Subaru Legacy/Outback

goosegog · February 2002

fibber2 said: The first hit on the 'open' button unlocks the drivers door (& chirps) as I approach from as much as 75'. But I sometimes have to hit it again a number of times to get the rest of the doors to unlock. Sometimes I need to be standing right next to the car to get the second sequence. I have tried varying the repetition rate, etc., but cannot find the right combination.

Exactly my experience with my 00 OB from new. Annoys my wife when I think I've unlocked the doors 3 or 4 times and get in, leaving her out in the rain. I suppose I should open and hold the door for her like a true gentleman.

Paisan: I don't see why running the bulbs at less than full voltage (80% if I remember the manual correctly) should harm them; I suggest the opposite is true and they will last a lot longer. I believe that is the reason for the reduced power. Conventional incandescent bulbs that is, not the arc-type ones seen on new BMWs and Mercs. And as has been pointed out, they are supposed to make you much more visible to other drivers and pedestrians...in Canada DRLs have been law since 1990 and buses have been doing it even longer. I think the Swedes started the practice in the 70's.

As a matter of interest I have two left-over UK-issue 240V 40W bulbs illuminating a couple of closets in my house; they have been on continously for over 11 years. At 120V they produce less than 50% of the intended illumination (and heat) but that's enough for a closet.

nowakj66 · February 2002

(Cross posted to WRX Wagon list)

Well spousal deliberations were made, future utilities calculated and I made my choice . . . . .

I am driving a Wintergreen LL Bean H6!

I also got a Blue WRX! Unfortunately the WRX is a 2 dimensional model -- a poster of the rally car from the dealer's parts department! :-) It fits just fine in the Bean!

Yes WRX wagon fans -- I just could not make the case for the stick WRX. My wife has driven sticks in South America for her botanical research. But she knew she would not get to drive the WRX much and was afraid that lack of practice would yield an accident in the wrong set of cirumstances.

In the end I had to get something we could both drive comfortably -- otherwise the wagon utility would only be useful to me.

In any event -- the LL Bean is a GREAT car. After 200 miles my evaluation is that it is definitely a car I can keep 10 years -- the only way it seems you come out on a new car -- buy and hold.

The LL Bean is roomy, suprisingly luxorious, and very peppy.

First true new car for me in 35 years of life -- others were used (and wife's Volvo s-40 was new). Prelude came with 15,000 miles on it.

Coming from a 1992 Prelude, the feeling of control and quiet is magnitudes different. The car is so quiet that I am always driving faster than I think I am since I am so used to the motor and road sound in the Prelude.

This quietude was nice but cost me a speeding ticket yesterday! Also a first. Argh!

Oh well -- a cheap lesson that the car is faster than I think it is which might save an accident or a life.

-- Joe

bkaiser1 · February 2002

Check out etrailer.com if you plan to install the hitch yourself...$90 for an Outback hitch is a hell of a lot more reasonable than the $300 dealer hitch. I have not ordered from them yet, but I also plan to put a hitch on my 01 OB (as well as my girlfriend's 01 CRV) and these hitches seem to be priced better than most. Installation seems simple enough, too.
Brian

ateixeira · February 2002

Congrats, Joe. Take it wasy with that H6, or you'll get another ticket! ;-)

-juice

rob999 · February 2002

Thanks to participants on this board, I ordered a 'Hidden Hitch' brand trailer hitch for my Outback from 1800hitchit.com and was pleased with the service and results. You'll need to order the light conversion module (includes flat-four extension), too. The whole installation process was fairly easy. The only odd part was fishing the mounting bolts through the OB subframe, but the Hidden Hitch installation kit supplies special wires for doing that.

The factory wiring taillight connector is inside the passenger side inner quarter panel. The light conversion module plugs into that, and you can store it in the spare tire compartment.

As (all manufacturers') hitches are prone to collecting road salt and the powder coat finishes tend to rust through in a couple years in the upper Midwest, I wanted to protect it as much as possible. Prior to installing the hitch, I filled the open box tubing sections with expanding foam (NOT THE RECEIVER TUBE, though) to prevent crud from accumulating inside. Then I gave it a heavy coat of brush-on metal primer followed by a coat of semi-gloss black. We'll see how it looks long-term, but after 1.5 winters it still looks good.

mikenk · February 2002

I bought both. Actually, I bought the VDC wagon for our family car and the WRX wagon for my runabout. We think of the WRX as a brash little brother of the refined VDC. My wife thinks they look real cute together in the garage.

Mike

c_hunter · February 2002

Congrats! Now there are two of us that went from a Prelude to a Bean wagon. Though the Prelude was faster, I agree that it's easier to speed in the Bean. It's a lot more "subtle" all the way around.

My wife and I made a run up to IKEA yesterday for some furniture, and the Northern VA traffic was scary. Almost reminds me of Massachusetts they way they drive. All the while, I kept one hand near the horn button just in case. We were on the lookout for bad drivers, and saw about 4-5 near accidents.

On the way home, I decided to just get in the fast lane and haul [non-permissible content removed] home (outrunning bad drivers is also a good safety tactic in my book). The Bean cruises nicely at 85-90mph, almost too nicely. Very easy to go too fast in that car.

Craig

grahampeters · February 2002

G'day

I regularly tow a 6x4 trailer behind my Outback and have to say that it is the best four cylinder car I have ever come across. Very steady with excellent control under braking.

Cheers

Graham

rsholland · February 2002

is selling a very nice 4'6" x 8' Class I (2000 pound rating) utility trailer for $600. It can extend to 12', has a ramp, 15" - 18" steel sides, and a tilt feature.

It would be about perfect for a Subaru.

Bob

ateixeira · February 2002

You're not far from me, Craig. Traffic in that area is indeed awful. I haven't been to the new IKEA yet, is it nice?

Bob: wife veto'd the trailer idea. We're going to have wood chips delivered this year. I may expand the play area to about double its current size, so I need about 10 cubic yards anyway.

-juice

rsholland · February 2002

There's a new IKEA in the Balt/Wash area? The only ones I'm aware of are White Marsh, and Potomac Mills.

Bob

ateixeira · February 2002

The one in Potomac Mills moved to a new location (across the street) and was majorly updated.

-juice

hondafriek · February 2002

I never will be able to figure why anybody would want to turn DRLs off, anything that makes cars more visible on the road has my 100% support, and DRLs certainly make you more visible.

As for wearing out bulbs, thats a crock, both My 91 and 93 accord had DRLs and I never had to replace a bulb on either one, and even if you did replace bulbs occasionally, what price do you put on your life.

Cheers Pat.

rsholland · February 2002

nematode · February 2002

with the 2k OB Ltd. auto. We were down to 22mpg highway and having some engine knock problems before that.....now the last three tanks have been 24, 25, and 26mpg driving the same way and using the same gas and even filling up on the same days. I think there was something wrong that was fixed along the way or at the 30k. When it was new it was around 25-27highway so I'm pretty happy its getting back were it started.

paisan · February 2002

Obviously you guys don't live around here. Have you ever almost rear-ended someone because you couldn't see the back of their car? I have done it on a few occassions because idiots around here that have DRLs find they have no need to turn on their lights at night since "I can see where I'm going" same goes for rain/inclement weather "My headlights are on, so I didn't even think of it" I personally prefer marker lights (parking lights) like the ones found on the vettes/F-body cars to actual headlights. Also I believe DRLs should put on your parking lights as well, that would be effective. I especially hate the saturn ones because they are the high beams at full throttle! < / rant >

-mike

armac13 · February 2002

may, in some cases, be poor, but like Pat and Bob I am a whole-hearted supporter of them. They have been on all of my cars since '88 (89? 90? help me out Pat) and I have replaced 1 headlight bulb. I would happily (alright, not quite happily) replace 2 a year for the benefit of being easier to see. Having other cars being easier to see also is likewise appreciated.

Ross

c_hunter · February 2002

The new IKEA (Potomac Mills) is really nice. But, I had only visited the old one once, so I may not be the best judge. Both places blow my mind. The new place is of course nicer, with two stories of showroom/warehouse, a bigger restaurant, and a clean (and brightly lit) parking garage in the basement (I think I was most impressed by the parking garage). We went on Superbowl Sunday thinking it would not be as crowded as usual, but it still was. Got an unbelievably comfortable easy-chair for $99 and some nice wood bookshelves for $129, but did not find the pantry cabinet we were looking for. We ate at the nearby Silver Diner and had some good eats. A bacon cheeseburger and vanilla malt never tasted so good as after 3 hours in IKEA!

I support DRLs, but agree that they should have lights on all around the car. I still have the non-DRL instinct to turn on my lights during rain and at dusk, but it is a problem for other people who forget. They should make it idiot proof so that the DRLs switch to headlights when it gets dark.

Craig

paisan · February 2002

In broad daylight it does nothing at all to make you more visible. Why can't we hold people responsible for their actions? Should we put governors in the cars too? That would surely save more lives than DRLs ever will. You get my point...

-mike

c_hunter · February 2002

Actually, they do make cars more visible in broad daylight from a distance. From afar, you will always spot a DRL equipped car sooner than a non-DRL equipped car (this of course assumes you're looking at the front end). All a regular car can do is reflect ambient light, and the amount of reflection varies significantly depending on the car's color. In some cases, it can blend right in with the scenery. By generating artificial light in the form of two tightly focused beams, the DRL equipped car will stick out from the ambient light field. Unless you're driving on the planet Mercury where the ambient sun light would overpower DRLs, you'll always see the DRL vehicle sooner than the non-DRL one. Then again, you probably wouldn't be able to see either car on Mercury!

Craig

oregonboy · February 2002

I couldn't help myself - I had to include that subtitle.

Actually I have made it a habit of ALWAYS driving with my headlights on... ever since I owned my first car. I realized that my little gray BMW 1600 was practically invisible during the drizley-gray Oregon winters.

I also discovered that people are less inclined to pull out in front of you if you drive with your lights on during the day. The lights "project" your image forward, causing the other driver to pause to consider how close you actually are. During the pause, the distance between the vehicles diminishes enough to make pulling out impractical.

I agree about Saturn DRLs... too bright. Also too close together. Their close spacing gives the false impression that they are more distant that they actually are.

I would like to see an entire thread devoted to the use (and misuse) of automotive lighting. My personal pet peeves: people driving on 4-lanes on high-beams and never dimming, driving with parking light when headlights should be used (twilight time), misaligned lights, and FOG LIGHTS. (I know they are popular and I'm in the minority, but 99.9% of the time they are a fashion statement and are actually DISfunctional.)

rsholland · February 2002

of situations where cars, depending on the weather conditionsgray cloudy day, in wooded or shaded areas, where cars can disappear into the scenery. I know of several such areas out where I live where this is a common occurance. It's especially a problem with gray cars. Just like deer, and other animals the car's color and surrounding often blend together like camaflauge. This is when DRLs are excellent.

It's not an issue of responsibility, because the driver of the "camouflaged" vehicle is often unlikely to be aware that his or her vehicle is hard to see. If you're in a shaded area, but are looking out into a sunny, well-lit area, you probably are completely unaware that the car you are driving may be (to others) hard to see.

Bob

armac13 · February 2002

I too find the misuse of FOG lamps to be extremely common and annoying. They are to be used in (surprise) FOG! They are dysfunctional when the road is wet and there is no FOG as the cause considerable glare which interferes with the visibility of other drivers. There is an area (urban) close to home where almost every BMW has the FOG lamps on all the time. Many SUVs also tend to be guilty. I rarely see Subarus misbehaving in this manner, but last week I did see a Forester with the FOG lamps on at mid-day. The weather was clear and I was embarrassed for it. :-)

Ross

hondafriek · February 2002

DRLs. came in 1990, In Canada,Iknow for sure they were not on my 89Accord.

Cheers Pat.

sten2 · February 2002

I live in Fresno, CA and we have very bad fog in the winter. How much do fog lights help? What kind of lights and lenses work the best? Do they help when driving in blowing snow? Fog lights used to all have amber lenses- but most of the ones today are clear, like driving lights.

armac13 · February 2002

I was certain that you would know.

Ross

hammersley · February 2002

If my headlights weren't so weak (not dim, just not the best engineered) I'd be less inclined to use my fog lights all the time. For now, til I get better bulbs, they'll stay on most of the time I have my headlights on. The added "see and be seen" factor has something to do with it as well. I personally haven't been bothered by the glare of oncoming foggers, but I understand how others may have.

My wife is starting to drive her van with headlights on all the time... she otherwise seems to be invisible to a lot of drivers.

Cheers!
Paul

mortpeaberry · February 2002

If you drive a Volvo at night - You must turn on rear fog lights (if so Equipt) So that it gives the impression that you are always braking. This is especially true if you are driving a curvy mountain hwy in traffic when there might be a touch of high fog.

People who drive real european cars with ONE rear fog are exempted, as are anyone living in tule fog valley areas
thanks
steve-V

herbruss · February 2002

DRLs make a lot of sense to me. They do make cars stand out, especially those that are colored "drizzly day silver". I would like to see them turn on markers at the rear of the car as well. I've never had a bulb fail so early that I felt cheated. Always turn my lights on whenever it seems dim out.

Fog Lights. I live in the foothills west of Sacramento and when Fresno gets clouds I get fog. Also, get whiteouts in winter occasionally. There have been several times that it was so thick that I've had to take my spotlight and use it out the driver side window to keep the road (nice to live where there's no traffic). Fog lights definitely help. Yellow works better because your eyes are more sensitive to it.

My personal pet peeves include older Ford F150s, Broncos and Mustangs. Seems like they are aimed directly at my face. From the inside you can see everywhere but the road. Another one is the high beam butt rider (fog lights optional). They don't want to pass they just feel that you need more light. I have found that you can adjust the electric mirrors on the outback to give them a taste of their own medicine.

Herb

ffsteve · February 2002

Adjust mirrors to reflect high beams back to the following tail-gater? What a great idea!

Now, why didn't I think of that? I usually will just set the day/night control of the inside mirror to avoid the glare. Perhaps I'll try your trick next time...

wrobelc · February 2002

There were some recent posts on trailer hitch recommendations for the Outback. Is attaching a hitch to a Legacy Wagon, the same as for the Outback? Does anyone know if there is a wiring harness available for the hitch on the Legacy?

bozman9 · February 2002

Most of the time I would agree with you that fog lights are not needed. Up here in the rural areas of Mass. (Winchendon), the roads have NO additional lighting, are curvy and the reflective tape has been scraped off by the plows. I drive (at night) with my fogs on 24x7, just to help me see better. That way I don't blind other drivers (when there actually IS someone else on the road) but I get some better visibility. I wish the Outbacks had HID's. I have zero problems in my Audi and only turn on its fog lights when it's... FOGGY! :>

Thanks,

Jason B.
'02 Outback, AT

paisan · February 2002

Funny thing is I refer to most fog lamps on US cars as auxiliary lighting. Most vehicles can only have the fogs on with the headlights which negates any effect the fogs have on being useful in the fog. The idea is that the fog lights would go under the fog, but if you have your headlights on then they skew your vision. Also the most effective fog-light color is yellow, which I've seen 1 or 2 makes have yellow fogs. With that said, I usually keep my fogs on 24x7 on the Trooper due to the horribly designed headlights, just to have additional light on the road. On the XT6 I usually do about 50/50 with the fogs on. I absolutely hate VW/Volvo/Jaguar/Audi/MB/SAAB rear fog lights that appear as a brake light when it isn't foggy out! I usually put my Hella 4000s on when behind them so they know how it feels!

Tailgaters with bright lights never annoy me in my Trooper, with the power retracting mirrors, I am able to fold them in, and the spare tire and tinted windows generally will block a good deal of the direct light coming through

I see everyones point of DRLs, but I also still feel people should just be responsible enough to flick on their lights when necessary, which I usually do in bright sun, shade, etc, when I feel its necessary and prudent for safe driving. 90% of the time I drive with my parking lights on during the day as DRLs, just don't like headlight DRLs. I especially like the amber color of the Chrysler Mini-vans in Canada, they have a real nice Amber DRL color on them.

-mike

p0926 · February 2002

I use to hate them when I was younger. I had much the same attitude as Paisan in that I didn't want the government telling ME when I needed to use my headlights. My attitude changed one morning when I was driving to work and another driver pulled out right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes but still T-boned them with a fair amount of damage to both vehicles. Fortunately no one was hurt. The other driver didn't see me because the driver's window was still covered in condensation from the morning's dew. This coupled with the facts that it wasn't full daylight yet and that I was driving a hard to see black car were enough for her to miss seeing me. She got the ticket but I still feel bad because I know in my gut that if I'd had my lights on she would have seen me and stopped. Now I just leave my lights on always (isn't it great that you can do that with Subarus and not worry about draining the battery?).

On a daily basis, I see cars driving around at dusk and dawn with no lights on and practically invisible. And I know exactly what those drivers are thinking: "I can see fine so why should I turn my lights on?" Well of course the answer is because no one can see YOU.

mike- I know you don't like government intervention and feel that people should be held accountable for their own actions. However, when an irresponsible driver causes a fatal accident, what exactly do you say to the innocent victim's family?

Frank P.

paisan · February 2002

I understand your side, but "However, when an irresponsible driver causes a fatal accident, what exactly do you say to the innocent victim's family?" could be said about governors as well. no?

-mike

rob999 · February 2002

wrobelc:

I'm almost 100% certain that the trailer hitch for the Outback would indeed fit the Legacy Wagon. As I recall, the part lookup for the hitch and the wiring module referred to 'Legacy/Outback'.

-Rob

paisan · February 2002

Due to rear cladding? It would definitely bolt up, just not sure if it would clear the bumper in the same manner. Check the part #s by calling your local subie dealer though, and if the PN is the same, then you know any brand is interchangeable between the 2 vehicles.

-mike

bkaiser1 · February 2002

According to eTrailer.com, the DrawTite hitch (#36284) is the same for the 01 OB and the Legacy...they list them separately, for some reason, but it's the same part number. $90 for a DrawTite is the cheapest I've found, too. They say 40 minute "amatuer" install time, BTW. The wiring is apparently tucked into the rear qtr panel on the OB, but I'm not positive if it's the same for the Legacys.
Brian

subypower · February 2002

I find the fog lights on my Forester to be most helpful at night when there is snow or freezing rain. The way that the lights shine directly in front of you on the road gives you an excellent view of the road conditions.

viktoria_r · February 2002

it seems to me that my dimming mirror (01 Outback)does not dim lately. How dark should it become when there is someone with high beams behind you?
I turned it off/on again, and did not see much difference.

jamessubie02 · February 2002

Anyone know what the "bumper molding" option is? Worth it or not?

The reason I ask is that it is included on the 02 Outback Ltd 5 speed I am considering. First price quoted by the dealer was $24,900 (also comes with factory secutiy system option) Fair price?

paisan · February 2002

I would check the subaru part #s. Drawtite could have assumed they were the same. It wouldn't be the first time I've seen an aftermarket company with incorrectly matching part #s.

-mike

jamessubie02 · February 2002

Anyone know what the "bumper molding" option is? Worth it or not?

The reason I ask is that it is included on the 02 Outback Ltd 5 speed I am considering. First price quoted by the dealer was $24,900 (also comes with factory secutiy system option) Fair price?

herbruss · February 2002

The auto dimming mirror doesn't seem to dim enough for me, also. I like the compass but wish the gain on the dimming function was adjustable. I tried a sunscreen in the rear window but it just cut down the light to the sensor so it dimmed even less.

I learned about lights on when my neighbor turned left in front of a motorcycle in broad daylight, never even saw him. The biker didn't think the law in Illinois requiring full-time headlights was a good idea. He would have received a ticket if he'd made it. Neighbor took a long time to get over it.

Herb

paisan · February 2002

believe it or not, according to the National Highway Safety Board, or some other federal website, DRLs are not required on Cars or Motorcylces in any state. Although all motorcyles have them as std. equipment. I'll see if I can dig up the link.

-mike

jamessubie02 · February 2002

Anyone know what the "bumper molding" option is? Worth it or not?

The reason I ask is that it is included on the 02 Outback Ltd 5 speed I am considering. First price quoted by the dealer was $24,900 (also comes with factory secutiy system option) Fair price?

hypov · February 2002

Ask the Dealer if they're talking 'bout their own like:

http://i-club.com/forums/attachment.php?s=&postid=1193660

the moldings on my bumpers are dealer install end-to-end [front & back bumpers].
or

Subaru accessories like:

http://www.subaru.com/shop/OUTBACK/LLBEANEDITION/accessories/images/out_h6_rcbm.jpg

-Dave

paisan · February 2002

I believe it is this really cheesy rubber strips that you see on NYC cabs to prevent the bumper from being scratched by cars parallel parking. It wraps around the corners. I'd be ripping it off ASAP if it is what I think it is.

-mike

bkaiser1 · February 2002

You might be right...DrawTite lists the same hitch for the 2, but different draw bars and wiring kits.

About that bumper molding...god, if it's the Subaru molding that's in the picture, it's hideous! I've seen only a few on the road so equipped and they look terrible. Beyond that, I seriously doubt they will be saving any paint on the bumper. Someone on the board posted pics a few months ago of the bumper molding on his OB, but he had painted his to match...definately looked better than black, but still...

scirocco22 · February 2002

question: I notice when leaving the headlight switch on the "on" position at all times, as recommended by my salesperson, the headlights (full power) and all other exterior lights remain on from the moment the ignition switch is in the "on" position and through and during the engine cranking process. I know many manufacturers have "accessory cut-out" during engine cranking to alleviate additional stress on the battery. But on Subarus, I notice that all exterior lights, including the headlights (in full power mode) remain on during the engine cranking. Why is this? It would seem that they'd want to have at least the headlights "cut-out" momentarily during the engine cranking process to avoid the additional stress on the battery. I sort of cringe when I see the headlights dim as I'm cranking the engine and realize that it's not that big a deal (especially with a nice strong battery) but would it have been that much more of an expense to have the headlights momentarily shut off when starting the engine? Does this bother anybody else who leaves their headlight switch always in the "on" position? ...or should I not give it as much thought as I do?

--'rocco

Subaru Legacy/Outback

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