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Wagons Subaru Crew Subaru Forester 2009 Subaru Forester
3631 messages, Last post on Nov 10, 2009 at 4:33 PM
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While driving several miles in heavy slush, ice and snow in Sisters Oregon, the VDC light came on frequently. When I reached bare pavement and accelerated up to 55, experienced strong front wheel vibration, steering wheel really shaking. Pulled over, left engine running while I checked the tires, wheel wells, wheel weights, found nothing. Vibration still there when I resumed speed. Pulled over again, turned off the engine while I re checked. Vibration totally gone when I resumed speed. Does heavy VDC use somehow cause the car to vibrate? Don't think that it was ice build up as everything looked ok. Did rebooting the engine clear a sensor error or something?
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Replying to: svskyus (Dec 29, 2008 5:21 pm) Jim |
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Replying to: sgloon (Dec 26, 2008 11:43 pm) Also, for all cars,slush is completely unpredictable. Traction one minute and none the next. Ice is next for caution. Wouldn't trade my Subie for anything in winter driving. "Snowbound"....Jim Jim
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Replying to: w8ifi (Dec 29, 2008 7:02 pm) I am not a physicist but it would seem to me that in a turn on a very slippery surface, power to the rear (even if there is more power to the front) could cause a spin out, especially if both front and back are slipping. Unless I have the road to myself, when slippery, I have learned to be extra cautous. There are so many "crazies" out there with gigantic pickups and SUV's that they think can do anything. I have yet to try my '09 in the snow, but I am sure it will do better than almost anything else out there. I would also bet that Subaru drivers drive better than most out there. Love this Forester. Bill |
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Replying to: svskyus (Dec 29, 2008 5:21 pm) When I had my car into the "new" dealer yesterday, he happened to mention about the tire balance issue... And the fact that the ice/dirt has a tendency to build up on the inside of the tire. He told me how another customer came in and he chipped the ice/snow buildup off the inside of the tire, and the customer drove away with no more issues. So, svskyus, I'm wondering if you may not have been able to see the buildup on your tire if it was on the inside...but, that after you stopped a second time, it had fallen off? On a similar line, I would love to hear from those with the 16" tires to see if they are having the same issues??? I'm curious whether this could all be a "clearance in the wheel well" problem that causes the build-up. (I have the 17" tires.)
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OK, My car is hitting all the TSA's out there...or things subaru knows about and will fix. Here are 2 more: The "new dealer" will be repainting the area near the wheel wells where the GM material was too small on my car. (Any of the older 09 Foresters will probably have to do this eventually.) If you don't have the chips on your car in that area yet, they will just replace the GM material for you. There is also a greasy type of film that develops on the windshield and side windows that appears to come from the defroster. It was really bad while driving in a snowstorm, as you can't just wipe it off, you have to wash it off.  Otherwise, it comes right back and it is like driving through a haze on the inside of your windshield. Turns out, so I was told, the dash is off-gassing with the heat from the defroster. It will take a while for this to go away. Until then, you have to wash your windshield (every day or so). Subaru does have some sort of wash that the dealer said worked no better than Windex. But, I may just have to try the wash, as I am tired of cleaning my windshield. I asked the dealer if the off-gassing in toxic. They said no, but I am skeptical. I will try to get Subaru to tell me what type of material is coming off the plastic. I don't want to be breathing it, no matter what it is.  You can also smell this oily type smell on a regular basis with the defroster on. sometimes a gas smell. I don't know if these are related???
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Replying to: sgloon (Dec 30, 2008 8:24 am) Vinyl is an excessive outgasser that can fog windows. I don't know f Subaru used vinyl-based tubing in the defroster system.
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I have another update on the Map Light issue. I talked to the "new dealer" about putting in a switch for the map light, so I could have it work normally in the winter months and not be on all the time in the summer months when the doors are open a lot (worried about losing the battery). It is just one wire that can be plugged or unplugged. This is located (generally) under the glove box by removing 2 panels. Well, he just untapped the wire, then moved it so the connectors are accessible with the plastic panels back in place!  This is a great solution as the wires are out of the way and you don't really see them, yet, they are easily accessible to connect/disconnect whenever I want! Yeah! And I didn't have to pay to have a switch put in!
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Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Dec 30, 2008 9:24 am) Perhaps that is what Subaru is using as their "solution". I might just go back to the dealer to get some... |
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Replying to: sgloon (Dec 30, 2008 7:59 am) The Hankook winter tires are fantastic, got my car out of a snow drift, when I left my car for 3 weeks while on a trip. Car was parked down a steep driveway, had to shovel my way to the door, then just backed up the driveway thru 10" of crusty snow and ice.. Thought that I would have to spend the day shoveling the drive. 
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