Ru98

OK, it al started a month ago when the A/C belt on our 07 Forester broke. I replaced the belt, along with the alternator, which had gone as well, and we were fine. Now, when those go, especially all at once like this, the electrical can go a little haywire, but once the new bits were in, we were fine.... until last week when the car did the same thing. It threw a belt and the power cable going to the alternator fried this time. new belt, battery, and alternator. This time, the low beams and fog lights don't work. The bulbs are fine, but the lights still don't work. Any ideas? Has this type of thing happened to anyone else? Any input is appreciated, and I'm happy to answer any questions that may help get to the bottom of this. Thanks all! ~Mike

Damn, It's like magic! Thanks Olnick!

Right on Olnick, Thanks! I found a great resource right here: http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=36283&highlight=unmatched+tires I guess I just needed to keep trying keywords. I will search harder next time before asking a redundant questin, but it does feel good to have asked a question and gotten quick and helpful responses. Thanks again all!

Thanks for responding. I don't mean to sound ignorant, but perhaps it's too late for that I apologize for confusing Diameter with Circumference, thanks for the clarification. I have not heard this before today, but I am new to Subarus. Could you tell me a little more about why this so critical? Better yet, what are the actual effects of uneven tire wear on the drivetrain over time? At the very least the curiosity is killing me. The tire in question is the most worn of the 4 tires on the car. Thanks for any help or insight you can provide on this. ~Mike

Hello folks! This past spring my girlfriend picked up a 1998 forester, and I love it! I am in Maine, where we just got our first snowstorm of the year, and last night it was apparently a touch more than Ru could handle. We slid off the road, no damage except a flat tire, which I am convinced is what led us off the road in the 1st place. Here is my question, When I took her in to get the flat fixed today, the mechanic noted that the tread was almost bare on the tire to be repaired, and told me on Subaru's all 4 tires must be changed at the same time. I understand it's all wheel drive, and the synchros rely on the diameter of the tire to do their job, but to me, the small difference of maybe an 8th of an inch from one tire to another should not be enough to get the transmission/gears mad at me. What do you all think? Was this guy just trying to get me to buy a full set of tires, or is there some truth to his words? I'm new to Subaru, but I've been around cars of all makes & models for years, and this one just didn't pass the smell test for me. Thanks for reading, and thanks for your thoughts! ~Mike