amphibo

Just put snow tires on my 2011 Legacy without the sensors. Heard that having no sensors will affect the VDC. Has anyone heard this?

'Hate' is too strong a word. I do love the all wheel drive. However, when I upgraded to an '08 outback from an '00 legacy wagon I was disappointed with a number of features. I just assumed that everything would have either remained the same on been improved upon. The worst feature in the '08 is the lack of illumination of the dash instruments. Unless I'm missing a knob or adjustment all I can see brighten during the day is the odometer and the center console readouts. For the life of me I cannot see the speedometer readings at all when the sun is out. The rest of my complaints consist of the refraction of the headlights in any kind of fog and the lack of adjustments to the heating and cooling. I was unable to get much heat down to the floor during the winter and, with the basic wagon model the only way I can manage the cold from the AC is by turning on the heat. Again, I wouldn't trade the all wheel ride for another car. I just hope they can improve on the interior features.

Took our 2000 Legacy SW in for routine servicing at 75k. The dealership found a oil leak and I agreed to have the oil pump rebuilt, gaskets replaced, etc. After dropping some change for the repairs my wife drove off to an evening meeting. Next morning as I was getting ready to leave for work she mentioned there was a noise coming from the front end. Noise? Well, when I turned out of our drive way I got a loud 'groan' and vibration from the left front. I waited for the dealer to open and took it in explaining the problem. He brought out their mechanic who I let drive the car. The car continued to loudly groan at low speed turns. They gave me a loaner for the day and I didn't hear until the end of the work day. By then I was starting to worry. Sure enough, even though I made it clear there was no steering problem prior to their working underneath the car they're now saying it involves possibly replacing the power steering hoses and pump for up to about a grand in costs. When I complained again that nothing was wrong before they serviced the car the service rep said he'd contact Subaru. He said even though we weren't covered by warrenty we did own two Subarus with an 'excellent' service record and he'd get back to me at the end of the following week. In the meantime I've found an independent shop to look at the problem. Any suggestions where I can find any info on front end/steering problems? Thanks, Amphibo

Uncle Dave, I posted a new thread 'Burning Oil and the Dealership' before finding this one. I've attached a digi pix I took underneath the car. Some additional info from the respondants that may help. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=21151 Amphibo

Have two Legacys, a 2000 wagon and 2001 sedan, with 83 and 75k on the two. The other week the wagon began to emit white smoke from the front left wheel well. Checking all the fluid levels, everything seemed fine. Ran the car and checked the filter and oil plug... no leaks. Peering down through the engine noticed oil/grease on the cat conv. Took it to the dealer who claimed it was the filter/plug, changed the oil and filter, steam cleaned the engine and proclaimed it fixed. Since then the sedan has begun to have that familiar 'burnt oil' smell. This time I crawled under the car, found the leak and took some digi pix to show the dealer (unfortunantly, there's not an independent shop where I live). Previous posts have indicated a number of areas that leak. Posted below is a pix from under the engine. Any guesses? Amphibo

We have a 2001 Legacy sedan with 61,000 miles on it and last Friday my wife came home complaining about a strong 'engine smell' while driving around town. I went out and checked the coolant level... way down. Uh oh, started up the car, looked underneath and saw the telltale bright green color of the coolant dripping out from behind the oil pan. Ironically, I'd just made an appt with the dealer for the 60K service. When I took it in they confirmed it was a blown head gasket. I was very surpised when they offered to have it fixed under the power train warranty. Like a bad cartoon, I was sure that being 1200 miles over I was going to have to argue my way to a compromise. I'm sure they're making plenty off of all the other work but happy to not add the head gasket to the final tally. With this engine it seems like one time an extended warrenty is worth the extra $$. Good luck.