Jessamine Posted November 15, 2004 Share Posted November 15, 2004 I recently bought a 2004 Forester 2.5X to get around rural NC. Looking around this site, seems like I'm more of just an interested owner than the gung-ho enthusiastists who have posted here. Is there a more appropriate site for people like me? I do have two questions: 1) When I bought the car (which has automatic transmission), the salesperson told me that when I park it shouldn't set the parking brake. He said I should just put the gear shift in "park" and walk away, unless it's on a steep hill. He said this is because if l forget to release the brake when I drive it'll cost a lot to fix. I've always been told that it puts too much strain on the trans or whatever not to set the brake. The owner's manual says to set the brake. Any educated opinions anywhere? 2) He also said never to let gas tank to get lower than 1/4 full. Says that junk settles to the bottom of the tank that will hurt the engine. But isn't that what fuel filters are for? And it seems to me that if the gas in the bottom never gets used up, it'll really collect a lot of stuff in there. Then what happens if I'm compelled to drive it below 1/4 full some time? Seems like that would really wreck the engine. Plus, it's a pain to keep having to stop to get gas so soon. Reactions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsfabman Posted November 15, 2004 Share Posted November 15, 2004 My two cents: Set the parking brake! Rememeber to release it before driving off! Sounds like the Salesperson thinks everyone else is as forgetful as he/she is. Not allowing the gas tank to get below 1/4 tank is a good idea to me. Especially, if it was to sit for a while during temperature changes (cold weather). There is more air inside the tank when it's low on gas, and air holds moisture until it gets cold then the moisture (water) get's in the gas. Aside from the moisture issue, the stuff, gunk, crap, what have you that ends up in the bottom of the gas tank is more diluted when there is more gas in the tank. Also, keep in mind that your car is pretty new and that this is being a little anal. Sounds to me, from the way you asked the questions, that you are all ready pretty knowledgable yourself about cars. Or at least you have pretty good common sense! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redkard4 Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I would classify myself as an interested owner also, but it is a blast reading all the information that is on this board. These guys and girls know their stuff and are extremely friendly, generous and most importantly they are not condescending to those of us who don't have a clue (that's me). What major NC city are your boonies located near? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tcspeer Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 Set the brake, a lot of cars with drums on the rear get the brakes adjusted by setting the brake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rweddy Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I've always been told that it puts too much strain on the trans or whatever not to set the brake. The owner's manual says to set the brake. Any educated opinions anywhere? Set the brake 2) He also said never to let gas tank to get lower than 1/4 full. Says that junk settles to the bottom of the tank that will hurt the engine. But isn't that what fuel filters are for? And it seems to me that if the gas in the bottom never gets used up, it'll really collect a lot of stuff in there. Then what happens if I'm compelled to drive it below 1/4 full some time? Seems like that would really wreck the engine. Plus, it's a pain to keep having to stop to get gas so soon. Reactions? There are several reasons not to run your tank below 1/4.1st The fuel pump has to work harder the lower the fuel volume in the tank. So the more you keep the tank full, the longer the fuel pump will last. 2nd Sediment at the bottom of the tank can get pulled into the screen that sits before the fuel pump in the tank, causing the pump to work harder, ie not last as long. 3rd Yes you have a fuel filter/s but then you need to change them frequently, plus if they get clogged it can leave you stranded or worse allow contaminates into the fuel system that could damage injectors, fuel rails, etc. 4th Condensation, the lower the tank the more water that can accumulate in the tank, which can cause rust and fuel line issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 I use the emergency brake only when needed or on the hills of San Francisco. As long as you remember to release it very little wear is caused by using it, but over the years I have seen several cars, trucks, and busses that had the brakes shoes, drums, and even seals and bearings damaged by leaving it on. This is a very common problem and I am sure your dealer was trying to keep you from having it. Another reason not to let your fuel level go down is that all cars now have electric fuel pumps. Electric fuel pumps are cooled by the fuel and can easily overheat and be damaged by a low fuel event that the old mechanical pumps would laugh off. I use a quarter tank for empty and have little trouble with my pumps. My last Mercedes went though three fuel pumps in 300,000 miles which is about what I expect from these pumps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtsmiths Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 We've tried to keep our tanks above 1/4 in all our cars, not just the Subarus. For all the stated reasons, especially in winter. But don't obsess about it, it sure doesnt hurt to get low once in a while. If I'm cruising at 80 on I-90, I'm sureashell not getting gas in central Idaho panhandle just 'cause I hit 1/4 on the guage. I'm goin' on to Montana where the gas is $.03/gal cheaper and I can get a good buffalo burger at the truck stop! And 'member, now that you have bought your Subaru staythehell out of the stealership, except for warranty work. Oh, welcome to the board. Many of us are here to just keep our stock 'Roos and wallets happy ... and kick up a little fuss now'n'then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted November 16, 2004 Share Posted November 16, 2004 modern fuels have an additive package to remove water, prevent rust and keep the system clean. A quick Google ought to tell you more about fuel and additives than you want to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SevenSisters Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 Always use the parking brake and lube it when the brakes are done. At least in Ohio, if you always park on a nice level spot and don't use it, it will rust up. When you park on a hill and use it, you have the strength to apply it, but it won't disengage easily. The fuel pump motor is cooled by the gas in the tank. Keeping your fuel level above 1/4 will add life to the pump. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Takami826 Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I use the brake on hills mostly, you just have to remember to disengage it; probably too many people neglect that fact or forget when they get back into their cars, drive for miles then end up with a huge repair bill. Where I live now is flat, so I don't bother most times, but because of our varying climate/weather, I'll set it periodically in a routine place just so it works (my personal anal retentive way is when I go to the bookstore, that way I remember it's bookstore = emergency brake = disengage before going anywhere) Cheesy, yes, but whatever works. I also go the mentality that 1/4 of a tank = EMPTY. Mainly because of reasons listed above, but also because many people around here like to crash their cars and jam up the highways and in the winter cold, gas can get burned up pretty quick sitting and waiting for the wreck to be cleared -or fighting a sudden Lake Effect snow storm. So it's good practice for a variety of reasons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cookie Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 If you live in the rust belt and deal with salt you worry about it rusting on or off. In Maine when I was a kid we worried about it freezing on. In SF it is a darn good thing to have and in flat San Mateo where I live you don't need it till you go to the city. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forester2002s Posted November 17, 2004 Share Posted November 17, 2004 I always use my parking brake. If it is adjusted correctly, it holds really well, and I CANNOT drive away with it engaged (and there is a red warning light on the dash too). I once saw the inside of a Dodge transmission, and saw that the parking-pin was about 3mm diameter. It could easily shear off. In fact this happened to a friend of mine - his parked van full of plumbing supplies took off down a hill and destroyed itself; he now always uses his parking brake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jessamine Posted November 20, 2004 Author Share Posted November 20, 2004 I would classify myself as an interested owner also, but it is a blast reading all the information that is on this board. These guys and girls know their stuff and are extremely friendly, generous and most importantly they are not condescending to those of us who don't have a clue (that's me). What major NC city are your boonies located near? Thanks for the reassurance. I'm in central NC, between the Triangle and the Triad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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