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Dealer Maintenance & Tires

I have a 2000 Outback and I've let the dealership do the regular maintenance so far. But I've lately become disenchanted with them, since they have raised their labor rates to $80/hr. That's too much to pay someone to do an oil change and rotate the tires. Also, last time I was there for maintenance I told them that the check engine light had lit up for a couple of hours a month or so ago, and and asked them to download the electronic code that should be stored in the car's computer. They informed me there would be an additional $80 charge for downloading the code. I thought those codes were there for the service mechanics catch problems, not just to soak the customer for another $80 just to find out if there is a problem or not. What should I look for in a repair shop to do my regular maintenance? I'm approaching my 60k maintenance and want to be sure everything gets done properly.

Also, the OEM tires are going to need replacing pretty soon. They are the Bridgestone Wilderness ones and I've currently got about 55K miles on them. I've been satisfied with the way they ride & handle, and they aren't very expensive, so I thought I'd just replace them with the same. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks.

Reply to
dwebbbusiness
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Can you learn to do your own oil changes? The Outback is the easiest car in the world to change the oil and filter on. All you need is a

17mm 1/2" drive socket and a 1/2" breaker bar for the drain plug. You *might* need an oil filter wrench, though I've never needed one.

That and a drain pan. Buy the filters and crush washers from Auburn Subaru

4 or 6 at a time and keep most of your money in your pocket.
Reply to
Jim Stewart

The dealer is ripping you for reading codes. My dealer has done it for nothing and it takes about 10 minutes. AutoZone will do it for free but, they do not have all the codes for every car so go to

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and get the information. ed

Reply to
Edward Hayes

That's supposed to be a terrific tire, and either it or Michelin's new HydroEdge will probably be the next set of tires on my 01 OBW. Out of curiosity, did you compare the TT to the HE?

Reply to
John Rethorst

The Triple Treads out rated the Hydroedge on Tire Racks rating system. Note the positive reports on the tire. Grippppppppy!

Reply to
H

I went to our local Fountain Tire dealer and he bought what was left of the Yokohamas for $50/each (CDN). I live on the West Coast of Canada (Wet Coast), for rain, I have never driven a better tire.

Reply to
H

If you're referring to exactly the same Geolander tire mentioned below, that's surprising. The traction rating (B for that tire) refers to wet braking. The B rating for that tire is less than the A rating of many similar (but apparently better) tires. Online I saw the BF Goodrich Traction T/A (top of it's category in Tirerack surveys) listed with a traction rating of AA. Not sure if that was a typo, or is actually a new rating. Either way Tirerack customers really seem to like it.

Reply to
David

I avoid the dealer like the plague. If they are just changing the oil and rotating the tire, you can do that yourself. I wouldn't trust the local Jiffy Lube or dealer to change my oil! After all, who will care more about doing the job right than you?? Do you really think the wrench monkey at the local shop cares about your car? I've seen my share of stripped out oil drain plugs and the such. I'm no master mechanic but there is very little that needs to be done to your vehicle. Basic up keep on your Subie is a no-brainer. I do have a local tire store change my tires for me. I just don't have the equiptment to do it or I would. And they rotate the tires for free. And BTW, I hate to work on cars. I would just as soon have someone else do the work. But, when I do it, I know it's done right! BlueSTi "Scary-Fast"

Reply to
BlueSTi

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