jcole01108

The 2000 Outback Limited came with a cd/tape player and weather band radio. It also came with heated seats, leather interior, heated windshield, heated outside mirrrors, power front seat, etc. If there is no cd player it is likely that the former owner may have removed it and put their own unit in its place. The radio was a nice feature. I should know, because I drove one for four years. It was a nice car even with the piston slap problem.

I have mine a on a timer. It goes on at 4am and off at 10am. That gives me a large window in the morning. It means that the car is not fully warm, but it warms up as it would on a 40 degree day. Makes as real difference, but I don't use it unless it is below 20 degrees.

2004, 3.0, 6 cylinder Outback. I am getting a deep throated groaning sound in the steering at first startup. It goes away after warm up. I brought it to the dealer and they said they found nothing wrong. If I take the car out of drive it goes away. I am going to bring it in again and be there when they start it up. It does disappear after the car has been driven a short distance. Anyone else had the problem.

No, actually the RSI's are the studless snow tires of choice. They are snow and ice grippers and Q rated. The WR's are like the Dunlop M3's and H rated, but are not "real" snow tires. They are designed as an all weather tire with a strong snow tire-like capability. The Nordmans are old fashioned snow tires with big lugs, hard rubber, and you can put studs in them.

I had the problem in a 2000 Outback Limited. There is a TSB for the fix, which is to apply silcone sealant around the sunroof. I had one other interesting issue with my sunroof. It opened by itself and I had to use the manual crank to close it. This was water related as well. The sealant fixed both problems.

True enough. Wanted to save the trip into the dealer if it was something minor.

Checked it. It is okay.

I have been getting a growling/buzzing vibration in the steering wheel at idle while the engine is warming up, especially present when I turn the steering wheel left or right. Any idea what this might be? As the vehicle warms up and the idle drops, so does the vibration. If I put the car into neutral it pretty much goes away. The vehicle is a 2004 3.0 6 cylinder Outback wagon with 5900 miles on it.

Anyone know the lug nut torque for a 3.0 Outback wagon? It is not in the Owner's manual.

You can buy refinished/resurfaced rims at http://www.wheelcollision.com/subaru2.htm for about 155 a rim depending on the size and model. Try ebay as as well.

Anyone know if an Impreza 02-04 RS 16 inch wheel will a 2004 outback wagon? I assume the offset will be the issue.

Has anyone used a 215x65x16 tire size for a Subaru outback snow tire instead of a 225x60x16 or a 215x60X16 listed in the owner's manual? Tire Rack folks suggested this would be a better snow tire size.

Subaru recommends a 215x60x16 snow tire in place of the 225x60x16 all season tire, which is not all that available a size. I was thinking about the Dunlop Winter Sport M3, but it is not available in that size.

I know Nokian tires are good. I have heard good things about the Hakka Q's, but they appear to be ending production of that tire.

I have 2004 H6 3.0 Outback with H rated tires. I want to get a set of winter tires and steel rims to use up in Vermont. I used to own a 2000 Outback and put Michelin Arctic Alpin tires on it. I was not impressed with their abilitity in slush or heavy snow. I have been reading that an H rated tire should be replaced with an H rated snow tire. I have also read that Subaru specifies 215x60x16 snow tires. What has been your experience with Q or T rated snow tires. Have you used 225 x 60 x16 snow tires? Do they cause any rubbing problems? That size seems more available.