Justin Time

Jeezzze! That's rite tasty. Nice one

I can't find the thread on the other website to check how this was referenced, but even if I could've found it I'm sure it was just someone expressing their opinion, so it might not be authoritative or even correct. You'd think with Subaru shifting to Global platform manufacturing that these things would be standardized across model. I seem to recall that aftermarket alloys have to have the weight ratings stamped on the rims but that this isn't necessary for OEM rims. I get a bit twitchy about wheels after a work colleague a few years ago totaled his Skoda Octavia Scout and when the insurance company (Admiral?) found he'd fitted aftermarket alloys they caused all sorts of issues about his cover and their liability. Not directly because of the non-original alloys, but because he had failed to notify them of what they considered to be a modification ! So not a weight rating issue per se. However, I can't see how using another Subaru model wheel as a spare could be problematic as hopefully it'll never get used and if it is it'll be temporary.

My understanding ( and I might be wrong) is that an XV is lighter than a Forester, which is lighter than an Outback ( not sure re the e-boxers though with all that extra battery weight etc). So, a lighter Subaru model can safely fit a wheel from a heavier model (providing offsets, etc are OK), but not the other way around. Anyone know anything different? I think that theissue is the load weighting safe margins designed for the alloy wheel. I gleaned this from the US Subaru site while trying to source a whole set of winter alloys for my OB and also seeing plenty of forester alloys on ebay and gumtree. Also, an alternative option might be to buy a Subaru steelie if youre only wanting it for a temporary get-me-home spare (I think the max wheel diameter for Subaru steels are 17" so the tyre profile would need to be deeper to match the 18" alloys). Steel wheels are obviously much cheaper but also heavier. I think load weighting is not such an issue. Again, I might be wrong so don't take this as gospel ! 🙃

I took my OB for it's first service (12 months) in December 2021. I rang around a few dealerships beforehand in the north of England and the prices quoted for this first service ranged from £210 to £285 (no courtesy car included, that would have been £12 for the day extra). So the first service is pretty basic (I'd only clocked up 7500 miles). Obviously the next service will be more significant and more consequently more expensive, if I decide to use a main dealer again. Not sure if those figures help with your calculations. It might be worth ringing around a few dealers and asking price for individual servicing costs for 2 or 3 years and comparing the summed total with the prices you've been quoted for the plans. Of course, inflation is currently rising, so a service plan would help out there perhaps as the plan prices would be fixed, but you'd lose the option to shop around or to opt for a difference garage/dealer. It might also be worth asking if a courtesy car is included (and guaranteed) with the plan too, if that's important for you. What's the mileage allowance for the services.? Just a thought, but the servicing interval on the OB is every 12000 miles ( in the UK). So, if you drive a lot and say clock up say 25000 miles in year one (two services), I guess that means you've 'used up' the next year's service allowance?

There's a Subaru Battery Drain Lawsuit currently ongoing in the US over these exact same issues some owners are also experiencing in the UK https://www.torquenews.com/1084/subaru-battery-drain-lawsuit-new-claims-now-include-forester-wrx-and-legacy And also https://www.motorbiscuit.com/dead-batteries-new-subaru-lawsuit-claims-least-five-models-defective-batteries/

I'm in Teesdale. Not sure how helpful this reply is going to be, but maybe one NOT to consider. My car had its first service at Tees Valley Subaru recently, so pretty basic stuff. Guys there were friendly enough, but the service manager who was pleasant too, told me after I came to collect the car, that the mechanics there have only ever had online Zoom training for their 'practical' experience with Subarus due to the pandemic and so have very limited hands-on experience with Subarus! They only recently in 2021 gained the local franchise. For my next larger service I'm considering driving further to either Dales Subaru down in Barnoldswick https://www.dales-subaru.co.uk/ or Dennis Common up at Alnwick https://dennis-common-tustain.dealerships.subaru.co.uk/ . Penrith (Ullswater Motors) are in the same position as Tees Valley and new francise holders, and they also quoted me the most expensive price for a basic first service. This is my first Subaru. and for the last 20 years I've owned Skodas and have always taken them to an excellent independent Skoda specialist just outside Harrogate. I'd like to take the car there too, but for some reason I'm just a bit hesitant thinking the Subie has too many idiosyncratic quirky stuff, but I'm probably completely wrong! Anyway, I'd be really interested in any place you try and hearing your experience. As yet, I haven't managed to catch a Subie driver locally to ask them about servicing.

Full size rim, tyre and fully inflated too.

Yes, the parts numbers are Subaru's. The car (and I think this may be the case for most recent OB models), came with an electric tyre inflation pump and a bottle of sealant 'gunk', and also much to my surprise it came with a Subaru jack and wheel brace that fitted into the space under the boot floor, in a large polystyrene type moulding, together with a few other parts described below. Unlike other makes of vehicle I've owned in the past, when I also had to separately buy the spare and jack, etc, to supplement the useless tyre inflation kit, the subaru jack and other parts needed for raising the car came with the OB. If you buy a Subaru spare wheel you can also purchase a new 'tool holder' moulding that fits neatly inside the spare wheel, although it's not essential as you could devise your own way of stow the jack parts (a scissor jack with an actuation arm, wheel brace, scew driver, plus also a wire clip for removing the tow hook covers in the bumpers, and a heavy duty screw-in tow hook). The holder bolt and washer are necessary to secure safely the spare wheel. Might be worth having a read through the OB owner's manual. OB owner's manual for a heads-up before your car's delivered. Although I appreciate these can be dire to read, especially when you don't have the car in front of you 🙂 All the best.

I believe the spare wheel option is the same as for the Gen5 in that, yes, a full size alloy or steel wheel will fit under the boot floor. I bought an alloy one for mine soon after I acquired the car. In April 2021 the price for the kit (not including the tyre or valve) was: 28111AL160 – 18” Wheel £365.59 91144AL020 - Tool Holder £32.71 901720004 – Holder Bolt £8.57 97047FG000 – Washer £2.45 Obviously you'd also need a valve. I've fitted a standard none TPMS value, but if needed the tpms valve you can be bought for around £40 or less from the likes of Autel (much cheaper than the Subaru valves at over £100 each). I understand that on the Gen6 (not the Gen5), the car can also be set up to monitor, that is register, x5 valves, while the Gen5 only has the capacity for x4 valves at any one time. As an alternative, a 17" steel Subaru wheel could be used (with s 65 profile tyre rather than the current 60) and I was quoted ..."17” steel wheels are £102.32 each". I considered buying steelies for my winter wheels. Like you, I needed a full size spare because of the cars use and off-road visits. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the really comprehensive review. Much appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and opinion. I look forward to hearing how your journey with the car progresses.

You can also get an instant battery charge level by putting the car into 'dealer mode' and/or 'factory mode'. On the infotainment console, press and hold the home button while simultaneously pressing the scroll/tune button twice (or 6x for the other mode). Then select from the menu for various readings including battery charging/state. Works with the engine both running or off. v14.2 or 14.3 is also what my OB currently (no pun intended 🙂 ) reads with the engine running. I think that's a pretty healthy/normal reading.

This tyre review test might help - Michelin and GoodYear came out top. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJJTf2XfQgQ

Sorry to hear you've had that hassle GGMan. I'm guessing the XV is just out of warranty (2018 - 3 years?) If not, I'd ask a dealer to look at it, and trace a cause/fund a replacement Any idea what caused the battery to become flat? It's only 3 years old. I know that the newer Subarus have a lot of electronic tech, but I've not had to replace a battery on any of my cars in the last 20 plus years. I've kept most of these cars for 5 years or so, diesels and petrol. It's bad news if Subaru vehicles trash their batteries so quickly. Edit: Sorry just re-read your post and you suggested the OBD was at fault. Had you plugged something in to it?

I'm not sure if it helps extend the key fob battery life, but I've got in the habit of putting the fob 'to sleep' when i lock the car at the end of the day. It's a matter of pressing and holding down the lock button on the fob while simultaneously pressing the open button twice. The fob gives 4 short red flashes. You can test it works by pulling at the driver's (or front passenger's) door handle. If it works the door should remain locked despite the proximity of the fob, and you can see the alarm warning light flash as usual. I think the fobs switch themselves off automatically after 20 mins or so when they're out of range of the car anyway. The above trick is useful if you're camping and the tent, with the fob in it, is very near the car, as the fob will otherwise allow someone outside to open the car, possibly without your knowledge.

Hi Mark. I can't say I've noticed any issues with my 2020 OB, Gen5. Has this issue recently started with the car, or since purchased? Any issues with the powered side mirrors not fully setting in position? Perhaps a door or window seal is out of alignment? When you say higher speeds, I'm guessing you mean at motorway/dual carriageway driving.

Cheers Jinshim, that's brilliant (no pun intended!).

Anyone installed any of the Subaru LED accessory interior lights? In the catalogue they're Interior LED Bulbs - SEHAAL1000 The original ones seem dreary and weak, casting a grotty yellow. At a quoted £109 supplied and fitted, for the Outback, that quite steep price.

Yeap. With the car being less than a year old, I'll only be stashing them as future spares for sure!

Sorry to hear you've had that recall hassle. I wonder if it's a general coil packs issue, across models?. What MYear is yours? On the 'free' winter check offer, do you know if this has to be at the same garage that you bought the car from or can it be a Subaru dealership elsewhere?

🙂 You might be right! But I'm thinking a free cup of 'coffee-like-substance' and a FREE set of Subaru approved wiper blades ,just for 15 mins, wait appeals to my summit-4-nowt scrooganality!

The emailed offer came from [email protected], a couple of days ago. It's not on the company's website, news section yet.

Subaru - a history (in the US) with GB road footage too. There's are some interesting associations that Subaru has teamed up with over the years! Was news to me: 'How Subaru plans to maintain its unlikely success'

Anyone else receive an email promoting this recently? Ends in extra offer of "PLUS: Receive a set of Subaru approved wiper blades, windscreen wash top up and vehicle air freshener, all for FREE."

That makes good sense. As I live in the rural north Pennines we're one of the snowier parts of England and Wales so it's always full winter tyres here (maybe global warming will fix that!). Cost a whooping £720 including fitting so was quite painful, but hey ho. I'd be interest how you fair with the all-seasons as I'm ponder replacing the summer Bridgestones Duelers that came with the car with all-seasons once they wear out.

Got the Outback shod with four Michelin Alpin 5 SUV winter tyres today (225/60/18) so I'll post a review once Ive had time to experience how they perform. That's a sure sign we'll have a mini heatwave between now and Christmas 🙂 !