Subaru XT Turbo Forester

ballistic

getting 35 mpg in my XT by coasting in neutral. I guess the sticker on the window was way off huh?

You need to find a steeper hill, man. This thing ought to do at leat 75-80 mpg on the right downhill run.

samiam_68

Since the switch to standard gas on April fool's day, I've been averaging 23.2 MPG 60/40 hwy/city, AC on once in a while, in my MT XT. Lowest was 22.4 (driving like a bat out of hell), highest was 24.8 (mostly highway).

I have yet to take a highway only trip, but I'm sure I can get 25-26 easily with cruise control.

bluesubie

miamixt

I would of thought they would all be Chevrons by now ? First thing I noticed when I moved to Miami, one Standard Station, when the sign blew away it was replaced with a Chevron Sign. I am convinced the more modifications (Fans) you install in your XT, the higher the Mileage. As it is you are the only XT Hybrid owner in North America!

corkfish

Skeptical is probably a better word. I guess anecdotal reports by laymen are far more accurate than the conclusions developed by engineers at Subaru.

samiam_68

By standard gas I meant non-oxygenated, non-watered down winter gas, a.k.a. summer gas. The brands I prefer are Hess and Citgo. I used to use Mobil, but the high prices and the fact that Exxon/Mobil gets their oil mainly from the Middle East, made me seek alternative brands.

As far as mileage, I turned off my fog lights, and my MPG went through the roof - 35 MPG going uphill with 1100 lbs of crap on board and towing a 2400 lb trailer.... haha :-)

bluesubie

Care to make a wager? Loser buys the winner dinner for two at the NYC restaurant of their choice. ;-) C'mon down and we'll take a 600 mile trip and I will get at least 25 mpg. :-) Like I've mentioned, my 25 mpg is based on straight non-stop highway driving.

"I guess anecdotal reports by laymen are far more accurate than the conclusions developed by engineers at Subaru."
Conclusions based on running a car on a dyno?
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/info.shtml

"Manufacturers test pre-production prototypes of the new vehicle models and submit the test results to EPA. EPA re-tests about 10% of vehicle models to confirm manufacturer's results. The vehicles are driven by a professional driver under controlled laboratory conditions, on an instrument similar to a treadmill."

 "The test to determine the highway fuel economy estimate represents a mixture of "non-city" driving. Segments corresponding to different kinds of rural roads and interstate highways are included. The test simulates a 10-mile trip and averages 48 mph. The maximum speed is 60 mph."

"It is impossible for laboratory tests to simulate all driving conditions and driver behavior: EPA fuel economy estimates are based on tests conducted by manufacturers on a limited number of pre-production prototype vehicles. EPA then verifies these tests on about 10-15 percent of each year's models. The tests, which are the same for all vehicles, are designed to simulate city and highway driving conditions. However, these tests cannot simulate the conditions under which each vehicle is driven or each person's driving style."

I do understand your skepticism though. I couldn't believe a few people are getting 30 mpg's in the WRX (twrx). Had it been anyone else (I've been following his posts since '97), I probably wouldn't believe it.

Frank could probably get 30 mpg's averaging 48 mph. :-D

-Dennis

ballistic

I turned off my fog lights,

Proving that miracles can indeed happen...

p0926

Skeptical or sour grapes? Honestly I don't care. I provide the data, what you do with it is up to you. I keep detailed records for my own use and I'm the one benefiting from the stretching of the fuel dollar. Besides, I've pointed out on several occasions that my results aren't typical and no one buying a Forester should "expect" to get the same mpg. For many, the EPA "estimate" (and it's exactly that, an estimate) is going to be fairly representative of what to expect. Some will do better and some worse. Must be why they call it an estimate ;-)

-Frank P

ateixeira

Note that you might see a small fluctuation in a tank or two, just because the fuel filler might cut off sooner or later. But if you look at several tanks in a row it gets pretty accurate, I think.

EPA tests them on a dyno, not even on real roads. Their numbers are just educated guesses, really.

-juice

krccrk

On a trip from northern Colorado to central Texas and back I averaged 26 mpg in my 5-spd. Best was 29 mpg on a 300+ mile stretch driving 75-80 with AC and a strong tailwind. I generally get 23 mpg around town.

The bugs in Texas were terrible, need to clean out the intercooler and radiator not to mention the front end.

volkov

I turned off my fog lights

See, those darned things are functioning as ion cannon decelerators.

samiam_68

I can use them as photon torpedoes.

But when I turned them back on, and went to Warp Nine, it all became a blurrrrrrrrr...

:-)

ballistic

I can use them as photon torpedoes.

As I suspected...

stever

Don't know about ions but we'uns can chat live in about 90 minutes at the Subaru Crew Chat.

Link's on the left.

Steve, Host

samiam_68

I use them against the various Klingons on NJ roads....lol... Clears the way!...lol

tidester

Beam these corny OT Trek jokes up - NOW! :-)

tidester, host

miamixt

how do you turn off your Fog Lights (daytime running lights) without engaging the Hand Brake, and how would this help with Mileage? Here in Miami, Headlights at Night are Optional, I might try your advice! Also I am not aware of Watered down Gas, Re formulated perhaps? Did you know Hess owns the New York Jets, in their Hess Green. And Citgo Gas is great, priced lower in my area than the competition. Keep up the interesting Posts!

samiam_68

Fog lights are not the same as DRLs - DRLs are integrated into your headlights and are controlled by the parking brake (at least on the MT models). Fog lights are controlled by a switch next to the Cruise Control master switch.

If you live in Florida, then you don't have reformulated gas - only northern states have it during the winter months to "supposedly" help reduce emissions during engine warmup.

BTW, fog lights DON'T help gas mileage, that was a joke, just to bust ballistic's chops ;-)

ballistic

zman

Has anyone seen an 05 Forester XT yet? Any significant changes to report?

Zman

miamixt

you are correct about the Lights, I guess the high Mileage you have been posting here has blinded all my senses. Are you sure you have the XT? Does it say X, XS, or XT? Is it an 04, did you install one of your Patented Fans in the Turbo area, I need to know. And I knew Gas didn't have Water in it, or does it?

samiam_68

don't lose your mind! We need you, man! If you lose your mind, they're gonna take you away to see Dr. Freud Jr., and you won't be able to have fun with your XT anymore..;-)

By the way, my Forester is not the X or XS or XT, it's the XTC....;-)

edunnett

All I've heard that sounds significant about the '05 Forester is:
1) an LL bean edition will be available
2) the automatic tranny will be smoother and more efficient
3) there will be 8-way power drivers seats available.

FOr an article: http://www.autosite.com/Previews/2005-subaru-forester.asp

http://autoshow.edmunds.yahoo.com/news/autoshow/articles/101518/p- age016.html?tid=yahoo.e.autoshow..leftnav.17.*

miamixt

before I started working for your Uncle Sam, I worked on the Radio. XTc was one of the great New Wave Bands from the early 80's! Drive Safe©

once_for_all

(nice name BTW), the LL Bean adds self leveling rear suspension. All the Forester NA engines now get the drive by wire (which they call the ETC). No huge changes.

It would be really nice to get a 5 EAT in the Forester. I would like to see the new MPG estimates with the more efficiency XT auto tranny and ETC components, I wonder if it picks up about 1 mpg.

John

subewannabe

the http://media.subaru.com site has specs on the 05 Foresters, and although the pdf docs are difficult to decipher, the only new feature I can see is the available power driver seat and new center cluster on the dash for the climate control. The air filtration system is now standard on all trim levels and the Premium Package on the XT and XS can be had with manual or auto tranny, but the leather and moonroof are still tied together in the XT.

mark

subearu

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid116/p73374800012545d13c5- 7e00a20ad451f/f8ba629e.jpg

7 weeks later it came in! 8-)

-Brian

samiam_68

at 25.8 MPG on last fillup. 80/20 hwy/city, AC on about 15% of the time.

p0926

Finally! Congratulations! I see you didn't waste any time taking the cross bars off :-)

-Frank P

subearu

Yeah, as soon as I came home, those came off. Hood deflector and cabin filter installs will come this week. As will bright white dealer lettering under the XT badge on the rear. Appt for the moonroof will be scheduled this week. I have a can of ScotchGuard waiting for the seats/carpet as well.

Haven't given HAL much a chance yet, wanted some bi-level cooling which immediately takes it out of AUTO mode. As mentioned in the MTM thread, I do believe it really is quieter and smoother riding than our Outback was. Love the subtle 'beep beep' rather than the horn chirp when you lock/unlock the doors. Hadn't tested that before, thinking it was still the same.

-Brian

fedexguy

I have had my FXT(deluxe silver) for one week now. I finally let my wife drive it today. She has a 2003 Outback Limited and was pleasantly surprised by the power and nimble handling. It is taking me a little time to get used to this car. I traded in a 1996 GMC Z71 4X4 super cab pickup toward the Forester. After so many problems with this oversized truck I was happy to see it go. The Forester has been a huge improvement in my daily to and from work/gym life. The first week I averaged 21.5 MPG and that was in various street/highway conditions. I am very happy with the acceleration and overall performance of the car. It is smooth and quiet. There is not a thing I would change at this point. I am even starting to understand some of the logic behind the climate system. I do really enjoy the stereo and I hope to integrate my Apple Ipod into the system at some point. If any one has any Ipod suggestions please drop me a line at ednaneil@aol.com Thanks to all who took the time to write about their Subaru experience to help those on their way to making an important vehicle purchase decision.

bluesubie

Brian, keep us posted on the effectiveness of the hood deflector. I haven't read that much about the turbo deflectors. They're only a few months old.

-Dennis

edunnett

Hood Deflector for Turbo: installed, works well, does not interfere with hood scoop, low profile and not visible from cabin. [non-permissible content removed] to install (or rather, to decipher the instructions).

Oil Changing: Thank goodness! Subaru has decided to assist the Jiffy Lubes of the world and the do-it-yourselfers by installing a skid plate that 1) does not need to be removed in order to change oil, and 2) has "oil filter" and "oil drain plug" labeled clearly on the skid plate so Jiffy Lube can't accidently drain your tranny and fill your engine ;-) Check it out!

ballistic

Are you saying that on yours you don't even need to detach the four or five plastic studs and pivot the plastic shield? If so, your late '04 is different from my early one.

p0926

For the skeptics in the crowd, you'll be happy to know that I got a much more pedestrian 22.6 mpg on my last fill-up. I'm kinda puzzled as to why since I only did a little more city driving than normal.

-Frank P

edunnett

on my '04, I DO need to remove 6 little 'screws' (not fully threaded, but a 12 second operation). this was trivial relative to what I had to do to get access to the oil on my '01. -e

johnc

We have had a 1998 GT Forester from new. I don't think the GT was sold in North America although I am happy to be corrected on that. The GT is a turbo 2.0 litre and has been fantastic. The only downside has been the lack of a low range which is a bit limiting off road. Having said that it has taken us to a few places that if I were more sensible we would not have attempted. I even had the pleasure of offering to tow a Mitsibushi 4x4 out of a patch of soft sand once, which offer was fairly rudely declined. It is however time to replace and I have test driven the xt and been pretty impressed by it. My question is, does anyone have any experience of driving the xt off road and how did it go.

miamixt

with it's Low Gearing, Turbo power and Weight Factor the XT might perform Incredible Off Road! However I have a hard enough time keeping it on the road, seek a second opinion. Drive Responsibly©

njswamplands

ballistic

I got a much more pedestrian 22.6 mpg on my last fill-up.

Your pedestrian 22.6 is a full 1 MPG better than my 7000+ mile overall average. <sigh>

ballistic

ballistic's belly has a skid plate?

Things aren't quite that bad yet.

bluesubie

Not yet, but soon.

Are you running the stock tires? I know the Aussies like to "biggie-size" them. :-)

-Dennis

p0926

Your pedestrian 22.6 is a full 1 MPG better than my 7000+ mile overall average

Granted but then it's a full 1 mpg worse than my 9000 mile overall average so everything's relative. Besides, I'm pretty sure I do a lot more hwy driving than you so I should get better mpg.

-Frank P

ballistic

My daily 24-mile round-trip commute includes about 20 freeway miles. Averaging in my other driving, my overall pattern is probably about 2/3 freeway.

bluesubie

I think Frank must work as a "Transporter". ;-)

-Dennis

ateixeira

XT's gearing is shorter and it has a lot more torque, so it should be better off road.

From the factory you can get a rear diffy protector, but if you plan on going off road, give Primitive a call and consider the front and rear plates:

http://www.writerguy.com/primitive/skid.htm

-juice

bluesubie

Don't forget about paisan's plates!
http://www.azpinstalls.com/rallyarmor/index.html

-Dennis

ateixeira

Duh, my bad!

-juice

subearu

Took the XT in tonight so it can get the moonroof installed tomorrow. Got an '04 Grand Caravan as a loaner. I knew I should have taken the car seats out BEFORE I got to the dealer ;-). Oh well.

The short review on the GC is that it feels as heavy as it looks. It's like a Buick ride compared to my dw's sporty MPV.

-Brian