anyway, my problem was getting the "screws" back in. The trick seemed to pull the "washer" near the screw head toward the point of the screw, which compresses the screw tip enabling you to get it started (otherwise the head of the screw is too big to be inserted).
This is NOT one of those things that is not cost effective. Click N Click ran an article this weekend about Quicky Lubes destroying cars. No thank you. I try to do all 3 of my cars at the same time (I only get all the stuff out once and only get dirty once). I found having a large black container with a built in catch for the oil and self contained oil storage (they sell these) invaluable. I recycle my used oil with our regular garbage pickup (they even supply special containers). I figure I save at least $100 every time I do the 3 cars. I also save time as I can do the 3 cars in much less time than it would take to make 3 trips, with waiting, to a Quick Lube.
I've left out all LINKS to any references I've made because, sadly, this board disallows those (I've been warned off before)
I've also started a web page to share FXT Files, etc. but I can't tell you where that is either....
Bob
Anyone contemplating this should read Nov '03 and Jan '04 CONSUMERS REPORT. There is good info on Plus Sizing wheels (don't go more than ONE and don't do it if your snow performance is paramount) and which high performance all weather and Ultra Performance tires are best. The reasonably priced Falken's were rated highest !!! They come with a wear (30k) warranty (the Pilot's have none) and cost about 50% less than the Michelins. I paid $1,000 for my changeover to 17", "out the door".
The difference in the way FXT handles is remarkable and, for me, was well worth the extra money; although I am feeling very guilty for not waiting the years it would have taken to wear out the Geolanders (probably 3 or 4 for me). I drove an Outback before trying FXT. The Outback didn't have the clunky "SUV" tires (look at the customer reports on Geolander G900 at TIRE R). The Outback handled so much better that I wouldn't even have considered the FXT if it didn't have the turbo, and I was not told the problem with FXT (confirmed by the Car and Driver review, among many others) was with the Geolanders.
I've heard from others who made the changeover that it indeed fixed things up very nicely, thank you. I've only driven on the new tires/wheels a couple of days but I can say, with no doubt, that it's like driving a whole different car. I don't have to brake in turns that I previously approached with trepidation. Indeed, my FXT handles very much like my Miata now!!! I'm not going to get into "tuning" (lowering, springs, sway bars, etc.). For me, this was all that was neccessary in making a great car PERFECT. As a justification for spending the money, aside from the pleasure factor, I feel FXT is much safer now. I will have MUCH more control in emergency maneuvers. Still, I'll have to watch myself. With FXT's power and these tires I COULD go lots and lots faster. I won't. As Lance says, it's "Power When You Need It". Not power to kill yourself and everyone on the road
Cheers,
Bob
Scott - 7500 mile intervals?
John
Jack sounds like a perfect candidate for the Fumoto valve :-)
Sometimes I wear kitchen gloves, usually I just swear a lot.
I installed a Fumoto valve while doing my 1000-mile change, but then had the dealer perform the free 3,000 service. I'll probably also have them do the 7,500 mile change, because I'm going to want at least several of my rattles fixed.
Those who haven't yet bought the Fumoto valve - it's available in two types, one 'standard' and one at slightly higher price with an extended nipple. I recommend buying the latter. Then you can slip a piece of tubing onto the nipple and direct the oil into a milk jug or other recycling container without spilling a drop. With typical lack of thought, I bought the regular one.
I removed the whole cover and will get a real metal skid plate next week.
Bob: sweet, I have the Falkens too, but on my Miata (185/60R14). I'm quite happy with them too, especially considering the price. They grip so well I've had a little tramlining, which has eased a little as they've broken in (or I got used to it).
Your XT must be awesome now.
JB: I like the idea of a Fumoto, but you still got the oil filter mess to deal with. Do you still think it's worth it, preventing half the hassle?
-juice
Ken
Ken: Any home-improvement store will have plastic tubing with a variety of diameters; I'd take the valve there and buy a few feet of whatever fits.
These tricky screws spell death at a quicky lube, those grease jockeys will use an air rachet or a pry bar and destroy the whole affair.
JOhn
John
Not on the XT. The XT rear wiper uses no such clip. The wiper just pulls off, being held on by 2 plastic detents (which is pretty lame if you aske me). I wish there was one so I could put on a decent winter wiper. I went out and bought one thinking it would be the same but alas, I was foiled. It's a minor gripe but since the whole point of a rear wiper is to see out the back in inclement weather I can't imagine why Subaru did this. The wiper just ices and begins skipping like any other summer wiper. I hate it.