Few Questions for a n00b

[Guest blondy]

Hiya Guys,

 

I have a few questions, some...or all may appear stupid to ask...but seeing this is my first modern

car and subaru i thought it best to seek before i go doing something stupid and damage anything.

 

All questions are in relation to my 2005 Outback 2.5 non turbo, So here it goes;

 

1) It's called a symmetrical AWD and has Hi and Low range. I have searched and searched the manual

and it does not tell you the correct way to use this system. I have driven 4X4's where you have to

lock in the front wheels, be at a stand still and select the correct gear then off you go. But what

is the correct way i should do it with my outback? Is it best to be stationary when changing from

Hi to Low? Or is it safe to change while on the go, and if so, what speeds is it capable to do so?

 

2) A friend made me aware that some forester's and outbacks in my year and onwards came with a cigarette

lighter in the cargo area/boot and i think i have found the spot that it goes. Is this true and if so,

would the wiring be there if i wanted to put one in? Or would i have to run a new wire from the battery?

which isn't hard, but no point doing it if i don't have too.

 

3) Switches, i want to add some for some accessories i'm looking at putting in my car. I've noticed there are some

spots for them, i got the blanking plate out. But it seems to be one big solid piece and already has some

wires plugged into the back of it as shown in the images below.

 

 

 

 

The other one in the centre console area appears to be in there solid, so if i want to use that one,

i'll probably have to do some cutting?

 

 

Otherwise, Anyone have any idea's or suggestions on succesful spots they have run switches to? I had the idea

of putting them in the sunglasses holder that's in the roof, but that probably will be alot of work/hassle to try

and run cables up there and ground them for the switches. Else i'll just have to cut my own holes in the current

plastic somewhere? Which i was trying to avoid for the day i want to upgrade and take out some of the components

i put in, don't want to leave ugly holes around the place.

 

4) Cable Running, any helpful hints are greatly appreciated. I haven't had the time to remove the plastic from under

the Dash yet to find out where the current wires come in.

 

I think that's the main ones for now, thanks for your help and time to read.

[Legacy777]

You've got one of the dual range AWD transmissions. You need to be stopped when going from low to high range. Other than that, you should be good to go.

 

Wiring would probably be there for the rear cigarette lighter. You'd have to pull off the paneling and see.

 

If you unplug that plug you'll see that the plastic piece is just a "blank" and it's not doing anything.

[Guest blondy]

Cheers Legacy777 for the info...anyone else feel like adding some additional info??? i'll try to return the favour one day when i have the knowledge under my belt or i find someone asking questions on a topic i have some experience with...?

[Guest blondy]

Right...been a while, but i'll just add an update to the info i have found/progress i've made.

 

In relation to the hi-low dual range, i have found out since then after asking some others that you can change while on the move so long as you put the clutch in like changing gears normally... I have tested without any grinding happening...something silly but like me, i wasn't game to try and potentially damage anything before i tried it myself...specially when the car was so new...to me at least.

 

The cigarette lighter...haven't really looked into that one, other things have taken preference. But with that one i think i will run a new fused power cable from the battery right through to the back so it is always "Hot." Have found out that the factory wiring if it is there, is quite light and may not be up to the work load...

 

Switches...still pondering about what i'm going to do, i've already installed one, but it's a hidden switch for my ahooga horn. Since over my way you can legally have them hooked up, you just can't use them when the car is on.

 

Went to a subaru parts guy to get another plastic insert section i've got shown in the images in the first post. But they wanted to dock me $25 for a little piece of plastic i was planning on hacking up, so going to continue to look for another option or try and fabricate something up in that spot myself...or at least attempt to.