felipe01forester

"EGR" stands for "Exhaust Gas Recirculator." It does exactly like it's named: It takes the exhaust gases and puts them back into the intake, trying to burn any remaining fuel left in the exhaust, simply saving fuel economy. I think all cars have those now, but they were pretty prominent through the mid to late 70s.

I've had something weird with my Forester's security system. I can't seem to get it off of what the manual calls "valet mode". All it does is chirp the horn when it locks/unlocks, but it doesn't really activate the alarm. I'd like it to, because in my school's parking lot, cars are prone to vandalism and burglary, and it's not like I can be hiding behind a tree all day waiting to push the panic button.

Subarus aren't really noticed that much. As long as you go the speed limit and don't make any daring illegal moves, you'll be fine. But, just in case, ask for some sort of confirmation from the dealer saying that the titles on the car are pending. Keep it in the glovebox until you get the real paperwork. That way, you won't get picked up for grand theft auto when you're just trying to take your new car home.

I saw something similar on my friend's '89 Ram Charger. Just a little red light saying "Main. Req'd", activated by a timer off of the odometer. Nothing really major, just a handy little reminder saying that routine service is coming up. If you can't reset it by the way described above, you can fix it with some good old electrical tape.

My 01 Forester 5-speed gets about 18-20 in the city and about 24-25 on the highway, but I don't really do that much highway driving.

I can tell you whether or not the clutch is slipping. When you get up to speed, put it in 4th or 5th then try to accelerate. If there's very little go but a boatload of revs, then you've got yourself a slippery clutch. If it goes well and you can feel the clutch gripping, they're blowing smoke up your arse.

I had the same thing in my Forester. That clutch was going on 74K and it kept slipping whenever I tried to accelerate up a hill. $850 later, it works just fine.

Mine's a standard so it's probably different. Although I just had an AWD experience tonight. I came out of a car wash, then proceeded to make a U-turn at a light. I made the U, but the wheels were still wet so I ended up fishtailing and drifting, my Forester going diagonal down the three eastbound lanes of Mockingbird Lane. All I did was let off the gas a bit, and the front wheels, being cut all the way over to the right, kicked on and my car jerked itself straight. AWD is effin' awesome.

The AWD puts more emphasis on the rear wheels to accelerate, because the weight of the vehicle shifts backward. More emphasis goes on the front wheels for engine braking, because the weight shifts to the front. During normal cruising, the wheels are evenly distributed. It also senses the individual speed of the wheels and compare it to the relative speed of the car. If there is some discrepancy, the power will shift according to where the power is needed. I've had occasions where I'll take a hard turn on a slick street and the car will start fishtailing. It senses that after about a half a second, then the back wheels drop out and the front wheels kick in, allowing the car to pull itself out of the skid.

It doesn't seem like there's too much to worry about. Just go to one of those do-it-yourself car washes and try that green engine cleaner.

Alex. Alex Trebek. I guess I'll go with the Touareg once my Forester craps out (which I don't think it will anytime soon).

Go to Radio Shack and pick up a simple 8-function test meter for $15. It does AC volts in three ranges, DC volts in three ranges, current, and resistance. Use the resistance on the fuse, but take the fuse out so no juice is in it because testing resistance on a live circuit will kill the meter. If the resistance buries the needle, then the fuse is blown. If it shows something normal, then it's not the fuse.

The exposed window edges really aren't too much of a problem. I was t-boned by a minivan going about 15 mph and the windows didn't even crack! Needed a new door, but the windows were still intact.

Hello and welcome from a Forester driver. The 2001 Forester L is one of the better cars on the market and is also one of the safest. Trust me, I've been in 2 wrecks and come out without even a scratch! The AWD is wonderful for driving in slick weather, climbing hills, and even off-roading. Good choice, my friend.

2001 Forester L 2.5 5spd does about 3300 RPM @ 70. Good thing the Dallas Police are really lax about speeders!

Just manually tune through your radio and find some dead static somewhere in the band. 88.3 and 99.9 are kinda iffy in my book because 88.3 is in between KNTU 88.1 and KEOM 88.5, and 99.9 is fairly close to KJKK 100.3. I'd suggest something up in the high FM band, for example anywhere from 106.5 MHz to 107.9 MHz. There usually aren't too many things up there, except for what's on those frequencies. 106.5 plays dance music, and 107.9 is a Spanish station. Or, PM me and I could send you the code that will set your iTrip to 87.9 MHz and you shouldn't have a problem.

Dude, I'm in Big D myself and I use an iTrip. The default station is 87.9 MHz and it works just fine. The only problem I have is that it just sucks the juice out of the iPod battery. Using an FM transmitter on your iPod is no problem here, man. BTW, I'm also a Forester driver. Since we're in the same city, lemme see what you got.

I meant the first generation Scions. The new ones have definitely improved, I admit. This... ugh. It doesn't look anything like a Subaru.

Practically any CD player will play CD-Rs, but not CD-RWs. RWs have a different composition that's read by a different type of laser. Rs are just like professional CDs, except you can burn your own. Only once, of course, then you're stuck with it.

Everybody except my parents. They weren't too thrilled the last time I went. Still, nice... very nice.

Yeah, like the Scion. Those things look like milk crates on wheels, yet for some reason, they sell like hotcakes.

Down here in Dallas, the ice we get is usually patchy on the roads, and the AWD is perfect due to the difference in traction, and if I do get lose the road, I can get back on with ease. Besides, with the way the streets are here in the city, you need an all-terrain vehicle just to drive to work.

Get your oil changed and your tires rotated every 3K miles or 3 months (whichever comes first), and it'll probably outlast you. Routine maintenance is the key. BTW, welcome from a fellow relatively new user. I drive a 2001 Forester L.

Congrats... you no longer need to pray for downhill! Pull that thing into Dallas so I can see it.

If there is one in your area, go to the good people at Discount Tires. All minor stuff (balancing, patching, stem repair) is totally free.