Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

ateixeira · July 2002

Squeak? Check the sways, grease the sway bar bushings every time you rotate your tires.

Duck: you can remove the ash tray itself easily. Pull it out to the detent, then squeeze the top and bottom together, and pull it all the way out. That should give you a look at how much room you have there.

Subaru sells clamps for the roof rack, I think Darlene said they were $7 or so. It's worth getting them for a custom fit.

You could even use thick tie straps, and dispose of them after each use. I'd add a couple of bungees to be safe. Cops use them to handcuff thieves, so they can be very strong.

The interval for the timing belt is a long, long 105k miles, with an inspection at 90k. More than that and you're pushing your luck. Even designs that are non-interference will at a minimum leave you completely stranded.

I believe the air intake is behind the passenger side headlamp, at about waist level. The silencer ought to do a pretty good job of draining any water that manages to get in through there, just don't floor the throttle as you cross the water so it doesn't suck the water in.

If you do get water in there, cut the engine immediately. Then pull the plugs, spray in some WD40, and turn the starter a couple of times. If you are lucky, she'll be fine. But water doesn't compress like air does, so say your prayers.

-juice (who has watched two cars go through that process)

masan · July 2002

I finally took the leap and am now the proud owner of my first Subaru! A couple of days ago, I drove the new CR-V. It's a nice vehicle, but I was not comfortable driving it. It felt awkward to me. I got in the Forester and felt quite at home zipping it around town. The rear window visibility was superior to that of the CR-V. My decision came down to two vehicles: either the 2003 Honda Accord sedan yet to be released or the 2003 Forester.

Thanks to Edmunds for the invoice pricing and to this forum for all the good information!

ducktapeguy · July 2002

juice,
I already tried removing the ashtray, but the opening is covered, so I can't really tell what's underneath it. There's a small opening where I could fit my finger through, all I felt were some wires and something else. I'll probably end up just taking the dash off to see for myself.

Where can I order these clamps you're talking about? I've been checking the different sites, but all the one's I've seen have been pretty expensive, by the time I add up all the components, it ends up being >$100 just for the mounts. Thanks

christopher14 · July 2002

Just went over 2000 miles on our 2003 Forester. Had some enjoyable day trips on the Mid-Atlantic Eastern Shore (MD/VA/NC), and even got 29 mpg on one day, most of which was 55 mph highway driving. We are certainly enjoying the Forester. It is a nice ride! We also got one of those cooler/warmers and it worked well on those trips. Saved money having our own picnic lunches!
The only concern I have, and I will bring it up with the dealer at the 3K oil change, is that when in traffic from 25 - 35 mph, and traffic is slowing down, speeding up, etc., the tranny (which is automatic) seems to shift awfully hard when I accelerate. Any ideas? Also, any advice on not getting a snow job from the dealer would be greatly appreciated.
Juice: Where in Brazil do you live? I visited Rio in 1990 when I was in the Navy, and really enjoyed a tour to Petropolis. They had a local beer there that was only sold in that region, but was most excellent.

Chris

gened1 · July 2002

Does anyone know where I could purchase an electoluminescent indiglo gauge cluster for my 2002 Forester?
My wife has it in her Sebring Convertible and it is really cool. White faced during the day and WOW at night!
Thanks for any information.
Gene

skooterpie · July 2002

Hi all,
Could anyone out there furnish me Darlene's phone number over at Quality Subaru Parts & Accessories as their website doesn't seem to be active anymore. Do they still exist???????
Thanks,
/Scott

stever · July 2002

iirc, Darlene moved on months ago. Juice?

Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards

p0926 · July 2002

Darlene has been unable to fill orders for quite some time. The dealership is either bankrupt or close to it.

-Frank P.

kate5000 · July 2002

so, is any way to keep A/C in auto mode but in recirc (hate those fumes sucked in from outside)?

splurger · July 2002

Gosh I like the blue,
but I want the sunroof too...
What am I to do?

(

eps105 · July 2002

Yup. As I concluded in some of my previous posts, the XS auto climate control never really goes into a manual mode, more like semi-automatic.

Whatever button you push puts that button (and only that button) in manual mode, but leaves everything else in Auto mode, even though the Auto light turns off.

So when you press RECIRC to turn it on, you will force the climate control to stay in Recirc mode and the Auto light will turn off, but your temperature settings, fan speed, a/c, and vent location settings will still be controlled automatically!

When you've driven out of the nasty fumes, just press the Auto button again to let the climate control decide if Recirc needs to be on or off.

Now that I understand how this works, I like the auto climate control EVEN MORE! Sometimes I find that when it is trying to initially cool down the cabin, it stays on fan speed 4 for a while, and the noise and blowing cold air can get annoying. So I sometimes set it on 3 until the interior temp comes down a little more (but slower than if it stayed on 4) and then put back in Auto, as it gradually brings the fan speed down to 2 and 1. It works great!

Elliot

eps105 · July 2002

Get the silver! That's what.

OK, I could be cute and make mine rhyme too, but I'm lazy. :-b

I wanted the blue, too but - - and this is just my opinion - - I think the new blue has a little more purple in it and is targeted to the many women who buy the Forester. (2/3 of sales are to women.) Maybe a deeper blue would be good, but this just isn't that masculine.

The silver was my alternate choice and in the monochrome form is simply gorgeous! I'm very glad I got it.

By the way, the silver looks absolutely GREAT with a hand-painted electric blue pinstripe - - so you can get your blue that way!

Elliot

rsholland · July 2002

This is progress?!

Again I say, the manual setup found on the X model is simpler and makes more sense.

Bob

ateixeira · July 2002

masan: congrats! Join us on Thursday for the chat and tell us all about it - live!

duck: $100? Ouch. Darlene's dealership went out of business. Try parts@libertysubaru.com.

Chris: I'm from Recife, in the northeast. I currently live in DC, though I'm a Brazilian citizen.

Indiglo gauges? I've heard of white faced ones, maybe you could customize the bulb color. Try i-club.com, under Mods.

I like the Silver too, is it still called Silverthorn?

-juice

gened1 · July 2002

I have done a little research and had the following sent to me contact the link if you are interested!

Gene

Hello,

While we have not been looking to produce the Subaru Forester, we are always open to producing vehicles which have not yet been produced. We have a great program for vehicles which people would like to see get made, but have not yet been made on our Website called the "Model Development Program". If you would like, we can put your vehicle up on there, and if we get 10 people willing to pay $49.99 each, we will make the gauges. If you would like us to do this let us know, and we will put your vehicle in the Model Development Program.

If you would like to learn more about the "Model Development Program", you can go to our Website:

http://www.streetracerparts.com/2color_style.htm

Let us know.

Thank you!

Have a great day!

Customer Service

S/R Motorsports

www.streetracerparts.com

----- Original Message

ateixeira · July 2002

Are the guages the same as for the Impreza? If so it would be a lot easier to find that many buyers.

-juice

gened1 · July 2002

I don't know if they have one for the Impreza but that dash cluster is not the same as the Forester is it? In fact I don't know if 98-02 Forester dash clusters are the same. Maybe you would know that information?
Gene

masan · July 2002

Since I prefer a darker shade of blue, I passed on the blue Forester. My mother also referred to it as "purple."

Last year's green Forester was more of a yellow green than a blue green. I haven't seen a green 2003.

I wanted the gray interior of the blue and the red exterior! The more I looked at the red with the tan/black interior though, the more it grew on me. I especially like the contrast of the tan/black.

masan · July 2002

When should I wax the '03, and what can I use that will protect the red paint, not damage it?

What is the best product to use on the black or gray cladding of the X?

What are the do's and don't's of breaking in a new car? Keep it below X RPM's? Keep it below XX MPH?

Thanks!

eps105 · July 2002

Most of your questions are answered in the instruction manual. I think it says (or I've read elsewhere) it's best to wait 90 days after the date of mfr. to wax a car.

Zymol is the #1 top rated wax in Consumer Reports and is clear coat safe. It's available just about everywhere now. I bought some at Target.

For the gray cladding, I use gold 'ol Armour All. Spray it on a cloth until damp, and then wipe it all over the cladding. It's much easier and faster to take care of than painted surfaces. That's why many people actually prefer the L and X models.

Don't get the wax on the cladding, and don't get the Armour All on the paint. Wax on the gray cladding can be finnesed out with a soft bristle toothbrush and a little patience.

Break in is first 1,000 miles, no more than 4,000 RPM except for emergencies.

eps105 · July 2002

Bob,

Everyone's got their opinions, but I had manual climate control on my '99 Forester L and now have auto on my '03 Forester XS Premium, and I definitely like the XS better. You never have to fiddle with the fan speed or temperature control to keep it comfortable when cruising. This is most appreciated when you're driving on a partly cloudy day and go from bright sunshine to cool cloud cover and don't have to adjust the temperature.

I know I scared some people off with my in-depth analysis trying to figure it out, but now that I understand it, I like it even more than I thought I would.

Juice - the silver is called Platinum Silver Metallic, and while it's new for the Forester, it's a carryover from other existing Subie's - the Impreza I think. The only other silver car on Earth that looks even better is the silver VW Jetta, which was my inspiration for wanting a silver car. (OK, the silver BMW 3-series looks pretty good, too!)

Elliot

chaynes1 · July 2002

Anyone know an E-vendor that sells the glue-on rear bumper cover to fit 2003 Forester XS. The dealer-installed one has "Forester" on it and fits about 80% of the depressed area on top of bumper.
Charlie

burnsmr4 · July 2002

Man, I love those Indiglo gauges. They'd hurt my eyes, though, after awhile, I think. I have a couple of those Indiglo nightlights in my apartment, and they're bright as hell when your eyes adjust to the darkness.

Later,
burnsmr4

gened1 · July 2002

It looks like there is a dimmer included to control the intensity of the display.
My wife's Sebring display is really nice and if I could get that look for my Forester WOW! White in the daytime and electroluminescent green/blue at night.
Gene

paisan · July 2002

I gotz to get me some of them Indiglo guagez! I guess you are looking to get some 22" dubs on there too eah? Chillinz in de hood yo!

-mike

rsholland · July 2002

From what I've been reading, you don't have complete (manual) control when the "AUTO" is turned off. That's what I (and my wife) object to.

We only use the A/C when it's hot and uncomfortable. Otherwise we just use the outside air and the fan. If it's nice out we have the windows and moonroof open. In that situation, I want complete "manual" control of the fan, etc.

To me this sounds like "gimmickry," pure and simple. I don't see the quality of life being improved, but instead being intruded upon.

Bob

paisan · July 2002

I have auto-controls on my Trooper and will soon have em on my SVX. I know on the trooper it's 100% controllable, and pretty sure it is on the SVX also.

-mike

rsholland · July 2002

Read some of the earlier posts here. Don't go by what your Trooper has. Each brand does it differently. I had auto A/C on my '86 Saab 9000, and it was not 100% manually controllably. Don't ask me why or how, as it it's been over 15 years since I had that car. I just remember I hated the the auto A/C that it had.

Bob

paisan · July 2002

Just curious what control was not manually controllable, and I don't feel like sifting through the posts

hee hee.

-mike

eps105 · July 2002

The climate control isn't 100% manually controllable, more like 95%. Remember from my posts, what I said is that for each control you set manually, it keeps everything else automatic. The only exception is the temperature control. Twisting the temp knob will not change the mix of hot and cold like a manual, it will simply blow either fresh or heated air in an attempt to achieve the interior temperature you have set on the dial.

So, if for example you press the A/C button to turn off the A/C, twist the fan knob to speed 2, and set the outlets to the dashboard outlets, the system will in fact be entirely overridden and stay in those positions. If the temp knob is set at 75 and it is 80 out, it will blow in fresh, unheated 80 degree air, just like a manual system.

I frequently do what Bob does - turn off the A/C and open my moonroof, and it requires no more button pushing than a completely manual control.

I've said this before in earlier posts and I'll say it again -- the system is not that complicated and is very easy to use once you understand "the rules." I definitely like it better than my old manual control.

Elliot

rsholland · July 2002

<< Twisting the temp knob will not change the mix of hot and cold like a manual, it will simply blow either fresh or heated air in an attempt to achieve the interior temperature you have set on the dial. >>

So how do you adjust the temperature, if the AUTO function is turned off? If you turn down the temp reading, does it blow in cool outside airwithout turning on the A/C?

Bob

gened1 · July 2002

Yo P
Do me
a fav
cut back on the caffeine
in yo hood
LOL
Gene

eps105 · July 2002

<< So how do you adjust the temperature, if the AUTO function is turned off? If you turn down the temp reading, does it blow in cool outside air—without turning on the A/C? >>

This goes back a week or so to my original posts where I thought in manual mode it would behave like a conventional temp knob, but it does not.

I think it was Bear that pointed out that the temp knob still **tries** to maintain the interior temp set, no matter what.

"Tries" is key because without the A/C, if the exterior air temp is higher than the temperature set (let's say 80 outside 75 set), then it will just blow unheated, 80 degree air knowing it'll never get down to 75. Even though the "75" position on the dial is mid-way between hot and cold on a manual scale, it still will not add any heat.

Now, if I turn the temp knob up to 85 in manual mode, and it is 80 outside, it will add heat up to the point that it is 85 inside and then maintain it by adjusting the mix of heated and fresh air.

This differs from a completely manual climate control where if you turn the temp all the way up, it will keep blowing out burning hot air forever and could get 95 degrees inside.

So in other words, even in manual mode, it will still automatically adjust the fresh vs. heated air mix to obtain the interior temperature set.

I don't know how much better I can describe this, so I think this will be my last post on the subject!

I suggest you buy one and see for yourself!!

paisan · July 2002

That is exactly how my Trooper works with the temp analog temp control. What I usually do when I want to open air the car is turn the fan off, and flip down the temp to "65" and open up the roof, this will draw in air through the vents (whatever can get forced through by the car movement) and not add any heat. I'll have to try and see if it will add any heat if I move it up from 65 but below ambient temp. On mine I can also turn off the A/C completely by hitting the button, it won't override it even if I put on the defroster.

-mike

masan · July 2002

Thanks for the info!

masan · July 2002

Where can I order touch-up paint for the '03 Forester online? It didn't take long for a stone to hit the side of my new vehicle. :-( Do the experts in paint and body shops ever take on little touch-up jobs?

varmint · July 2002

Masan - I've had good luck with Paintscratch.com, but a quick check shows that they don't have the '03 model, yet. If you can wait, you might want to try them later on.

jimbob17 · July 2002

My father told me many years ago never get a real dark or real light car they show dirt too much. He also said a real dark car is too hot in the summer (that was before auto A/C). Thats why I got the silver 2003 Forester. No regrets yet.

sierratrip · July 2002

Just a couple of questions now that the summer heat has hit.

My 2002 Forester manual say that when using the A/C the air flow control should be set to intake outside air. This seems like a good idea until the car gets cool enough, but it doesn't seem very efficient to keep cooling 95 degree air instead of re circulating the much cooler interior air.

Isn't this making the engine and cooling system work harder than it needs to?

Also, if you had the windows tinted on your model how much of a difference did that make? And how well does the tinting resist scratching and nicks in the rear cargo area? I do a lot of camping and am concerned that duffel bags etc. might beat it up pretty good.

Any feedback is much appreciated!

Sincerely,
Donn

ducktapeguy · July 2002

I tinted my forester, it makes a pretty big difference because of all the glass. It cuts down on the heat a lot, and provides some privacy. If you're worried about scratching it, I think the metallic tints are supposed to hold up better, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it. I throw a lot of stuff in the back of my car, and haven't scratched mine yet. But if I do, the place where I got it done has a lifetime replacement warranty, maybe most other places do too.

gened1 · July 2002

I tinted my 02 Foresters' windows and it makes a world of difference in glare control and the A/C will freeze you out even on low settings in 80+ degree weather IF you slide the air flow control to recirculate the inside air.
The metallic tint seems to hold up well too! (However check your local traffic laws, in some areas the police are really cracking down on tint that is too dark!
Hope this helps.
Gene

paisan · July 2002

I use the recirc all the time on my AC units. Why cool down the hot outside air rather than re-cool the already cool interior air?

I plan on getting the SVX tinted just not sure if I'll go with 30% or 20%.

-mike

ateixeira · July 2002

By the time a car arrives at the dealer, it's already OK to wax it, to feel free. Subaru actually cures the paint at the factory.

I don't use anything on the lower cladding. I love the stuff, it's like teflon and mine looks as new even after 4 years of abuse. Hose it off, you're done. You don't even need soap most of the time.

The fender flares are a different story. Their color dulls slightly over time.

Touch up paint and the rear bumper cover? E-mail parts@libertysubaru.com to get a quote. They have the lowest prices I've seen, and you guarantee a correct fit and color match.

-juice

mckeown · July 2002

I bookmarked the URL sent out a few months ago in the 'Drive' magazine. It's prices have now been updated, most lower....

http://www.subaru.com/mailing/accessory/chart.htm

ducktapeguy · July 2002

I seem to recall that the roof rack capacity for the forester is 150 lbs, but I can't find any mention of that on the subaru website. Is this rating limited by the thin crossbars, or the actual structure and vehicle dynamics of the car. I'm pretty sure the roof can hold more than 150 lbs, actually, I know for a fact it can hold more than 300 lbs (when parked), but I'm not too sure about the rails that hold the crossbars. Sometime I tie things down to the factory rails, but I'm always concerned about ripping the rails right off the roof when I tighten the ropes.

paisan · July 2002

150lbs is the weight it can hold if you don't want to flip it over. Basically unless you are putting lead weights on the roof anything over 150lbs will significantly change the center of gravity and the frontal area. This can lead to instabilities and thus Subaru is limiting their liability for injury etc.

-mike

maverick1017 · July 2002

As I posted at I-club

Check this site

http://www.importintelligence.com/index.html

They may have what you are looking for...

Mike

gened1 · July 2002

Mike,
I went to their site and I did not find an address for the company and most everything they have has a "coming soon" added to it or the page can't be displayed. Forester was spelled wrong and when I let my cursor rest on the gauge cluster they showed for the Forester, a "coming soon" popped up.
Have you ordered from them before and if so how are they to deal with?
Thanks for the information
Gene

tlunzu · July 2002

My experience with my 98' Forester AC system is that -oddly enough- it seems to cool more efficiently when working on external air, no matter how warm this is already. When working with internally recirculated air, it cools down less.

Does anybody have the same experience? Any explanations?

Tomas

rsholland · July 2002

for the Forester; for all other Subies it's 100 pounds.

<< Is this rating limited by the thin crossbars, or the actual structure and vehicle dynamics of the car. >>

Probably all of the above, and an equal part of high-priced corporate lawyer's advice.

Bob

Subaru Forester (up to 2005)

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles