2004 XS Premium questions

[Curt]

I just purchased a 2004 Subaru XS Premium. Love it, so far but have a
few of questions the dealership didn't answer to my satisfaction. Also
couldn't glean if from other paperwork or websites. Here they are:

Does the vehicle have an alarm/antitheft system? I know it has a panic
alarm but what about antitheft? Either motion detector type or kill
switch qualify. My impression is "no".

Next, what is the story on the automatic headlights? This question has
several parts:

When the headlights go auto on, are they really on? It seems
they get brighter when you
switch to the full on position.

What postion is preferable for daytime driving? Nighttime driving?

Can the auto on system be overridden?

Finally, why are there no front compartment lights that automatically
light when the doors open? Am I missing something?

That's enough for now. Looking forward to doing some serious driving
in this thing soon.

Thanks for any input.

Curt

 

[CompUser]

I just purchased a 2004 Subaru XS Premium. Love it, so far but have a
few of questions the dealership didn't answer to my satisfaction. Also
couldn't glean if from other paperwork or websites. Here they are:

Does the vehicle have an alarm/antitheft system? I know it has a panic
alarm but what about antitheft? Either motion detector type or kill
switch qualify. My impression is "no".

Next, what is the story on the automatic headlights? This question has
several parts:

You just purchased one? Read your owners manual.

 

[BBB]

I concur in the recommendation that you should find your answers in the
owner's manual--except for how to disable the lights. There is no
mechanism for that; you have to cut wires or disconnect stuff.

But in the interest of safety, please note that the "automatic
headlights" are called "daytime running lights (DRLs)." As the name
suggests, their job is to help other people see you during the daytime.
They run dimmer than normal, and they don't turn on the taillights.
They are NOT a substitute for headlights at night, or during heavy rain
when helping other people to see you from behind is also very important.
If you start up at night and think that your headlights are on but
your panel lights are off, it means you forgot to turn on the headlights
and you're just using the DRLs. Bad move.

There are differences of opinion here as to the utility of DRLs, but I
would caution you that if your insurance company is giving you a
discount for having them and you disable them, you might be left holding
the bag in the event of an accident.

 

[Henry Paul]

I have a '96 and since the lights are on the ignition circuit, I just leave
them turned on all the time. (not brights of course!)

 

[Alan]

The answer to all of these questions can be found in your owner's manual and
on your window sticker.

 

[Curt]

Sorry for disturbing a few of you. I realize I am deserving of a
little abuse here for not finding these things in the manual. I'll
accept that. However, I have read it and was still a bit confused. In
addition, there are often features that are present but don't appear
where one thinks they should. Having not been a Subaru owner before I
was not sure what to expect.

That said, let me mention why I ask. First, the dealer told me I have
a kill switch but I saw no evidence of one. Furthermore, it is not
clear to me whether the "optional security system" includes that
feature.

Next, regarding the lights, I am an amateur astronomer and need to be
able to kill all my lights so when I leave a group activity I don't
blast out the dark adapted eyes of my colleagues. In my last car this
meant pulling a fuse. I was hoping that there was a full off option.
I'll look up the fuse situation in the manual. I certainly have no
problem with daytime running lights and I don't want to inactivate them
and have turned on the lights during the day in previous vehicles.

The last point was more an exclamation of surprise than a question.
The front of the cab is where light is most often needed so it is
surprising to have no front lights that can be set to automatic
function.

Despite all that I am loving the vehicle. Fun drive, many nice and
well-thought-out features.

Curt

 

[Xtranet]

Does the vehicle have an alarm/antitheft system? I know it has a panic

alarm but what about antitheft? Either motion detector type or kill
switch qualify. My impression is "no".

There's no motion sensor, and the antitheft system normally doesn't come
with the vehicle. However, if you ask for it or purchase it, it is a simple
plug in.

When the headlights go auto on, are they really on? It seems
they get brighter when you
switch to the full on position.

Yes they are on, however dimmer than when it's fully on (headlight switch to
on position). When it's dimmer, the light filament is in series with a high
wattage resistor. I would much rather have it on the highbeam filament, but
that would disable the flash-to-pass function

What postion is preferable for daytime driving? Nighttime driving?

It's more of whether you want all your lights on or just the fronts. Of
course it's going to be the default for daytime and all the lights on for
nightime.

Can the auto on system be overridden?

Yes. The resistor that runs in series with the lamps are located on the
passenger side strut tower in the engine compartment. You just need to
unplug it.

Finally, why are there no front compartment lights that automatically
light when the doors open? Am I missing something?

Don't know. You could just rewire it.

 

[Curt]

There's no motion sensor, and the antitheft system normally doesn't
come with the vehicle. However, if you ask for it or purchase it, it
is a simple
plug in.

I finally found an installation guide on the net. Apparently there is
a motion detector, light motion causes two beeps and headlight flashes,
heavy causes full alarm. It also includes a kill switch.

See, this is what I mean about information not being in the handbook. :-(

Yes. The resistor that runs in series with the lamps are located on
the passenger side strut tower in the engine compartment. You just
need to unplug it.

Thanks for that information. I'll take a look.

 

[steve ball]

That said, let me mention why I ask. First, the dealer told me I have
a kill switch but I saw no evidence of one. Furthermore, it is not
clear to me whether the "optional security system" includes that
feature.

The optional security system has a motion detector. We have on on our '04 OBW
and have never set it off, it's not overly sensitive. We have had it set of by
someone reaching into an open window when the alarm was set. I'm not sure quite
what they did, my neighbor saw them reach in and get scared off by the alarm.

Next, regarding the lights, I am an amateur astronomer and need to be
able to kill all my lights so when I leave a group activity I don't
blast out the dark adapted eyes of my colleagues. In my last car this
meant pulling a fuse. I was hoping that there was a full off option.
I'll look up the fuse situation in the manual. I certainly have no
problem with daytime running lights and I don't want to inactivate them
and have turned on the lights during the day in previous vehicles.

If you pull the handbrake on one click (or don't fully release it), it will
kill the DRL (daytime running lights) and shouldn't provide any braking action.
We do that for boarding ferries here in Seattle all the time.

Finally, why are there no front compartment lights that automatically
light when the doors open? Am I missing something?

We have footlights in the doors that come on.

Steve

 

[Timmymao]

Assuming you bought a Forester XS with the premium package, here
are some answers:

The security system is a plug-in chip option. The standard keyfob
only works as a keyless entry system/panic alarm.

DRLs can be disabled by unplugging the resistor box marked HOT! on
the passenger-side strut tower, down near the bottom. Go to
www.scoobymods.com for more details and another method of
disabling DRL.

On the cars without sunroof, the ceiling light is placed further
forward to illuminate front and back. Too bad Subaru didn't see
fit to turn on the maplights for entry lighting too. There may be
a modification for that someday.

Cheers,

Tim

 

[Curt]

Thanks for the input. I have now been to scoobymods.com. Great site.

One suggestion made to me off the group was to just pull up the parking
brake one click to temporarily disable the DRLs. That one works for me
since I only need to go a few hundred yards before I turn on the lights
(just far enough to get away from the other telescopes when I am out
looking at stars) and I will be moving at very slow speeds. But I did
look at the pictures there for the permanent disable. I will
definitely keep that in mind.

Another thing I learned there is how to change the sensitivity of the
Hillholder, something my service manager told me couldn't be done. It
was very easy and I now have it just the way I want it!

Someone has done a LED mod for a front light and a glovebox light as
well. Great information there.

Thanks again,

Curt

 

[Marc]

Curt

Your are assuming as to an alarm system that a genuine Subaru system was put
in. On the windows, does it say genuine Subaru security system?

Aftermarket jobbies sometimes control cabin lights as well. They will have
different mechanism of placing the alarm in valet mode and shutting it off
in an emergency.

Cabin light has 3 settings, Off/On and Door.

SOA I am sure would like to know if the car is not being thoroughly
explained at time of delivery.

SOA maintains a website http://techinfo.subaru.com/html/index.jsp


Another rogue site
http://www.4ester.net/Forester_Technical.htm

Marc

 

[Curt]

Another rogue site
http://www.4ester.net/Forester_Technical.htm

Thanks for the input. My browser says 4ester.net is "coming soon". Am
I missing something?

Curt