Hello, Sports fans!
First Service
With just over 8,000 km I figured I would go in early to get the service done. After that I will do oil changes at 5,000 km intervals between the services the Subaru dealer does. Oil is cheap compared to an engine and I think that a lot of maintenance intervals are based on the manufacturers trying to keep the appearance of maintenance costs down. Extended pour points of full-synthetic oil is all well and good but with the low-tension rings engines use the oil gets more contaminants than with high-tension rings.
Plus, when I had my 1988 Toyota Corolla I was an aircraft mechanic and I did oil changes every 5,000 km and that car's engine was mint when I sold it. It ran like a V8!
In anticipation of the Red Mist's first service appointment, I decided to head to a local self-car wash and gussy her up.
After about an hour of work, she looked so much better. I would have put a stronger effort into this, but its been a full day at work and with nightfall coming earlier it gets too dark to do any accurate detailing.
At least she is washed and relatively clean so the dealer gets an idea of how much I think of her. Did the full exterior and then all the door sills and hardware as well as a wipe down of the engine bay and interior of the hood. Dressed the wheels after detailing the mags.
She looks good and I will do a tidying of the interior tomorrow in the light of day.
Just hope it does not rain tonight.
Winter Wheels and Tires
I talked to my local service guys who are amazing and I am going to source a set of Bridgestone Blizzak LM005 or Nokian HAKKAPELIITTA R5 winter tires.
I had attended an owner's seminar hosted by Stratford Subaru given by The Car Lady. Great overview of the features of the Subaru line given with enthusiasm and her knowledge is complete. She knows her stuff and was an automotive mechanic. She has a presence at Instagram (thecarladycanada) and Twitter (CarLadyCanada) as well as a website at www.thecarlady.ca.
She shared with us that we should be sure to get hub-centric rims as this type of rim is a better fit for tire installation on a Subaru than a lug-centric design. I had no idea about this and as I am in the market for new tires and rims for the winter this was key information I will be sure to pass on to or check with my mechanics.
Edited to add: I called my guys today. The totally only install hub centric rims!
Here is an article that helps us understand the difference.
Christine has a powerful wish to share automotive knowledge and she does it so very well.
Thanks, Christine!
As to the tires, my last car had Blizzak All Weathers and they do not require change over. With the milder wintes the Bridgestone Blizzak WeatherPeak is a great solution for those who do not have the ability to store tires or simply want to negate the twice-yearly visits to the dealer or shop for Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer change over.
The WeatherPeaks were amazing and very good in rain and pooling water. Road noise was minimal for such an aggressive tread and softer rubber compound.
In fact, my guys in Cambridge are recommending and selling them based on my experience. They had never sold this type of tire before.
Why winters for the Mist after all this great experience with the WeatherPeaks Spots Fans?
Simply, I have a fresh set of all-seasons and can get tire storage at Elgin Auto Sales and Service so running winters is now an option.
If you need an independent repair place these guys are gold in my book!
So, now I have a clean car, a fresh oil change and a focus to get the right parts for my car's tires I can be confident the Mist will give good service until the "B" service.
Sports fans, I hope you all well.
Drive safe and you know where the rubber goes!
