Losiho

MY99 (3rd Gen in the USA) OBW. The original Yokohama Geolander G040s, 215/60/16 (which I believe are unavailable in the USA). I travel to the snow at least once or twice a year, hence the need for a M+S tyre.

I guarantee you it isn't. SLX was discontinued in Australia years ago. The oil dealers use is Castrol Magnatec FM 10W-30 (a workshop oil, unavailable in retail outlets). There's no need to run a xW-40 or xW-50 in a new engine requiring a 5W-30 or 10W-30, especially during the warranty period. Dingbat, if you want "the best", in a xW-30, I assume you mean synthetic, which means your choice is Mobil 1 10W-30, Motul 8100 EcoEnergy 5W-30, Motul 300V 5W-30, or Redline 5W-30 or 10W-30. Other non-synthetic choices are Castrol Formula R 5W-30, or Penzoil or Caltex Havoline 10W-30.

My 99 Outback will change up at the redline (6,200) every time the throttle is floored. If you really get a good kickdown into 2nd, it will even change up at 6,400rpm (fuel cutout is 6,500).

I just filled my Outback with Mobil Delvac 1 5W-40. So far it has been excellent. And I wouldn't hesitate to use a dual rated diesel engine oil in a gasoline car.

Getting back on topic, I actually find the temperature control (climate control system) more annoying than the fan speed button. Sometimes when I turn the round dial clockwise to increase the temp, the temperature will actually go down ! You have to be very slow and deliberate when making adjustments. Does anyone else's Outback have this issue as well ?

OT Graham - I've heard too many negative things about Subaru's dealerships in Melbourne. Do what I do, and take your car to Makin & Luby. They very professional, knowledgeable, and don't return your car dirty or covered in coolant. My car is heading down there tomorrow for its 87,500km service

Mine has a one button fan speed control. I think all models with climate control are the same. Slightly annoying, but just something you have to get used to.

Australia - MY99 Outback (same shape), I either use 95 or 98 Octane (RON).

Well, he's from Sweden, so like my Outback, his car was probably built in Japan and not the USA ! :-p (Sorry, only teasing ) Seriously, just regular careful manintenance and a lack of abuse....I don't think there are any secrets to long vehicle life.

I don't know if this applies to US made cars, but the letters EJ25 are stamped on my engine block, easily visible just below the intake manifold.

Sorry, I have no idea regarding Phase 1 or 2 2.2L variations. My reply was specific to the 2.5L Legacy/Outback engine. "EJ25" is just a Subaru nameplate and ID code for the 2.5L engine. I have also heard that the main reason for Phase 1 EJ25 headgasket problems is the fact that it's a bored out 2.2L block. FWIW the new Outback/Legacy line and the Phase 2 EJ25 were released in late 1998 in world markets.

The phase 1 is a DOHC engine, the phase 2 is a SOHC. It's hard to describe on a computer without showing you a pic, but probably the easiest way to spot the difference is to look at the black cam/belt covers at the front of the engine (directly in front of the radiator). The DOHC engine will have two "humps" for the camshafts, the SOHC only one.

Thanks for the link. Over the time I've owned my Outback (almost 2 years) fuel consumption has ranged from a best of 8.92 L/100km (26.4mpg) on a long highway run, to a worst of 13.76 L/100km (17.1mpg) in city driving. Note, although my Outback is a 1999 model, it's the SOHC 2nd generation Outback model that arrived in Australia in late 1998 (our Legacys / Outbacks are imported from Japan).

I don't know how to convert to MPG, but my Outback auto gets around 11.5 L/100km in city driving (driven hard).

RST-555......I love your rego ! Nice ride.....I almost bought a RS Turbo back in 1993, but insurance would have been a killer