Justin Time

Every cloud. I know exactly what you mean about EPB. It might be of no consequence to you, but a small one to me as a horse rider, is that when I've met very helpful lorry drivers who have stopped when they see you riding along the lane, the 'sudden hiss' of the air brakes can send a horse apoleptic - and makes for an 'eventful' hack out 🙂

Subaru have quite small sales in the UK too. So you might be best to post your question on the US site https://www.subaruoutback.org where there is a vast amount of experience and knowledge-how . All the best.

I think there are some issues with the hybrid Forester. My own brief experience driving one for the day as a courtesy car while my Outback was being serviced; posted I had a Forester hybrid (less than 1000 miles on the clock) for a whole day in December while my Outback was in for a service. I agree, the Forester was ponderous when moving off from junctions and felt really heavy. I also couldn't seem to find a way to permanently disable the lane centring assist, or the auto stop-start. It was a Sport trim, and had a very dark interior compared to the sunroof lit Outback. Fuel economy wasn't anything different either, and the small petrol tank limits the range. I think Subaru hybrids might work in a city, but for rural driving I can't see the point of lugging all that heavy battery equipment around for no extra benefit. And why would you want one in a city anyway? Also, a major deal breaker for me is the lack of space to put a full-size spare, or any spare into. Ridiculous for a so-called 4x4. James_AU replied Justin, 100%. I am very disappointed with my Forester. I have a sunroof in mine, so it is lighter inside, but everything else you are spot on with! The size of the interior is great, much larger than my Outback (and I am 6ft4, so the extra head room in the Forester is GREAT!), lack of spare tire, horrible(!) fuel efficiency, automatic features that will not be quiet, yeah, all things that get to me too. I am thinking about letting this Forester go, and see what else is on the market. I love the idea of EV/Hybrid, but not when it costs me so much to get this one. However, that's just our opinion and bear in mind often people don't post if they're happy with their cars!

Yes, it's a well known problem. See this site and search battery issues for shared experiences and also advice. Others on here have given advice. In brief, don't do multiple short journeys; drive with your sidelights on all the time (in the day) to force the alternator to charge the battery and keep it topped up. If you've got a powered tailgate don't leave it open too long with the engine off; etc. etc. Use 'dealer mode' and 'factory mode' on your infotainment screen to check the charging of your battery so as to monitor its health and charging levels. Make sure you put the key fob into 'sleep-mode' at the end of the day or if you're storing the keys anywhere near the car (say if youre camping) so the car's electrics isn't constantly sending data to and fro the fob. Switch off the internet connection uploads options on your car to stop it searching automatically for updates, etc. Also, https://www.motorbiscuit.com/subaru-owners-suing-over-frustrating-battery-drain-issues/ to see issues elsewhere and class action abasing Subaru. I think Subaru have recently (in the US) agreed to settle the claims (ie admitted there's an issue - not sure if it includes crosstrees/xvs). Check out the US subaruxvforum.org too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A-TCgmXkb4

I think the official Subaru position for their AWD vehicles is that the tyre makes and models should be the same on all four wheels and have near matching tread depths. That's a right pain when we cop an unrepairable puncture on a part worn tyre as the whole set have to be replaced ££££££! My understanding is that the Subaru permanent 4x4 system is very sensitive to differences and that issues can occur with transmission problems. It's one of this issues I was aware of when I decided to go the Subaru route. I'm sure there are some people who say that all of this is rubbish and they've run their Subaru for 1000s miles with different tyres and no issues. You pays your money, or not, and makes your choice.

I think that if you welded some sort of plating it would make access to the underside of the vehicle for maintenance problematic. Also, mice and such can be determined little critters and it would need to have any gaps filled to prevent their access, as mice can for example, articulate their skulls to access very small holes. I don'\t think sheeting or mesh would be the best option for the latter reasons. Trying to 'armour' the fuel line directly, might be a none lethal (to the vermin) option. Apparently, it's a regualr problem with people who store their vintage cars. https://www.mouserepel.com/how-to-keep-mice-out-of-your-car/ https://www.consumerreports.org/car-maintenance/how-to-protect-your-car-from-rodents-a5816950285/ Honda also sell 'pepper-tape' https://www.honda.wales/estore/GENUINE-HONDA-RODENT-TAPE-19MM-x-20METRES-p147716010 Best of luck.

Yes, wire wool might do the trick - good idea. I live deep in the rural north pennines, and we have problems with mice, rats, voles and shrews getting into the garden and outbuildings and making nests and eating stuff. Well, we did, until a stoat took up residence in the byre 🙂 The terminator. Sorry, I can't think of a practical way for enticing stoaty to hang around your motor. Know anyone with ferrets? Ferret crap scares vermin too, but you have to be able to tolerate it yourself!! 🙂 Just thinking, mice do learn quite quickly where 'food' sources are, and keep coming back. But if you can wipe out the 'family' that learning is lost. If you park in a regular sport, could you shove a poison baited vermin box underneath (to protect other animals from eating the poison)?

I had a Forester hybrid (less than 1000 miles on the clock) for a whole day in December while my Outback was in for a service. I agree, the Forester was ponderous when moving off from junctions and felt really heavy. I also couldn't seem to find a way to permanently disable the lane centring assist, or the auto stop-start. It was a Sport trim, and had a very dark interior compared to the sunroof lit Outback. Fuel economy wasn't anything different either, and the small petrol tank limits the range. I think Subaru hybrids might work in a city, but for rural driving I can't see the point of lugging all that heavy battery equipment around for no extra benefit. And why would you want one in a city anyway? Also, a major deal breaker for me is the lack of space to put a full-size spare, or any spare into. Ridiculous for a so-called 4x4.

I've heard of this before. Check out this search for some answers. https://www.subaruoutback.org/search/1995509/?q=mice&o=relevance Other than controlling the vermin in the area the car is parked, if possible, maybe use some barrier like tin foil wrapped around?

Yeah. They don't score highly on Trustpilot either. https://uk.trustpilot.com/review/www.subaru.co.uk If you're on FB or Twitter you might leave a comment to add to their shaming. Beyond that.... 😞

I think that the newer off-road settings on Subarus which include a 'deep snow/mud' option, basically does automatically switch the esp off when in that mode. It probably does other electronic tweaks as well.

Not that I've been overly impressed by Subaru Starlink, but today when I opened the app I got a message saying it's to be discontinued in March 2023. Anyone know if it'll be replaced? Hopefully, with something better. It does have breakdown assistance component and it'll show where your car is, giving a GPS position, which may help if you in unfamiliar places. Plus there's a quick link/call to Subaru Assist (not that Ive had to use it fortunately).

Hi. Whether or not the car is any good on snow and icy patches depends mostly on whether you've got winter tyres ( or decent all-seasons) fitted or not . You can have the very best 4x4 system on the planet but if you're tyres don't grip 'you ain't going nowhere'. Re manual vs automatic - all I can say from my recent conversion to an automatic is that I like the fact you can a) lock the car into a low gear without having to feather the clutch, and it'll stay in that chosen gear and b) related to the latter, you can move as slowly as you need to without having to worry about stalling, which can be a bonus in some snowy or otherwise awkward situations. I know sometimes the advice is to move off in 2nd gear, and you can do that readily on a manual, but in the few deep snow situations I've been in since I've had the automatic Outback, I've not needed to do this, but have switched ESP off. Hope that helps. Others may have different views.

Hi Judd. Firstly, a huge thanks for taking the time to reply so comprehensively. I didn't get to see the old parts, or to speak to the mechanic. The garage had the wrong mobile number for me (!), so I eventually phoned them, late in the day to enquire what the situation was. Consequently, I arrived late back at the garage, not long before their closing. I had taken the car to an experienced Subaru dealership, some 150 miles from where we live, as we combined it with a 'city-break' for a few days (2 birds...etc.). Hence, it was all a bit rushed. My gut feeling was that the parts were probably worn as they described, but you're right, it would have been useful to also see the osf components for comparison. I do recall thinking when I first bought the car, which is my first automatic, how the brakes might be an issue as up to then I'd been used to using engine braking on bends, approaching junctions, etc. when reasonable to do so. Most of my driving is over hlilly, winding A and B-roads, and some light off-roading across fields for equestrian 'duties'. Regarding your experience with maintenance, I used to do all my own servicing and fixing, having owned a string of Triumphs and a Norton, plus a couple of jap bikes in the 70s and 80s, followed by a 1963 6v VW beetle and a 1973 'Super' Beetle owned in the 90s, plus a Ford Escort (LPG converted). Toyota Hilux also has a special place in my heart. I had the use of one in the early 1990s for a few years while I lived and work in rural Namibia, on the Angolan border. The car had a South-African built Toyota petrol engine - simple and reliable. I did all the maintenance on my 'Bakkie', which was a doddle. Fantastic car. Generally, servicing and maintenance was always out of an interest in mechanics; a desire to be independent; and personal economics at that time. I've clearly become 'soft' in the last 20 years, plus the added complication of vehicles recently doesn't encourage me too attempt much now. Regarding lockdown imprisonment issues possibly contributing to seizing - brakes, the economy and UK moral fibre, I did wonder about that too. The car was registered in December 2019 ( days before Subaru UK shortened the warranty for new vehicles - hooray), and I bought it with just 11 miles on the clock in April 2020. I'm guessing that even prior to registration it was parked in an import lot somewhere for a few months. Subaru were off-loading all their 'old' RHD Gen5 Outbacks to Europe, before the Gen6 was allowed to be sold here. No complaints, as I managed a hefty discount (coming back to haunt me?) as they needed to shift them before the Gen6 release - 2 years later than in the US. As you referred to, we do also live in a very rural spot and road salting is extensive. We've piles of salt every 100 metres on the verge the full mile up the hill from the nearest village - so yes there's a lot about. The local farmers, on behalf of the council are very diligent at salting and ploughing too - and we often have better access to highways then many folks living on urban housing estate. Although salting has never been an issue on the recent cars I've owned (Octavia estate 4x4; a couple of 4x4 Yetis; etc.). Still - maybe a contributing factor, although I'm pretty OCD regarding jet-washing and tending to my investment. Prior to buying the Outback, I've taken all my cars to a small, independent Skoda specialist in Yorkshire, where I bought the Octy in 2003. A great garage and we were on first name terms- really helpful and trustworthy. I've always been left unimpressed by main dealerships and their corporate mentality, etc. Following your suggestions, I'm going to think about taking the Outback to the Skoda specialist, so they can have a check of the brakes - just to reassure me. Anyway, thanks again - very much appreciated.

This week I took my 2020 Outback to a Subaru dealer for its second annual service. The car has only 17100 miles recorded and had its first annual service a year ago at 7669 miles. I hadn't expected any issues, but had a call from the service dept. informing me that the car needed new brake pads and new discs. I was astonished as on all the other vehicles I've owned in 40 years of driving I'd managed to get over 40,000 miles or much more out of the pads alone. Obviously, I needed this fixed, and when I called into the dealership to collect the car and pay for the work I read the mechanic's note. The mechanic stated that "front pads 90% worn and binding on nsf wheel, front discs scored". I argued (politely) that while I was aware brakes pads and discs are, like tyres, oil filters etc, understood not to be covered by the manufacturer's warranty as this is usually wear and tear, that my vehicle's issues could not be described as 'normal wear and tear". My point was that if the wear had been due to a) very poor driving or b) poor quality parts, that the wear would be expected to be largely symmetrical. However, with such marked, low mileage significant asymmetric wear, that the worn discs and pads were actually symptomatic of an underlying mechanical problem with the operation and/or components of the nsf brakes. Consequently, I felt that the pads and discs replacement and labour costs should have been covered by the warranty and moreover I would expect the underlying mechanical problem to be investigated and remedied. Not simply to prevent the problem reoccurring and more expense on my part, but importantly due to potential safely issues with markedly asymmetrical wearing brake components. The service staff insisted that this was "normal wear and tear" and stated that "all car parts are less robust these days" and that "automatics wear their brakes much more than manual cars". My reply was that this may or may not be true, but if it was I would still expect largely symmetrical wear. Ultimately, I had to pay the additional £400 on top of the £350 service cost, but I'm planning on making a formal complaint in writing to the Service Manager, before escalating the issue to Subaru UK if the complaint is not upheld. I should add that a few weeks before the service, at low speeds, I had noticed occasionally a slight sqeal from the front brakes when the steering wheel was moved from the straight ahead position to the right, and this occurred when the brake pedal was not depressed but ceased when the brakes were applied. I left a note to this effect for the mechanic to read. Before I email my complaint (and to avoid making a fool of myself!) can I ask if others believe I have a case? Am I missing something here? Am I being unreasonable? Many thanks in advance for comments and opinions.

MrSubaru1387 states that there are some recently reported issues with new Subarus, related to: 1. CVT (again!) 2. Silicon, (not enough) in seals causing oil leaks 3. Silicon (too much!) in seals, causing engine damage. It seems Subaru (in the US anyway) are being very proactive in trying to sort this. Here's the vid: MrSubaru1387

Just been notified that the Class-Action in the US over Subaru battery issues seems to have been settled with Subaru agreeing to compensate. I wonder about the implications for Europe, if any! Here's the link: Subaru Battery Issue

I humbly apologise Judd. Slapping on the Volterol and doses of Single Malt general see me such seasonal exigencies! This time last year we were beginning the first of our Storm Arwen's 10 days without electricity, heralded by two days of heavy snow. I'm well impressed at your cleaning routine. All I've done so far is to go around the treads flicking gravel out and I've scrubbed the grime off. I haven't got around to bagging up and racking yet as they're still damp. I also switched my partner's Skoda wheels over on her Fabia this morning, taking advantage of a dry, bright day. Fortunately, all our winter / summer sets have got at least another year in them. I bought my Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV tyres last year and I'm pleased with their performance. I've pondered, for future reference, on the new all season Michelin CrossClimate 2 SUV tyres and wondered if I could get away with those next time instead of two sets winter/summer. By the way, I'm still mightily impressed at your virility when you boast how you can assure me that you're "without fear of contraception..." Go Boy Go!!! 😄

Summer tyres off - winters back on again. Bring on the white stuff...yeaaaahhhhh 😀

Thanks. I'll have a butchers. Like the razor wire idea though 🙂

There's been a spate of thefts of ccs in my region recently. I've seen a bunch of steel shields to cover ccs on the web claiming to provide some level protection. Anyone got any ideas how best to deter or at least flummox the thieving blighters ?

Agreed. Subaru need to acknowledge there is an issue here with some of their modern cars, given the number of complaints online in UK, US and elsewhere. Either their cars are fit for purpose - meaning you can drive them when and where you want - or they need to offer clear advice on the restricted use of their product due to battery issues. It might be an issue that you could pursue under consumer law as customers in the UK have a right to expect products to perform reasonably. You could contract IMG group directly with your complaint. Here's the customer relations email address: [email protected] Here's also a reference to consumer law re cars in the UK: https://www.autotrader.co.uk/content/advice/how-does-the-consumer-rights-act-protect-you-when-you-buy-a-car or for more details: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/our-work/citizens-advice-consumer-work/the-consumer-rights-act-2015/ Out of interest, how did the battery isolator work out in use? What issues were there with stored settings; the alarm; etc.? I've checked my OB's manual and there's no reference to multiple 'short' journeys (or what counts as a short journey) regarding the battery care. Again, if it's an issue, there should be a warning (not everyone is mechanically minded!). Best of luck with your issue. I'd be grateful if you could keep us informed of any progress.

Thanks for sharing the link. The boot wheel arch protector would be useful for me. No mention of the dog guard in the vid which was interesting.

There are loads of Subaru battery drain issues discussed all over the internet so it's a know problem. To be fair it might also happen to other modern vehicles, but I've not searched for these too. As Mr B pointed out, modern cars effectively never switch off and have loads of stuff going on, electronically, in them all the time even when they're parked up and locked. I was aware of this before I bought my Outback (2020), and picked up a few ideas as how to manage this which have worked ... so far...! First up, if you drive such sort mileages, more 'juice' is likely to be taken out of the battery, than the alternator puts back in, especially since it seems many modern cars have charging algorithms that try to flatter mpg figures by not engaging the alternator (to recharge the battery), until necessary. Aside from avoiding lots of short journeys, one 'hack' is to always drive with the side lights on (or the Air Conditioning, or some other high draw of current) as this forces the alternator to start up from the get-go and constantly recharge the battery. Secondly, if you have a modern Subaru, go into the options in the infotainment system that allow you to switch off things like allowing the car to search for internet connections for software updates and the like. Also, look for hidden 'factory mode' or 'dealer mode' on the infotainment display (see Subaru forums, especially in the US as how to do this for your model) and click on the menu that shows the battery state of charge, so as to regularly keep an eye on things. Also, and I'm not sure if this really helps but I do it anyway - switch off the key fob (press and hold lock which simultaneous pressing the blue 'open' button twice) when you lock the car up for the evening. I think this stops the car trying to search for the fob all the time, but I may be wrong...it saves the fob battery anyway...I think! Do you have an electronic boot? Don't leave it open for too long. If you need to leave it open do the karabiner trick (see Subaru forums/Youtube) to fool the car into believing it's closed. You might also, tape over the boot light switch, or disable it completely, so it can't be inadvertently knocked into 'always on'. Better still, switch all internal light onto permanently off during British Summer Time, when you're less likely to need them anyway. Lots of forums suggest investing in a charged, battery jump start kit to keep in the car. Apparently, according to some, Subaru batteries aren't the best (I'm not sure if that's true or not), but it seems some people recommend alternative brands as a replacement. However, with all of the above issues you're only delaying the inevitable even with a bigger, better battery, unless you drive longer journeys. Hope you get it sorted permanently.

😂 Yes. I like that idea. I've started leaving the electronic parking brake off and the car engaged in P, which is essentially what I've been doing for years with my past vehicles which all had none electronic handbrakes, and the cars left in gear. This was after having quite a few firmly stuck brakes, requiring rear wheel removal and the application of a lump hammer to sort 'tings out. Fortunately, my driveway is level!