30,000 mile service question (USA).

[QX]

The dealer where I was getting my 2005 Forester XT (2.5 Turbo)
serviced closed and the other dealer in town took over as the
exclusive Subaru dealership in town. (Las Vegas, NV; Findlay Subaru
closed, Subaru of Las Vegas takes over. Seems there wasn't enough
business to support two dealerships). I had a lot of faith in the
Findlay Subaru dealership, but not sure about this hew one.
I called to check on what they recommended for the 30K mile service,
Here is the list:
oil change
tire rotation
replacement of air filter
replacemnt of spark plugs

Service on;
cooling system
transmission
differentials
brake fluid
battery

How much of this is "dealer profit" and how much
really needs to be done.
I have been getting air filter, oil & oil filter every 3500 miles, and
tire rotation every 7000 miles. Desert climate is often dusty, summer
temps reach 115°F and down to 25°F in the winter. Vehicle is rarely
driven for less than 30 minutes at a time. The ususal assortment of
stop and go, with several 4-10 hour drives at highway speeds.
Absolutely no problems with the car since I drove it out of the
dealership. Thanks in advance.

 

[Blair Baucom]

Here is what the factory says:

http://www.subaru.com/owners/schedules/schedules.jsp?schedulepage=2005myfed.html

Make sure they indicate on the work order what work they performed , not
like my dealer did just put "30K service" and not perform all the work and
say they did.

Beware add-on items like the battery special services where they charged me
and did not even leave any fingerprints or disturb the dust on battery
terminals or caps.

When they charge me over $500 I expect to see a service report like this:

Battery voltage: 12.6v
Specific gravity: ???
Tread depth on tires:3/32"
and so on. At least I know the checked something.

I get more information on my Subaru at my Ford dealer who does my oil
changes at around $23.00 using their Fastlane service.

Same on brake fluid change, no sign of ever opening the cap. Hard to change
fluid without removing the cap.

Turbo does not list plugs at 30,000 miles as they are supposed to be
platinum and changed at 60,000.

On the transmission/differentials they changed mine to 80W90 instead of
75W90 as recommended, and when cold the manual shifts like crap compare to
the old oil. The factory says inspect the oils.

Make sure they use Subaru coolant.

Your best bet is to print the page above and tell them to follow the factory
recommendations.

The dealer I went to, will never see me or my money again.

Blair

2005 Forester XS 5-speed manual

 

[y_p_w]

The dealer where I was getting my 2005 Forester XT (2.5 Turbo)
serviced closed and the other dealer in town took over as the
exclusive Subaru dealership in town. (Las Vegas, NV; Findlay Subaru
closed, Subaru of Las Vegas takes over. Seems there wasn't enough
business to support two dealerships). I had a lot of faith in the
Findlay Subaru dealership, but not sure about this hew one.
I called to check on what they recommended for the 30K mile service,
Here is the list:
oil change
tire rotation
replacement of air filter

Very easy to do yourself.

replacemnt of spark plugs

Not that easy with a horizontally opposed engine, but there's no way
this should be done at 30K miles. Your's should come with long-life
platinum plugs and at least a 60K recommendation.

Service on;
cooling system

Recommended at 30K miles.

transmission

No theoretical recommendation unless there's something wrong with the
fluid. That being said, I do it myself and plan on 30K mile intervals.

differentials

Again - no set recommendation.

brake fluid

Good idea.

battery

All they're going to do is test the voltage and maybe top off the water.

How much of this is "dealer profit" and how much
really needs to be done.

A ton of it is dealer profit. An independent mechanic won't typically
pretend to charge for "checks" that many mechanics will do for free as a
courtesy (if you're doing other stuff).

 

[Gene]

Very easy to do yourself.


Not that easy with a horizontally opposed engine, but there's no way
this should be done at 30K miles.  Your's should come with long-life
platinum plugs and at least a 60K recommendation.


Recommended at 30K miles.


No theoretical recommendation unless there's something wrong with the
fluid.  That being said, I do it myself and plan on 30K mile intervals.


Again - no set recommendation.


Good idea.


All they're going to do is test the voltage and maybe top off the water.




A ton of it is dealer profit.  An independent mechanic won't typically
pretend to charge for "checks" that many mechanics will do for free as a
courtesy (if you're doing other stuff).




- Show quoted text -

Have traded with both dealerships , and if you check out the people
at the new dealership, I think you will find out that most of them
are from Henderson...had service there this a.m., and am happy with
their service !...Gene 07 Turbo Forester

 

[mpberti]

Have traded with both dealerships , and if you check out the people
at the new dealership, I think you will find out that most of them
are from Henderson...had service there this a.m., and am happy with
their service !...Gene 07 Turbo Forester

changing the spark plugs on a flat engine is very easy. man hate to see
what you call hard

 

[y_p_w]

changing the spark plugs on a flat engine is very easy. man hate to see
what you call hard

I used to change plugs on a couple of inline fours. That was easy. I
look at my WRX and the plugs are hidden behind assorted tanks and
cross-members.

 

[mpberti]

I used to change plugs on a couple of inline fours. That was easy. I
look at my WRX and the plugs are hidden behind assorted tanks and
cross-members.

dude jack stands and go underneath get a good set of sockets and a
universal joint for your driver and your in business

 

[nobody >]

mpberti wrote:

snip

snip again

dude jack stands and go underneath get a good set of sockets and a
universal joint for your driver and your in business

Where did you get the 300 degree universal joint, dude? The plugs are
down in tubes thru the cam/valve covers and those tubes point UP.

 

[CompUser]

Where did you get the 300 degree universal joint, dude? The plugs are
down in tubes thru the cam/valve covers and those tubes point UP.

They don't point UP (not to any noticeable
degree) on mine, but perhaps the geometry has
changed since 2004.

You need to move some stuff on a WRX.

Pull the washer bottle (and optionally the
battery) on driver's side. Pull intake past the
MAF hose on passenger side.

You don't really need a U-joint or swivel head
ratchet IIRC. I believe I did some swapping
between 6" and 3" extensions, tho.

I did it all from above. It's like changing plugs
under a table top...you know what is there, you
just can't see it.

The tapered lead-in for the plugs guides them
right into the holes; I found getting plugs
started was actually easier than on a lot of
other engines, where I could see everything.