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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 860 of 865

#8588 of 8641 2012 Outback oil issue by pugjoy

Jun 23, 2012 (11:24 am)

Hi everyone,
almost 15K since we got the 3.6 R Outback in late December and we are having an oil issue that is of concern. The oil just seems to plummet as the mileage since the last change approaches 3K. Just read http://allwheeldriveauto.com/why-does-my-subaru-use-oil which was an interesting article, and in short, says that some cars use more oil, and even more oil at certain times. We had it checked at the first oil change and there are no leaks.
 
Just wondering if anyone else is having this issue, and if so, how you are managing it.

#8589 of 8641 Re: 2012 Outback "wandering" [leporeva] by rcassano

Jul 07, 2012 (10:08 am)

Replying to: leporeva (May 18, 2012 6:27 am)
If you are referring to a need for micro corrections at highway speed it may be a result of "Electric Power Steering" (EPS) that almost all new cars will have including Honda and BMW. This technology is in its infancy and is here to stay due to low cost and compactness. The issue feels like the driver needs to make constant small steering corrections at highway speed which becomes fatiguing. Hopefully, if this is the problem you are asking about, it can be resolved with a software update as the system matures. I hope the 2013's will not have this characteristic. Honda Civic and CR-V also have EPS systems.

#8590 of 8641 humming noise in my 00 outback by diver7

Jul 16, 2012 (2:51 am)

good morning
i have 00 outback 5 speed 280000 miles at 60 mph i hear a low humming no vibration or grinding just a low hum kind of like a ship's horn off in the distance. took it to my regular mechanic- he said not wheel bearing - he saw the boot covers are torn?- tires were checked
 
wondering if anyone else has this problem-- i love this car so much- i prefer to drive this everyday as opposed to my 12 outback that i just bought which i drive only for cross country trips
 
thx in advance

#8591 of 8641 Re: humming noise in my 00 outback [diver7] by rcassano

Jul 16, 2012 (5:41 am)

Replying to: diver7 (Jul 16, 2012 2:51 am)
I don't have this problem, however, from your description I would check the CV joints. Since the boots are torn the grease may have washed out and they are running dry. Without grease they will fail quickly and need to be changed. The other thing that comes to mind is check the transmission oil to be sure it is full. If gears are not bathed in oil they may be making the noise. If all these things are fine my next suspect would be tires - even if not fully worn out.

#8592 of 8641 California conversion by michael2595

Nov 03, 2012 (7:59 am)

I have a 96 outback that I will be bringing to California. Does anyone know what the conversion to California pollution standards entails. A ballpark cost would also be appreciated.

#8593 of 8641 Re: California conversion [michael2595] by hustoncs

Nov 03, 2012 (8:22 am)

Replying to: michael2595 (Nov 03, 2012 7:59 am)
Nada! all imports brands either manufactured here or elsewhere are all engineered to CA smog standards. Howerver CA testing is more strict than other states, so if your outback has not been maintained well then you'll need to do all the maintenance to get up to smog standards here. Also if there has been any mods to auto ie catbacks, cold air intakes, throttle bodys and so on all the addon products have to be CARB appoved here or you will fail the smog test right away. I hope this answers your question
 
Cheers

#8594 of 8641 Re: 2012 Outback "wandering" [rcassano] by winter2

Nov 13, 2012 (9:41 am)

Replying to: rcassano (Jul 07, 2012 10:08 am)
I have a 2013 Outback Premium. I now have about 750 miles on it. When I initially purchased the car, it did seem to wander a little but then again I had been driving a 2010 Mercury Milan Premier that had very touchy steering.
 
As I have driven the Outback more and more the wandering seems to be much less. I had a Jeep Liberty some years ago and that did wander but because it was more of an offroad vehicle than the Outback, I was comfortable with it but it did require constant steering correction.
 
The 2013 Outback has hydraulic steering, not electric. It has a fairly heavy feel to it and the road feel is a bit number than I like it.

#8595 of 8641 Re: 2012 Outback "wandering" [rcassano] by luvawd

Jan 05, 2013 (5:58 pm)

Replying to: rcassano (Jul 07, 2012 10:08 am)
Our 2011 3.6 Outback requires what seems like an excessive amount to force to turn the steering wheel also the steering system does not want to center itself. Any wheel movement up to about 15 degrees off center does not result in self centering when the wheel is let go. The vehicle requires constant steering correction on the road and it is not safe to take your eyes off the road at all to tune the radio for example. The dealer states this is normal for this vehicle. Any body else with a similar experience and or fix. Help woukd be appreciated.

#8596 of 8641 Re: 2012 Outback "wandering" [luvawd] by rsadetsky

Jan 05, 2013 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: luvawd (Jan 05, 2013 5:58 pm)
What speed are you going when the steering is difficult and not returning to center? Expect that when at a stop position but not when making a 90degree turn at least 10mph. Get 2nd opinion at shop with computerized wheel alignment equipment.

#8597 of 8641 Re: 2012 Outback oil issue [pugjoy] by winter2

Jan 05, 2013 (9:04 pm)

Replying to: pugjoy (Jun 23, 2012 11:24 am)
A few questions. 1. What kind of driving do you do normally? 2. What kind of oil are you using? 3. How frequently do you change your oil?
 
The above questions are not answered in your post so it is hard to say why your Subaru is burning so much oil. I read the article and the author mentions that the type of driving you do has a big impact on oil consumption. If you use a conventional motor oil, that to can have an impact on consumption as most conventional motor oils do not hold up well in newer engines.

Messages Page 860 of 865

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