Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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Comments

  • ducktapeguyducktapeguy Member Posts: 115
    Here's a link that might help, I just noticed it today.

    http://edmunds.com/maintenance/MaintenanceServlet?tid=edmunds.o.l- - - - - - - anding.topleft..1.*

    This shows a detailed breakdown of parts cost and labor cost for all scheduled maintenece. For the 30K on my car, it shows that the parts cost average about $100, and labor is roughly $300, for a total of $392. I don't know where they get the data from, but the parts cost look like dealer price to me. So I'm assuming the labor is dealer rates too. $15 for spark plugs and $35 for a fuel filter? Spark plugs cost about $.089 each for NGK (OEM equipment), unless you have platinum, in which case you wouldn't be changing them at 30K anyway. It's a rough guide, at least it gives you an idea of what they do

    Like I said, a lot of the stuff they recommend I don't think it's absolutely necessary at 30K, i.e, flushing the brake and coolant, but I guess it depends on your driving style. Those two alone are over a $100, and any quickie oil change place could probably do the same thing for cheaper.

    Just for a comparison, a 2001 Solara 30K maintenance comes out to $211 or roughly half the price. But they don't include changing brake fluids, fuel filters or spark plugs. Those three items account for $190 of the $390 price. So really the subaru cost about the same for maintenence, they just schedule it more often I guess. Maybe toyota parts last longer? Or maybe subaru just wants more of our money. Who knows where they come up with these schedules
  • akasrpakasrp Member Posts: 170
    Wondering, as the hieroglyph style text-less instructions seem cryptic at best - do I actually apply ‘anti-abrasion tape’ pieces on the painted finish of the hood?
    If so, in the event that someday I revove the deflector can I remove these tapes bits without them having damaged the underlying finish?
    Peel off with a blow-dryer?
    Finally, is there a link to a text-based instruction set? Granted it ain’t brain-surgery but a read-through would be swell.
    -srp
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    when I had my OB, I just use scotch tape [not those for gift wrap]. I fold one side to form a lift for ease of removal later.
    I would change the tape each time I remove the deflector to wash the car and no damage to the underlying finish.

    -Dave
  • akasrpakasrp Member Posts: 170
    so, forgive my ignorance, but does the deflector easily snap on and off once installed?
    I was under the impression that it was fairly (as in srewed on) permanent vs being held on by clips.
    Again, the instructions are less than clear on this...

    -srp
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Who was it who had the deflector fly off on the interstate?

    -Frank P.
  • hypovhypov Member Posts: 3,068
    the deflector isn't permanent and easy to remove/install. I'm not certain if the format of Forester's deflector is similar. For my '98 OB, it had to be fastened by 2 screws on the underside of the hood at two points toward the center, and on the far ends of the deflector is a clip on each side.

    Flying Deflector... I think it was off a post '99MY OB. :)
    On the pre '00s the deflectors were pretty steadfast.

    -Dave
  • ezshift5ezshift5 Member Posts: 858
    ..the 30k on my standard shift V-6 Solara bottom-lined at 160...oil/filter/air filter/rotation/new coolant.

    Perhaps my Forester purchase should be deferred until my next Naval Reserve raise...
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    The tape won't harm the finish, it's just 3M clear protectant in small (about 1/2") pieces.

    I usually take my deflector off whenever I wax the car, to clean + wax under there. The tape stays on, I haven't had any that needed replacing yet.

    Craig
  • gened1gened1 Member Posts: 256
    Earphones for use in a vehicle are only illegal if they cover both ears of the driver. Some states have a hands free policy for cell phones and in those states many people use a one ear device for the phone.
    Gene
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    Earphones for use in a vehicle are only illegal if they cover both ears of the driver.

    With the exception of large cup-type headsets that cover the entire ear and are designed to isolate the listener from outside sounds, this is a dumb rule. Most lightweight headsets and all earbud-type earphones allow plenty of outside sound in. A driver using them at any reasonable volume level will unquestionably hear the surroundings better than some kid with megawatts of amplifiers and his whole vehicle filled with speakers pumping out rap - the setups that shake your car from two blocks away. How is the latter any safer than the former?
  • gened1gened1 Member Posts: 256
    Don't shoot the Messenger!!
    Sometimes when I park the Forester and then get back in I swear some Gen Xer got in and cranked up the volume of my deck. I know I couldn't be listening to music that loud. I guess it is all what you get used to. The Alpine components front and rear do make a difference too!
  • hayduke01hayduke01 Member Posts: 128
    I don't think I'm the only one, but I had mine come loose on a road trip. Wasn't on the Interstate, but rather on a two lane highway in NW Texas. It detached and started flopping after a big truck passed going the other direction.

    Dealer fixed it, no problem, and will repair the minor paint damage it caused when I get around to having it done. (Actually I'd forgotten all about it until now).
  • akasrpakasrp Member Posts: 170
    A driver using them at any reasonable volume level will unquestionably hear the surroundings better than...

    I would much rather have a a freeway full of ear-budded comuters than those blaring thumper-boxes. Those SubWoofs will not only create a nation of tinnitus sufferers the likes of which we haven't seen since the aging of the WWII crowd (CDC alone should have the weight to swat out those 'woofs!) but also disturb the peace as these sonic misfits drive by homes shaking windows, rattling picture frames and waking the sleeping. Add to that the inability to hear the initial blasts of a warning horn or siren. We will all pay for that noise pollution in more ways than one.

    Thanks 2all for the Deflector pro and con follow up...

    srp
    ps: baby pics:
    http://www.pbase.com/akasrp/subaru_forester_xt
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    thumbing through my '03 maintenance guide, I really did not see anything except tire rotation and oil change. Are there not even zerc fittings on the u-joints? Not used to the zero maintenance idea on a moving vehicle.

    John
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    the manual advocates shifting into 5th gear at 45 mph. I checked that out this am, that puts engine rpm at a lowly 1800 rpm.

    Considering that the manual is probably conservative in its recommendations, the NA 2.5 should have no lugging related problems pulling 5th gear on flat ground from 1600 rpm onwards.

    John
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    45mph in a 5-speed XT would be closer to 2,000rpm, but I agree with your point. It doesn't meet my definition of 'lugging' to merely maintain speed or even accelerate very slightly on reasonably level ground clear down to 1500rpm or so. This requires very little throttle. To lug an engine is to apply considerable throttle at these low RPMs.
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    while technically legal, the thumpers can get pulled over and cited for any number of other issues, which might include ground clearance, tinted windows, disturbing the peace, illegal exhaust modifications, etc. Perhaps it could be called police harassment, but on the other hand these guys go beyond reasonable tolerance of humane motor vehicling.

    John
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I get the best gas mileage shifting at around 3000rpm. But 4000rpm is more fun. :o)

    -juice
  • herbobherbob Member Posts: 2
    1)Does this motor use hydraulic or mechanical lifters? If mechancial, is adjustment via screws or shims?

    2)Any head gasket problems reported yet? Or in the WRX turbo line that's been out there longer?

    I have a 97 Outback with 2.5L DOHC and there have been many reports of head gasket failures with this motor. The XT uses a 2.5L DOHC, is it the same motor as the 97 OB? If so, what did they do to improve the head gaskets (with the turbo boost, they'd likely need to replace the gaskets after each test drive if no mods were made . . . )?

    Thanks for any inputs!
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    Except for its basic layout, the XT engine has nothing in common with your DOHC '97 OB, or with the current naturally-aspirated 2.5 SOHC engines, or with the WRX 2-liter (except that it uses the same turbocharger).

    The XT is a slightly detuned version of the all-new 2.5 DOHC engine in the STi, sharing identical block, heads, and all internal parts. It is an interference engine; the valves use mechanical lifters, adjusted with shims. It has AVCS (variable valve timing) on the intakes. The hollow exhaust valves are sodium cooled.

    No known XT head gasket problems yet.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Nice pics!

    Craig
  • herbobherbob Member Posts: 2
    Thanks for the details!
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    If there are going to be any head gasket problems with the XT's new engine, I'd expect the STi to be the canary-in-the-mineshaft, giving us plenty of advance warning. Both engines use the same compression ratio, but the STi's maximum turbo boost pressure is about 25% higher than on the XT. The STi also will probably be driven harder, on average, and they came to market several months earlier than the XT.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    The XT's block is different than the 2.5l in your Subie. The block itself is a semi-closed deck design. The pistons are forged, too, so none of the internals are shared between the two.

    Considering it is a substantially over-engineered motor meant to handle 300hp, I think it'll do just fine in the XT.

    -juice
  • gened1gened1 Member Posts: 256
    I just had the 15,000 mi work done. All it consists of is several inspections, an oil and filter change and new air filter plus rotate tires.The suggested (by the dealer) charge is $126.95.
    I have a K&N drop in filter so I elected to have them do only the oil change and rotate my tires about $47.00 for the whole shooting match. I went to the MY Subaru web site and they didn't even recommend that I rotate tires.
    Gene
  • lbhaleylbhaley Member Posts: 91
    Jack, Are you sure about this? I don't remember seeing anything in the owners manual or the road tests I read. If so, do you know what the recomended mileage interval is to get the valves adjusted? Thanks.

    -les
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    Everything I've seen indicates that the STi and XT engines are internally identical. The following line appears in the Australian tech specs for the STi: "Graded size cam followers are used to obtain adjustment of valve clearance." So, strictly speaking, this means adjustment is not via shims, as I indicated above, but apparently by changing the cam follower buckets/tappets. I've seen a similar reference specifically to the XT, but can't lay my hands on it.

    What I haven't found is the mileage interval at which the adjustment is to be performed. The XT owner's manual and service guides don't say.
  • lbhaleylbhaley Member Posts: 91
    That's interesting. Thanks for the info. I'll see if I can find out anything more on this. I'll post it if I find anything.

    -les
  • lbhaleylbhaley Member Posts: 91
    I found the info on XT valve actuation in the Car & Driver road test. In the Specifications panel under Engine it says hydraulic valves. I am relieved to find this as I really didn't want to have to hassel with valve adjustments. I wonder if the Australian engine is different than ours.

    -les
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    If so, it will be the first confirmed internal engine difference between the STi and the XT. I sent e-mail to the big Subaru dealer in Seattle asking the question, but haven't received a reply yet. I haven't figured out how to pose the question directly to SOA on the website.
  • rshollandrsholland Member Posts: 19,788
    Why don't you e-mail Patti? If she doesn't know she most like can find out.

    Bob
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    Good suggestion. I've posed the question to Patti in the Subaru Crew: Problems and Solutions forum.
  • mjsnd80mjsnd80 Member Posts: 48
    Had the 03 XS for over a year now. Added the tweeters myself (very easy to do) and upgraded the front door speakers with Sony X-Plods last spring. Just noticed at lunch today that my hearing hasn't started going... I have been turning the volume higher and higher because the door speakers are dead! The tweeters have enough of a ghost sound that I hadn't noticed until now that I'm hearing the rear door speakers and the tweeters -- NO Sony X-Plods in the doors.

    I'll pop the door panels and have a look, but it points to a wiring problem - whether in the doors ar at the head unit, I can only guess at this point. They DID sound fantastic... but are silent now.

    Anybody with a similar experience or suggestions???

    Thank you!

    Martin
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    If the tweeters are still working, then the wiring from the headunit to the door is probably OK. I would suspect something is wrong with the X-Plods, though it would be odd for both of them to die together. If you still have the old stock speakers, plug them back in to verify that they are getting a good connection to the radio. If so, I'd say the X-Plods probably lived up to their name....

    Craig
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Sorry to ask the obvious, but have you checked the Fade setting on the stereo?

    -juice
  • gened1gened1 Member Posts: 256
    Then wouldn't the tweets be silenced too?
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    I don't know if they're on the same wiring, since I don't have them. I have used the fade when my kids were watching a DVD in the back seat on a notebook. I put all the volume towards the front, so we could hear our own music.

    Worked like a charm. That's why I thought of it.

    -juice
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    Probably not the faders since they would affect the tweeters too.

    Did you buy the speakers from Crutchfield? The supplied wire connector is a bit loose and may just have worked itself off.

    Ken
  • m4ethm4eth Member Posts: 101
    I know its cold...but how well does the air conditioner work in the 04 Forester during hot weather????

    I'm debating on getting this car (X model) and test drove recently and the heater worked great. However would like to get opinions on the A/C. I've heard stories about the XS and XT models that have automatic heating and cooling controls which have difficulties...that’s why I also like the X model which does not have this option.

    Thanks,

    Mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Mike- I think you misuderstood the problem. The Forester's climat control system does an excellent job of heating and cooling, it's just the "auto" feature that isn't overly popular. FYI: Depending on where you live, getting the windows tinted helps any vehicle cool faster in the summer but especially the Forester because of the greenhouse like cabin.

    -Frank P.
  • m4ethm4eth Member Posts: 101
    Frank P...whats the deal with the auto feature??? I assume it trys to keep constant temperature?...also I throught the Foresters came with tinted windows but I'm not sure if the rear windows are more tinted than the front?

    Mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Mike- Nope, because the Forester is (was?) classified as a car, it's not allowed to have factory tint (only vehicles classified as trucks are allowed by law to have factory tint, which includes SUVs and minivans).

    IRT the auto feature, it will try to achieve the temp specified in as expeditiously a way possible. This means that it will crank the fan up to high and the overshoot the desired temp before it realizes it. Honestly, I really can't say how well it works because I always disengage the auto function as soon as it tries to come on. Call me old-fashion but I prefer to set the system to the way I like it (and virtually never run the fan on high).

    -Frank P.
  • m4ethm4eth Member Posts: 101
    Thanks Frank P...I always throught the Forester was classified as an SUV...especially since it's AWD...too bad they made that ruling...so the Toyota RAV must be classified as a TRUCK...I know it has very dark factory installed window tinting in the back.

    Mike
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Mike- Even though the RAV4, CR-V and Escape are all built on passenger car platforms, the Forester is the only "mini-SUV" AKA "cute-ute" that is classified as a passenger car. However, the car designation provides definite advantages to the buyer. For example, passenger cars have higher mpg and better safety standards (which is why the Forester is tops in its class in both passenger safety and avg mpg). The Forester also has 5-mph bumpers whereas the CR-V and RAV4 don't even have true rear bumpers! FYI: I don't remember which agency conducts the tests, but the Forester faired way better than any of the competition in the "bumper basher" tests.

    -Frank P.
  • mjsnd80mjsnd80 Member Posts: 48
    Got home and popped the passenger door panel off. The Crutchfield connector was dangling... Pulled the speaker and did it up right and tight with solder... sounds great!!

    I'm sure that's the problem on the driver's side too.

    I recommend those speakers big-time - the sound is amazing!! I suppose I didn't notice so quickly because I normally listen to IMUS on the way to work, and NPR on the drive home. At lunch, today I put in Sgt Pepper... and knew there was a problem.

    Thank you for the helpful suggestions!
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    I passed on the Crutchfield connectors too, and soldered directly. Glad it was simple to fix!

    Craig
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    how well does the air conditioner work in the 04 Forester during hot weather

    Last summer, others were saying that their XT A/C units were very powerful. At mid-90 temperatures, I thought mine was just adequate. By that I mean I was running it with the temp dial set to the lowest temperature, and air emerging from the vents was just barely cool enough to maintain comfort. If temperatures get much higher than the mid-90s, I'm not sure mine would have enough capacity to keep the car at comfortable temperatures. Time will tell.
  • ballisticballistic Member Posts: 1,687
    because the Forester is (was?) classified as a car, it's not allowed to have factory tint (only vehicles classified as trucks are allowed by law to have factory tint,

    Nearly all vehicles (including, I think, the Forester) come with tinted glass (or what used to be called "solar" glass, standard. It's only a moderate tint, not the darker limo-style privacy tints, but it's there.
  • p0926p0926 Member Posts: 4,423
    Jack- Yes but that's not what Mike wanted to know. OE passenger windows block less than 5% of light transmission (not really noticeable). While "Limo" tint (which I don't advocate) is at the opposite end of the spectrum and blocks 95% of light transmission.

    -Frank P.
  • c_hunterc_hunter Member Posts: 4,487
    Don't know about the XT, but the AC in my wife's Forester XS (has auto climate control) gets really frosty. Actually, the AC in all of our Subarus ove the years has been quite good. It seems like I am always warm, so it's nice to have an AC that can cool even me! Too bad my wife is always cold. We fight over the controls all the time.

    Craig
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