I just picked up a 2005 Forester 2.5X 5-speed manual 2 days ago. This is my first new car and I'm really excited about it. I traded in a '90 Ford Bronco that I just couldn't afford to drive anymore because of the cost of gas and maintenance. My budget for the Forester was approved by the wife because I showed her I could cover over 1/2 the monthly payment in fuel savings alone.

 

Anyway, any advice for a new owner? I literally know almost nothing about Subarus, even though I was a mechanic years ago. I am aware of the boxer engine and have a vauge idea how the AWD works. My salesman seemed dumb as heck, so I didn't get much out of him. I don't know any of the pitfalls or quirks that only an enthusiast would. Take me to school!

 

-Jimmy

 

P.S. Did anyone else have a real hard time getting used to the hill-holder clutch? I've been driving stick for 15 years and it's 2nd nature to me. But the hill-holder keeps getting me at stop lights and backing out of parking spots...etc.

You can adjust the HillHolder. It's attached via a cable from the clutch pedal to the PHV valve under the hood Just below the master cylinder. Open the hood and adjust the cable end nut at the PHV. Unscrew it by 1/2 turn at a time and retry it. I ended up unscrewing mine about 2 full turns (04 Forester). Good luck....I am very happy with mine.

PHV valve

 

Sorry if I sound stupid, but what the heck is the PHV valve?

 

-Jimmy

Positive Holding Valve.....The term in the Service manual for the Hill Holder valve since 1982.....

Anyway, any advice for a new owner? I literally know almost nothing about Subarus, even though I was a mechanic years ago. I am aware of the boxer engine and have a vauge idea how the AWD works. My salesman seemed dumb as heck, so I didn't get much out of him. I don't know any of the pitfalls or quirks that only an enthusiast would. Take me to school!

 

Just follow the maintenance schedule (like you would any other car) and enjoy! I have gotten the best service from genuine Subaru parts, especially oil filters and brake pads. I don't price-shop for gas; I use Chevron exclusively. The AWD shouldn't be an issue until you have to replace the tires or have the car towed. Always replace all 4 tires at the same time, even if one is damaged and the others still have good tread on them. Read the manual for towing instructions.

 

I had a 1987 Subaru GL 4WD with the hill-holder and liked it.

I too have driving stick for along time... and it took a little while to get used to my 93's hill holder. In the end, I loved it, and now that I have another stick, I wish I had it back...

 

Like someone else said here, Follow the maint schedules and when calling for tow truck, ALWAYS ask for a flatbed...

 

Most of all.... Enjoy it !!!

You can adjust the HillHolder. It's attached via a cable from the clutch pedal to the PHV valve under the hood Just below the master cylinder. Open the hood and adjust the cable end nut at the PHV. Unscrew it by 1/2 turn at a time and retry it. I ended up unscrewing mine about 2 full turns (04 Forester). Good luck....I am very happy with mine.

 

 

ferret, thanks for the tip on the hill holder. Mine was acting as a brake while backing out of parking spaces and had a very abrupt engagement even on shallow hills. I'll adjust the PHV as you suggested and let you know.

Dont worry Im a mechanic as well, and when I first started working on my subie it stumped the hell out of on a reg. basis. But once you figure the thing out, they're great!

...P.S. Did anyone else have a real hard time getting used to the hill-holder clutch? I've been driving stick for 15 years and it's 2nd nature to me. But the hill-holder keeps getting me at stop lights and backing out of parking spots...etc.

The Hillholder should not come into play except on a fairly significant grade (I forget what my older soobs are spec'd at, but I think it is like a 5% or 6% grade). If you are getting engagement on level surfaces, then I think that you have a problem that needs attention. The cable adjustment only affects how much clutch depression is needed to activate the valve. (If too tight, even with the clutch pedal all the way up the brakes will be locked, and vice versa.)

i have owned 6 subarus and all went very high miles with no major problems at all. i change at before required sched times of mainanence the oil, tranny fluid, fuel filter, air filter, plugs/wires, timing belt, brake fluid, pads/rotors (drilled), all hoses and belts, radiator fluid every season. i never had an engine problem in any of my scoobys. as well when i change somthing like hoses and rotors i put on high performance parts like drilled rotors, silicone hoses, iridium spark plugs, performance exhaust. but use OEM for filters. and i do all work myself. i think subarus run forever if you just use preventative maintenance. i never even had to replace struts on any of them and i put well over a 100k miles.

 

97 outback wagon

91 legacy

91 legacy wagon

99 impreza RS

02 impreza RS

05 baja turbo

Follow the routine service schedule. Every 3K miles for oil and tire rotation, then every 25K for the tune-up. Your car will definitely outlast you.

My additional recipe for car longevity: keep engine RPMs down (< 3K, if possible) until it is reasonably warmed up.

 

Oh, and make sure no one crashes into you.

I'm a new Suby owner too, and am wondering what is the maintenance schedule for these cars? Is it posted on the net somewhere?

Thanks.

I'm a new Suby owner too, and am wondering what is the maintenance schedule for these cars? Is it posted on the net somewhere?

Thanks.

 

 

If you go to Mysubaru.com and fill out some silly info so they can send you crap in the mail, it gives you access to owners manuals,as well as maintenance schedules. I just found this out last night. Subie recommends 7500 mile oil changes (unless extreme driving) and 30K tune ups, which I did last night. Pretty easy actually. Plus I did the whole tune up with fluids for under 100 bucks. Its 450 at the dealership, and I used all Mobil 1 synthetic fluid. Good luck!!!

Follow the routine service schedule. Every 3K miles for oil and tire rotation, then every 25K for the tune-up. Your car will definitely outlast you.

 

Actually Subaru rcommends 7500 mile oil changes (unless extreme conditions, towing, etc) That's just bs fed to us by Jifffy Lube (owned by Pennzoil) to make billions in profits. I've never changed mine prior to 5K, I just cant bear to squeeze out 2500 miles more. I do change my atf and diff fluids at the recommended 30K and use full synthetic. Also, unless you have the stuff at home, rotating tires at 3k is a pain in the bu**. I've never done this, and get great mileage out of my tires. DO follow scheduled maintenance re: the timing belt, plugs, etc...

Hm thanks but i dont wanna get stuff in the mail. I hope there is a better way to get the maintenance schedule.

Thanks.

Hm thanks but i dont wanna get stuff in the mail. I hope there is a better way to get the maintenance schedule.

Thanks.

 

When I purchased my wagon last month, the dealer handed me a small brochure type of booklet titled "Warranty Service Plan and Maintenance Schedule", or something very close to that. The maintnenance matrix is only a page or two and sandwiched in between hours of legal spaghetti concerning the warranty.

Hm thanks but i dont wanna get stuff in the mail. I hope there is a better way to get the maintenance schedule.

Thanks.

 

Go to www.subaru.com/owners/schedules to get the maintenance schedules. You can print them out.

Cool, thanks. Well I checked my manual tranny fluid and it looks really really clean, so I probably dont need to change it right? Hopefully.

Thanks again...