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Comments
I have a 2002 Forester S and love everything about it. Except ... a very annoying rattle has developed in the rear hatchback door. I live in a rural area (Taos, NM) on a dirt road that gets "wash boardy" sometimes and also dust seems to accumulate inside the hatchback. Sometimes I can make the rattle go away for short periods of time if I clean those little plastic slides on either side of the hatch
opening, but the rattle always comes back and appears to be getting worse.
I realize this is probably a result of my driving conditions, but it also seems like a design flaw. I'm waiting for my 7,000 mile service before I take it to the dealer since I live a couple of hours away. Anybody out there have a similar problem? Any solutions? Any help would be appreciated. It's starting to drive me crazy!
Ross
Ross
As for the dust in the hatchback, I doubt seriously it's coming in from the rear. If you don't have the cabin air filter, in front of passenger seat, I'd highly recommend it especially since you do a lot of driving on dirt roads. That was one of the first post-dealer accessories I bought for the same reason down here in Florida: a lot of dirt roads. Happy motoring...
perrito
'NOTE
If the fuel filler cap is not tightened until it clicks or if the tether is caught under the cap, the CHECK ENGINE warning light may come on. Refer to the "Warning and indicator lights" section located in chapter 3.'
Regards,
Frank
Of course, if this car is your _own_ new car, take the manual out of the car and spend a night (light bedtime reading) reading through the entire thing, paying special attention to things you might have trouble with. Hey, it's your car, and if you like your car, you want to know everything about how it works and how you care for it, right? Besides, then you can impress your friends later by using those little-known and not-so-obvious functions (like the Forester's load-all-cds and eject-all-cds functions on their 6-cd in-dash changer. I never would have figured that out without the manual.)
Again, my sincere apologies! ...it definitely won't happen again
--'rocco
1) There is much more drivetrain lash than I remember when test driving the vehicle months ago (this is a 5-speed manual). I did read over at i-club that a certain amount of drivetrain lash is acceptable and common on an awd vehicle but I know for a fact that it is not exclusively a problem of awd for I've owned many fwd vehicles that had it also. I also own an Audi with Quattro that has hardly any perceptible sloppiness in its drivetrain so it also proves to me that it isn't necessarily a characteristic of awd. Can anyone comment on how much of this "lash" they are experiencing or how bothersome it might be (especially with a manual transmission)?
2) I notice that the idle "jumps up and down" in neutral when the a/c is on. I know this was a characteristic of a/c systems of old but I thought on modern cars this annoying attribute had been corrected and refined. I'm assuming that this is still a trait on Subarus?
3) Those of you with the new 2002 where it states that a "cargo tray" is standard, is what they are referring to the black plastic/rubberized mat that's laying in the cargo area? I was expecting something different. Did they forget to put something in or am I okay with this mat?
4) There is an annoying "rattle" coming from what appears to be the tweeter in the left front (driver's) door. I've taken off the grill and the speaker assembly appears to be fastened securely. The "rattle" seems like it's coming from inside the speaker itself. I'm going to take apart the assembly when I get the chance but has anyone else had this rattle coming from the tweeter?
TIA to any of you who have time to respond! I think I hear the Forester calling me to take it out for a drive
--'rocco
2)The deal is this: The AC has a compressor, which is driven by the engine. For efficiency, to maintain a given temperature the compressor (in effect, the AC) turns off and on (much like how sometimes your fridge starts making noise, especially after opening it a while, and then is quiet). Now, since the compressor is driven by the engine, the engine has to increase idle speed to produce enough power to drive the compressor, hence the "jumping idle." When the compressor shuts off again, the idle speed is reduced.
I can't see how this can be annoying, unless the extra cabin vibration bothers you. That vibration isn't due to the engine, though: that's the AC system.
I have never experienced any moderately powered car that didn't change idle speed when the AC was running, modern or not. (In fact, my old Honda Civic Wagon, with diminutive engine, needed to be _revved_ at idle on really hot days! And it was wise to turn off the AC before climbing any steep grade.)
3) Yes. If you were expecting something with cubbyholes, that would be the "cargo bin," a $115 dollar option. Anyway, the mat has proven invaluable at keeping the cargo area clean.
As for the a/c: in my last two cars, I could hear the compressor turning on and off but the idle didn't stray a bit. On my Audi, the idle stays absolutely steady as the compressor is "doing it's thing." I guess I'll just have to live with it then if that's how Subarus operate
--'rocco
FYI, some off-topic banter is normal and generally allowed, so long as it is PG-rated :-).
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
P.S. I'm only a couple of hours north of you here in Vancouver.
-Brian
Drew-- Oh, ok, thanx!! ...yeah, maybe that's it! --that the post was just lost. I only mentioned a few comments in response to scoochiro's comment at the end of my post about the Mariner/Cleveland series and of course, it wasn't anything x-rated *chuckles* ...and no, I didn't receive any e-mail. Thanks much for your response!
--'rocco
Also, I have 2300 miles on the vehicle and would like to know what is the recommended oil change interval, what type of oil should be used and should I rotate tires wheneve oil is changed?
Thanks
Wolf
As for the 'cargo bin', I have bungy cords, a tow-strap, and some other emergency items in there. It is quite useful. If you didn't get one, I'm sure your dealer can get one for you. If they don't have one in stock, just have them take it from another Forester.
At least your Forester has a full-size spare. There's something us Outback owners don't have (yet).
-Brian
The first service on your Subie should be at 3000 miles, any oil is fine. I converted to synthetic at 3000 because of high temperatures here in Florida, but any dino oil is fine. You only need to rotate your tires at 7500 miles (and then every 7500 miles after that).
Happy motoring...
2. From a cold start the car is moving and jumps ahead and back.
3. I had 20 dents from other car doors and I had to pay for that.
4. The glass in the car is not that great.
5. Its still fun to drive!!!
congrats on your Forester. Platinum S+ is totally beautiful. In fact, I was drooling all over 2002 Platinum S+ on a dealer's lot last Sat when my own 2001 Silverthorn was in 15K service.
The standard cargo tray the refer to is just a mat. There's an optional Cargo Tray or Bin (don't remember how they call it) which cost extra and has cubbyholes and bins in it.
Take your Forester to the dealer for that rattle you have. It's under warranty, why bother with disassembling it, unless you enjoy this type of stuff.
All and all, enjoy, and stop by the Subaru Crew owners club here at Edmunds.
Great car enjoy
Russ
We have oxygenated fuel here in MA and that doesn't help.
Regards,
Frank
drew_ "Trips that I have taken in my SUV this summer" Aug 6, 2001 12:01am
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
This leaves me scratching my head how I used a gallon less on the last fill-up while going the SAME miles. Can anyone help me find logic in this?
Also, could anyone who had switched to the Goodyear Aquatred 3's (touted and criticized here recently) say how mileage was affected by the change? I got in touch with Tirerack today, asking for follow-up and details about complaints. The salesperson said they have indeed received some complaints about some of them being "out of round." Are long-time users still happy campers? I would still like to switch off the Yokos.
Thanks,
Joe
Okay, then I should have the standard "cargo tray" then? ...yeah, I don't think I need the optional cargo bin.
Heh, no, I don't particularly find it enjoyable troubleshooting rattles but it's going to be a couple of weeks until I can get into the dealer so I thought I'd try to see what could be done myself ...this rattle is rather annoying for it is constant while the car is moving.
Thanks again for your comments, Kate.
--'rocco
Thanks, Brian!
--'rocco
Make sure you look into the Subaru Crew topics (via the Subaru Community links at the top of the page). A rep. from SOA frequents them and always seems to help out with the proper connections when someone is in need (like to help fix that rattle). There is also a lot of other Forester owners there too that will be glad to try to help.
Joseph - No gas gauge is 'truely' accurate. I think they say it only needs to be accurate when full (or is it empty?). Anyway, those are very good mileage numbers. Just go by what the gas pump says you put in and your mileage. You must have a light foot!
-Brian
--'rocco
This forum here at Edmunds is abosolutely fantastic!
btw, how do you "bold" your print??
--'rocco
Check out this link on how to use HTML tags:
http://www.willcam.com/cmat/html/crossname.html
To make something bold simply surround the text with [b] and [/b] but replace the [] with <>.
Ken
Were this calculations based on when the gas pump 'clicked' and stopped as you were filling it or your final reading after you topped it off?
Have never really tried to put that much more gas in (just round to nearest quarter) but in some of my other older cars was able to get in quite a bit.
I do my averaging based on the 'click' amount.
Michael-- That's some good advice to Joe. For consistency purposes, your 'click' technique sounds like the best way to accurately measure mpg. For me, I just can't seem to resist continuing to fill after the click. I'm going to have to start to discipline myself! Using the click will assure that an accurate mpg calculation will be figured at each fill-up! ...excellent response! Thanks!
--'rocco
Patti
(Driving defensively, even a light brake foot.)
Thanks for your conjectures.
Joe
It has happened to me..just trying to round off the purchase to preclude a pocket full of small change. The emission system is sensitive to an overflow condition and either thru the overflow tube or evaporator can will throw a CEL.
This is disconcerting at best but not the end of the world. Just do a reset and all should be well again.
As an aside for the new owners..you can expect the mileage to improve with a little time. I now have about 17k on my 01 Forester and with the summer gas here in western New York have been averaging 26+MPG.
On my old vehicle ('97 Z71), I could top off about another half gallon. On our Outback, once it clicks, I stop - even if it's an odd number.
-Brian
Patti-- They showed that clip on the local news here in Seattle too! I was sitting there wide-eyed watching the scene unfold when the white Forester appears ..."hey, there's a Forester!" and I too watched anticipating the worse but as you say, it appears the Forester avoids contact. Whew! --what a dramatic chain of events... I found myself saying "c'mon people, pay attention to your driving! can't you see that there's all this commotion ahead??"
Thanks again for answering my questions several weeks ago in the chat room, Patti. I finally picked up my new Forester friday and although my dealership doesn't have the best reputation, I hope they will be able to remedy my post-delivery concerns with little or no problems.
--'rocco
I'm glad you are "one of us"!!!
Patti
I saw that this morning on the news too. I was so engrossed by the cars slamming into each other that I actually missed that Forester sneaking by!
Thanks for pointing that out. Man, what a horrific accident.
Ken
Rgds,
Jack
bit
Try Walmart (www.walmart.com) and they have some made by coleman
Rgds,
Jack
The ad further states, "This 177PS Forester S Turbo is driven by the same core technologies as the Subaru Impreza WRC 2001 rally car. With a powerful 2.0 litre 'boxer' engine, rally tuned full-time All Wheel Drive and advanced suspension. However, the driving similarities should end there - or else!"
Ed
Post 981 in Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape Problem area: "Mazda Tribute Loses Competition" by johnmei
although he did not include Forester there for some reasons, he finally decided that the best vehicle for him is... Outback!