brus brother

Starting a new post. 225/55/17 Falken 912 $85 General Altimax HP $108 Original Bridgestones (not really considering these) $121 Goodyear Triple Tred $144 I found the GY Triple Treds noisy on my wife's 05 OB so I was looking for a quieter option. Altimax has same overall rating on Tirerack.com as the pricey Triple Treds but Tirerack doesn't carry or compare Falken (suggested by a board member) with the others SO... Waddayathink?

Where'd you find a comparison between the Falkens and the Generals? Which 912 did you get? UHP or HP or something else? I hope these are good in the snow considering where you live ey?

Any opinions on General Altimax HP tires for my 08 OB? I have Goodyear Triple Treds on my 05 OB and find them noisy.

Just noticed a gash on the sidewall of one of my front tires 08 OB that goes down to the steel belt layer. YIKES! With 35K miles on the car, there is still plenty of tread on the tires. Is it still considered a MUST to replace all 4 tires? In replacing one or as I think you'll recommend all 4, any recommendations? The original equipped Bridgestone Potenzas are fairly quiet compared to the very noisy but highly rated Goodyear TripleTred I installed on my 05. Tirerack.com ratings are very low for the Potenzas.

I spoke with Alpine tech support and as mentioned by others, you need to find the "Valet" button (or toggle switch?) that is up under the dash and press it while the key is in the ignition. Happy hunting since as others said, sometimes it's buried up in there.

Try this: Put key in drivers door and unlock and lock twice or three times. Edit: Doesn't work Sorry.

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/keyless.html I don't see a solution for your model year on the site linked above but some of the other solutions for disarming (valet mode) for other year/models may work...worth a try OR call a dealer and ask the service manager. They were very helpful when my wife had the car and triggered the alarm by accident w/o a remote. or call 1-800-Alpine1 for the solution from Alpine

See Step 3 about "optional" honking horn. Are you the original owner and is it possible the horn option was deactivated? I had the grey button remote for my 2000 Legacy GT and can't remember if the lights flashed but I definitely deactivated the annoying honker. If you don't get an answer on the site, call a dealership and ask them if the colored button remote would substitute. (Are you in Ohio? I always call the west coast dealers if it's past closing time here on the east coast ) PS Did Step 7 silence the alarm?

http://www.cars101.com/subaru/keyless.html See Step 7 ALPINE SYSTEM, new starting in 1999, used through 2004 information is always subject to change and correction Used on: Legacy, Outback all models 1999-2004 Forester 2001-2004 Impreza 2002-2004 1999 Legacy only: Passive arming of the optional 1999 alarm system. The dealer could program the alarm to arm automatically whether the doors are locked or not. In this mode the doors must be manually locked or using the power lock button or the remote. In Passive Mode the system will automatically activate in one minute but will not lock the doors. it will arm the alarm even if the doors are not locked. Lock the doors using the power lock switch with the door open. If you are using the remote to lock the doors, there would be no reason to set Passive Mode because locking with the remote would arm the alarm anyway so I'm not sure why this function exists.... To open the doors use the remote or the key, but then the alarm will go off and you'll need To set Passive Mode: Open driver's door and remove the plastic step sill that curves up toward the front. Connect the single-pole white connectors. the plain gray buttons were used 99-01, colored buttons for 2002-04 How To Use The Alpine Alarm Battery #CR2032. Range? App 50ft. Battery fade, other cars, buildings, walls etc affect range. 1. Locking. Push the large button. This locks all the doors and will set the alarm (if equipped and in setable mode). 2. Unlocking. Push the small button once to unlock the driver's door and disarm alarm, if set. Push the small button a second time to unlock all the doors. 3. Honking horn? On 1999-2002 models the horn honks once for lock and twice for unlock, 3 times if a door is not closed. This audible honk feature is optional. To turn it off or to turn it on unlock all the doors and hold *both* buttons down until the horn honks once. The horn will always honk 3 times if a door is not fully closed when you lock it. This was changed in 2003, models to a 'chirp'. There is no longer an audible honk feature. If a door is ajar the system will chirp 5x and the lights flash. 4. Alarm. (optional) System chirps when locked with the remote if you have an alarm, and no you can't turn the chirp off. 5. Valet mode or alarm off: alarm light (red dot center dashboard display) rapidly flashing 3 times means the alarm is in "Valet" mode and is not setable. The light will stop flashing when you start the car. To set valet mode or just to disable the security alarm system: 1. unlock all doors 2. physically open the driver's door 3. hold the UNLOCK button on remote for 2+ seconds or so. The red 'security' light will then flash 2 times a second until the car is turned on. 6. Arming the alarm: to make an alarm in valet model arm-able, unlock all the doors and hold the small button down on the remote until the light stops flashing. Now when you lock the doors the alarm will be set and the light will flash on and off, on and off. 7. Alarm goes off? Push the small button on the remote OVERRIDING the alarm when you don't have a Remote to disable it. If you don't have the remote put the key in the ignition and turn it on and off three times and the car will start on the 4th time 8. Program remotes: works on Alpine system. Unlock all doors, foot on brake, all doors closed. Cycle key quickly but carefully on-off appr 10 times until the car honks one time. Do not turn the key far enough to start the car, just to the 'on' position so the dashboard lights up. When the horn honks, open and close the driver's door, press any remote button and that's it. Program another remote? Quickly open and close the driver's door again and push a button on the 2nd remote. That's it. When you're done, remove the key and the horn should honk 3 times. You're all set. Sometime it takes more than 10 on-offs to set program mode. Open/close the door, lock/unlock etc, wait 10 minutes, then try again. Search the above link if this still doesn't help or you have a different remote than the one described.

Had a problem with 05 OB where the entire radio/hvac (combined unit) would lose power. Replaced under warranty. I was told it was a power connector problem.

Very impressive and educational. Thanks for the effort!

Nipper is good.

Car still under warranty so I went for the Subaru Fluid at $6.30 per quart. The other fluids recommended in the manual aren't available. Castrol Transmax-J is only available to Ford/GM/Subaru dealers. Penzoil-J never went into production. Captive audience for now.

2008 Outback suggests alternative Transmax J ATF. It is a part synthetic auto tranny fluid. I'm trying to stay clear of SOA fluid prices but it may be unavoidable as I can't seem to locate the alternatives on retail shelves. Anybody do their tranny drain and fill yet? I'm just shy of 33K miles.

You are welcome... as a new member of the board.

IIRC my 2000 Legacy GT had LSD.

I would suggest that you take another of the same models from the dealer for a test drive and compare the handling of the two cars to see if yours is an anomaly. If it is significantly different, then ask to meet with a regional manager if the dealership isn't cooperative. It's rather unlikely that the dealership monkeyed around with your alignment or is responsible for any other subversive activity as their isn't any profit in that behavior. You too shouldn't have to be deflating tires to test their competence. Yes there are good and bad dealers and mechanics but I don't think they are plotting against you in their every waking moment. I actually got SOA to replace a car under different circumstances so keep at them if you aren't happy. It is a big purchase. Good luck. PS I've been driving for 42 years and I've never noticed the "pull'. Perhaps I am already asleep at the wheel!

See attached jpeg of headrests side and center (there are three in total) or pm with your email address.

My wife is brunette and in her 50's and it worked fine on her car.

They do have the herringbone pattern. I'll box them up, you pay shipping from CT and the world is good (and a safer place for your rear passengers).

There is anti-squeal grease (about a buck at auto supply stores) that can be applied between the BACK of the brake pad and the shims. Do not grease the front:eek:!!!!!!!

Cleaning up and found 3 rear headrests from my 2000 Legacy GT wagon (RIP) They are gray fabric and in perfect condition. PM me if you want 'em otherwise... away they go.

Just got a mailing from SOA: Service Program WVI-19 Engine Control Reprogramming for Vehicles registered in States other than CA, MA, VT, ME or NY. 2.5 liter engine equipped with a California Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) emission system. Problem related to catalytic converters operating outside spec range. Have the reprogramming done in a timely fashion and SOA will extend warranty on front cat to 10 years/100,00 miles whichever comes first.

http://www.4x4now.com/gt0699.htm The above is a link to a discussion of drive train noises.

Next time, spray water around where you expect arcing and you may see the Christmas tree sparkly effect.