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2009 Subaru Forester

3747 messages,  Last post on Oct 15, 2012 at 3:22 PM

You are in the Subaru Forester Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester, Future Vehicle, Wagon

Messages Page 355 of 376

#3532 of 3747 Re: forester vs crv [Hambros] by xwesx

Sep 30, 2009 (12:47 pm)

Replying to: Hambros (Sep 30, 2009 12:20 pm)
I have never found heated wipers to work very well, except for a very narrow band of temperatures around freezing. The AWP selling point for me is the heated mirrors - those are, as they have been for well over a decade, fantastic. I don't like that they are all tied together on a single defrost switch (not sure if that is the case on the '09s - I have a '10) because I nearly always use the mirror defrosters in the winter months (half the year), but it is cold enough that rear window defrosting only serves to create massive ice accumulation.
 
As I expected, the heated seats just make me feel uncomfortable (even on the lowest setting). The cloth does a very good job of warming my body all by itself.
 
Rattles.... that is par for the course in Subaru's, at least in all three that I have owned since 2005. My '10 is actually better than I expected. So far (2250 miles), only the driver and passenger doors have them.

#3533 of 3747 Re: forester vs crv [xwesx] by volkov

Sep 30, 2009 (1:09 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 30, 2009 12:47 pm)
Not a fan of Subie's heated wipers either. I have a WRX but the design is the same. Actually they aren't heated wipers, rather it's a heated windshield where where the wipers rest. In some cases, they create problems. If find that in very cold weather if it's snowing, that the heaters melt the snow which collects at the bottom of the well and then the wet wiper smears a film of water which promptly freezes, obscuring vision. I never had those troubles with my older WRX which lacked this feature. Wonder if I could just pull a fuse to disable it?

#3534 of 3747 Re: forester vs crv [xwesx] by ateixeira

Sep 30, 2009 (1:38 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 30, 2009 12:47 pm)
I like the heated seats the most, then the heated mirrors.
 
We're in a car port so we haven't really tested the wiper de-icers.

#3535 of 3747 Re: forester vs crv [volkov] by xwesx

Sep 30, 2009 (3:56 pm)

Replying to: volkov (Sep 30, 2009 1:09 pm)
Oh, great! That is what I was hoping to avoid. I will probably have the same problem, then! Usually, once the weather gets cold (as in under 10-degrees F permanently, which is often achieved from November through February or March), we don't have to worry about ice scrapers, etc., because things are dry enough that snow just wipes right off in the mornings and it doesn't stick to the windows while driving. But, if I have to use all defrosters to clear the mirrors (which tend to fog even when the rest of the car does not), I will end up with icy spots any where the defrost elements heat. They just cannot get warm enough to counteract the extremely cold air temperatures.
 
Of note, I am not sure how fast the road crews are completing that construction project in PG, Dave, but winter is fast approaching! I hope this is not something that is being put on hold until Spring!

#3536 of 3747 Re: forester vs crv [xwesx] by ateixeira

Oct 01, 2009 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Sep 30, 2009 3:56 pm)
Put Rain-X on the windshield, it makes it harder for snow and ice to "stick".

#3537 of 3747 Re: forester vs crv [ateixeira] by xwesx

Oct 01, 2009 (12:48 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Oct 01, 2009 12:10 pm)
Absolutely. I love Rain-X. I have not applied it on the Forester yet, but I should put it in my "winterization" kit for Saturday; I can apply it when I change fluids, etc.

#3538 of 3747 rainx can build up by kurtamaxxxguy

Oct 01, 2009 (1:28 pm)

if you use rainX windshield washer fluid, you will eventually get build up where the wipers stop wiping (visible as grayish lines from inside the windshield). If the residue gets too high, it interferes with visibility and can make wipers chatter.
 
Magic erasers or Glass strippers (cleaners that polish and remove gunk from glass)
can help remove the excess residue

#3539 of 3747 Re: rainx can build up [kurtamaxxxguy] by tinycadon

Oct 01, 2009 (4:44 pm)

Replying to: kurtamaxxxguy (Oct 01, 2009 1:28 pm)
I also use RainX and love it, but there is one thing I hate about it. When the water beads up on the windshield, and it's nightime, if you drive under a street light it will blind your vision for a split second. Other than that, it is fantastic, driving on the highway you don't even need to use the wipers if you don't want, the water beads up and the wind pushes it away.

#3540 of 3747 Re: rainx can build up [tinycadon] by xwesx

Oct 01, 2009 (4:54 pm)

Replying to: tinycadon (Oct 01, 2009 4:44 pm)
I hate street lights in general for that very reason, but I have not noticed that phenomenon specifically from using Rain-X. I don't use washer fluid, etc., that is Rain-X - only the glass wax that you apply with a towel and buff. But yes, when I keep it current (apply it about once a month or so), I never need to use the wipers. Even at low speeds, the water beads up and runs off so nicely that no wipers are necessary. In fact, using the wipers just means I have to apply it more frequently because the wipers wear off the wax quicker!

#3541 of 3747 Re: rainx can build up [xwesx] by ateixeira

Oct 02, 2009 (10:18 am)

Replying to: xwesx (Oct 01, 2009 4:54 pm)
I don't use washer fluid, etc., that is Rain-X - only the glass wax that you apply with a towel and buff
 
Same here, and I've never had a problem with build up or anything like that.
 
The glass even stays cleaner, because nothing (water, ice, dirt) sticks on it as easily.
 
My tip - apply before you wash the car. Then wash, and use a squeegee to clean the glass. Mine is spotless.

Messages Page 355 of 376

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