Suzam

There is a way to disable the auto arming. Don't know how or if the Forester is the same but the dealer asked if we wanted it enabled on our OBW when we first bought it (for a "small" fee). We declined the offer, sounded like more hassle than it's worth to have it do it on its own.

The XW-4, I believe, is the OEM tire on the Outbacks. My mother-in-law insisted that she wanted the same tire when she replaced hers at 66k. I figured I could convince her otherwise, but alas, nope couldn't do it. So I went over and swapped cars with her and went to NTB and ordered a set. Those tires handle well dry and are good in rain and OK in snow. Being in Jersey they'd be fine and the tread does last for at least the 60k they are rated for. I'm sure you could find a better handling/traction tire for about the same cost. Check out http://www.tirerack.com for alternate choices. If you're near Delaware stop on down for tax-free purchase and the warranty is good in NJ. You can save a few not paying that NJ sales tax!

I know that in Pennsylvania there is an exemption for AWD vehicles with a setup like Subies. Delaware doesn't use a dyno type setup. Besides without the AWD engaged wouldn't your emissions reading be different than normal anyhow? I would think any state wouldn't check them on a dyno...imagine the tech who forgets about a FWD fuse and tries running and AWD on a single drum setup!

Yep typical heat shield issue. On mine it was the front one just behind the passenger side drive axel, I could get to it from above and used 2 hose clamps put together, wrap around and tighten. Noise was gone!

Actually, I get close to Lesubaru's mileage on our MY95 2.2 at 23/29 and around 22/27 on our MY01 2.5 OB Wagon. Most of the long trips were 400+ miles.

Whoops, my bust! My manual trans info came from a freind's neighbor who tows a Forester behind a motor home. I had a long dicussion with him about it at a BBQ and maybe I misunderstood him (or there may have been a beer factor). I agree about the 5-speed needs all wheels to turn. Thanks for the correction.

Under NO circumstance should an automatic be towed with any wheels on the ground, whether the power is supplied to the transfer case or not (car on or off). Manuals in neutral can be towed with 2 or all wheels on the ground (like behind a motor home). The only time I would think it would be OK would be by removing the rear driveshaft before towing with an automatic, not sure why you would go to that trouble though.

Also NEVER tow a AWD Subaru...ALWAYS flatbed, serious damage to center differential WILL happen.:boohoo: The main reason to use the fuse would be with a spacesaver spare mounted on the car so the AWD mechanical parts don't get trashed because of the odd size (circumference) of the spare. REMEMBER...NO TOW...ONLY FLATBED!!

I really can't compare the 2.5 we have in our MY01, but I never was happy with the shift points of the AT. It lags in gear too long sometimes and hard upshifts when I pass with WOT and also has a tendency to wait to downshift when I want it to. I find that I'll push the gas a little farther to have it kick down then back off just to adjust for the acceleration I was originally looking for. Also manually shift from D to 3rd but then I jump out of the lockup converter and 4th gear down to 3rd, which is a good bump also. I gave up on the CC when the road has any kind of grade, it won't climb the hill until it decides it needs to downshift.

Hope the transition was easy. You guys do a great job! Thanks!

hummmmmm....message count envy? Cool stuff so far. Seems like a great change for the better!