2014 Subaru Forester

[Walter]

What's the mileage of your Subaru? *oliver ...

[oliver1013]

Pa check mo sa FusionR or 2211. Baka mas affordable.


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Talked to fusion R, di daw sila gumagaw niyan bro. Will be bringing it to Moducare afte holy week since it's near my place..Pero P60k din daw aabutin.

[oliver1013]

What's the mileage of your Subaru? *oliver ...

58,000km bro

As per fusion R, cause ng ganung sira is not replacing CVT fluid. But I had mine replaced sa casa nung 40,000km yung auto at Subaru C5. Makes we wonder, did they really replace it then?

[Walter]

or they messed up something while replacing your CVT fluid ...

[Capsaul]

san maganda mag pa hardwire ng dashcam?

[jojopad]

Are there any Subaru repair specialist shops other than FusionR? Kung casa naman paguusapan sa pms at repair, saan highly recommended?

[jojopad]

When buying a 2nd hand 4th gen Forester (NA and XT), what are the common issues and maintenance items to look out for?

* Fluid leaks particularly oil
* CVT fluid last change
* Rear differential leak
* Shock absorber

[Egan101]

When buying a 2nd hand 4th gen Forester (NA and XT), what are the common issues and maintenance items to look out for?

* Fluid leaks particularly oil
* CVT fluid last change
* Rear differential leak
* Shock absorber

For the SJ platform Forester, just ask the seller for a maintenance history. The non-turbo FB20 requires a different oil viscosity and CVTF than the turbo FA20. Both engines have no oil burning characteristics like the older EJ25. Fully synthetic 5w30 API SN can be used on either engine. The XT uses a high-torque CVTF which is the same one used on the WRX CVT. CVTF is not interchangeable between trannies of the FB20 and FA20.

Not much concern on differential leaks unless the car is not properly taken cared off. The shock absorbers are not much of a concern though if it breaks, you can go with the stock self-leveling type. Changing to aftermarket non self-leveling type will mean changing your springs also.

Key things to check:

- front lower arm bushings big and small: these breaks every 30k km, may it be original or OEM replacements. Test drive the vehicle to check - any audible vibrations on the wheels when going over 80kmh is a sure sign the bushings are busted.
- aircon system: weakness ng Subaru eto. Check for leaks, the expansion valve, the evaporator, and compressor.
- for the XT: check the turbo intake clamp. They come loose sometimes. Erratic values in the boost gauge (Yes, the XT comes with a turbo boost gauge) will mean something is off on the turbo. Normal idle boost pressure is -0.72 to -0.62 bar depending on altitude. Max boost is at +1.35 bar, when revving up to the peak of the torque band (5k rpm or higher).


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[StockEngine]

When buying a 2nd hand 4th gen Forester (NA and XT), what are the common issues and maintenance items to look out for?

* Fluid leaks particularly oil
* CVT fluid last change
* Rear differential leak
* Shock absorber

note headgasket & battery terminals, the correlation from this guy is pretty good.

[jojopad]

For the SJ platform Forester, just ask the seller for a maintenance history. The non-turbo FB20 requires a different oil viscosity and CVTF than the turbo FA20. Both engines have no oil burning characteristics like the older EJ25. Fully synthetic 5w30 API SN can be used on either engine. The XT uses a high-torque CVTF which is the same one used on the WRX CVT. CVTF is not interchangeable between trannies of the FB20 and FA20.

Not much concern on differential leaks unless the car is not properly taken cared off. The shock absorbers are not much of a concern though if it breaks, you can go with the stock self-leveling type. Changing to aftermarket non self-leveling type will mean changing your springs also.

Key things to check:

- front lower arm bushings big and small: these breaks every 30k km, may it be original or OEM replacements. Test drive the vehicle to check - any audible vibrations on the wheels when going over 80kmh is a sure sign the bushings are busted.
- aircon system: weakness ng Subaru eto. Check for leaks, the expansion valve, the evaporator, and compressor.
- for the XT: check the turbo intake clamp. They come loose sometimes. Erratic values in the boost gauge (Yes, the XT comes with a turbo boost gauge) will mean something is off on the turbo. Normal idle boost pressure is -0.72 to -0.62 bar depending on altitude. Max boost is at +1.35 bar, when revving up to the peak of the torque band (5k rpm or higher).

This is excellent info! Thank you very much Egan!

The aircon system, particularly the compressor, seems to be first one to break with the Forester. I have a friend who spent a lot of money to have it replaced. The Forester is just around 5/6 years old, less than 50,000km at the odometer I think.

[Egan101]

This is excellent info! Thank you very much Egan!

The aircon system, particularly the compressor, seems to be first one to break with the Forester. I have a friend who spent a lot of money to have it replaced. The Forester is just around 5/6 years old, less than 50,000km at the odometer I think.

My 2016 XT’s evaporator and compressor are still good. I did replace the expansion valve and o-rings. When you suspect that no cold air comes out of the aircon, check for leaks or freon content right away.

Since the Forester is always on active AWD, this means all 4 wheels are spinning when running. If changing tires, change all 4 of them. Stock tire size of 225/55/18 is not so common though.

The XT uses a bigger front brake disc rotor and thus its brake pads are not similar to the FB20 Forester. The stock front pads on my XT gave out at 30k km. I suggest you use Akebono pads as replacement.

If buying a used Forester, opt for the XT if possible. You will appreciate the extra power and torque. The 2017-2018 XTs already have steering adaptive headlights.


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[jojopad]

Thanks Egan for these tips! I'll likely get the XT if I can find one with good condition and not overpriced.

How about the radiator? I heard some units need to have it replaced after 5 years.

Also, what's your go-to subaru specialist shop? A friend of mine highly recommends FusionR at QC. I prefer a shop that's near to Makati.

[dreamur]

My forester NA is 6 year old with 33k odo. So far I have only replaced orings and expansion valve for the A/C system (P8K] bushing and stabs for the joints (P20K). All casa done. Mas mura sa labas of course.

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[jojopad]

Ano nga pala gas fuel type na kailangan sa NA at XT model ng Forester SJ? Should it be high octane like Shell V-Power? 91 octane hindi ata pwede noh?

[Egan101]

95RON yung fuel requirement ng FA20. Motor Image told me I can use up to 97RON. They don’t suggest using higher than 97RON as it will easily foul up the plugs. The stock plugs can last up to 120k km. I am not sure about the FB20 engine but I think it’s common for owners I know to use 95RON.

Eto tip - gas up with UniOil and use your S&R membership card. 95RON comes out cheaper than 91RON with the S&R discount. Yung S&R membership fee mo na 700, bawi yan in 3 full tanks. 5 pesos per liter at 50L means 250 savings each full tank.

Like with dreamur, I had the expansion valve and o-rings replaced last year (5 years old na yung XT ko nun). Together with labor, flush, at freon recharge - inabot ako 5k.

Some Subie owners in Makati go to 2211 Works in Leon Guinto, Manila. Madali lang naman pumunta na lang ng FusionR kung taga Makati ka. Dito sa BF Homes Parañaque, I go to GAT Performance.

No issues with my radiator so far. I did change coolant when I reached 50k km. Ravenol HJC yung nakita ko affordable coolant na meets Subaru requirement. You can buy it in Lazada. Amsoil FS 5w30 gamit ko na engine oil.


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[jojopad]

Excellent tips Egan, again thank you very much for sharing these [emoji106]

I've been asking around at FB marketplace for 2nd hand 2014 Forester. It's so disappointing that these 2nd hand sellers claiming to be owners (probably bought it from another seller) didn't transfer the LTO registration to their name, and the deed of sale they have are "open", the buyer details are blank.

[fudtripers]

Reviving this thread. I own a 2016 Subaru FXT. It has logged 40k km already. Of late, I noticed that I need to replace the original tires (225/55R18) due to old age already. I don't plan to change the stock 18" wheels but I'm wondering which of the tire choices below would you go for:

1) 225/60R18
2) 225/65R18
3) 235/55R18
4) 235/60R18

Primary consideration is if it's actually doable without modifying the suspension or lift of the vehicle and if it actually results in a better and comfortable ride as compared to its stock tires. I am undecided whether I should pass the vehicle on to my university son/daughter or whether I should resell this now that I just hit the half century mark and it's freakish ride results to aches and pains on my body way more than I could handle now.

A little extra is what brand of tires would you actually recommend to replace the stock tires.

Thanks in advance.

[Egan101]

Reviving this thread. I own a 2016 Subaru FXT. It has logged 40k km already. Of late, I noticed that I need to replace the original tires (225/55R18) due to old age already. I don't plan to change the stock 18" wheels but I'm wondering which of the tire choices below would you go for:

1) 225/60R18
2) 225/65R18
3) 235/55R18
4) 235/60R18

Primary consideration is if it's actually doable without modifying the suspension or lift of the vehicle and if it actually results in a better and comfortable ride as compared to its stock tires. I am undecided whether I should pass the vehicle on to my university son/daughter or whether I should resell this now that I just hit the half century mark and it's freakish ride results to aches and pains on my body way more than I could handle now.

A little extra is what brand of tires would you actually recommend to replace the stock tires.

Thanks in advance.

I use 235/55/18 with no issues at all. They are Otani KC2000 and they are very good for its price. I got them from a fellow Tsikot member who owns a tire shop.

By the way, I have logged more than 80k km on my 2016 XT.


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[viper888]

Where do you guys have your Forester's maintenance and servicing done? Ive heard of 2211 and Fusion R but does anyone here have any experiences with these two?

My sister left her Forester here before the pandemic to go abroad and now we've decided to have it fixed while she's finding herself or whatever. Dash has Christmas lights so were considering going to a specialist

[Egan101]

Where do you guys have your Forester's maintenance and servicing done? Ive heard of 2211 and Fusion R but does anyone here have any experiences with these two?

My sister left her Forester here before the pandemic to go abroad and now we've decided to have it fixed while she's finding herself or whatever. Dash has Christmas lights so were considering going to a specialist

If you are in QC area, go to Fusion R.

If you are in Parañaque area, go to GAT Performance.


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