[2 wheel drive 2002 Forester]

Has anyone done a test to see if a 2002 forester with a 2.5 with an auto trans can be driven without the rear drive shaft. I would like to see if the gas mileage is better without the rear wheels driving. Has anybody ever heard of locking hubs for a Subaru/? I am concerned that if I take out the rear drive shaft that the front drive line is not stout enough to drive the car. Jim

[2002 Forester A/T fluid change]

The auto trans fluid change needs to be done by a pro. They hook it up to a pump which drains the old fluid out , and then they flush cleaning agents through it, and then put new fluid in. If it messes up they fix it. thus all the old, burnt fluid is gone. This costs about $120, is that worth ruining your trans over/ Jim

[2002 Forester gas milage]

I just got my first Scooby doo, a 2002 Forester with 53,000 miles on it. After 2 tanks of gas (87 octane with Methanol) I'm getting 22 1/2 mpg. I live near Denver at about 5200 feet elevation and have a automatic transmission. I've been using the air conitioner and driving to work, some stop and go, and freeway speeds up to 75 mph, is this the kind of milage I can expect? I thought that these were supposed to get 28 mph on the highway.