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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8641 messages,  Last post on May 03, 2013 at 9:35 AM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Legacy, Subaru Outback, Wagon

Messages Page 313 of 864

#3121 of 8641 tweaks for MPG improvement by friendly_jacek

May 25, 2004 (10:25 am)

I understand that many people (including independent mechanics and Subaru mechanics) recommend inserting the FWD fuse for summer driving for improved MPG in AWD Subarus. While some people experienced 1-2 MPG improvement, I have heard of a person boasting over 20% improvement. While I am tempted to try it, I want to make sure it is safe for the drivetrain. According to the manual, it is OK to do it temporarly, but there is no warning that it could be harmful long-term.
Any experience with FWD here on this board?
 
Related question. Sometimes ECU reset is recommended in cases of poor mileage. Does it really work, and how?
 
BTW, my car is 2000 legacy wagon with AT. MPG ranges 16-24 depending on driving conditions. 24 is with pure hwy driving.
 
Re: 30,000 miles service. In my 2000 legacy it includes more than "to replace the brake fluid and air cleaner in addition to the regular service".
From what I remember the following are replaced:
engine oil and filter, air filter, fuel filter, coolant, brake fluid, AT fluid, spark plugs.
In my area, it runs slightly over $300.
If 2003 LL bean requires less maintanance, it should be less than that.

#3122 of 8641 Re: Clutch problems and question by rob999

May 25, 2004 (10:30 am)

This sounds more like a problem with the hydraulic clutch cylinder (similar to a brake master cylinder) that actuates the clutch.
 
I'd open a case with Subaru on this one.

#3123 of 8641 clutch by c_hunter

May 25, 2004 (10:33 am)

How many miles on the car? You should call the Subaru 1-800 number and start a case with them. I'd be mighty upset if I just spent $1100 for a haphazard guess!!
 
Could be an issue with the clutch engagement hydraulics -- there is a master cylinder and a slave cylinder if I remember right. First thing to check is the fluid level for the clutch hydraulics (this is separate from the manual transmission fluid).
 
If the original problem seemed to be related to hot weather, I would definitely suspect the clutch cylinders and/or fluid level. That fluid can actually boil in certain conditions, causing exactly the symptom you described. Low fluid level would also be suspect.
 
Good luck! Let us know how it works out.
 
I'm on my way to the beach for a couple days!
 
Craig

#3124 of 8641 by ateixeira

May 25, 2004 (10:43 am)

Subaru has stated the H6 makes 212hp on premium fuel and 208hp on regular fuel, so you lose about 4hp as it retards the ignition slightly.
 
The 2005 H6s make 250hp now, so it's likely there will be a bigger loss for using regular fuel, since I think they upped the compression.
 
The 2005 also gets a 5 ratio auto tranny, and IMO that was the big improvement, not the engine's extra HP.
 
-juice

#3125 of 8641 Re: clutch [c_hunter #3123] by mcrair

May 25, 2004 (11:01 am)

Replying to: c_hunter (May 25, 2004 10:33 am)
Our Outback has just over 60,000 miles.
 
I don't think this is an issue with hot weather...the problem with the clutch sticking to the floor actually initially showed up when the car was first started in the morning. After warming up a bit, the problem would disapate somewhat, though now it is happening when the car is warm or cold.
 
Thanks for the input. Still looking for some answers...

#3126 of 8641 Re: clutch [mcrair #3125] by hotx3

May 26, 2004 (6:13 am)

Replying to: mcrair (May 25, 2004 11:01 am)
   My dealer wanted to put on a new head ($2000 on a 2000 Focus) to cure a stalling problem. I took the car to another dealer, who replaced the fuel pump under warranty and cured the problem.
   When I went back to my regular dealer to get the diagnostic fee back, he said he would have absorbed the cost of the head replacement if that wasn't the proper fix. It was his lucky day when I took my car elsewhere. He refunded everything I'd paid on the initial visit, even an oil change.
   This should be your starting point when you talk to the dealer. Did you have them keep the old parts?
   Good luck.

#3127 of 8641 Mcrair - please call into us and let's start by subaru_team

May 26, 2004 (6:33 pm)

a case file. Please tell your Representative that I'd like to see the case. We'll check it out for you. Sorry for the agg.
 
Thanks,
 
Patti

#3128 of 8641 Friendly and the fuse - please do not by subaru_team

May 26, 2004 (6:38 pm)

insert the fuse to try to improve MPG. It is really only for use while servicing the car or when you have to use the donut spare (for the tire size difference). I think this misunderstanding started when folks thought that the additional weight of the AWD components. Putting the fuse in doesn't change the weight. There may be more to the reasoning for doing this, but the other folks here could help explain that myth better than I. Anyway, the car was designed to be AWD, so I'd recommend that you keep it that way unless you are using the spare.
 
Thanks!
 
Patti

#3129 of 8641 MPG by paisan

May 26, 2004 (6:57 pm)

You won't save anything, the car still needs to push the resistance of the center differential and rear diffy etc. You may get worse milage actually.
 
-mike

#3130 of 8641 FWD vs AWD gas mileage by joybell

May 27, 2004 (6:03 am)

My brother in law and I each had Loyale wagons. Mine was FWD and his "on-demand 4WD". He hardly ever engaged the 4WD and we got the same gas mileage. I don't think weight is the only reason. I think it takes more gas to run more wheels. My brother in law still has that 92 Loyale with over 250K on it!

Messages Page 313 of 864

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