[Alisoncc]

Newbie Subie owner effective yesterday. Just bought a 2004 OB 4GEN MY04 - don't know what the bits on the end mean. Main reason for purchase to haul three or four oldish girls with their golf bags and electric buggies around various golf courses on the Mornington Peninsula. Not planning on driving across the Tanami Desert in the near future, although have driven around the deserts of Oman and southern Arabia, Kalahari - rolled a landrover on it's roof there, and halfway across Sahara - again in a landrover which had problems between Agadez and Tamarasset.

The OB I bought was relatively cheap, but came with no history or owners manual. Had to remove the towbar in order to close the garage door. Now have this 2" sq rusty hole on the back, recommendations to conceal it please. A plug of some sort. Also having no manual makes for fun working out what does what. Downloaded the US manuals but there are some differences. For instance there is a black button close to the gear shift, no idea what that does. And after driving for a while I get a green flashing "Sports" message, even though the car has normal drive selected. Only happens after ten to fifteen minutes. Yet to fathom the complexities of the trip computer. Yesterday when I collected it was telling me trip distance. Today it's telling me fuel utilization. Tomorrow who knows. Any help with the above would be greatly appreciated.

PS have 173,000 kms on the clock, which seems reasonable for it's age.

 

[Alisoncc]

Everything's sorted, 'cept the black button near the gear shift. Doesn't seem to do anything.

 

[moblet]

Welcome! I won't pretend to be able to help you on this one as I have an earlier model (3GEN) with no such complexities, but suggest the following:
- Post your question in the appropriate technical section on these boards, accompanied by a photo of the offending article. It's not clear to me whether you have a manual or automatic transmission. Note that your model is known as 3GEN in the US.
- I've found most Subaru dealers and specialist mechanics to be very knowledgeable and helpful, the kind of folk who would very happily take the time to explain to you any aspect of your car. If you chance to drive past one stop in and ask them. I know a good Subaru mechanic in Maribyrnong but he's probably not on your way to anywhere.

At a guess: from talking to a serial OB owner I've learned that at some point Subaru switched from providing a dual-range transfer lever (as I have) to a "sport mode". If you don't have a full-on lever to select low range then your button is presumably to engage sport mode. How sport mode might function is totally beyond me, though.

 

[Timberwolf99]

You might even be able to get a new manual from the dealer. Or check any dismantlers with your vehicle and see if you can buy one from them.

 

[moblet]

Or check any dismantlers with your vehicle and see if you can buy one from them.

Excellent idea. If you can't turn one up locally try these:
- Sunspares on the Sunshine Coast
- Jap Wreck in western Sydney
- Cardiff Automotive in Newcastle

 

[Alisoncc]

Discovered a rel in Sydney has the same model 2004 2.5l Outback, so borrowed her manual, since returned.

But must relate today's funny Outback story. About to take off to visit friends who have recently moved, so had fairly heavy road directory - Melways, sitting on front passengers seat. Anyway about to go when I get this beeping noise. It must have taken me close to ten minutes to work out that Subbie was insisting that I put a seat belt around the Melways. It must have been heavy enough to suggest that there was a presence on the seat. Talk about funny, I got the giggles.

 

[moblet]

Don't keep us in suspense!

What did you do next?