Wiper care
You might take them for granted -- until it rains, and suddenly your safety depends on them. Windshield wipers always need to stay in top condition because you never know when you'll need them to help you see the road.
Wipers take a beating from extreme temperatures, acid rain, road salt, sand, and ice scraper abuse. The rubber can crack, split, tear, become contaminated with road film or chemicals or warp from long exposure to heat, cold or ice. Improvements are being made in blade materials, but air pollution still takes its toll.
You can clear up many windshield problems by replacing the blades. If water beads up on the glass, or if wiper action creates a hazy, oily film, clean the glass and replace the blades. Beading and hazing are most often caused by car wax build-up or driving behind a vehicle that was losing brake fluid or engine oil. If wipers leave streaks or "skip" on each stroke, the arm may be bent or applying incorrect pressure. Blades and arms should be inspected every four to six months.
Meanwhile, every time you wash your car (weekly, hopefully), clean the rubber blade with a mild detergent and rinse with water. You'll remove most pollutants attacking the rubber, help increase blade life and reduce windshield smearing. If taking a rear wiper-equipped Subaru through a commercial car wash, temporarily tape the rear wiper to the glass to avoid damage during the wash.
Filter care
Road dust, fuel system condensation and engine-oil sludge are unseen enemies that can cause harm to your engine, or prevent it from working at its best. Your best defense? Visit your Subaru dealer for genuine Subaru filter replacements to help ensure that your engine lives a healthy, high-mileage life. Refer to your vehicle's Warranty and Maintenance Booklet for recommended maintenance schedules.
Remember, ALWAYS insist on genuine Subaru Filters - your best defense against the most abusive elements.
The Three Main Filters
Shocks and Struts
The shocks and struts of your Subaru absorb the impact from unfortunate bumps in the road, and they help keep your ride feeling comfortable. We'll review them during our multi-point inspection, along with the other components of your suspension system, to make sure your vehicle handles safely and rides smoothly. Sharp turns, cruising curves at freeway speeds, and hard braking can be handled confidently with healthy shocks and struts.
Shocks and struts influence the control and handling characteristics of your vehicle while holding the tires to the road. They control the action of the spring to resist bottoming out -- like when you hit a pothole -- and keep the movement of the springs under control when they rebound. Without shocks and struts, a vehicle would continually bounce and bound down the road, making driving difficult.
"It is important that shocks and struts are in top condition during the Fall/Winter months," says James Plogger, vice president of sales for Gabriel Ride Control Products, Inc. "It is recommended that vehicle owners have their ride-control systems checked by an ASE certified service technician."
More about Shocks and Struts
Winter Care
With Fall/Winter weather fast approaching, now is the time to tackle the simple maintenance tasks that keep your Subaru in top running condition.
Timely maintenance does more than keep your Subaru running smoothly. It can help increase your car's trade-in value, improve its mileage, and save you time and costly repairs down the road.
What to Check this Winter
Service Center Hours
- Monday 7:00am - 6:00pm
- Tuesday 7:00am - 6:00pm
- Wednesday 7:00am - 6:00pm
- Thursday 7:00am - 6:00pm
- Friday 7:00am - 6:00pm
- Saturday 7:00am - 4:00pm
- Sunday Closed
