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Comments
-Frank
Sure sounds like something is shorting out the battery to me too. Is there anything else on your key fob, or do you carry it in a pocket where the buttons get pressed every time you sit down?
Steve, Host
(ex-Anchorageite)
Backing off the gas settled things down so I could resume control of the car.
May I assume that was the AWD searching for traction?
I was quite a dramatic experience, and one that I will watch for in similar circumstances in the future.
joseph: depends.
What AWD system do you have?
If you have the auto AWD, and you let off the gas, it would probably go back to a default power split of 90/10 (or 80/20 depending on who you ask).
This is good, though. Weight shifts forward as you slow down, so the fronts do most of the engine braking when you let off the gas, helping you regain control.
The VC acts independently of the throttle. It functions like a limited-slip center differential, so if the axles are spinning at different speeds, it would temporarily bind them together.
Having both axles at about the same speed makes it easier to regain control, so yes, it could help.
I think you did the right thing - ease off, don't stab the brakes suddenly, which could result in a complete loss of control.
On TV yesterday we watched a Toyota Celica stuck in a flash flood, the owner was rescued by the Fire dept. It was wild.
-juice
Generally they say the front wheels do 90% of the braking, and guess what the default power split is to the front wheels? ;-)
Basically you had perfect braking balance. It's like EBD working in reverse!
-juice
However, when you regain traction, the AWD system will help you regain control.
-juice
at least that is the impression that immediately formed in my mind after I calmed both the car and myself down.
Might this be a sound interpretation?
-juice
-Frank
Here in Philly there isn't much deep snow, but lots of slush.
That is why each winter I replace the round shouldered Geos with the Michelin Artic Alpins which have a extremely sharp "edge."
No more shimmying.
When you read 35 or below, you can be on the lookout for ice, especially on bridges.
I think it's a feature most competitors lack. Subies are built for the snow belt and it shows.
-juice
-Frank
John
On stretches of the trip where there were no tolls (Thanks Illinois) or construction delays (Pennsylvania and Indiana), my fuel economy was always slightly over 30 with a high of 31.2 on Michigan's Upper Peninsula, and in a driving rainstorm from Saginaw to Mackinaw City.
The Outside Temperature Gauge read 51 Fahrenheit at the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum up at Whitefish Bay off of Lake Superior. Yes, in July. You can imagine how cold that lake gets when the gales of November come early. And the bell from the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald is in the museum as a memorial to the ship and crew.
Finally the weatherband radio was great. I could tune in and quickly hear the forecast and make travel adjustments.
The Forester is simply one great car.
- Lou
You have to SWIM in all 5 for it to count! Superior is COLD!!
tidester, host
-juice
Len
Would much rather prefer either MP3 or AUX-IN instead of WB.
My $0.02
Yes, Rob, it's our well kept secret we like to call Subaru New Car Stench. Hideous, no?
It's the undercoating burning off from parts of your exhaust. Perfectly normal. They coat it to make the trip across the Pacific Ocean.
-juice
Well, first off - I DO agree with him that the engine is stinky when new. During the first 100 miles you should notice and oil burning smell when you park it. That's just a brake-in smell, nothing interesting. Then when you stop noticing the oil smell, you'll notice some other burning smell which is the smelly undercoating. I think mine stunk like that for about 1000 miles.
But the rotten egg smell I believe to be something entirely different. To the extent that rotten eggs smell like sulfur and some areas of the country and some gasoline formulations use more sulfur than others, it is the gas you are using that is likely causing THAT odor. Or a bad oxygen sensor in the car. Since your car is new, it's likely the gas not the 02 sensor. Try a different BRAND of gas in your area, you may find one with a lower sulfur content. If you don't believe me just do a google search for "gasoline sulfur smell cause".
-elissa
John
Ron
I am new to this forum. I own a 2002 Subaru Forester-L(A/T) with ~45000 miles. Lately I have been hearing a rattling noise when accelerating. I took it to my dealer for inspection. The service manager hinted that the "heat shield" might be loose and it will cost me $39.00 to fix it. I have 7yr/100,000mi gold plus warranty with $0 deductible. The service manager says this problem is not covered under that warranty. Can someone please tell me where the heat shield is located on a 2002 Forester? I would like to fix it myself if the part is easily accessible. To me, $39.00 sounds exorbitant to tighten a few nuts/screws.
Thanks for your help!
-juice
Thanks. Jim
But...if you want to do it, a little extra cooling can't possibly hurt. It might stretch the life of your tranny, too.
-juice
I realize that I will have to angle the wood as the rear towers will be in the way.
Gene
Bob
I've carried 5 sheets of the stuff on mine, no problem. Here is a photo of how we did it:
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4291908527&p=4235998858- &idx=18
At that point I had removed one sheet, but 4 are still on the roof. The guy at Home Depot wrapped it in plastic to hold them together and fasten it, and we also tied it down to get it snug.
Who needs a pickup?
-juice
Thanks again.
Gene
-Frank
-juice
Unlike many reported experiences here, my Geo 215/60/16's are standing up and still look pretty fresh at about 41,000 miles. Does Yokohama have a "expected milage" for these tires before a recommended change?
What is the most anyone here has gotten out of his/her set?
Thank you.
1.Reliability
2.Quality
3.Ride
4.Price (seems like forester can get up to mid to upper 20s while top of line crv can be purchased for about 21k.)
Comparably equipped, the Forester and CR-V are priced roughly the same. The top of the line CR-V EX is comparable to something in between the Forester X and XS. It's only when you really load up the Forester that the price gets up there, but then you get features not available on the CR-V anyway.
Also, keep in mind that the CR-V has a very primitive part-time 4WD system (only kicks in when the front wheels slip) while the Forester has an advanced full time AWD system that benefits your driving 100% of the time. If you dig deeper, you will find a lot of things the Forester offers that you can't even get on a CR-V. So beware of making price comparisons on two vehicles that are different in many ways.
Craig
CRV
The CRV is best if you want the best interior space and flexibility. There's no contest here. The room is almost minivan-like. The switches and controls are typical Honda, again meaning excellent. We have an '04 EX model which gives you ABS, side airbags and a small moonroof.
The down side of the CRV, IMO, is the Real-Time 4WD. It's a on-demand AWD which means you only get power to the rear wheels when they start slipping. Some people like that aspect, but I don't. It's a reactive system, and I much prefer a proactive system like that found on all Subarus. Also, because it's tall, the handling is somewhat minivan-like, which means okay, but not great.
Finally, just recently there is a possible fire hazard that's come to light. It usually involves the first oil change. There have been at least 27 CRVs in the past two years that have caught on fire due to oil leaking from the oil filter on to the hot exhaust pipe, and erupting in fire. This has just been in the news.
Forester
The Forester is the "sports car" of small SUVs. It's quick, nimble, small and a hoot to drive. If you opt for the XT model you get a turbo, and that model is downright FAST! All Subarus have a boxer engine which helps in terms of handling. This engine format ensures a lower center of gravity, thus excellent handling. Also, its AWD system works for you all the time. It's not just a foul-weather friend, but a useful item 365 days a year under all driving conditions. The content level on all Subarus is very high, hence the somewhat higher MSRP. For example on all but the base level Forester you get heated seats, heated outside mirrors, a windshield deicer and variable intermittent front wipers. None of those features are available on any CRV. One more item that suggests its sporty nature is that that you're far more likely to find 5-speed manual versions of the Forester than with the CRV. Finding a CRV with a manual transmission is next to impossible.
However being a sports car-like SUV does come with some drawbacks. It's not nearly as roomy as the CRV in terms of rear seat room or cargo area. Front seating room is fine, just behind the front seat things get a little cramped.
Both cars are very reliable. I think your chances of getting a good price is better with the Subaru. I think those dealers are more likely to negotiate.
So I guess it depends on what you're looking for. I prefer sporty, fun-to-drive cars, so the Forester would be my first choice.
Bob
2. Quality - both are among the best in class.
3. Ride - Subaru gets the edge here, it's lower and lighter plus the 60 series tires are much better than the rubber you get on the CR-V.
4. Price - it's hard to compare content directly. A Forester XS premium can be had for about the same price as a loaded CR-V EX and actually has a few extras (heated seats, mirrors, wiper de-icer front and rear, fog lights, roof rack cross bars, and the air bags also protect your head).
If you are bargain hunting shop for a left over 2004 Forester XS Premium, you'll pay less than a CR-V EX costs and get the extra equipment and longer warranty bundled in for free.
Other advantages? I mentioned the side air bags above, even Honda's optional side air bags do not protect the driver's head at all. Subaru has earned perfect scores in IIHS offset tests (Best Pick), NHTSA front and side impacts (quadruple 5 stars), and IIHS side impact (Best Pick and #1 in class).
Honda cannot match that. If you dig deeper in to the IIHS web site you'll also find Forester's bumpers suffer the least damage in their bumper basher tests, well ahead of Honda.
The CR-V has a big back seat and a picnic table. ;-)
-juice