howards11

Cheapo Chinese tires. I'd get something better. Two things I don't scrimp on with my cars. Brakes and tires. ~Howard

:-\ Does anyone know if you need a special bracket to mount a FRONT license plate on a 2000 Forester ? We don't use a front plate here in Pennsylvania and I was thinking about getting a plate for the front. :cool: Thanks for your help. ~Howard

:-\ How about a better (brighter) bulb ? ~Howard 2000 Forester L

K9Leader: Here is the thread you wanted: Formula 303 ~Howard

I am using Bridgestone Turanza LST's on my 2000 Forester. They did very well this winter. I feel Michelins are very overrated. ~Howard

Is anyone using a Sticky Pad ? http://www.handstands.com/Retail/stickypad.html ~Howard

I tried this mixture on our bathroom mirror. It's just wonderful. I mixed 1/2 oz Amorall with 8 oz water and 3 oz rubbing alcohol (91%). Great idea ! ~Howard

Formula 303 works better than silicone. Give it a try. I'm sure you'll see the difference. ~Howard

Silicone will deteriorate the rubber seals. I got Formula #303 at Strauss Auto. All of 303's products are available for purchase by mail from the company: http://www.303products.com/main.php Free samples too ! ~Howard

Try using Formula 303. Here's the link: http://www.303products.com/main.php ~Howard

COMMUTER: Can you post information about the device you installed ? Where did you purchase it ? Can you provide a link? Thanks ! ~Howard

Here's another idea. Around here (Philadelphia) AAA offers an extended warranty plan for new and used cars. How about checking into something like this in your area? ~Howard

I would take the extended warranty provided it is with SOA and can be used at ANY Subaru dealer. I don't like the idea of not being able to pick up the car on Sat. But this is a minor point if everything else is OK. GOOD LUCK ON THE NEW CAR! ~Howard

Recently I made the mistake of ordering Bosch O2 sensors from http://www.autopartsauthority.com I checked the Bosch web site and copied down the part numbers (front and rear) for my 2000 Forester. I verified them with the autoparts web site. Low and behold the part numbers at Bosch and autoparts were INCORRECT. My mechanic ended up getting the front sensor from Subaru. Autoparts gave me 2 RMA's and 2 return addresses. When I questioned why 2 RMA's and 2 return addresses I was told that theautopartsauthority only TAKES orders; they do not actually stock the parts! Since the parts came from 2 different vendors who actually stocked the items I had to shell out for 2 return packages instead of 1. BEWARE OF THIS VENDOR. ~Howard :-\

How about trying a bottle of Lubegard ATF supplement ? http://www.lubegard.com/automotive/index_trans.html It can't hurt ! ~Howard

I not having any of these problems. It runs great since the tune-up. I love the Forester but the MPG is still the issue. I am going to wait a bit on this one. I might throw a bottle of fuel injector cleaner into the tank. ~Howard :-\

You have to help me with this one. What is the TPS ? Wouldn't it show up as a CEL if it wasn't functioning correctly ? Should I expect more MPG from the Forester ? Remember I think I'm still using that special winter fuel. My mechanic charges $70 fee for the diagnostic test. ~Howard

After the tune-up, new air filter, new gas filter, new PCV valve, 4 wheel alignment and a new front O2 sensor my MPG has gone from 14 MPG to a bit over 16 MPG. All measurements are city driving. ~Howard

I recently got a tune-up at my mechanic. He replaced the stock Champion plugs (30,000 + miles) with Denso plugs. The car is running great but I can't seem to find any information on plugs he used at the Denso site. They are Denso PK20PR11 and have a stock number of 3168. My mechanic did mention that they are "platinum" and I should get about 40,000 miles out of them. Anyone have a clue ? ~Howard

PLEASE SEE REPLY IN THE OTHER THREAD. http://www.ultimatesubaru.org/forum/showthread.php?t=13739 ~Howard

JACEK: The Bosch site and the autopartsauthority.com site show #13036 for the REAR O2 sensor and #13469 for the FRONT O2 sensor for the 2000 Forester. My mechanic said both are incorrect. In fact the cables were not long enough and have different type connectors. ~Howard

The saga continues....... My mechanic just called with interesting news. The Bosch web site as well as the vendor's web site (http://www.autopartsauthority.com) have the incorrect part numbers listed for O2 sensors. My kind of luck ! My guy is going to try and get the front sensor from Subaru. I have to get an RMA from the vendor. It's going to be interesting trying to explain this one. ~Howard

I'm missing the plastic cap on one side of my wipers. Anyone know where to get another one ? ~Howard

I ordered both sensors (front and rear) from: http://www.autopartsauthority.com They are Bosch brand and I had them shipped next day. My local sources (Pep Boys & Auto Zone) did not have them in stock. The counterman at Pep Boys brought out one that did not even come close to the correct Bosch numbers. It would be nice for Pep Boys to hire people who UNDERSTAND English (editorial comment). My mechanic will be installing them on Monday. Thanks to everyone for their help. ~Howard

I'm sorry for this guys. Lights went off when I realized where these sensors are located. NO....it's too late to demand anything. Happened Friday after Thanksgiving 2003. I have to pay for this myself. Insurance company paid for tailpipe, muffler and trim piece plus the body work, etc. My body shop guy said I needed a 4 wheel alignment but other driver's company wouldn't pay for that. "Wasn't bad enough." I didn't start measuring my MPG until recently. Don't remember if it dropped since the accident. I got an idea that the sensors alone are around maybe $80 each. How much do you think to install ? ~Howard