Subaru XT Turbo Forester

cmuniz

Anyone concerned about the antifreeze level in their FXT? My overflow reservoir went empty about 2 months ago (radiator was full, though)and I put almost 2 cups to fill it to the max line. It seems to be going down again just a little bit. Had the dealer check it for me during an oil change and they said they could find no leaks and that original loss may have been due to an air bubble in tank - not uncommon in new cars. It sounds reasonable and the car runs fine at a steady temp, but I'm going to keep an eye on fluid level just the same. This is just an FYI to insure there isn't a bigger problem.

ateixeira

Wheel bearing complaints have thankfully disappeared.

miamixt: just don't aim for tourists! LOL

Carlos: you can "burp" the system to get air out. My '98 has a plastic threaded screw on the top passenger side of the radiator.

H6 engines had this issue of coolant loss, but it never really became a problem for those folks.

-juice

deadeye5

When you get temps as some of you described -20F etc. A big CCA is needed-but-I kept the factory batt. that came in my 04 XT and ordered one of those battery warmers (about $20) I spent last winter in Canada (SOO)-on nights when it got to
10-15F I plugged in the warmer. Sounded strong while cranking in the AM..I think it to be a wise investment..
                                  Deadeye5

lfdal

Have a slow steady seep - couple ounces here, couple ounces there. I can smell it when the engine gets nice and hot. No sign on the ground, or under the shield.

The dealer gave it a pressure test and said it was fine. Except for the burning antifreeze smell and slow seep......

Larry

paisan

Best all-around tires I've ever had.

(2) 48hrs of Tristate (1500 miles of snow, rain, mud, dry) with heavy snow driving
(5) Open Track days
40,000 miles on street

245-45-16 size on my Subaru SVX. Love these tires. I'd suggest them to anyone looking for a reasonable priced all-season tire.

-mike

miamixt

in a Category 5 Hurricane? Wish Miami luck, and me too during the next few days. If something happens to me, I will my Car to Juice for his excellent advice!

volkov

If the Hurricane picks up the XT and crushes someone who isn't from Florida, are you covered?
Sick sense of humour aside, good luck and batten down the hatches. Old family friends of my DW had the roof of their home torn off completely during the last go around. They are in Punta Gorda, and thankfully they had already evac'd so are both OK.

miamixt

thank you, I appreciate it! Did I mention living in Florida "Blows"!

p0926

I would think that the FXT would be an excellent vehicle for nimbly dodging flying objects, slaloming thru debris strewn streets, climbing over downed foliage and carrying both pre-hurricane supplies and post hurricane repair tools. Or if necessity dictates, the FXT will get you out of harms way in comfort, safety and faster than most anybody else! Good luck!

-Frank

bluesubie

Over the summer, someone posted a pic from a newspaper showing a tornado with a Forester in the foreground. Good luck and stay safe miami!!

-Dennis

ateixeira

Stay safe in Miami. Brace yourselves.

The heated mirrors will keep clear from the rain as you dodge debris...

-juice

njswamplands

miamixt

all good questions, always trust your Insurance Company & the Government, they are here to help you! Thanks with the good wishes all~ Scott

iluvsubaru2

Steve,
A parked vehicle "feels" the windchill until it's cooled to the ambient temperature (and if a car's running, more energy will be needed to keep it at the operating temp).

For a parked car, higher winds means shorter time before that warm and happy battery turns cold and less able to turnover the engine.

Windchill is "felt" by anything that has to reach and maintain operating temperatue: you, me, Subaru batteries, engines. People and our "stuff", if we are warmer than ambient temp, feel windchill.

Until that day when you and I (and our vehicles) reach ambient temp and stay there (ie we're dead) both temperature & windspeed aka windchill count.

Jake
PS: Battery warmers (& block heaters) are great, but external power sources arn't often available away from one's home. More CCA is better.

tidester

Wind chill refers specifically to the enhanced cooling due to evaporation of moisture from the body in the presence of wind and, therefore, does not apply to inanimate objects such as cars. Yes, cooling of the vehicle may be quicker when the wind is blowing (it's called convective cooling) but it is not wind chill.

tidester, host

njswamplands

stever

Never fails - all winter on the chair lift I'm planning river trips.

Steve, Host

volkov

As the most Boreal member of the board, I must chime in - what tidester says is right.
The windchill does give some index of how windy it is and convective loss, but the car doesn't feel it the same way.
Consider too that the engine compartment is shielded from the wind and the dead air around the battery and engine does provide a slight insulation effect to slow cooling. Still, there's no doubt that a high wind will cool the car to ambient faster than still conditions, but when I get into her at -30 on Monday morning, the wind speed is irrelevant.

Volkovnuk of the North

tidester

We'll start up a "heating degree days" discussion just for you! ;-)

tidester, host

njswamplands

beanboy

That's what I'm saying If you aren't touching the gas with the clutch engaged and the car isn't about to stall because of too low RPMs (in which case the injectors would come on), the fuel is off. At 750RPM and in neutral, a minute amount of gas is being used to keep the engine running.

And I think I'm pretty much over the fence folks, Looking at a garnet red Legacy GT wagon for my next vehicle.

-B

beanboy

"In case you didn't know, the fuel injection system in your car is programmed to turn off the injectors during engine coasting. This is the main cause of the "jerk" you feel when you lift off the throttle. Jerky or not, doing so helps fuel economy."

Image showing some software that can remap the RPM in which the fuel injector shut-off takes place. (RPM Limits of activation)
 http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/0011scc_projsubaru_- 09.jpg

Complete article:

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/projectcars/0011scc_projsubaru/

pon1

Ready to place order on 05 FXT, 5MT, PP1, CGM, no HAL (how's that for acronyms??)

Anyone offer opinion on 3M film coating 'clear bra' vs hood deflector (or go with both). I had the latter on my 2000 L.

Also are the OEM rubber mats worth the extra $ over something generic? Never seen them.

JP

(PS to Subaru - please wait until I've got my F-XT before you release the F-Sti [if it's coming, which I doubt], don't want to be back on the fence. Thankyou).

p0926

Well the clear bra doesn't spoil the lines of a vehicle like a hood deflector. in fact it's virtually invisible from more than a couple of feet away. It can also protect more surface area. A hood deflector on the other hand is considerably cheaper and can potentially deflect some objects from hitting further up the hood or the windshield.

-Frank

lark6

A full kit of 3M clear bra was the first thing I had done to my car after it left the dealership (window tint was second). Very difficult to tell it's there unless you get within 10 feet of the car. I did the headlights and fog lights only on my 2000 S but entrusted a pro to do this job.

Ed

rochcom

While in for service on my old Forester the other day, I sat in a 2005 XT. I depressed the clutch pedal and noticed that is VERY stiff. The clutch on my '98 has been a royal pain and it has gotten stiffer and stiffer over the years, but the one on the 2005 turbo took a LOT of effort even compared to the old '98. If any of you have a 2005, what has been your experience with the clutch?

jmbird01

Hi All,

I have recently test driven a Forester XT auto and have been thinking of testing the manual. Is there any cons with the manual that might keep one from it besides driving in traffic. I was more impressed with it than I thought I'd be.
I have read a review that said the manual was
: "The clutch is very high in effort. Overall I found it very hard to shift the XT smoothly". This was said about the 2004. Is the 2005 different? better tires/suspension? What is mechanically different with the '05?

Thanks,

Jim

rsholland

Jim

The clutch is fine in terms of effort. I don't know what that writer must be used to, if he/she thinks the effort is high. If anything, the Forester's clutch is the most traffic-friendly clutch on the market, in that it has the Hill-Holder feature, which won't allow the car to roll back if you're stopped on a hill.

Bob

subewannabe

Jim,
   I started off convinced that I wanted a MT in either an FXT or LGT wagon to take maximum advantage of the turbo torque . I drove both cars with MT and auto and decided to go with a FXT with the 4EAT.
   I live in the mountains and my driving is a combination of in-town stop and go, curvy mountain roads and interstates, and I've yet to get in a situation where the 4EAT was in anything but the correct gear, I have no hesitancy about hitting warp drive to get around a semi on a 2 lane, and my gas milage has been good, averaging over 22 in mixed driving, 24 on long trips. Because I decided to go with the auto, I was also able to locate an 04 PP and get the 1.9% financing and a moonroof, which made everybody happy.
   You cant make a bad choice, but the 4EAT is a much better match to the 2.5 turbo than most folks anticipated.

Mark

edunnett

I have the same car as you ('04 FXT w/ 4EAT) and live among twisty turny roads. Unlike you however, I decided against the moonroof and kick myself for it whenever I'm in the car. It's a real shame. It could otherwise be the nirvana of driving. Enjoy your XT!
elissa

jmbird01

Hi All,

Thanks for the quick responses from the last post.
Does the XT take premium or regular gas?

Does anybody know what the redesign for '06 will entail. Will it be a complete make-over? Maybe sportier? 6 cylinder?

Thanks,

Jim

rsholland

Jim, the XT takes premium gas. As to the '06 model, it will receive a facelift, not a complete makeover. That's all that's known at the moment.

Bob

paisan

Sportier? Sportier would be a WRX wagon or Outback or Legacy wagon...

-mike

miamixt

while this is my first Car with Leather, and beautifully appointed I might add, the Moonroof (also a first for me) is a source of wind noise and rattles that I could of done without. It sure looks nice though? By the way, the XT made it through the Hurricane just fine, never moved it!

samiam_68

The clutch in the FXT is heavier than most cars. It really gives your left leg a workout. I'm comparing this to some high power sports cars I've owned / driven, and they were all lighter as far as clutch effort.

Miami : good to hear you and your Forester are both OK

deadeye5

Glad FRANCIS caused you & the XT no damage.
As to wind noise & the moonroof--I read here
that moving the rails on the roof back some cuts the wind noise down--I tried it and it does work !! I slid the fwd rail back about 18 in.

                      Deadeye

miamixt

yes I read moving the Rails will cut down on the noise, I also saw a protector available at Pep Boys, however the XT should come with one or be noise free. Let me ask this to all my XT friends, I wanted to change my inside Cabin Filter located near the Ash Tray, but since I didn't pay for the Filtration system, I have no inside filter. It was standard on my crappy CRV?. Because in Florida there is so much moisture, mold, dirt, & Bugs, my XT is loosing that Brand New Car Smell, what to do? I would use my Moonroof more, but A) I'm afraid of flying out or Road Debris flying in (a Florida tradition for over 200 Years) B)Bugs, especially the famous Florida West Nile Mosquitos, and those Giant flying Roaches. C)Rain, this is the time of Year that it Rains everyday, every other Block, and yet the TV News will talk about how perfect a Day it has been!

lfdal

Glad you made it through unscathed. We were going to be flying down to Ft Pierce this weekend, now we're looking for plan "B"....

There's a door for the filter behind the glove compartment. You do have to remove the glove compartment to change it.

Nine screws, a new filter for between $30-$40 depending upon where you get it, and about a half hour if you take your time. Also comes with a sticker for you to put on the door or in the glove compartment reminding you of the next time to change it.

Up here, in the metro Boston area, I get about six months before the filter looks really disgusting.

Interesting to note that even Hyundai uses these in their Elantras, and they're about 1.5 to 2X the size of the one in the Forester, which is pretty good sized. Hyundai mounts theirs in exactly the same place.

HTH

Larry

lfdal

Noticed that my XT is starting to get a lot of tire sqeal if I take a slow sharp turn. No squeal if I take the same turn faster. Tires are the stock Geo's with the correct amount of air and have been properly rotated at 5K intervals.

Is there a chance this is a differential issue?

TIA

Larry

samiam_68

Some others have posted about the Geo's becoming "squealy" after a while. Mine started to squeal recently, but only if I take a turn really fast. I have almost 15K miles on the Geo's, 32/31 PSI, rotated once so far.

subewannabe

My car came with the hood deflector and a rear air deflector mounted by the dealer and I think they look fine with the Sierra Gold. There is a specific deflector for the XT that is designed to minimize disruption of air flow to the intercooler intake hood scoop. Unfortunately, I dont think it does much to deflect bugs and it certainly doesnt help with the bugs and road debris that get smashed by the rest of the ront end. I am now thinking about the 3M clear bra.

I agree that the moonroof is too noisy, but I'm convinced there is a simple solution. The spring-loaded defelector that pops up from the leading edge of the opening when you open the moonroof is the source of most of the noise...just reach up and pull down on it and the noise is greatly reduced. I am going to study the spring that holds this deflector in a nearly vertical position to see if I can take some of the tension out.

    If you dont pay for the interior air filtration option, do you get no filter element or is the entire filter holder/box behind the glove box omitted? Earlier posts suggested that you could buy a Forester without this option and insert a filter after-market ... all that was missing was the replaceable filter element.

Mark

bluesubie

Right, the holder is there. You just have to buy the OEM filter or cut your own.

-Dennis

p0926

Well let's see... Scott has decided that he doesn't need the moonroof and Elissa regrets not getting one! Would you two be interested in trading ;-)

Re tire squealing: mine squeal if I take a corner at the limit but that's okay since I figure the faster I scrub off the rubber the sooner I can get a better set of tires :-) Now why yours squeal at a lower speed is a mystery. I can't see it being the diffy though (which would cause a jerky feeling if something was binding).

Re heavy clutch: While the Forester's clutch isn't the lightest I've ever had, it's no heavier than a number of other vehicles I've owned.

-Frank

P.S. Note to Deadeye: It's Frances with an "E" which makes it a girl's name. Some people would say that fits since only a woman can cause so much misery over such a wide area :(o)

edunnett

Sometimes it has to do with the surface you are driving on. Like any tires will squeal in one of those parking garages with the smooth cement floors. Could the surface be the factor? -elissa

ateixeira

I would have said tire pressure but you mentioned you'd already checked that.

-juice

p0926

The part that's throwing me is that they only squeal when he's going slower. That's opposite the way tires normally react. If they squeal going slow like in Elissa's example, you'd expect them to just squeal louder the faster you go.

-Frank

hypov

<wild guess>

toe out of alignment?
tire(s) on one side is dragging?

</wild guess>

-Dave

jmbird01

Does the 2005 XT come with 16" or 17" tires?

Thanks.

Jim

rsholland

215/60x16, like all US-spec Foresters.

Bob

miamixt

I noticed Tire squeal with the Geolanders at Speeds of 1 to 2 MPH especially when it was new. I do believe this has to due with surface conditions and is not mechanically related to your Car, however I have not liked the Yokohama's from the start. About the Cabin filter replacement, since I don't have the "Filtration system", I asked my SOA Dealer if I could replace the filter, he felt around behind the Glove Box and said "NO"? Now I am confused. Finally about the Moonroof, I am convinced most of the noise comes from the above mentioned Flap, and yes I would like to bend it, however if I do it the wrong way it would rattle more, and if I do it the right way, I will probably Break the Flap and the Moonroof. The good news, one of my Subaru Mechanics is aware of a Service Bulliten for the Flap with the Outback or Legacy, and would be willing to replace it. Plus you can chop off your Hand or Fingers messing with track of the rack. Last but not least, I have returned my 6/60 Gold Plus Warranty, still trying to figure out why I bought it in the first place. I am $1000 richer or $170 poorer, they kept some money as a punishment!