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Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

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  • kclement8kclement8 Member Posts: 1
    I haven't seen this posted yet so I'm just wondering if I'm the only one with this problem.

    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!
  • bean12bean12 Member Posts: 3
    Thanks for all the comments. We decided to wait (impatiently) for our Forester.
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    You have dealt with one of the two common causes of the dread RATTLE, the plastic slides. On my MY2001 S the solution was to replace the hatch latch. The latch has very limited adjustment available and replacement (free under warranty of course) is a fairly commonly needed fix. This is the only problem I've had with my Forester and it was driving me crazy too. :~) It has been silent since replacement last fall. Hope this helps.

    Ross
  • armac13armac13 Member Posts: 1,129
    I think you'll be happy with your decision.

    Ross
  • goodyrlgoodyrl Member Posts: 83
    Wife LOVES IT !
  • perritoperrito Member Posts: 66
    Kelly,

    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
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    The OM says:

    '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
  • francisgafrancisga Member Posts: 6
    And that is why, jacquieg (or really, everyone), it is always a good idea to at least quickly skim through the more relevant parts of the manual before you use a car. Usually the "more relevant parts" -- from my enormous experience with rental cars (I had to rent one every weekend for about six months when I didn't have a car. Long story.) -- are the 2nd to 4th chapter, covering the transmission (especially auto transmissions), instrument panel (and the meaning of the various indicators), and control stalks (this is particularly important, as nothing seems to vary more from car to car than those stupid control stalks, and the symbols on them are rarely decipherable). The first chapter usually just exhorts you to properly use the safety features of the car, but -- with few exceptions -- everyone knows to buckle his seatbelt.

    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.)
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Sorry for my post several days ago where at the end I went into the off-topic comments about baseball... I noticed it was deleted so I definitely know that talking about baseball will not be tolerated on this board. I just made several comments but I realize and fully understand that you don't want this forum to be cluttered with baseball talk. I'm truly sorry and apologize profusely! ...but here in Seattle, we are just going crazy!

    Again, my sincere apologies! ...it definitely won't happen again :p

    --'rocco
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    I picked up my Platinum Silver S+ Friday and really haven't had a real chance yet to truly evaluate it. But my general impressions so far are, of course, favorable. The engine idles much more quietly than I expected! ...very impressive! Some quick questions if any of you have time to respond:

    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 :p

    --'rocco
  • francisgafrancisga Member Posts: 6
    Can't help you with much, except:

    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.
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Francis-- Thanks for your comments! So cargo mat = cargo tray? Okay, that's what I suspected after looking at it again since it does appear to be somewhat of a tray.

    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 :( ...at least it's not as much of a jump in idle as my old 4Runner! Thanks much for the explanation; it sure is appreciated!

    --'rocco
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Hmm, I don't recall deleting anything of yours. Did you check your e-mail for any messages from us? FWIW, the boards did go down a couple of times last week and some posts may have been inadvertantly lost.

    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.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Our Outback has a foam-like cargo tray (with bins) just above the spare tire (lift the cover and there it is). We also have the cargo mat, which is just a rubber mat that fits the entire rear cargo area. I think the Foresters are the same.

    -Brian
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Brian-- hmmm, then maybe I am missing something?? ...a foam-like tray with bins? Okay, I won't let this issue drop quite yet. I guess further checking is in order. Thanks for taking the time to comment!

    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
  • felch1felch1 Member Posts: 19
    I own a 2002 Forester S premium. When the sunroof is opened All the way back, I notice there is a rattle either from the glass portion or the sun shade. As I move it forward, it goes away. Any ideas?
    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
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    Just think of the 'cargo mat' as a big ol' floor mat for your trunk.

    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
  • perritoperrito Member Posts: 66
    This is not really directed at you as a personal attack, but why not read your owner's manual?
    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...
  • grayowlgrayowl Member Posts: 1
    From cold start I hear a bang from the engine not all the time.
    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!!!
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    rocco,

    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.
  • russ9406russ9406 Member Posts: 30
    I have a 2001 S+ and the moonroof will rattle when open fully. My manual clearly states not to drive with it fully open, the stop just before full open, is OK. What does your 2002 manual say? Your manual also has the maintenance schedule your 1st oil change is 3000 miles and your first tire rotation is 7,500.

    Great car enjoy

    Russ
  • rneselrnesel Member Posts: 5
    From reading these posts, and other boards, seems lots of Forester folks average about 24-25 mpg...and then there are those who range from 15-20 mpg. Is this a "real life" difference between the auto and manual transmissions? or just a fluke? Would love to hear from people with auto trannys, especially with the newer 2001/2002 engines.
  • bigfrank3bigfrank3 Member Posts: 426
    My wife's '01 auto gets in the 20 to 21 MPG range. For comparison, my '01 5MT gets 22 to 23. We both have about 7500 miles and drive some back roads and some highway, but no stop and go. I drive a bit faster that she does and could probably get 24 if I slowed down.

    We have oxygenated fuel here in MA and that doesn't help.

    Regards,
    Frank
  • gossamargossamar Member Posts: 106
    Wife's blue auto "S" gets about 19-20 with almost all in town driving and the air on and Illinois gas.. On trips we can get 25+ on mostly interstate travel. Depends on how much I put my foot into it. Worst mileage on interstate was going across south dakota with a 40+ headwind, got about 21. Now I understand why they close the state down when it snows....
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    Here's a new topic that some of you may be interested in. Feel free to join in!
    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
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    2001 S purchased in January. Last 3 times filled up at exactly the 3/4 empty mark. Mileage readings 275, 279.4, 277. Gallons 10.3, 10.5, 9.1 which reads out in mpg 27, 26.6, 30.4, respectively.
    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
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    What I mean is, should not the increase in mpg come with an increase in miles at the same amount of gallons, rather than a decrease in gallons at the same amount of miles?
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Hi Kate!-- Thank you! hmmm, I was just thinking how nice the silverthorn color is when I saw one yesterday *lol* ...it's a unique shade of silver where platinum silver seems like every other manufacturer's silver color. Not that I don't like the "standard" silver; I've got another car that's just about the same shade and have had many silver colored cars in my life. I really like the silver paint color on vehicles for some reason.

    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
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Brian-- yeah, it seems that it would be just the opposite ...that Outbacks should have them and not the Forester. Afterall, you have a locking gas filler door and a lighted glove box! ...*argh* shouldn't the Forester have those two features??? *looks mad*

    Thanks, Brian!

    --'rocco
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    rocco - No problem - glad to help. I agree - the Outback should also have a full-size spare. But, that's a different topic. :)

    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
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Joe-- You didn't use 1 gallon less, you used 1.4 gallons less (that 4/10 of a gallon is actually quite a bit of gas) and while you did go 2.4 miles less, that would actually "help" your calculation. So: 277 divided by 9.1 = 30.43956 which you calculated correctly. Now to answer your question, only you know why you got better gas mileage on that last tank... more highway miles, less stop and go driving, maybe no a/c going, less load in the vehicle, etc. No matter what, over 30 mpg sounds pretty impressive for a Forester! Oh, another thing which will effect your calculation of a particular mpg reading is where you topped off your tank when filling... sometimes you might fill it just a little bit less than other times, etc. ...and that will obviously play a part in the calculation. For this reason, a truer mpg statement would probably be to take the average of several tanks so in your illustration your average mpg would be approximately 27.8-27.9 mpg.

    --'rocco
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Brian-- Yeah, I've read some of Patti's posts already and have actually talked to her in the chat room once and she seems so cool!

    This forum here at Edmunds is abosolutely fantastic!

    btw, how do you "bold" your print??

    --'rocco
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    '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

  • forest7forest7 Member Posts: 8
    Joe,

    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.
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Ken-- That's a great reference page! Thank you! I'll have to bookmark that page. I'm not only a Subie newbie but obviously also a techno-newbie! Thanks also for the speaker info that you posted over at i-club. I'm going to look into that in the next few weeks. Again, I appreciate your being so helpful!

    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
  • rneselrnesel Member Posts: 5
    BigFrank3 and Gossamer...thanks for the detailed info...helps me keep my expectations pegged to reality.
  • pattim3pattim3 Member Posts: 533
    news affiliate here. There was a horrific 9 car accident caught on film in CA. Thank God no one was seriously injured or killed. After the first collision (stalled van in the left lane rear ended by a sports car), you see a Forester driver just "dance" his white Forester around the accident. The driver had great control and did not appear to make any impact. When I saw the Forester get on the screen, I held my breath, but it was great to see it and it's driver go unscathed. Try to catch it today on TV?

    Patti
  • joseph50joseph50 Member Posts: 235
    Forest7 and 'rocco; yes, the gallons are "clicked" amounts, and I do have a light foot.
    (Driving defensively, even a light brake foot.)
    Thanks for your conjectures.
    Joe
  • lakepoplakepop Member Posts: 221
    The recent comments on computing gas mileage and topping/rounding off the fill up have another value. If you overfill the tank there is a possibility that you will throw a CEL because of the sensitivity of the emission system.
    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.
  • subearusubearu Member Posts: 3,613
    I think even the owner's manual states that you should stop filling up once you hear the 'click'.

    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
  • scirocco22scirocco22 Member Posts: 721
    Brian and lakepop-- Thanks for the warning on not to "top off" ...I'm one who just can't resist the temptation of continuing filling after the "click" so I'm going to have to remember to be extra diligent when going to the pump for my first fill-up. I think it goes back to the days of the gas shortages (ooops, me thinks I'm giving away my age :p) when I wanted to cram as much gas into the car as possible.

    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
  • subaru_teamsubaru_team Member Posts: 1,676
    I enjoyed chatting with you. If you do not get satisfaction with the post delivery problems, please let us know?

    I'm glad you are "one of us"!!!

    Patti
  • kenskens Member Posts: 5,869
    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
  • texsubarutexsubaru Member Posts: 242
    I have AT in my Forester and usually average in the lower 20s (23-ish mpg) in mixed city/highway driving. I *might* have a fairly heavy foot, and, living Central Texas (high yesterday: 102 degrees F.), run the air-conditioning constantly.
  • jackleungjackleung Member Posts: 79
    Is the seat belt light will turn on if U guys DON'T put on the driver side seat belt? Mine will not on to remind me and I thought it was normal. But I just found there are electric wires connect it (on the right hand side of the the driver seat) and it should be the sensor (if not, what is it for???). If so, how come my seat belt light will not on when I didn't plug in the seat belt?

    Rgds,
    Jack
  • bean12bean12 Member Posts: 3
    Does anyone know the capacity of the cooler/warmer that Subaru sells as an accessory? I found a cheaper one that is an 18-liter capacity 17 X 17 X 14. I want to buy it, unless the Subaru one is bigger and better.
  • originalbitmanoriginalbitman Member Posts: 920
    The accessory brochure doesn't give a capacity spec.

    bit
  • jackleungjackleung Member Posts: 79
    I don't think the stock one will be better.
    Try Walmart (www.walmart.com) and they have some made by coleman

    Rgds,
    Jack
  • lark6lark6 Member Posts: 2,565
    I picked up a copy of the new evo magazine (I really should subscribe) at a bookstore yesterday. Subaru UK has taken out a 2-page ad for the Forester S turbo featuring a stuffed toy rabbit wearing a traffic policeman's day-glo yellow jacket. The rabbit is positioned at the outside of a sweeping gravel right-hander and is pointing a radar gun at the road. The caption: "We strongly advise you to leave the rally-style driving to the professionals."

    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
  • kate5000kate5000 Member Posts: 1,271
    There's an interesting write-up on a few SUVs: Tribute/Escape, Exploder, and Santa Fe.

    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!
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