Justin Time

Yes, but you'll be well chuffed when the weather turns cr@p, or if you have to drive onto and off muddy fields this summer. Good choice.

Don't hold your breath. I've found Subaru UK (the IM Group) to be next to useless, very unhelpful, when it comes to customer care and returning messages.

Good choice to replace all tyres so the tread is essentially equal across all 4. Also, same brand and model too, is important. I know it's a right pain if you get a puncture on a only part worn tyre that picks up an unrepairable puncture, but that's the cost for having a capable permanent all wheel drive motor. This is especially true if you're thinking of keeping the car for years, or you're worried about hidden long term damage the next owner might encounter. When I bought my first OB, I did consider doing a 5 wheel rotation plan, adding the spare into the mix every rotation, just in case I got one of those punctures. But honestly, as for half of the year my car has a set on directional winter tyres it wasn't really a practical choice. I think tyres, are one of the most important safety parts on any motor vehicle. Best not to skimp ever.

Yes, I do wonder too. Here's what the Subaru UK website says about Subaru servicing: "Subaru genuine parts are original manufacturer equipment – the same components that were fitted when your car was built at the factory. Developed as the best possible option for Subaru models, genuine parts are produced to meet the same quality standards as a new Subaru. More than simply being the best replacement parts available, they’re also designed to work seamlessly with core components, such as the engine and chassis. By choosing Subaru genuine equipment, fitted by your Subaru dealer’s skilled technicians, you’re choosing to keep your Subaru’s performance, safety and reliability as good as new for total peace-of-mind. All Subaru genuine parts and labour servicing comes with a 3 year / 60,000 mile guarantee." I've emailed Subaru UK customer support to enquire and I'll let the forum know when/if I receive a reply. I do recall the Youtube channel MrSubaru, discussing the different oil filters that are fitted to Subarus and the merits of the OE over the alternatives. I'll also open anther thread on a related topic from today too.

My 2025 Gen 6 is now 12 months old and when I bought it, it came with a 3 year Subaru service plan option ('free' with the car). I've just returned from my local Subaru dealer with the car having completed its first service (12 months - 3600 miles). I noticed that the oil filter the dealership used has no Subaru branding on it. It just reads "OIL FILTER COMPLETE 15208AA160PRO" (see photo). Is this a OEM part? Should it be, or is this what Subaru provide to their dealerships for these service packages? On my last Gen 5, all the filters after every service (5 services - no service plan) had Subaru branding on them, even when I started to take the car to my Indy Subaru specialist.

Are the TPM valves still with these wheels?

Basically one of these (see below). No longer needed as i've a Gen6 and this doesn't fit. Comes with all parts, pristine and even with original packaging box and instructions for fitting. Make me an offer. NE England collection. https://subaru-parts.co.uk/product/dog-guard-genuine-subaru-outback-2015-onwards-2/

Perhaps you've already tried this, but I'd simply give my AA/RAC/Green flag, etc. a call and let them work it out (but DON'T buy the battery from them!).

Yes, they are considerably less than impressive. Of course Subaru farm this out to International Motors Ltd (IML) based in Solihull I believe. Lack lustre doesn't cover it. They seem to be well behind the curve and are still aiming at full electrification (and the death of) of Subaru in Europe and the UK, just when it looks like the tide is returning to sanity, and full petrol again. Hey ho.

Hope you get this sorted Bowesy. That's a delicious looking car, and I'm not envious one bit,.. No siree, not me :)

https://www.carbuyer.co.uk/subaru/outback/reliability

I've had this happen once to me in the last couple of weeks I've owned the car. However, I'd been messing with the auto lock on the powered boot so it might have been that. Hasn't happened since although I've tried to repeat the situation. The OB and maybe other Subarus in the UK (and Europe) have an odd alarm system installed. Have a look in your bundle of booklets you received for something called "Category 1 Alarm System Operating Instructions" for vehicles with smart entry (with selective unlock", if you have one. Also, have a look in the lower dash near to the bonnet release lever. There's a small fuse box which flips down. On the inside lid of the cover you'll find a small key pad. This is where you can control various alarm features. Before you touch however, make sure you have a set of silver stickers on which is printed, headed "IMPORTANT Your pre-programmed PIN is: @@@@@" . I've always steered well clear of touching this in my previous car, but was tempted to see if i could switch the internal alarm off when I left a dog in the locked car. As it was, I found a quicker method which was just to swivel the two spherical 'sensors', either side of the A frame, so they pointed down. The alarm never sounded with a dog left in, so it worked for me, although he was usually quiet and laid in the boot. A more active animal might have triggered it. Hope you get it sorted

Don't tow myself, but here are just a few reviews that suggest it's Ok but not great with the CVT. If I was doing towing myself, I'd go for a Skoda diesel 4x4 like the karoq/octavia. Friend of mine has just picked up a '17 plate Nissan x-trail diesel for pulling her horse trailer. 210 mm of ground clearance and lockable 4x4 option too. Does the job really well. So few diesels on the market now being sold :(

The reason why it is important for me is that I compete in, and support, events in the equestrian world, and attend lots of local agricultural shows too. Practically all of these are held on agricultural fields (meadows/pastures), and particularly with our climate we have plenty of rainfall and muddy gateways to enter and exit. This year, for example, I was marshalling on an equestrian endurance event in the north of England. Just a regional/county event, where some 45 riders arrived in their horse boxes or towing horse trailers and parked on the field. As marshals, we helped them onto the grass field and parked them up. It had rained moderately the night before, and then rained over the course of the event (5 hours). There was only one gateway on and off the field. I'd had enough foresight to drive the OB off the field and park it along the lane during the event so as not to get trapped. As the riders were returning, loaded up and then attempting to leave, the ground near the gateway became 'somme-like', and we had to tow some 20 plus vehicles off with a tractor. I learnt a number of lessons while hitching the chains to the front and undersides of those vehicles: 1. Most of the drivers didn't know what a tow-hook was, or where they might find one in their vehicle. You can picture the frenzy of people, in the rain, opening their trunks and unloading saddles, tack and the rest of their gear, in order to get to the underfloor space. 2. VAG groups cars (Audi and VW, etc.) have a LH thread on their tow hook/eyes! Why? 3. We were towing some pretty hard core 4x4s (Land cruisers and Defenders) off that field as the drivers seemed oblivious to how to use low-range and locking diffs. I'll not comment on the gender of the drivers, but given it was a 'horsey' event you might guess. Well we all have to learn! Anyway - all got off safely, and despite the rain there was good cheer all around and no damage. I hope my tyre choice and the Subaru's capabilities, will lead me to avoid the ignominy of sharing these experiences in the future. But for a supposed outdoor enthusiast's vehicle, this is a serious omission. Further thought. We've had some flooding in the UK recently, and I've been aware from the news of stranded vehicles needing to be towed out of water. I'd imagine it would be much more of a challenge to try and attach a line to the Gen 6 tow eyes, underwater, than the traditional bumper bolt hooks in the front bumper, same goes for a vehicle stuck in deep mud - messy and tricky burrowing under the front bumper. Most vehicles still have the screw in bolt hook, so I wonder why Subaru abandoned this. I wonder if I need to invest in a shackle(s) of some sort. Maybe a galvanised screw pin bow shackle - one that will fit the hole in the plate?