Ask the Car People.SM


Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving

8 messages,  Last post on Jul 20, 2011 at 11:00 AM

You are in the Subaru Forester Maintenance & Repair Forum.

What is this discussion about? Subaru Forester

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed

#1 of 8 Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving by georged4

Jun 22, 2011 (2:36 pm)

My independant shop said Subaru recommends fluid changes at 15K under Severe conditions. I live in Western New York (Buffalo). The shop said just this area s considered severe because of all the moisture.
 
Does that sound reasonable or did I pay for service not really needed. I don't tow or off road but it does get frequent short trips.

#2 of 8 Re: Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving [georged4] by xwesx

Jun 22, 2011 (4:07 pm)

Replying to: georged4 (Jun 22, 2011 2:36 pm)
What fluids did you have changed? The best way to know when and what to change is to send oil samples (such as engine, transmission, differential) to a laboratory for evaluation. Once you establish a baseline, you'll know with confidence that the schedules you choose are effective for both your car and your pocketbook!

#3 of 8 Re: Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving [xwesx] by georged4

Jun 23, 2011 (4:29 pm)

Replying to: xwesx (Jun 22, 2011 4:07 pm)
Changed brake fluid, transmission and differentials.

#4 of 8 Re: Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving [georged4] by xwesx

Jun 23, 2011 (11:56 pm)

Replying to: georged4 (Jun 23, 2011 4:29 pm)
Overkill, I'd be willing to bet, for all three.

#5 of 8 Re: Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving [georged4] by aatherton

Jul 05, 2011 (7:11 pm)

Replying to: georged4 (Jun 22, 2011 2:36 pm)
"My independant shop said Subaru recommends fluid changes at 15K under Severe conditions. I live in Western New York (Buffalo). The shop said just this area s considered severe because of all the moisture. Changed brake fluid, transmission and differentials. Does that sound reasonable or did I pay for service not really needed."
 
I think that level of service was not all needed at 15,000 miles. It is not on the Subaru maintenance schedule.
 
The differential oil should be checked at 15,000 miles. The rear differential oil usually has darkened by then and is worthwhile to change.
 
Brake fluid can absorb moisture in very humid climate, related to time not miles, and could be changed every 2 years. But very few people do that.
 
The maintenance schedule merely says to inspect the transmission fluid for its level and condition at 30,000 miles. Transmission fluid need not be changed at 15,000 miles unless overheated and darkened by severe trailer towing. And it cannot be replaced by a simple draining, which removes only 4 of the 10 quarts. Complete replacement of 10 quarts by a special machine costs around $200.
 
I think you paid for service not needed, except for the rear diff, which I think should be replaced sooner than the schedule says.

#6 of 8 Re: Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving [aatherton] by ateixeira

Jul 18, 2011 (1:48 pm)

Replying to: aatherton (Jul 05, 2011 7:11 pm)
For gear oil I have 2 reference points:
 
60k miles on my Forester was OK
28k miles on my Miata was too long
 
But...the Forester was about 5 years old, while the Miata was 8 years old.
 
So in my experience it had more to do with the age of the fluid.

#7 of 8 Re: Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving [ateixeira] by aatherton

Jul 19, 2011 (2:39 pm)

Replying to: ateixeira (Jul 18, 2011 1:48 pm)
"... So in my experience it had more to do with the age of the fluid."
 
Gear oil does not age. It weakens from shear and becomes contaminated with wear particles. That is, it becomes thinner and darker.

#8 of 8 Re: Maintenance @ 15K 2010 Forester Severe Driving [aatherton] by ateixeira

Jul 20, 2011 (11:00 am)

Replying to: aatherton (Jul 19, 2011 2:39 pm)
I imagine it was contaminated with moisture, over time, and then deteriorated badly.
 
Just 28k miles, though.

Messages Page 1 of 1

  • All Messages Displayed
To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement