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Subaru Legacy/Outback Wagons Maintenance & Repair

8644 messages,  Last post on May 22, 2013 at 4:04 PM

You are in the Subaru Legacy & Outback Forum.

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

Messages Page 784 of 866

#7822 of 8644 Why did VDC and ABS lights come on at highway speed of around 75-80mph? by mountainwalker

Aug 17, 2008 (1:00 pm)

Hi guys, finally getting settled in on W Coast and just wanted to say thanks again for all your help in finding our Subaru. The 2003 Subaru Outback H6 VDC we bought in N California before moving our here from the E Coast a) drove very smoothly b) has been a huge help in picking up all the light office furniture and supplies we had to buy for our office and home (I found the extra interior length of a wagon/crossover more helpful than the extra interior height of a small-mid SUV) . We were able to pick up every single thing we needed locally except for a couch set. It’s unbelievable what we were able to move with this car.
 
The car only needed the Serpentine belt replaced and wheel alignment and I also picked up a new set of tires. At 85K miles, we’ll probably also do the 90K servicing soon.
 
Twice while driving at faster highway speeds +75mph (the car is smooth enough on smooth highway that you really don’t feel the speed and everyone drives +70 here to begin with), I saw the VDC and ABS indicator lights switch on on the dash. Both times there were some cracks/bumps in the highway which jarred the car and may have triggered the lights. The lights stayed on after coming off the highway, but next time car was started, the indicator lights stayed off after start.
 
Why did the lights come on? Did the systems switch off because of the higher speed or because of a bump/crack in the road jarring the car? Does this mean that the VDC and ABS systems were temporarily disabled? If so, did they need to be switched back on? I’m going to check out the owner’s manual as well, just haven’t had time working crazy hours and getting settled.

#7823 of 8644 What should be done for 90K servicing of 2003 Outback VDC? Syn or reg oil? by mountainwalker

Aug 17, 2008 (1:04 pm)

We just picked up our 2003 Subaru Outback H6 VDC and while we're at 85K, we might as well do the 90K servicing. Mechanic says we're good for now but that a few fluids are showing the dirt from all the mileage and could use replacement.
 
What should we make sure is done in the 90K servicing?
 
Should we use synthetic or regular oil?

#7824 of 8644 buy used outback by wibyer

Aug 17, 2008 (9:45 pm)

Looking for a car for my teenage daughter as we live in snow country WI (100" last yr), I'd like AWD Outback and probably can afford around $6000.
Can I get a good reliable Subaru for that amount?
Any recommendations on model year?
How much life does a 100,000 mile car have left?

#7825 of 8644 Re: buy used outback [wibyer] by Mr_Shiftright HOST

Aug 18, 2008 (9:28 am)

Replying to: wibyer (Aug 17, 2008 9:45 pm)
Yes you can but you must watch out for head gasket failure on the Outback 2.5 engine. This might occur around 100K or 125K miles. So if the car has not ever had head gaskets done, that's probably going to be your baby. I'd definitely look for a car that has had this repair done already. Otherwise, $5,000 should buy you a very decent 1997-1998 Outback indeed. These are very good cars.
 
PS: If they did the head gaskets, they should have replaced the radiator.
 
Visiting Host, Subaru owner, Subaru Head Gasket replacer

#7827 of 8644 Re: buy used outback [Mr_Shiftright] by wibyer

Aug 18, 2008 (10:05 am)

Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Aug 18, 2008 9:28 am)
So in this case, older is better correct?
Any mileage concerns on those ?
(and what about the '99's? I had looked at a 99 LTD with 166K, but that seemed just too high for me! Someone else bought it though)
Thanks for any help you can give, we are nervous about buying.

#7828 of 8644 parking brake button by maryp3177

Aug 18, 2008 (10:28 am)

Hi, I have a '96 Subaru Legacy Outback wagon with 267K miles on it. I live in a very dry climate (NM) and so this weeked the parking brake button popped off. It looks like the plastic got dried out. I'm wondering if I can just glue it back on with epoxy?

#7829 of 8644 Re: What should be done for 90K servicing of 2003 Outback VDC? Syn or reg oil? [mountainwalker] by paisan

Aug 18, 2008 (7:19 pm)

Replying to: mountainwalker (Aug 17, 2008 1:04 pm)
What should we make sure is done in the 90K servicing?
 
90k on subies:
 
Coolant drain/fill
Check Brake Pads
Flush the brake fuild
Check the belts (you just replaced it so you don't have to)
Oil Change
ATF + Diffy Fluid Change
 
That's about it.
 
For the ATF, I suggest the Redline High Temp Synthetic ATF.
Diffy, Redline or Amsoil Gear Lube
Engine Oil, Amsoil or Mobil 1
Brake Fluid, ATE Superblue
 
That's about it.
 
-mike
Motorsports and Modifications Host

#7830 of 8644 Replacing backup light by sjm13

Aug 19, 2008 (4:59 pm)

I damaged (cracked) the backup light and the surrounding upper body panel on the liftgate of my 2007 legacy.
 
I attempted to remove the inside trim of the liftgate in order to replace the light and repair the body panel. Made good progress but reached a point where it seems bolted somewhere that I can't determine.
 
 It seems like this should be easier.
 
Any suggestions????
 
Thanks in advance.

#7831 of 8644 Replaced Outback with Legacy... by dbell1

Aug 19, 2008 (5:11 pm)

I posted last week that my wonderful 2001 Outback was totalled in an accident. RIP Little Subie. After looking at everything on the market and test driving a lot of vehicles, including the new Forester, I bought an 05 Legacy tonight. Leather, moonroof, 41K miles, loaded and just off lease. Family approved during the test drive. Hoping this will last until my son is ready to drive it (if I give it up that easily). I'll be back to ask lots of questions, but as usual, Nitti's Subaru in Hamilton, NJ the honest dealer with the smallest office, took care of me so much better than all the other companies combined.

Messages Page 784 of 866

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