By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
I wish they all did that, LOL.
Get her up on ramps, then, with a cold engine, start her up and try to trace it. Wear thick gloves of course. Touch each shield you can reach, when it quiets the noise, you found it.
-juice
I also have a 2K OB wagon, and recently replaced the inserts (only). The brand is Pylon, and the driver's side is 22NR (for 22" narrow, stock number 1039) and the passenger's side is 20NR (stock 1042, I think, but partially mutilated from opening) - each pack had two inserts. Worked fine with OEM blade. For the rear wiper, a 15" Pylon insert (stock 1025), regular width. I'm in Seattle, and can't recall where I bought them, but you should be able to figure out which store (if any) distributes them in your area.
I usually go for inserts if the blades seem intact and fully functional, otherwise replace the whole assembly. On my Maxima, only the OEM insert would fit, and cost more than a Bosch blade, so I swapped out the whole thing at that point.
In San Antonio, the rubber used to rot out from the intense sun long before they were worn out from use - up here it's just the opposite.
Cheers from (sunny, finally) Seattle,
Ken
Took my first long trip with my 2001 LLBean. Loaded it with lots of fishing gear, beer and my buddy and drove to Tenn. (from N. Ill) to do some fishing. About 550 miles each way. The car had about 21000 at the start and our mileage was an amazing 28 MPG! We took the interstate as far as we could and had the A/C on about 75% of the time. Even with the Chicago traffic we got very good gas mileage. I use premium all the time.
The car ran great but my friend thought something was wrong with the brakes. I thought they felt normal, (little soft and makes noise for first few miles) He drives a Buick normally. That seems to be the norm, correct?
Also, I have never received a recall notice. Should I be calling someone to check if I need one?
Thanks, Dan
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Jim
But look at the ignition coil problem VW had, they're basically replacing all of those on the 1.8T engines. Millions I believe. And people were stalling on the sides of roads, not just having slow oil leaks.
Nobody's perfect, but VW is, well, much less perfect. ;-)
Also, check into this but back then VW had a 10/100 warranty that was *not* transferable, only the first 2 years would transfer. So you are on your own. You could buy a 4 years old Subie and still have a year left on the powertrain warranty, which BTW would cover a gasket.
-juice
Michael
Greg
Steve
Was planning to stop by Autozone or Pep Boys (also check at Wal-Mart while there on another errand) to pick up an aftermarket air filter. I see on Autozone.com that the available aftermarkets are STP SA9113 and Fram CA9113 and are in the $12-13 range.
But some messages on this board have made me question whether I should go by the dealer and pick up an OEM. Alldata lists the OEM air filter as costing $14.95. Is that what I can expect to pay at the dealer? Or will it be much more expensive at the dealer? Another option is to try the online parts suppliers.
The other question is: Is the OEM better than aftermarket? If so, how much better and how much more should I be willing to pay for that extra quality? If I can get the OEM for only two dollars more than an aftermarket, is that the way to go?
I plan to also pick up spark plugs, but probably will not have time to do that job until June 18, the day my 10 weeks of freedom begins (I'm a teacher). Recommendations on plugs? NGK or Bosch Supers? I generally don't use platinums, preferring good ole' copper.
--K9Leader
2000 OB Ltd H4 wagon
Greg
Also, when I had new plugs put in my OB, the dealer wanted $50 extra for platinum plugs. So, I went and purchased Bosch platinum plugs for a total of $8 and had the dealer install those.
-vetmats
Haven't been around in a while, but we're still loving the Outback after 2 1/2 years. Question, we need new tires. I've searched through the discussions on the boards as well as looked at ratings on sites such as Tire Rack, and it seems that for Northeast driving I want either the Michelin Pilots (I'm assuming the Sport A/S for winter traction), or the Dunlop SP Sport A2's. Does anyone here have strong feelings either way? Is there another option for very snowy winters and good all around performance that I'm overlooking? I have to say that I have had Michelins the last two times on my Explorer and love them. Thanks -
Jeannette
On the plugs, I can't remember ever going with Champions (well, maybe on my lawn mower). I've always used NGK or Bosch. I stopped using platinums -- I think power/performance suffers, which I am not usually willing to trade off for the (much) longer life. Unless the plugs are really, really hard to change (like on my wife's Toyota Sienna, and most FWD V6s) I will stick with copper plugs. With the exception of having to move some stuff to get to the Subaru's plugs, the job doesn't look too difficult so doing it every 30K is reasonable (and it looks to be easier or about the same difficulty level as on my 1994 Lincoln Mark VIII, where a lot of stuff has to be moved out of the way -- tedious but not difficult).
Thanks again!
--K9Leader
Where in NY are you from?
-mike
Revka
Host
Hatchbacks & Wagons Boards
Capital Region, b/n Albany and Saratoga. Will ake this off the boards so we don't bore everyone else
Thanks!
As Mike mentioned I have the Dunlop Sport A2's on my 2000 OB and have had no problems. They handle nicely in all types of weather.
Mark
At first they handled well and were fairly quiet, but they quickly cupped and became REALLY loud (especially from 30-50mph). Worse, the tires were nearly worn out after 18,000 miles and the snow traction was awful.
Discount Tire replaced them for me under warranty and put Michelin Energy MXV4 Plus tires on instead. After driving about 1,000 miles on the new Michelins, I can say they are infinitely better than the Dunlops in terms of noise, ride quality, and snow traction. We are amazed at how quiet the car is now that these tires are on.
Brian
Brian - what did the Michelins cost you OTD?
Greg
Jeannette
-mike
Greg
So I guess if I were just walking in off the street, the MXV4's would have cost $545 with the tire warranty, mounting, and balancing. Expensive, yes, but SO much better than the Dunlops. I could not be happier with these but, like I said, I've only had them for about a thousand miles. I remember liking the Dunlops, too, early on; then they went to pot on me.
Brian
I've put a good 7500 miles on them since October and they are really no signs of wear. I do keep them at ~ 34psi to lessen sidewall flex.
They are unidirectional and I just recently rotated them front to back although there was no real perceptive wear differentiation between front and rear tires.
Alan
98 OBW Ltd w/67500 miles
Jeannette
I had NRWs on my Legacy this last winter, as good as the Michelin Arctic Alpins which were on before, and as good in warm weather as the stock RE92 and negligible wear after 8K.
I bought my 02 base OB automatic last September. THis is my first time posting, but I have turned to these discussions for lots of answers over the last few months. You guys have been a great resource on a variety of issues.
I already have 19k miles in eight months. Had an oil change today and also to make the switch to Mobil 1. Service manager tells me that when changing the oil, the tech noticed "a little [oil] mositure" at the "front of the motor". He says it seems to be a leaky "o ring" at the front of the engine. Supposedly it's not a serious issue or a difficult repair. Since he also needs to order and install a new armrest for me, he'll repair the "o ring" when the other part comes in and I bring the car back.
I have no idea what an "o" ring is, or where it is, and the service manager was not any more elaborate in his explanation other than that it was a leaky seal at the front of the motor. So my question is twofold: does anyone have a better idea of what this may be, and is it anything I should be overly concerned about in terms of the long haul.
Also, would appreciate hearing from synthetic users as to recommended oil change intervals and whether there is any concern about exceeding Subaru's recommended oil change intervals while the car is still under warranty.
Thanks for any assistance you folks can offer.
We just got back from a 4 day trip to Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, where I presented a paper at a conference. What a beautiful place. Weather was perfect. This was the first long trip (1100 miles round trip) we took with the LL Bean, and it was spectacular on the highway. I had taken several long trips in my previous H4 Outback and our 03 Forester, but the Bean really is in a different category. Real pleasure to drive for extended distances. I got 25mpg overall, traveling 80-90mph on I-95 most of the time (just going with the flow).
I saw a lot of Outbacks on HHI, more than I expected (considering most cars were BMWs, Benzes, Jags, etc....). Nary a Forester, but I saw one WRX -- that of a coworker who also drove down for the conference.
We don't golf, but HHI appears to be a golfer's Mecca. Really beautiful courses.
Craig
Greg
01 OB w/ 42K miles
Changing oil: What weight do you recommend and how many quarts? I used 10/40 and put in about 4 1/2 qrts, and notice it's up to the top. Is that too much?
IdahoDoug
Larry
The tires are great all around - cornering, highway, noise, general feel, etc. Where they are quite amazing is in rain/water. During the spring thaw (is it over, yet?) I drove through several lakes and rivers (~1" depth) at 75 to 80 mph and the tires didn't skip a beat. I mean no lift whatsoever. Just cut right through like there was no water. Like the car was on rails. Truely amazing performance. [I drive fast and hard so I've done my share of hydroplaning - skipped heart beats and all...]
Bottom line...that's what I paid $50. more a tire for. Performance and the added security of excellent water (and supposedly snow) traction. After experiencing the performance, I'm more than happy. Now just waiting for the wear performance. If I get more than 30K out of them (and I'm used to getting at least 40K out of a tire) I'll buy them again - that's my cost/benefit analysis.
There is one other drawback...and I'm not kidding about this one. I've almost crashed my 96 Accord - 106K miles, with new, good $60. BFGoodrich tires - twice recently in the rain. I need to put up a post-it in the Accord reminding me it doesn't have AWD and it doesn't have the Pilots... :-o
Can't wait until the 2005 monotone black, slightly wider, side curtain bagged, memory seat and mirrored, H6 Outback arrives this time next year [please note Subaru designers]... :-)
Ralph
Ask them to use updated OE parts and to take care in installing it properly, checking torque specs, etc.
-juice
Now, for Juice, back when I was buying my Outback the gossip was that there would be a larger, redesigned Forester possibly for '05? if I remember right. It seemed eons away at the time, but we are closing in, any more info on that? My tired old Explorer just had the clutch replaced, I don't intend to get rid of it anytime soon, just wondering what the options may be down the road -
Jeannette
Think of it this way, what the Forester is to the Impreza, the SUW will be to the Legacy.
-juice
And now Erfie is out of warranty can I safely extend the oil change interval with synthetic?
I've heard that most Europeans are amazed to find that in N America the recommended interval is often 5,000 km or 3,000 miles, whereas they normally change at about double that distance.
-juice
Jeanette: I too live in the Hudson Valley (near Pougkeepsie). I bought dedicated snows last Fall, and was extremely impressed with the difference they made over the OEM treads. If you can put up with the hassle factor, they are well worth it. I went with Dunlop Winter Sports
Tom: 10w-40 is a bit heavy for normal operation on a relatively new car. The trend today is towards lighter for startup and low friction (5W-30 or 10w-30). And while synth is less likely to break down with use, it still gets dirty - so don't extend those change intervals too far.
Brian: Dino and synth should be fully compatible. Just change it and drive!
Steve
There was some question as to whether the Costco ones had/have Durablack in them. There are other differences (tread pattern, etc.) that may or may not be cosmetic.
Search for "union made tires" sometime and you'll see that the big manufacturers make a lot of "no name" tires under various names. Probably a lot of "decontenting" going on, but some of it may just be renaming the tire. Costco, Wal-Mart also sell computers, etc. with store specific model numbers and UPCs, so if you're big enough you can get your "own" brand or model.
(Soob chat in ~2 hours!)
Steve, Host
Greg -- did you switch to 10w30 based on the season? I live in Jersey and was wondering if 10w30 synthetic will be o.k. in the winter, especially if we have another cold one like this past year.
BTW, I probably should have stated in my first post, but this is my first Subaru, and 9 months later I still can't wait to drive it every morning. Hope to replace our 01 Quest with another Subie when the lease is up next year.
At any rate, have been busy today making phone calls about the Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, and the Nokian WR's, so far I have a price of about $130 per wheel on the Nokians after a discount coupon on the purchase of 4, that's with a lifetime balance/rotate which I'd like to drop as the dealer really isn't where I'd normally go. Have calls in to Tire Warehouse, they need to call in the AM to get a price on the Michelins as they don't regularly stock that one. I see Wal-Mart carries Michelin, haven't called to see if they can get them specifically. At any rate, has anyone gotten what they consider a really good deal on either, or are the prices pretty standard?
Thanks again to everyone, I hesitated to go straight to the tire board as I know tires behave differently with AWD.
Jeannette
Costco does not stock this tire - they special ordered and did not charge shipping. I was quite happy with the overall transaction.