Forester Windshield Washer

[Victor Roberts]

I have a new 2006 Forester X Premium purchased in late June.
I have not yet refilled the washer fluid reservoir. A week
or so ago it was below freezing in the morning and the rear
washer jets didn't work, though the front ones did. Later,
after the air temperature warmed up the rear started
working. So this was not related to low fluid but to low
temperature. A warning sign I ignored.

This morning is was 15 when I left the house. neither the
front or rear washers would work. I tried to refill the
reservoir but it would take less than 1 quart of fluid.

I called the dealer who prepped the car to ask if they had
added plain water back in June. They said that the cars
come from the factory with all fluids, including the washer
fluid. He said that Subaru uses normal washer fluid with
standard washer antifreeze. The service manager didn't
believe that the system could be frozen.

After the car sat in the sun and warmed up, both the front
and rear washer jets started to work. I ran the system long
enough to empty the tank and then filled it with the type of
washer fluid I have used in my cars here for almost 30
years. I will see tomorrow if everything is OK.

Has anyone else had a similar problem? Are we sure that
Subaru (in Japan) uses washer fluid with antifreeze for all
their cars shipped to the US?

One more thing. I thought that when the fluid got low the
rear jets were supposed to stop working before the front
ones. That is, the pump for the rear jets drew fluid from a
higher level than the pump for the front jets. That way the
driver has some warning that the fluid is low while they can
still clean the front windshield. Well, as I was emptying
the tank, as soon as the rear stopped working, so did the
front. is this normal?

 

[Bill Bradley]

My experience is, you better worry about MORE than just the washer fluid.

I bought my 2006 Outback 3.0 VDC in February, and, had shifting problems
from the get-go (the transmission would up or down shift erratically). I
finally brought it back at about 1200 miles and told them to check it out.

They found the transmission fluid low, and, told me that "they probably
forgot to check it at the port". Since my car's made in USA, I asked them,
"WHAT port?", and, then asked them why they hadn't checked out ALL fluids
when they sold me the car. They told me that "Subaru USED to pay us to do
that, but, they now pay them to do it at the port, so, we no longer check.".

I find it incredible that this kind of philosophy goes on. I grabbed the
Service Manager, then and there, and forced him to have my car completely
inspected for all fluids, seals, etc.

Since it was Denver, in Winter..._I_ had ensured that I had proper washer
fluid the day I picked up the car, but...no telling what it was shipped
with...

Sigh...

 

[Edward Hayes]

I think there is a fairly long list of "pre-delivery" stuff to be
inspected and checked off BEFORE the customer gets their new vehicle.
I would thin it would take a conscious person 45 minutes (on rack to
check diffentals/boots & leaks/hoses) and under the hood. I would
contact Subaru's home site and put the list up for us. Ed

My experience is, you better worry about MORE than just the washer
fluid.

I bought my 2006 Outback 3.0 VDC in February, and, had shifting
problems from the get-go (the transmission would up or down shift
erratically). I finally brought it back at about 1200 miles and
told them to check it out.

They found the transmission fluid low, and, told me that "they
probably forgot to check it at the port". Since my car's made in
USA, I asked them, "WHAT port?", and, then asked them why they
hadn't checked out ALL fluids when they sold me the car. They told
me that "Subaru USED to pay us to do that, but, they now pay them to
do it at the port, so, we no longer check.".

I find it incredible that this kind of philosophy goes on. I
grabbed the Service Manager, then and there, and forced him to have
my car completely inspected for all fluids, seals, etc.

Since it was Denver, in Winter..._I_ had ensured that I had proper
washer fluid the day I picked up the car, but...no telling what it
was shipped with...

Sigh...

 

[Bonehenge]

I think there is a fairly long list of "pre-delivery" stuff to be
inspected and checked off BEFORE the customer gets their new vehicle.

Most of this stuff is checked off by the salesman at his desk.

At least it was on mine! I caught him doing it. <G>

 

[Victor Roberts]

My experience is, you better worry about MORE than just the washer fluid.

I also found I had 36 psi in all the tires when the spec is
28 or 29.

 

[bgd]

It is a lucky thing to have a trivial problem.

Don't forget to have everything that needs grease apart and add synthetic
grease. Including: wiper linkage, motor, heater motor, transaxles bearings,
rear diff should be synthetic along with the tranny. Check all engine lines
and cooolant overflow bottle for tight cap, along with radiator, may as well
check that engine oil cap seal while you're at it. Look for dangling wires
under the dash too.Possibly add a filter for the heater box intake. Check
seams of unibody for seperation after first year- they shouldn't be
completely apart, but some will occur, seal them with auto caulking and
paint. Check wheel wells, mud flaps, fender well linings, missing
undercoating on the underside and dangling wires yet again. Have Fun in the
mean time if you chose to ignore this stuff ;o)

The above will make at least 10 year flawless soob.