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Subaru XT Turbo Forester
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Comments
Don't use the gas gauge as your mpg indicator...it isn't linear, and you can't be sure whether the tank was all the way full when you picked it up.
Go a few tanks tracking it, before being disappointed. Tire pressure, driving conditions, driving habits, etc. Your mileage will vary.
John
A: Just about everyone else who checks the gas mileage for the first tank of gas after buying a new car.
So the fuel gauge is not the best (pun intended) gauge for actual mpg. For an FXS - I've covered 280 miles when the tank gauge shows 1/4 full. At that point it looks like I'm getting only 23.5 mpg. I usually wait to fill up after the low-fuel light comes on. It takes 13 +/- gallons to fill up, and the calculated (true)mpg is in the 28-30mpg range.
You'll see gas mileage inprovement until you hit about 10k miles, so the best is yet to come.
You'll also see the best mileage once the motor has thoroughly warmed up (not the same as "temp needle just reached the normal level"). I have a weekly commute of 28 miles at 60 mpg. From watching the on-board computer display on a BMW for over 10 years, I've noticed that the instanteous MPG readout reaches the highest level after about 12-15 minutes of driving. Thus it's no surprise that if I take the wife's Prius to work regularly, I can expect 50mpg or so, but she can manage only about 40-44mpg for her daily commute of 2 miles.
Finally, if your gas station sells gas with extra additives (MBTE?) in the winter, you should soon see a bump in your gas mileage when the summer gas becomes available. I usually expect to see a 2mpg drop in gas mileage in October, and a corresponding 2 mpg bump in April of each year.
Bottom line - just relax and enjoy your new FXT!
I have put on 6000mi since Christmas, at an average of 21.2mpg. (I religiously zero the trip counter every fill, and divide miles driven by gallons delivered by the pump.) The best I've done (virtually all highway, but in mid-Feb) is 23.6, and the lowest was 19.9... My daily commute is ~17 miles, half on stop-and-go city streets, and the other half on highway (going the "wrong" way at 70mph).
For comparison, my old 2003XS averaged 24.1mpg over its life, against EPA numbers of 22/27. So allowing for winter additives, 21.2 against EPA numbers of 20/26 is probably about right. I'm probably more disappointed that 21mpg translates into ~300mi between fill-ups than I am about the number relative to, say, an Accord or Prius...
And I'll second the comment about the gas gauge being highly non-linear.
Bob
Also, it obeys your right foot, try to ease up on the go pedal once in a while!
-juice
I just signed all the necessary papers and will pick up my 2004 Forester XT (Silver) tomorrow! Looking forward to having dicussions about, what I have no doubt will be, a great car/truck/crossover/what it is! Previous cars include a 1990 Eagle Talon Turbo (not AWD) and a 2000 VW GTI VR6. Both great fun to drive but now that I'm a little older, space is a requirement so the Forester suits my needs. That being said, of course I still have the need for speed and, again, the Forester XT suits my needs! I bought it from a dealer and paid CDN $30,000.00. Think I paid too much? Well, it was a demo model and has only 340 km on it! Still think I paid too much? Well, it has the upgraded 17" rims and they're giving me the 16" rims and rubber too. How about now - too much $$$. I think I got a decent deal... and still have two years left on the bumper-to-bumper warranty.
First thing to do is get myself a K&N and a nice (not too dark) tint!
Cheers,
Dave
Fortunately, we are not able to read picture files directly off your hard drive. To learn how to post the picture click on the help link over on the left of this page. Even better, check out our new www.carspace.com site where its even easier to post pictures.
tidester, host
I took it back to the dealer, and of course, they didn't find anything wrong. Told me the gear oil needs some time to "wear in". I think 3K miles is enough for the oil to "wear in".
I'm not sure what the problem could be. Could it be the viscosity being too light or too heavy? Any synchro additives that may be causing this? I'm willing to take it to an independent shop and get the fluid changed again, but would like to know which fluid grade / brand would work best. I'm not interested in synthetics since I've heard numerous negatives with regards to synthetics and synchro problems.
I would actually like to have the same oil in the MT as the one the car came with from the factory - does anyone know the OEM brand and grade oil Subaru puts in the Forester MT (mine is an '04 XT). The tranny always shifted very easily and smoothly with the OEM oil.
Any help greatly appreciated.
Get a funnel and a long tube, feed it down from the engine bay. Fill until it tops off.
Draining is easy, there is a plug at the bottom of the tranny tunnel.
It's about as easy as doing an oil change, if you want to try this yourself. The oil is something like $3-5 per quart and you need 3-4 quarts IIRC.
-juice
I went out and got 4 qts of Valvoline 75W-90 Gear oil - GL-5, MT-1, non-synthetic ($4.29 each). Changed the oil myself this afternoon. Except for spilling some when draining, everything else was pretty easy.
I followed Peaty's excellent directions on scoobymods. The tranny took exactly 3.5 qts and the fluid level is just a hair above F on the dipstick.
So far, it seems to be shifting A LOT smoother. I can actually get into first while rolling. I will see how it does after a few weeks. I'm guessing the dealer used much heavier oil.
-Frank
-juice (a do-it-yourselfer)
PS Does your wife hate the smell of "gear oil cologne"?
-juice
Well, on my second tank now and only 150 miles with 1/4 tank left. (Will post exact numbers at next fill-up - and I wait for the empty light to go on) I HARDLY ever engage the turbo - most drives are only 2-3 miles from home and I already combine trips (only drive around 3000 miles per year because of gas costs). No warmup necessary. Live in Southern California - was 81 degrees here yesterday! Have never had to warm up a car. Hoping that this mileage gets better. Premium just went up to $3.26/gallon here, 30 cents more than regular.
Gas mileage notwithstanding, this is the best car I have ever driven - LOVE it! The acceleration, the handling ....... the cargo capacity!
Samantha
If I don't get 300 miles to the fuel gauge 1/4 point in my XS, something is wrong. So far nothing has been wrong
John
If you're going easy on the turbo, the kind of mileage you're assuming is even questionable for the engine's break-in period.
On the other hand, you can also be TOO cautious with acceleration - particularly with the automatic transmission. On more than one occasion I've managed to be so reserved in my input on the accelerator that the car tricks itself into staying in a lower gear (usually first, as it happens from a stop) while eventually revving well into the 5000 range. As you can imagine this gets me nowhere fast while making the engine do a lot of unnecessary work.
While you want to be conservative with the turbo in order save on gas, you can use just as much gas by babying the accelerator, as your lower gears burn more fuel than the higher ones because the engine works harder down low. If you're spending too much time in 1st and 2nd, afraid to mash on the gas, even briefly, then you could be doing your pocketbook more harm than good.
As an example, a lot of XT owners who use ECU reprogrammers (Cobb, Ecutek) in order to get more power from their vehicles by maximizing the torque curve and boost control ALSO suprisingly report a 1-2 mpg increase in mileage despite the added acceleration (since usually the two don't go hand in hand). Popular theory behind this is that since these devices create smoother shifts (especially between 1st-3rd), reducing the amount of time the engine in those lower, harder working gears, they end saving the engine a little of that hard work down low.
My advice would be to drive it like you feel like it wants to be driven (in most circumstances ). On the other hand, given you make mostly 2-3 mile trips, depending on what traffic is like you may never reach 4th gear, and only occasionally touch 3rd, in which case you may be out of luck. Sadly, in an FXT, 15 mpg is definitely not out of the question for driving habits like that...
Doug
Samantha :shades:
Thanks.
Doug
Any thoughts out there about this problem?
Just thought I'd see what you guys had to say before i called the dealer.
Thx,
D.
Bob
If it's a manual, try rolling into the throttle gradually, don't stab it (floor it). L-GT owners suggest that.
-juice
Thanks... but I found this;
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/attachment.php?s=df5c530525310bf880211ee81cecea- - d5&attachmentid=4272
I think/hope this is the problem and solution.
Entire thread:
http://www.scoobymods.com/forums/showthread.php?p=20694
Cheers,
D.
Trips of that length are very hard on the vehicle because water and byproducts of incomplete combustion accumulate in the crankcase and exhaust system, and never get a chance to boil away. I have the same problem with my daughters car, as her school commute is about 3 miles. So, I have her take the long way around at least once a week to give the engine a chance to get rid of the water and acidic deposits.
-juice
Also has anyone used Wix oil filters on their Subaru? Thanks Jim
The reason I mention that, is that every third oil change, about 9000 miles, I send out a sample to Blackstone Labs to look at. I do this on my 04XT and my wife's 03 OBW. In all cases, except for the synthetics, the oil that goes in as 10w-30 changes to a 5w-30 viscosity by the time its run 3000 miles or so.
Currently I'm running QS high HP 10w/30 synthetic blend. Seems to give me the best reults on the Backstone reports.
Even with the synthtics, the flashpoint remains marginal om my FXT. Colin put up a good explanation of flashpoint quite a while back.
On the other hand, even with a synthetic, if you read the owner's manual carefully, you'll find there's no relief on the change time with a synthetic vs a dino oil. Someone's also asked SOA about that and posted the same answer direct from Subaru.
Most of my trips are of the 4 mile variety, probably 70-80% of the time. That's the rason I don't complain about 14 mpg.
Although they can't complain about it if you use another brand filter, I'd be tempted to buy a box of Subaru filters and a dozen crush washers.
HTH
Larry
I brought the car in to Subaru and they said that everything was "normal". They hooked it up to the computer and active valve timing was at 9.4% (whatever that means) and that they didn't notice any hesitation during the test drive. Very annoying! I asked them if they even looked at the union screw filter and they said, "No, the computer indicated that nothing was wrong and the service bulletin that you gave us was from the U.S. and wasn't applicable in Canada". :confuse: "Is there no filter in the Canadian Foresters?", I asked sarcastically. "Well, yes, but the bulletin isn't for Canada so we didn't check." GREAT!
As the Service guy pulled my car out of the bay, he cranked the wheel all the way and it made a strange high pitch pulsating squeel type of noise. I never crank the wheel all the way so I hadn't heard this noise until then. The Service schmo said taht it didn't sound normal. My question is - is it normal? Is this some kind of warning that you've cranked the wheel too far? It wasn't a really loud sound but it was definitely apparent.
Any comments would be appreaciated.
Thx,
D.
At last, someone else who only gets 14 MPG. I thought I was the only one!! Yup, car still getting 13/14 MPG - even with 10 mile trips and some freeway driving! 2006 Forester XT Automatic.
But, I love the car!
Samantha :shades:
-juice
I don't know cars like you guys do, so will someone please tell me is the Mazda is now the second fastest SUV on the road (we all know the Cayanne is #1).
I'm gonna go and check the Mazda out, even though I just bought my car. Just how sick am I gonna get??? Anyone test drive one yet??
Samantha
P.S. Still getting between 13-14 MPG no matter how I drive the car. Really, really disappointed with the mileage, which was the entire reason I bought a 4-cylinder car (and now I've got a 4-cyl car that requires Premium!!)
Steve, Host
Brian
According to the video, it's plenty fast for highway passing but lacks good low-end grunt, giving it a 0-60 time somewhere in the upper 7s. They do say it handles well though, which is no surprise given it's a Mazda.
So no, it's not the "second fastest SUV on the road," but neither is the stock Cayenne turbo the fastest; you'd probably have to look to Jeep for that distinction. Their Grand Cherokee SRT8 with the 6.1L Hemi is a few ticks faster in a straight line than both the stock FXT and Cayenne turbo. Motor Trend ran a 4.8 0-60 in the Jeep, with it doing 13.5 in the 1/4 mile.
Doug
Mazda has had issues with heat soak on the MazdaSpeed6, so this powertrain is still not fully sorted out, plus it's v1.0. I'm not saying I would not consider one, but I would not buy one until I knew those issues were sorted out.
I love the styling of the CX7.
-juice
I'm baffled on how exactly you're only managing 13-14 mpg :confuse: Have you taken a several hundred mile hwy trip in it and if so, what was your mpg? The lifetime mpg avg for my manual XT (mostly hwy) is almost 24 mpg.
-Frank
I wonder how our bearded submariner Ballistic is doing (Oregon, wasn't he?)
John
Steve, Host
-Frank
Good luck!
(Starting price of a XC70 is $8k more than FXT.)
I could make the same argument for dumping my '05 FXS for a different vehicle that I drove in late May. This vehicle was by far superior to the FXS (or FXT or XC70) in terms of comfort, driveability and performance. But there is no way I could justify saying that Subaru needs to gather their wits and add more content or options to the Forester to enable it to compete with a Ferrari F430. :shades:
IMO, manually shiftable automatic transmissions are rarely used once the test drive is over and ther car is in your garage (if you really wanted to shift yourself you'd buy a manual tranny).
Factory tinted windows would also be nice but aftermarket looks just as good and is fully customizable. It is susceptable to scratching or tearing but without abusive treatment, it will last for years.
-Frank
I agree. I'd be curious, if we took a poll of man-u-matic owners, how many actually use the manual shift function? Do they ever use it, and if so under what conditions? I suspect many rarely if ever use it. I bet the ones who do use frequent car sites like this, and those who don't, are not gearheads. ; )
Even so, I'd rather have it than not have it.
Bob
Would I rather have it? Sure but would I be willing to pay several hundred more for it? Putting ego aside, obviously not
-Frank
I believe that the few things I mentioned are not extremely pricey options. In most cases the auto manufactureror has used such equipment in other models. For instance I believe Subaru mounted a telescoping radio mounted control steering in either Europe or in Australia. Why not give us all the same access of those oftions? JMO
Now I drive the Volvo XC70 and am totally comfortable. The torque isn't there on the lower end like the FXT but it is a better cruiser with the fifth gear.
Have a great drive!
I'm 100% with you on the window tinting issue - my car is like a Swedish sauna, even with the reflective shade I always have to put on the windshield. I never knew a car could get so hot!! And the little cubbies for sunglasses, etc., are virtually unusable! Already fried two pairs of glasses and anything kept in those ceiling cubbies gets too hot to put on your nose without burning it! I love driving the car, but it is the most poorly insulated thing I have ever driven. I'm having it tinted in the next 2 weeks, as dark as I can get away with. Even tinting the moonroof and hoping that will help. Now, if I could just find something, ANYTHING, to improve the lousy (13 MPG) gas mileage.....
I'm wondering what your city MPG in the Volvo will be? And, if it's as fun of a car to drive?
I pulled a "rice rocket" maneuver tonight on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. I was behind a Porsche Carrerra that was driving too slowly and there was barely enough room to get in front of him from the other lane, but I shot out just like "warp speed" in the Star Wars movies. My head smacked back against the headrest. Must admit, the car impresses! It's a fast little sucker! The last time I pulled such a maneuver, the guy caught up with me and pulled up with a shocked look in his smile. I rolled down my window and said "it's a TURBO" and sped away. I'm thinkin', it's a great way to flirt with guys driving Porsches. Wouldn't try it with a Ferrari, though! :P
Samantha
Totally agree that the FXT was/is a hoot to drive. I loved the spirit of the car. The fuel economy sucked big time and yes the Volvo is better on the highway but about the same around town due to the weight of the XC. Fuel capacity is nearly the same but I now can go nearly 700 KMs on a tank.
The Volvo may not be as light on its feet but the comfort level is so much higher.
I too had all of my windows tinted, except of course the front drivers and passenger windows. If ever Subaru takes this vehicle seriously and makes the effort that can launch the FXT into a higher level of performance and customer satisfaction I will then revisit it.
I did look at the Cobb upgrades as a means of bringing out the capabilities of the FXT but needless to say I am now looking at improving the low end torque of the XC70.
Good luck to you with your FXT.
Nibs