Not so Eco Friendly: '03 Subaru Forester X 2.5L Auto

[NoD~]

Originally Posted by ThermionicScott

It may be unscientific, but why not take off the crossbars now? It's just a couple of torx bolts, and easy to do. There is plenty of evidence that it works.

I'm odd about things like this. I want a full base line of "how I bought it" (minus all the mechanical fixer-upper things I did) before any major mods. That and I've been pretty busy. I'm really close to the end of the tank, though, and will likely refuel this weekend.

On another note: I did get some LEDs in for finishing off the dash/console lighting, as well as new tail lights.

Rear tail/stop lights: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fog lights (both are dead and figured I'd try these): https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Dash, License Plate, and rear dome: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Rest of dash, shift lever, clock: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

And various ones from superbrightleds.com for the various gauge display indicators (turn, ABS, battery, cruise, brights, brake), climate control, cruise, and fog buttons.

3rd brake lights are next on my list... I want them VERY bright. As in, there's no questioning when I'm slowing down (especially when people tailgate). Also, LED brake lights are a bit faster and "instant on" so gives people more time to react. Any other lights (outside of the dome/map lights) at this point are lower priority (except maybe front marker lights... more safety if brighter, especially since the bulbs in there are pretty done for now).

[ThermionicScott]

Originally Posted by NoD~

I'm odd about things like this. I want a full base line of "how I bought it" (minus all the mechanical fixer-upper things I did) before any major mods. That and I've been pretty busy. I'm really close to the end of the tank, though, and will likely refuel this weekend.

I can dig that! Having a baseline is useful.

Although I don't know if I'd be able to resist modding the next car I get before I'm through the first tank.

[NoD~]

OK, so I got my first tank in. only 21MPG... but the first ~1/4 of this tank was also pre-mechanical works, as well as plenty of idling and short test drives after various changes were made.

So, I'll be yanking off those dang crossbars now...

[Xist]

I am glad Redpoint5 linked Zerohour, I thought of that; he and I tried completely different things.

If you ever feel like a marine-wrap grill-block and air dam...

Rolled plastic might not be as complete, but it looks better.

As I recall, I averaged 27 MPG in Bacon, but there is only one entry in my fuel log! I swear I used that!

You know, I once read a great write-up on removing power steering...

I did not intentionally go off-roading, but I once ripped a hole in the skid plate. You may already know more about this than me, but I remember reading a write-up like this: SF Forester D.I.Y. Skid Plate - Subaru Forester Owners Forum
I just saw this today: https://www.reddit.com/r/subaru/comm...6n&sh=c8be56be
I really think this is the way to go, though, whatever it is: https://www.alibaba.com/product-deta...83186.html?s=p

Funny how the Quikvalve Mafia only comes out for Hondas. Have you considered putting a Fumoto on this car? Can I talk you into one for the low-low price of sending me a PM?

I never found a satisfactory way to cover the fog lights, although melting clear plastic to the back of the air dam would probably look better than attaching it to the front of the bumper.

It came without hubcaps? I like the stock wheels. I think they would look great powder-coated or something, but if you had wheel covers you could try the t-shirt method or something.

[skyking]

That's nice of you to offer, Xist. I love the fumotos on our beetles (Non-hondas)

[NoD~]

Ha! Thanks Xist. Not really interested in one on this car... My Insight, on the other hand.

I pulled off the crossbars. After looking at them, they did a GREAT job designing them! I bet if I disassembled it and put them against the aero template we all know and love on here, they'd be a very close, if not perfect, match!

I got the block heater in yesterday. Funny story: I got it all jacked up, ready to drain coolant. I then said "Hey, I should read the directions real fast" and it said "You need a 27mm socket". A scan of my inventory shows I had no such socket. Xmas eve, 4:45. I put it back down on the ground and hauled over to some of the local stores. Luckily, my 2nd stop yielded me a nice deep 27mm socket for around $5! It was pretty simple to install after that.



I'll get more pics and probably a temp graph soon!

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I have heard the autos are actually better off road. Without a low range (at least in the US) the manual requires you to slip the clutch constantly and it just can't handle it.

I took a running start up a mountain once, with the throttle floored in 1st gear, and it bogged down before I could make it all the way up. Then again, this was with the 2.2L engine, and I had 5 people plus camping and rock climbing gear onboard. A 2.5L with auto tranny may have made it up.

[elhigh]

I have a '98 Fozzie, also auto. My observations:

1) These things are geared ridiculously short. 2500 rpm at 60? With 165 hp? Get a grip. It just doesn't need to be spinning that busily. And I think there are no regearing options for longer legs, you're just stuck with it. I don't think it's possible to make the manual finals work for the auto, but I haven't explored that very deeply.

2) The torque converter will not lock up below about 40mph. For that reason I spend a lot of time cruising at exactly 45, which combines to minimized the aero load while keeping the TC engaged.

3) Mid-20s is a good day in my experience. My son has managed over 27 on a couple of longer trips. The longest tank I have personally observed was about 330 miles.

4) Any aero improvements you can make have GOT to pay off. The aero of the Forester is comparable to a phone booth, or a cardboard box. It's awful.

5) Oil on the engine might be valve cover gaskets, but it might be a leaky inspection plate on the back of the engine. You have to pull the engine to get to it. Supposedly your generation of Foz should have been okay for that, but some reports say it was still an issue. Mine smokes like the Deepwater Horizon after any drive longer than three miles, even after the engine was supposed to have been fixed.

These problems aside, it's a NICE car. Lots of room inside, plenty of power, and a hoot in snow. NOTE: DON'T attempt any kind of offroading without installing limited slip differentials. I got mine with about 160,000 miles on and it's up to about 330,000 now.

[NoD~]

OK, so I can't say I'm extremely impressed with the block heater. In a ~35* garage and plugged in for 3 hours, the highest it'll go is around ~100*F. Not sure if it is set to a low thermostat, poor circulation, or what, but I think the oil heater pad is going to have to happen soon (and trans... it doesn't shift until around 2500rpm with cold fluid running through it! Really annoying how it "hangs" there, but my wife's xB does the same thing).

So far, I've seen anywhere between 26MPG-32MPG on the Torque app (probably averaging high 20's). Fairly curious what I end up with at end of tank, see if it is even in the right ballpark! One thing I want to get at some point is an Android heat unit, so I can keep dedicated gauging and logging without having to use my phone every time.

To aid in keeping things warmer (and Aero!), I made a quick grill blocking for the winter...





I may close it in a little more. Only have done a few short drives, but seems to be no issue with this size of opening, especially if I kick on the heater! (which I try not to do until it hits ~190*F on the engine coolant)

[NoD~]

OK, I put a 150w 4x5 heater on the oil pan and a 100w 4x5 heater on the trans. Hoping this helps a bit with the ol MPGz!

Trans Heater (on the corner to make the cord the most out of the way possible)


Oil pan heater (perfect fit!) as well as the coolant heater


And thought this was interesting... aerodynamics? Pshhh... who needs those?!