Subaru Outbacks

[Hickey]

I’ll have to test the X-mode a little more on ours. I know in the deep mud/snow setting mine shuts off over 25mph not sure about the other settings though.

Anyone want to go Subaru-ing? I think the new term for light wheeling is soft-roading…. Oye kids these days 😐

4bysploring? 😂

 

[TurboMinivan]

... but it seems it maybe just turns itself back on when you slow down?

Somebody earned themselves an internet cookie.

When (single-mode) X-Mode was introduced, it only functioned at low speeds... and when you exceeded 25 MPH, it would turn itself off. Period. When Dual-Mode X-Mode was initially introduced, it still only worked at low speeds, and when you exceeded 25 MPH it would still turn itself off... but now, if the driver hadn't re-selected Normal mode, Dual-Mode X-Mode would turn itself back on when you dropped below 25 MPH.

Of course, Subaru likes to make continual software tweaks and adjustments... which makes memorizing all this stuff somewhat difficult.

 

[TurboMinivan]

(Sorry--I got distracted and had to end that post quickly.)

With the introduction of the Outback Wilderness Edition, Subaru introduced Advanced Dual-Mode X-Mode. This version includes some medium-to-high speed gravel/dirt functions.

For those of you trying to keep score at home, that means every new Outback includes some version of X-Mode as standard equipment. However, there are three distinct versions of X-Mode. Which one you get depends on the trim level of the Outback in question.

 

[DAA]

I just read all that X-Mode stuff and I already can't remember it.

Haven't had a Subaru since my '79 Brat. But I loved that car. Went through ball joints and hubs and CV shafts and clutches and oil like crazy on it, but that wasn't it's fault. That little sucker dragged itself across so much shit it had no business being near it was ridiculous. Gave it to a crazy girl, she eventually ran me over with it, thank gawd for that flimsy core support...

- DAA

 

[Rot Box]

Never owned a Brat but my brother had a couple…. Those backwards facing seats with oh shit handles in the bed were rad I think they’re probably illegal now 😂

This Subaru ‘love’ all started with my 84 GL two door hatchback. I had that one my brother had brats, my mom drove a GL sedan and all the neighbors had GL wagons…. No X-mode or CVT in those days but we did have low range!!!

 

[glockman]

We did some Subaru sploring yesterday. I actually really like our Forester, as my wife's car😁

 

[Rot Box]

Sitting at the dealership getting a key programmed and noticed this rad shirt!

Remember the spare tire under the hood those years? Haha

 

[STAG]

 

[johngottfredson]

View attachment 156613

Thanks for posting this. Number one on my purchase criteria is not having 150mph engine failure when I flee the police. Subaru, you’re disappointing me.

 

[N-Smooth]

Head gasket failure? 🤣

 

[Rot Box]

Oh boy I’m digging this one up from the dead!



A little recap. Bought this 2003 Outback 3.0 H6 LL Bean edition with a rod knock last year. Pulled engine—I hibernated all winter—now I’m going to start working on it again 😎

Planning on ordering a low mileage JDM engine this week sometime. Also found a set of alloy Bean OEM wheels for free on the classifieds. Swap out the ugly ones that are on it now.

My daughter just got her learners permit… Man I’m getting old and talk about anxiety wowsers! She’s getting the hang of it though I’m super proud of her.

 

[Rot Box]

The Subicon saw some dirt today! Well mostly rocks haha. X-mode is really great, I noticed it mostly at low speeds going downhill. It held me back really well I rarely had to press the brakes. I’m still not a fan of the CVT but my wife doesn’t seem to mind.

 

[Zombie]

I’m still not a fan of the CVT but my wife doesn’t seem to mind.

Funny story about the human brain... my first CVT was a 2012 legacy premium that I leased. After the break in period, the first time I gave it significant throttle getting on the freeway I noticed that i went to 3500 RPM and stayed there, I though to myself, "hmm, that could be interesting with a turbo."
The 2012 cars didn't pretend to shift like the modern cars, and frankly I preferred that. If you are going to have a CVT, let it be a CVT. Everyone knows it's a CVT, making it pretend to shift just makes the mechanism less efficient but I digress.

The funny story, for the first several months It was so weird that the car didn't shift... then I drove my wife's car with a conventional automatic, and the first time it shifted from first to second under decent throttle, I backed off the gas thinking I'd broken something.

Weird how the mind works when it gets used to things...

 

[Corban_White]

If you are going to have a CVT, let it be a CVT. Everyone knows it's a CVT, making it pretend to shift just makes the mechanism less efficient but I digress.

I agree.

 

[Zombie]

I agree.

Pisses me off to no end in my wife's Ascent. If you are half throttle, it loses boost and falls on it's face when it "sHiFtS". At more than 3/4 throttle is doesn't pretend to shift and it drives beautifully. I would be interested in a tune that got rid of the fake shift BS entirely and allowed it to operate at peak efficiency for the condition.

 

[Thursty]

I don’t mean to hijack but Marty and Moog at Mighty Car Mods are restoring a Brumby (Brat)!

 

[STAG]

“What kind of Subaru do you drive?” 🌈

 

[Zombie]

For my fellow Subaru Outback owners, I installed this over the weekend:

Subaru Outback Screen ProTech Kit

What’s all included in your Screen ProTech kit? ✓High quality, durable proprietary film specifically for the screens that is easy to install with nearly invisible lines. ✓Microfiber/Glass Towel, Squeegee, and Mini Mister w/ solution* (just add water!) ✓Access to an entire community of car...

screenprotech.com

I went for the low glare version for the nav screen, having already wrapped the piano black shifter trim in Matte carbon fiber. This morning on my drive into work heading from sandy to downtown, the low winter sun did not glare off my screen and annoy the shiz out of me. I also have no noticeable fingerprints on the screen after adjusting a few things and changing the radio a few times on the drive in.
Highly recommend.
After the screen film is fully cured, I'm planning to wrap the piano black trim around the vents with matte carbon to remove the little slivers of glare potential.
My eyes are stupid sensitive, this made a big difference for me.

 

[glockman]

Timely. How did you wrap the shifter and with what? I'm not a huge fan of the gold interior accents on our new wilderness.

 

[mbryson]

Timely. How did you wrap the shifter and with what? I'm not a huge fan of the gold interior accents on our new wilderness.

Do red! All the cool kids have red accents and dashes