Are you having problems with your Subaru? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest Subaru issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the Subaru in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.
The oil consumption is a result of the engine design, being horizontally opposed, and it's not limited to Subaru. Oil accumulates in the rings when it's sitting and you'll sometimes see a puff of smoke from the tailpipe on start-up. It's not something to be concerned about if you check the oil on a regular basis, as you should do on all cars. Use the Subaru recommended oil when topping it up. You'll find that in the owner's manual.
If you are not doing many kilometres, which you obviously aren't, I would suggest you service it every year or 10,000 km, whichever rolls around first.
The oil consumption is a result of the engine design, being horizontally-opposed, and it's not limited to Subaru. Oil accumulates in the rings when it's sitting and you'll sometimes see a puff of smoke from the tailpipe on start-up. It's not something to be concerned about if you check the oil on a regular basis, as you should do on all cars. Use the Subaru recommended oil when topping it up, you'll find that in the owner's manual.
We checked with Subaru and were told that you should follow the manufacturer's recommendation for engine oil as specified in the owner's manual. Subaru also told us that 0W-20 engine oil is available in Australia and can be purchased through Subaru dealers. They also said that you could rest assured that although the engine will not be delivering maximum power, maximum torque, best fuel economy or best exhaust emissions, no harm will have come to the engine by using 10W-40 engine oil.
I would ask the dealer to demonstrate that it is an induction noise, if necessary by driving other vehicles, which should have the same noise if he is correct.
Rear diffs on that model Forester are known to be a problem, even at low kays like yours, but it's important to make sure it's not a wheel bearing that's making the noise. Your mechanic should be able to identify it if it is a wheel bearing issue.
They are known to wear, but you need to have them properly assessed to confirm that the problem is with the diff. The prices quoted by the Subaru dealer would appear to be reasonable, and their diagnosis also seems reasonable, so I would be taking the car to them before I had a new diff fitted.
It's common practice to replace the water pump at the belt change, and not just on Subarus, as the water pump is usually found to be leaking when they take off the front cover and belt etc. By replacing it when the engine is pulled down for the belt change you won't have to do it again when the water pump finally fails. If you're not sure ask to see evidence the water pump needs replacing before the mechanic goes ahead and fits a new one. $400 is about right if it has to be replaced.
When Subaru updated the Transmission Control Module in 2010 it did what it thought was needed to fix the problem, but clearly they discovered later that the problem was with the torque converter. All of that suggests the company was being helpful in trying to fix the problem. Now they are offering you a new torque converter, leaving you to pay the cost of fitting it. That's a fairly standard deal with a car as old as your daughter and son-in-law's, and I would accept it.
Sales of little soft-roaders have grown faster than any new vehicle segment in our overcrowded new-car market.Last year there were just over 60,000 small SUVs sold, up 53 per cent on 2011. The category parameters have changed and now some models previously considered compact are classified as medium. But sales of the smallest SUVs have increased for the past three consecutive years.The appeal lies in several attributes, not the least of which is in looking more adventurous than domesticated. There's the draw of fuel economy, though the reality is that certain of these models do not perform much better than the big cars they've supplanted.Then there is the versatility of the interior, the elevated driving position and the visibility it affords, and the perception of being unassailable by other road users.The three brands on this page argue about who started the soft-roader craze. Each has a worthy case.Toyota is synonymous with off-road passenger machinery that has a reputation for reliability and capability. The RAV4 introduced a suburban level of versatility to the Japanese brand when it lobbed here in 1996 (there was the Tercel and AWD Tarago before it, but let's not go there).The RAV had the look and lineage to carry off the compact SUV concept. With a new model not far from the showrooms there are bargains to be had in the outgoing vintage.Subaru's all-terrain wagon heritage harks back to the 1970s, when 1600cc (and, later, 1800cc) wagons with transfer cases and raised bellies showed you didn't need a big burly 4WD to get seriously off the beaten track. The Forester might not have retained the forebears' dual-range lever within the transmission console but the spirit remains.Another company with four decades of history in the realm of small, lightweight off-roaders is Suzuki. The original Jimny and Sierra lightweight 4WD wagons were tiny, nimble and bulletproof machines and the modern descendant the Grand Vitara has retained much of the off-road ability without succumbing to the soft-roader sookery.(Search for hundreds more choices) 2011 Toyota RAV4Engine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100 CARSGUIDE SAYSThe dependable Toyota reputation offsets any styling shortfall. While not a rock-hopper like its LandCruiser big brother, it doesn't mind getting its wheels dirty. Dual airbags, descent and stability control, Bluetooth and USB connection are among the features.2009 Subaru Forester XS PremiumEngine: 2.5-litre 4-cyl boxer petrolTransmission: 4-speed automaticThirst: 9.6L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThe Forester has been a segment leader on sales volume and is one of the more versatile of the all-terrain brigade -- some models still have low range. The XS Premium has leather trim, sunroof, stability control, climate control, six airbags and rally-bred heritage.2009 Suzuki Grand Vitara WagonEngine: 2.4-litre 4-cyl petrolTransmission: 5-speed manualThirst: 8.9L/100km CARSGUIDE SAYSThe brand builds bikes as well as being responsible for the original small off-roader. The Suzuki Grand Vitara has old-school 4WD and genuine off-road ability. Anything but a soft-roader, it's light and nimble off the beaten track and useful around town too.
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