I just bought an Outback. I keep my cars a loooong time. I'd like to know, if anyone knows, what maintenance items are particularly important to prolonging the life of the vehicle. For example, should the lubes (or antifreeze, or ps fluid) in certain sections of the driveline be changed more often, to prolong life? Or, are the official intervals sufficient. Another example: Does a tranny cooler or ps fluid cooler improve life? What about adding filters to coolant or ps fluid?
Jim
Install a transmission cooler for sure. The other stuff I don't know.
MN
Get yourself a free account at mysubaru.com. Sections of the site include car care tips. Indicate who your dealer is; you can schedule service at the site, and your dealer's input to their side of the database gives you an online service record.
NEVER drive on a donut spare or mismatched tires!(without using the FWD fuse) PLEASE refer to your manual about emergency spare procedures. Best thing, always get a 'flatbed' tow. Read about 'torque bind' here or at
Carl
What Carl said about the donut.
You shouldn't expect any significant issues for the first couple of years. Mine is a '99 and here's what I do:
Bleed brake fluid and replace pads every 40k miles. Note that rotors *must* be roughed up with sandpaper each time pads are changed.
New oil, oil filter and crush washer every
3.5k miles. (Mobil 1 10W30 and factory Subaru oil filter) Good time to inspect CV boots. Check tire pressures. Rotate wheels every other oil change. Probably overkill, but I have 2 rollaround jacks and can do it in 30 minutes.New wiper blades and Rain-X windshield every fall. Wax body every spring.
Gunk and pressure wash engine compartment every 2 years.
New battery every 5 years.
Check oil and coolant at least every other fillup. Use high detergent gas like Chevron at least every other fillup.
On my particular model, Subaru recommends timing belt replacement every 105k miles. I did mine at 84k because of a leaking oil seal. At the same time I changed the fan belts, plugs, timing belt tensioner, coolant and water pump. I'll probably do the same drill at 170k miles.
I have a manual transmission so I can't speak to auto transmission issues. I did change all the factory fluids to Redline and saw a slight improvement in shifting.
Subaru recommends 5W30, at least for the '01 Outback. Earlier threads in this group suggest that 10W30 does not sufficiently lubricate a cold engine (depending on climate and time of year). Why do you use 10W30?
Because it significantly reduced startup clatter. Which sorta contradicts the reason given by Subaru.
In any case, do what Subaru says. I'll stick with 10W30 in my car.
One more thing, you may also install an engine oil cooler.
I've seen some coolers that are joint engine and tranny, i.e. half of the cooler is for engine oil, and half for tranny oil.
Putting a cooler on these two expensive parts (engine and tranny) makes the most sense. My estimate is that with a big cooler you may prolong the life of the transmission by +/- 50%, depending on your driving style, and climate. So if a new tranny is worth $3000 you can potentially get a $1500 return for a 50$-70$ investment (average cost of a simple cooler).
This is cost effective!
Putting an engine oil cooler carries some risk, though, as there is much pressure and heat in the lines and in case of failure you may oil starve the engine very quickly. I didn't put one on my Impreza but it is something to consider if you are after longevity.
Otherwise just install a tranny cooler, preferably fill tranny with synthetic ATF, and change the engine oil frequently- you will prolong the life of these vital, costly, components and hopefully that of your car too.
Synthetic gear lube in differentials is very cost effective as it is not something you don't replace very frequently, and people claim that it pays for itself in better milage.
MN
Never take it to a Quickie Lube place - professional mechanics are worth the price even for oil changes. Never ever let a bozo change your coolant or you will probably join the ranks of those bemoaning a bad head gasket. For the same reason, if the coolant level starts to drop get it fixed. Spend a dime, save a dollar.
Mike
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