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Merry Christmas to the members of the Subaru Owners Club Enjoy the festive break and see you back here in 2025

Good news, I got my maps back. The Subaru Customer Support replied quickly with a detailed step by step procedure to regain the maps. It looked a bit daunting but with patience it worked. The only hitch in the process is that the USB stick has to be plugged in after opening the map update window. It didn’t register when I first put it in. I will copy the steps below for anyone else to use. This is the email reply I received: Thank You for contacting Subaru (UK) Ltd. I will try and help you with your map issue, if you have lost your UK map, it sounds like you may have started a UK Map update 'in car' via a Wi-Fi connection, and then it lost connection/lost connectivity - the first thing it does is delete the current map, then apply the update, if the update fails, you have no map... The only way to fix this now is to carry out a FULL map reload via USB stick, using the maps website. I'm going to give you all the information, so apologies if you are much further ahead. For your information, the maps installed on your car can be updated to the latest map release using website: http://subaru-maps.com When using the subaru-maps website you create a user-account, add your vehicles VIN, type in your Request Code off the Head Unit to obtain your Authentication Code, then download and install the 'Map Downloader' app, open this and log in (also using the same credentials as the website) to view and physically download any updated maps available for your car. Once the USB stick has been created, insert it in the car, then type in the Activation Code you obtained from the website when prompted to authorise the install. I know this all sounds complicated, so I have attached some visual instructions as a PDF - I hope these help explain the process a little better. Lastly, the app and the QR code - unfortunately the app is only compatible for the EV vehicles, eg the SOLTERRA currently, it will not work with your Outback. I will attach the pdf mentioned above. Hope someone finds it useful. Activation Code on HARMAN maps-Dec-02-2024-03-43-40-7464-PM.pdf

Thanks very much for the sound advice which I will follow. Also bought a jump start battery pack – belt and braces. A bit disappointing to hear it is common issue. But I have some good news about the loss of my satnav maps which you can see in my other post.

Well I was happily moving my 2022 eboxer into the car port from the driveway when suddenly an orange symbol appeared on the dashboard marked GPF with the information icon. I waded through the owners manual and learnt the following. The car is fitted with a GPF and just like a diesel it may require regeneration if the car is driven in urban conditions a lot in low temperatures. Personally I'd no idea that petrol cars had these or that the last generaton of the XV were fitted with these ,but subsequently learnt this is apparently a mandatory device under EU regulations since 2022. Now here's the thing. To conduct the regeneration you have to drive the car in manual gear mode without using cruise control at between 2000 and 2500 revs at a speed above 60kph for about 30 minutes and periodically take your foot off the accelerator. I live just off the M5 motorway so drove it on there . After 15 miles and about 20 minutes the warning light went out. I understand if it won't clear it then becomes a dealer job to force a regeneration. I searched Youtube and could find very little information about the GPF. I did however find a video of a guy with a 2024 Kia who had encountered the same issue. In his case he had to drive 80 kilometres to get his car to complete the regeneration so I feel very relieved mine only took 20 minutes. Would I have bought my Subaru if I had realised this was going to be an iussue. Well I bought a hybrid to avoid diesels with a DPF and it would have been nice to know I might have issues in the winter with short journeys. By the way once the regeneration had finished I noticed that the performance of the car improved dramatically. I only use 'branded' petrol and every two or three tankfuls refuel with Shell V power. Hope this information is of use.

Quite a few available but not direct in UK You could look at getting one fabricated but unless you got access to cheap materials and fabricator friend it will cost more . https://www.offroadmanni.eu/Skid-plate-for-Subaru-Forester-SF-2-mm-steel-engine https://get-primitive.com/product/armor-skidplates-and-protection/front-skidplates/front-skidplate-1998-2002-forester/