Thoughts on my new Outback...

[Sequoia225]

Im guessing there is something about the CVT that doesnt hold like an automatic does, thats why we have a hill holder - which just engages the parking break.

with you going 110, Im glad you live on the other side of the country. I am of the mindset that anyone going 110 is just endangering the people around them. Just my opinion.

Im also guessing that the electronic changes are just the way of modern cars and to try to compete with everyone else - Subaru has to keep up on the flashy add ons.

[OutbackFun]

I love my MPG gauge. It teaches me to drive more economically to get more MPG.

My bluetooth works way better than what I had in my VW. Although I do have an issue when answering the phone calls, but the dealer couldn't duplicate the issue with their Droid phone. I have an iPhone 5.

I do not have an electronic release for the trunk.

Question about the parking brake and hill holder - can you use them both at the same time? I would assume so, but this is new to me.

[Novablue]

Hill holder- automatically engages the parking e-brake on a steep hill to prevent you from rolling back when you move your foot to the gas from the brake.

The button disables the feature. I've only used hill-holder in downtown Seattle, where it came in very handy... but not required. AC isn't required either, but it's also very handy. I think Subaru went with the e-brake because of the hill hold feature which they needed more because of the CVT. On steep hills this car rolls back like a manual. People who have only had auto's would get into accidents, I'm sure.

I never pull the button to release the brake, I just push on the gas... and it shuts off automatically.

On a side note: if you use the e-brake in a panic stop at speed it has an "anti-lock" feature. I found that fascinating.

I don't mean to be rude but doesn't anyone read the manual about things they down't understand? It actually describes this stuff very well. Then come on here and ask away! (Not directing this at anyone personally, it just seems to be a car thing in general)

Bluetooth: Doesn't work. Nice! You are not the first on here to report a problem but you are the first to say you wear head phones while driving. Nice!

I suggest you try to pair it again using the voice prompts. This time: IF you still have an issue you might have a bad mic. More than one person has had a bad microphone.

I like the split console, it allows me to keep my change out of sight and on top of all the other stuff that goes in that cubby bellow.

I'm not going to tell you that traveling at 110mph (if that't what you meant) and wearing head phones while driving are very dangerous, especially together because you should already know this, and I'm sure more than one person will do that for me.

Glad you like the car.

[stadtmkw]

Anyone figured out a way to get more heat on your feet without cooking your top half? I have a Limited with the automatic controls. I wish all trim levels gave you the option of having manaul HVAC controls. I have the mode set to my feet but, apparently by design, this mode also throws hot air against the windshield which rolls right up to my head.

[G-Omaha]

Simply close the dash vents. After this action the air will flow downwards.

[Sequoia225]

Originally Posted by Novablue

I don't mean to be rude but doesn't anyone read the manual about things they down't understand? It actually describes this stuff very well. Then come on here and ask away! (Not directing this at anyone personally, it just seems to be a car thing in general)



.

haha. I have wondered this a bit on this forum.

But I work in an industry where we are reading manuals ALL the time to keep up with new technology - which changes in months.
I have found though that many people in general do NOT read manuals - for most anything - at least people I know. In fact they sort of scoff when I suggest it when they have a question. lol

Yes, the Subaru manual is FULL of a lot of boring repetitive safety warnings, many of which are obvious - but there are some really interesting things in there about the car and driving it.
Like what the consequences can be if you put anything under the seats, which I used to do in my old OB.
Or, for instance, I had no idea that it is advised to turn OFF the Vehicle Dynamics Control when you are starting on a steep slippery or generally slippery surface or if you are stuck somewhere being pulled out. . Also if you hold that button down for 10 seconds, the VDC is active and the switch is locked from use until you restart the car. And even if its deactivated, the light indicator may still come on as the brake control system will still work.
Might not be relevant to many, but point is theres a lot of info in there among all the repetitive and obvious crap.
I had no idea that little square in the bumper was for towing the car (well I mean pulling it out of a stuck spot)
or how to open the rear hatch if the button doesnt work, and many other interesting things.

[Sequoia225]

Originally Posted by stadtmkw

Anyone figured out a way to get more heat on your feet without cooking your top half? I have a Limited with the automatic controls. I wish all trim levels gave you the option of having manaul HVAC controls. I have the mode set to my feet but, apparently by design, this mode also throws hot air against the windshield which rolls right up to my head.

Im STILL trying to figure out the air system on the Limited (a month in). Even after reading the manual I dont understand why it does some things it does at all. Esp in full auto mode

[atlsubaru]

110? This car scares me at 80 with the rear end moving around. I would like to do the rear sway switch like I've read buy my wife doesn't appear to be interested (it's her car).

[dcbpe]

Originally Posted by Novablue

I don't mean to be rude but doesn't anyone read the manual about things they down't understand? It actually describes this stuff very well. Then come on here and ask away! (Not directing this at anyone personally, it just seems to be a car thing in general)

By way of explanation (not taking anything personally), I did read the manual cover to cover. I just don't get how these doohickeys I've listed improve the car. Seems to me that a solenoid activating the parking brake is just another thing to break whereas pulling a lever is 100% mechanical...and although it's not full-proof it should break less often.

Originally Posted by Novablue

I'm not going to tell you that traveling at 110mph (if that't what you meant) and wearing head phones while driving are very dangerous, especially together because you should already know this, and I'm sure more than one person will do that for me.

Glad you like the car.

Yeah, I guess plenty of others mentioned that

I very rarely speak on the phone in the car, and especially not at 110. On a 4 lane interstate highway at 3am I'm really not endangering anyone but myself, but I didn't keep it up there very long. Just a quick spurt between known speed traps to see what the car can do. It's sort of a tradition that every car I drive has to break 100 once. Word of caution...don't ever let me borrow your car.

In my old Outback I got clocked at 120mph () on the same highway, early one Sunday morning. State Trooper gave me a ticket for doing 75 in a 55. Nice guy...he could have impounded the car and taken my license. That was my last ticket, 8 years ago...so I've been a good boy folks, not to worry!

I do appreciate all the concern though

[dcbpe]

Originally Posted by atlsubaru

110? This car scares me at 80 with the rear end moving around. I would like to do the rear sway switch like I've read buy my wife doesn't appear to be interested (it's her car).

I found it quite solid at 110, especially compared to my wife's Dodge Caravan. Talk about a swaying rear end!

But I couldn't push it any farther without passing a speed trap at ridiculous speed so I had to let off the gas.

The most amazing thing to me was that it certainly felt like there was power available even at that speed. The car seems hungry to me... like it wants to go NASCAR and I'm just holding it back.

Now you all know why my wife said I couldn't buy a 3.6.